NOS Football•today, 10:53 PM
Ajax has hardly been able to hurt Europa League leader Lazio. The Amsterdam team lost in the Johan Cruijff Arena to the cunning and strong Italians: 1-3. It was the second European defeat in a row, after the 2-0 defeat at Real Sociedad.
The loss leaves Ajax with ten points, now from six games, and coach Francesco Farioli’s team drops out of the top eight. The best eight teams go directly to the last sixteen, numbers 9 to 24 continue in the play-offs.
On January 23, Ajax will play against FK RFS in Riga, Latvia, and a home match against Galatasaray will follow on January 30.
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NOS
The standings in the Europa League after six rounds -
NOS
The standings in the Europa League after six rounds
It was a top match in the Europa League between the number one after five rounds and the number six. And also a moment for Ajax to put on a good match again despite the “draining battery”.
The start was fine with a flashy combination between Bertrand Traoré, Brian Brobbey and Devyne Rensch, but the latter just did not take the ball well. After that things quickly deteriorated at Ajax.
Tchaouna punishes Ajax mistake, Traoré swipe
Jordan Henderson caused Kenneth Taylor problems and the loss of ball was punished mercilessly. After a pass from the sometimes elusive veteran Pedro, Loum Tchaouna gave the visitors the lead.
Ajax’s game remained below par after that. Josip Sutalo just surrendered and Youri Baas played dangerously back to Remko Pasveer several times, it just ended well. Valentín Castellanos shot wide.
-A foul by Jorrel Hato on Samuel Gigot earned the Dutch international a yellow card and thus a suspension for the upcoming match against FK RFS.
On the other hand, Ajax did get a few chances through Brobbey. The striker headed wide after a cross from Rensch and also from a cross from Steven Berghuis.
Traoré claimed a penalty just before half-time after being hooked by Luca Pellegrini, but referee Ivan Kruzliak and the VAR ignored the claim.
Shortly after the break, Traoré took revenge. Kenneth Taylor’s header was cleared off the line from a free kick and Traoré hit the rebound hard with his left leg.
Lazio takes distance through Dele-Bashiru and Pedro
Pushing through was not an option for Ajax. Lazio struck again in the 52nd minute. Substitute Mattia Zaccagni crossed and Nigerian Fisayo Dele-Bashiru shot in at the far post. Pasveer was still there, but the ball had crossed the line.
Tchaouna then failed to increase the score. His shot through the middle was a prey for Pasveer. By introducing Wout Weghorst for Brobbey, Ajax tried to turn the tide in the final phase.
It was not convincing. The 37-year-old star Pedro crowned his strong match with a beautiful goal after a nice counter: 1-3.
The match was over, although the home team still had some big chances through substitute Chuba Akpom and Anton Gaaei (cross). Amsterdammer Tijjani Noslin remained on the bench at Lazio.
