Reading time: 5 minutes
Beforehand, many supporters would have wanted to sign, to get a point against the million-dollar formation from the capital. However, as the match progressed, it became clear that the ‘new’ Go Ahead Eagles were an excellent match for the Amsterdammers. With the necessary fortune, Ajax managed to leave the Koekstad with a point.
Ajax started as expected, a lot of ball possession, a slight advantage but a terrible effort to create even a chance. The elite of the football press attributed it to a poor performance by Ajax, forgetting that there is often an opponent. This Go Ahead Eagles forced Ajax into this position, forced Ajax to drift aimlessly on the Deventer pitch.
Weghorst invisible during starting debut
The danger that Ajax provided were attempts from the second line, the debut in the starting line of the much-discussed Weghorst fell completely in the water. Because the duo Kramer and Nauber had the tall striker completely in their grip, while Llansana managed to intercept many a pass. What the overzealous Deventer formation could be blamed for was that it did not deal well with the space that arose after many a sloppy football puzzle piece that Ajax wanted to lay down at its leisure.
Ajax paralyzed
Because Farioli’s selection drifted around without any tempo, looking for solutions but there simply weren’t any. Simonis and his staff had analyzed Ajax and paralyzed them completely. The guests from Amsterdam were also not smart enough to increase the tempo so that the 0-0 halfway was a logical consequence. During the break, Simonis sat down with his staff; it went well, but Ajax itself was the most dangerous with a laconic back pass that Pasveer could barely slide out of his goal.
Despair near
The solution came ‘from above’, Tristan Berghuis and his colleague were sitting a bit higher up in the stands and suggested a slightly different approach, supported by visual material. Kowet started to put higher pressure on the Ajax defence, resulting in panicky deep balls. These often fell into the possession of the home team, who were much more eager. The Italian head coach of the Amsterdammers was almost close to despair when the better play was also rewarded with a series of chances for GA Eagles.
Defense did not know what to do
Motivated by the greedy audience in the stadium on the Vetkampstraat, the red-yellows chased the Amsterdammers with big chances for Edvardsen and Linthorst. Halfway through the second half was another typical moment. Pressure was put on the Ajax defense that once again did not know what to do, lost the ball, but this time it was a hit. Breum was the instigator, Edvardsen the smartest and Llansana was allowed to pull the trigger.
Ajax on its knees
The result was an earthquake that will make the neighbors even more anxious on the Brinkgreverweg. Ajax on its knees by a wonderful strike from the former Ajax player who crowned his great match with the opening goal. The home team greedily went in search of the 2-0 while the Adelaarshorst trembled on its more than 100 year old foundations.
Push through or cherish point
However, Ajax will not be Ajax if something suddenly happens in the capital’s favour. Henderson saw substitute Klaassen move who did something with his head and without being aware of it, the midfielder headed the ball right behind goalkeeper Plogman. A new situation that Simonis’ men had to recover from for a while. Should they push on or cherish that point?
Goalkeeper Klaassen
The first was decided and the pressure was increased on the goal of Pasveer who got a few hands of help from Klaassen. The maker of the 1-1 boxed with both hands an effort from Llansana from the penalty area, changed colour and knew that the inevitable penalty was imminent. At least, normally, but not this time. Referee Nagtegaal decided not to even consult the VAR, while everyone had clearly seen that Klaassen did not have his hands naturally next to his body, but was busy protecting his newly implanted hair and thus blocked the shot on goal from Llansana.
Sour faces
The duel was killed by the delegation of the KNVB that had saved Ajax from a possible defeat. That also explained the sour faces of the selection and staff of the Deventer team, who eagerly and ambitiously tasted a victory, but had to settle for a point. It also underlines the progress and confidence that the team is currently going through. With an outstanding Deijl and Llansana, a great block in the center of the back, back Adelgaard who immediately shows level and a midfield that is stable.
Not afraid of anyone
Antman who really has a lot of qualities, Breum who shows perspective and Oliver Edvardsen who made his comeback after a long injury. If the staff handles this well, there is a lot of music in this selection. The Adelaarshorst was impossible to ignore last night, a scary gambling den for every opponent, especially on Saturday night. Because when the lights illuminate the dark Deventer sky, the Eagle really comes into its own, combative and afraid of no one, not even Ajax.
Interviews
Below are the conversations that Salland Sport had after Go Ahead Eagles against Ajax. Click on the image and listen back to captain Mats Deijl, midfielder Enric Llansana and head coach Paul Simonis. A file has also been added, taken from the live report, in which you can hear how you can also listen to football live. The radio fragment is from the 65th minute when Llansana put the deserved 1-0 on the board.
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