Now then, Ajax entered Rotterdam winless against top half sides in away games this season. They haven't won away at Feyenoord since 2010. Frank de Boer's first visit ended in a superb 4-2 victory for the Rotterdammers after Man City's on-loan striker Guidetti scored a hat-trick. My first Der Klassieker at Rotterdam was last season when Pellè's 90th min goal gave Feyenoord a 2-2 draw.
But in contrast, Ajax were on a good run of form coming in to this game, having stayed unbeaten in Eredivisie since Nov 2013. March is when Ajax under Frank de Boer go up a notch - they only lost 1 game in the spring time [March-May] in last 4 yrs. Ajax were also on 3 match winning streak vs Feyenoord, with the recent 3-1 win coming in KNVB Cup quarter finals.
Daley Blind move to LB and Poulsen started as DM in center along with Klaassen and Serero. Feyenoord started the match aggressively in front of their own fans - no away supporters are allowed in the matches between these two sides. There were very few chances created by either side in the game. Apart from the goals scored, there was one header by Immers straight to Cillesen while Siem de Jong replied in kind with a header [very similar to the one Pelle scored] straight to Mulder. Some points I noted elsewhere:
- Joel Veltman has to learn the art of defending. He reminds me a lot of Pique and I want him to become a Vertonghen - someone who can pass well but can also defend well [my fav EPL defender last season]. Veltman has let Pelle win the ball several times which would have given a heart attack if I were watching the match live.
- Kishna got his first start for Ajax and provided the assist for Sigthorsson's first goal. Glorious change of pace to go past Bruno Martins-Indi and deliver the cross.
- This match was part of three epic clashes between former legendary players last weekend. Simeone vs Ancellotti and Seedorf vs Conte are the others.
- When Blind moved to LB, the midfield has lost a bit of control. Feels weird to say this but Blind at DM was working so well at Ajax. After Duarte came on, he was exchanging the LB-DM slots with Blind occasionally. This worked well vs AZ, failed spectacularly vs Red Bull Salzburg and did decently well vs Feyenoord. I think Blind/Duarte will need more time to develop an understanding for the exchanges.
- Bojan is one of the most technical players I have ever seen. If only he was more clinical. He had a glorious volley from edge of the box blocked on the line vs Feyenoord. Last I checked, he tweeted saying he'll be back soon from injury. [Got subbed off after 35 mins vs Feyenoord]
- Not all players go out on to the pitch to injure opponents but players do kick out occasionally. Not to injure anyone maybe, but usually out of frustration or as an act of retribution. Pelle intentionally elbowed Veltman twice in the face as he felt that referee didn't award him a foul previously. Clasie kicked out at Poulsen as he felt referee didn't previously award a foul when Poulsen and Immers went for the ball and Poulsen was late to the challenge [obviously, Poulsen is ancient]. te Vrete went so late into Cillesen that his goal kick was already across halfway line in the air. Players do it sometimes, yes. Depends on what kind of a ref you get. I prefer the teams to respond to the kicking in kind. I like Bergkamp for this.
- Poulsen gave a 20 yard through ball with his left foot. That is all.
- Pelle has been stripped off the captaincy for his recent transgressions and Clasie will now be the new Feyenoord captain.
- Ronald Koeman is no longer the Feyenoord coach
Ajax now have an 8-pt lead over 2nd placed Twente [who could only manage a draw in their game] and considering Ajax's unusually good form during the run-in mixed with easier set of fixtures [6 of their 8 games are against bottom half sides], Frank de Boer can become the first Ajax coach to win four Eredivisie titles in a row.
Stats courtesy Opta Johan and this.
But in contrast, Ajax were on a good run of form coming in to this game, having stayed unbeaten in Eredivisie since Nov 2013. March is when Ajax under Frank de Boer go up a notch - they only lost 1 game in the spring time [March-May] in last 4 yrs. Ajax were also on 3 match winning streak vs Feyenoord, with the recent 3-1 win coming in KNVB Cup quarter finals.
Daley Blind move to LB and Poulsen started as DM in center along with Klaassen and Serero. Feyenoord started the match aggressively in front of their own fans - no away supporters are allowed in the matches between these two sides. There were very few chances created by either side in the game. Apart from the goals scored, there was one header by Immers straight to Cillesen while Siem de Jong replied in kind with a header [very similar to the one Pelle scored] straight to Mulder. Some points I noted elsewhere:
- Joel Veltman has to learn the art of defending. He reminds me a lot of Pique and I want him to become a Vertonghen - someone who can pass well but can also defend well [my fav EPL defender last season]. Veltman has let Pelle win the ball several times which would have given a heart attack if I were watching the match live.
- Kishna got his first start for Ajax and provided the assist for Sigthorsson's first goal. Glorious change of pace to go past Bruno Martins-Indi and deliver the cross.
- This match was part of three epic clashes between former legendary players last weekend. Simeone vs Ancellotti and Seedorf vs Conte are the others.
- When Blind moved to LB, the midfield has lost a bit of control. Feels weird to say this but Blind at DM was working so well at Ajax. After Duarte came on, he was exchanging the LB-DM slots with Blind occasionally. This worked well vs AZ, failed spectacularly vs Red Bull Salzburg and did decently well vs Feyenoord. I think Blind/Duarte will need more time to develop an understanding for the exchanges.
- Bojan is one of the most technical players I have ever seen. If only he was more clinical. He had a glorious volley from edge of the box blocked on the line vs Feyenoord. Last I checked, he tweeted saying he'll be back soon from injury. [Got subbed off after 35 mins vs Feyenoord]
- Not all players go out on to the pitch to injure opponents but players do kick out occasionally. Not to injure anyone maybe, but usually out of frustration or as an act of retribution. Pelle intentionally elbowed Veltman twice in the face as he felt that referee didn't award him a foul previously. Clasie kicked out at Poulsen as he felt referee didn't previously award a foul when Poulsen and Immers went for the ball and Poulsen was late to the challenge [obviously, Poulsen is ancient]. te Vrete went so late into Cillesen that his goal kick was already across halfway line in the air. Players do it sometimes, yes. Depends on what kind of a ref you get. I prefer the teams to respond to the kicking in kind. I like Bergkamp for this.
- Poulsen gave a 20 yard through ball with his left foot. That is all.
- Pelle has been stripped off the captaincy for his recent transgressions and Clasie will now be the new Feyenoord captain.
- Ronald Koeman is no longer the Feyenoord coach
Ajax now have an 8-pt lead over 2nd placed Twente [who could only manage a draw in their game] and considering Ajax's unusually good form during the run-in mixed with easier set of fixtures [6 of their 8 games are against bottom half sides], Frank de Boer can become the first Ajax coach to win four Eredivisie titles in a row.
Stats courtesy Opta Johan and this.
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