Pre-Match
The bookmakers are taking form very seriously today and PSV have been touted as favourites with odds of 6/4.
Ajax are without Daley Sinkgraven and Jairo Riedewald today through injury.
Jeroen Zoet and Andres Guardado continue to miss out through their own injuries today.
The goalscoring ability of Kasper Dolberg cannot be ignored, he’ll be watched very closely during this game. Hakim Ziyech is also a player to be wary of as he can score and create from centre midfield.
The Teams
First Half
It’s a total snoozefest for the neutral in the first half. No chances worth mentioning for either side in 45 minutes.
Half Time
PSV are shading things in terms of possession but in truth neither side actually look likely to make a breakthrough today.
As the following map shows we have neutralised our targeted players to relatively decent levels of success today. The map shows areas of gained possession, limiting Ajax’s chances in the final third.
Second Half
The second half is instantly livelier than the first. Some trading of passes on the left from PSV leads to a cross from Willems, his ball is nodded down by Luuk De Jong and Marco Van Ginkel is waiting to strike from the edge of the area for his first goal for the club this season. 1-0 PSV!
On 64 minutes a headed clearance gives Luuk De Jong half a sight of goal but his shot sails over the bar.
Keen not to fall into the same trap of poor game management that we have previously, changes are made. We look to play more on the counter than before with a structured team shape. Schwaab replaces Ramselaar and will play as a defensive minded wide midfielder. Jorrit Hendrix will sit slightly deeper to shield the defence even further.
The tactical move backfires! Ajax find a sight of goal on 68 minutes and Bertrand Traore makes no mistake in slotting home. 1-1.
On 84 minutes Zinchenko picks the ball up and slides Davy Propper through on goal, unbelievably the midfield maestro strikes wide! Jurgen Locadia replaces Luuk De Jong for the final few minutes of play.
Neither side can find the breakthrough goal in the end and the spoils are shared.
Full Time
A point away to Ajax will never be bad but PSV will feel that they’ve dropped two points here today.
Player of the Match
It’s Marco Van Ginkel with his 7.5 rating. 84% pass completion, 4 headers won, 5 interceptions and an assist.
Next Up
A must win game in Europe as Leicester come to town.
