In Amsterdam, the international break has not altered Ajax’s uneasy rhythm. Míchel Sánchez’s side returned to the Johan Cruyff Arena on Saturday knowing that the Eredivisie summit had come within reach, only to leave with another home draw and a growing sense of opportunity missed.
Ajax were held 1-1 by NEC Nijmegen, their second successive league stalemate in front of their own supporters after the 2-2 result against Excelsior before the pause. Marc-André ter Stegen, on loan from Barcelona, again started in goal, but the German could not preserve an early advantage.
Tolu Arokodare gave Ajax the ideal beginning in the seventh minute, directing a deft header beyond the goalkeeper. NEC responded before the halfway mark, however, when Tjaronn Chory converted a penalty in the 19th minute against Ter Stegen. Neither team could find the deciding goal thereafter.
The point leaves Ajax fifth, with 15 points from eight matches. Their frustration was sharpened by the defeat of the team that had begun the weekend at the top, yet Ajax could not turn that opening into a meaningful climb.
Feyenoord take charge in Rotterdam
Across the country at De Kuip, Feyenoord made the most emphatic statement of the round. Gio van Bronckhorst’s Rotterdam side handed AZ Alkmaar their first loss of the league campaign, winning 2-0 to replace them at the head of the table.
Nacho Ferri put Feyenoord ahead after 13 minutes. The hosts then sealed the result around the hour through Javi López, the Spanish player currently borrowed from Real Sociedad. It was a result that shifted the balance at the top after AZ’s previously unbeaten start.
Feyenoord now lead the Eredivisie on 20 points. PSV sit one point behind after their 2-0 victory over Heerenveen on Friday, with AZ level with the Eindhoven club. For Ajax, the view from Amsterdam is still one of a congested race, but the latest home draw has made the journey towards it more demanding.
