Amsterdam’s postponed Eredivisie evening ended in a five-goal release for Míchel’s Ajax, who swept past Willem II 5-1 and used the game in hand to tighten the leading cluster. The result lifts Ajax to fourth on 13 points, three behind both PSV and AZ, who have 16.
For much of the first half, Willem II kept the hosts waiting. Ajax found the opening shortly before the interval, however, and the match changed rapidly. Davy Klaassen broke the deadlock in the 41st minute before Brandt added another on 45 minutes, giving Ajax a commanding advantage by the break.
A settled night after the interval
Viktor Tsygankov, formerly of Girona, effectively settled the contest with Ajax’s third goal in the 69th minute. Oscar Gloukh struck five minutes later, while Willem II’s Ciranni scored a consolation in the 76th minute. Kasper Dolberg completed the 5-1 scoreline in the 87th minute.
The other notable feature of the night was in Ajax’s goal. Marc ter Stegen was left out, with Maarten Paes taking his place. Míchel explained that the German goalkeeper’s lengthy injury absence, combined with the approaching international break, made this an appropriate moment to give Paes a match and allow Ter Stegen further recovery time ahead of Saturday.
Ter Stegen is expected to be included when Klopp names his squad on Monday. Should he join the national team, Ajax believe the period afterwards will offer further opportunity to continue managing his recovery.
