Ajax

Ajax survived to reach the final of this season's UEFA Europa League, despite losing 3-1 to Lyon at the Stade de Lyon in the second leg of the semi-final on Thursday.

However, Ajax leaned on their 4-1 lead from the first leg to go through 5-4 on aggregate. Kasper Dolberg netted a vital away goal for Ajax, before Alexandre Lacazette scored twice for Lyon and substitute Rachid Ghezzal netted the home side's third.

Ajax had to hold on with 10 men for the final minutes after defender Nick Viergever was sent off for two bookings.

Needing to chase the game, Lyon picked a strong starting XI, one featuring star striker Lacazette, along with attacking midfielders Corentin Tolisso and Nabil Fekir. Meanwhile, Ajax were led by cultured skipper Davy Klaassen, with Chelsea loanee Bertrand Traore and Dolberg leading the line up front, per the tournament's official Twitter account:

TEAMS:
Here's how Lyon and Ajax will line up...#UEL pic.twitter.com/IiDebJt4Np

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 11, 2017

Lyon started at a frenetic pace, but it was Ajax who had the best of the early chances. The first came when Klaassen was picked out on a typically astute late-breaking run through the middle. His touch found Dolberg, whose shot was blocked.

Traore was the next to go close, but he saw his shot palmed clear by Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes. Ajax continued to create problems, and a quick free-kick from Hakim Ziyech found Amin Younes in the box, but the latter's attempted chip sailed over the bar.

Lyon tried to find an answer, and Maxwel Cornet's deflected shot won a corner. Sadly, Tolisso was wasteful with his header.

The hosts soon rued Tolisso's miss when Younes slipped through Dolberg with a smart pass. Dolberg's finish was typically unerring, emphasising the 19-year-old Danish striker's quality in the box.

Dolberg has lit up this competition, per WhoScored.com:

Kasper Dolberg: Has now scored six goals in the Europa League this season, no player left in the competition has more #UEL

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) May 11, 2017

A goal in European competition is just one more in what has been a prolific and breakout campaign for teenage sensation Dolberg, per Squawka Football:

Kasper Dolberg has now scored 22 goals in his first season at Ajax.

Just another wonderkid doing his thing. 👏 pic.twitter.com/5t3TBim1Yn

— Squawka (@Squawka) May 11, 2017

Things were going smoothly for Ajax until first-half stoppage time when two goals in less than two minutes from Lacazette rattled the youthful visitors. The striker won a penalty for the first after being felled by Matthijs de Ligt in the area, before calmly converting from the spot.

Lacazette ended the half by tapping in from close range to keep the tie alive and continue his incredible scoring run for his hometown club:

Alexandre Lacazette has now scored 125 goals for Lyon across all competitions during his career.

Prolific goalscorer. ⚽ pic.twitter.com/41Lt3rOogJ

— Squawka (@Squawka) May 11, 2017

Fekir wasted a massive chance 20 minutes into the second half after breaking through following a defensive gaffe. Unfortunately, the gifted attacker blazed over when he should have at least worked the goalkeeper.

Substitute Maciej Rybus saw a shot blocked after reacting to a clever knock-down from Lacazette, as Lyon continued to press. Ajax still posed a threat on the break, though, and sub Donny van de Beek hammered a shot off the bar.

Lyon finally forced another breakthrough 10 minutes from time when another substitute, Ghezzal, headed through Ajax keeper Andre Onana. Things looked better still when Viergever cut through Fekir on the edge of the box to earn his second yellow card and reduce Ajax to 10 men.

Strangely, Fekir ballooned the free-kick over instead of leaving it to leading scorer Lacazette. The latter then thrashed high and wide from inside the box moments later.

Cornet was the next to go close, but his low shot flashed a whisker wide of the far post with Onana well beaten. It was the best of Lyon's late chances as Ajax's young charges held on to reach the final.

Lyon have a mountain to climb as they welcome Ajax in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League semi-final, with the French team trailing on aggregate.

The Ligue 1 outfit were beaten 4-1 in Amsterdam as on-loan Chelsea striker Bertrand Traore dazzled for the Dutch side.

Ajax will be tempted to defend in numbers, with one foot already in the final where they will meet either Manchester United or Celta Vigo.

Here is how you can watch the encounter:

      

Date: Thursday, May 11

Time: 8:05 p.m. BST/ 3:05 p.m.

TV: BT Sport 3 (UK only), Fox (U.S. only)

Stream: BT Sport App, Fox Soccer 2Go, fuboTV

     

Team News and Preview

Lyon would have been shocked by the scoreline after the first leg, but with star striker Alexandre Lacazette barely fit and left on the bench, The Kids suffered in the attacking third.

The France international is the heartbeat of the side, and his absence stopped Lyon producing any kind of venom.

According to WhoScored.com, Lacazette remains a doubt for his club, with Memphis Depay already ruled out of an appearance due to ineligibility.

The hosts have a list of injuries that will damage their chances of a miraculous revival, as Mouctar Diakhaby, Corentin Tolisso and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa remain doubtful, per WhoScored. Daley Sinkgraven is the only doubt for the famous Dutch masters, who are boosted with the returns of Nick Viergever and Joel Veltman.

Both players missed the first legs due to suspension, but Ajax gave a composed and ruthless performance with their available talents.

Traore promises to be the danger man once again, and if the forward repeats his heroics of the first leg, the game at Parc Olympique Lyonnais will be a formality.

The attacker has scored four goals and provided four assists during Ajax's run in the competition this season. according to OptaJoe.

Lyon are clearly a better team than their first-leg showing suggested, and when Lacazette is missing, they are easier to tame.

The hosts have never made it to a major European final, compared to the depth of pedigree provided by the Amsterdam giants.

Anyone who watched Ajax take Lyon apart at the seams on Wednesday, securing a 4-1 lead in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final, will have found it an incredibly rewarding experience no matter their angle or age.

For some, it's simply heartwarming to see the Dutch club dining at Europe's top table again; for too long, Ajax have been dormant on the world stage as money changes the landscape of the sport, reducing former greats to bit-part roles. For others, it was a 90-minute glimpse into the future, as an incredibly young, talented team played with a boldness and skill that belied their years.

The football was exciting, innovative and creative; it was what we, as a footballing audience, have long associated Ajax with. Slick passing, clear-cut chances aplenty and deadly set pieces formed the theme of the evening, with Lyon falling prey to all three as the hosts ran riot. Had it not been for some remarkable profligacy in front of goal, Ajax's tally could well have been doubled.

Talk has inevitably turned to who these young red-and-white rock stars are. Here, we profile four of the most promising players who started against Lyon—all of whom are under 21 years of age.

    

Kasper Dolberg, Forward

Ajax have enjoyed great success with Danish talents; from Christian Eriksen to Viktor Fischer, and even back to Michael Laudrup, it's a nationality almost synonymous with the club.

The latest Danish star to make waves for De Godenzonen is Dolberg, whose breakout 2016-17 season has caught the eye of many. He's essentially a walking highlight reel, producing stunning, acrobatic finishes on a consistent basis and lighting up games with clever flicks and backheels.

Comfortable and capable anywhere across the front line at youth level, Dolberg has honed his talents as a centre-forward since breaking into the senior team. His link-up play and close control are stellar, allowing him to drop in and drift wide to help fashion attacks, and his return of 14 goals and six assists from 24 Eredivisie starts this season is brilliant considering he's only 19.

His awareness on the pitch is incredible; head always moving and rotating, he's able to pull off backheels in the penalty area and lay first-time passes without looking. He splits defenders in the channels expertly, darting between them to open lanes for passing, and he is good at rounding the goalkeeper to enhance his chances of scoring when put through.

There's a touch of Dennis Bergkamp about some of his play, and that should come as no surprise given the legend is a coach at the club. "It's great to work with him in training," Dolberg told NOS (h/t Football Oranje's James Rowe). "He knows so much and he gives so many good tips."

Crucially, Dolberg is willing to run and press when Ajax don't have the ball. He is a tricky, technically neat player, but he's also responsible for several interceptions that lead to counter-attacks per game—a trait that hurt Lyon badly on Wednesday.

    

Davinson Sanchez, Centre-Back

"Barcelona accept they made a mistake not signing him [Sanchez] last summer," Sport wrote in March. They've asked to be kept in the loop regarding transfers, as their interest remains.

That's a hell of a compliment being paid to a 20-year-old defender with just shy of one full season in Europe under his belt. Perhaps it serves to highlight how incredibly impressive this first season has been, as the Colombian has become widely known as one of the best young players in his position on the planet.

An athletic, snappy, aggressive defender, the 4-1 win over Lyon illuminated one of his best attributes: His ability to read the game and come roaring out of the defensive line, delivering a firm tackle and sparking a counter-attack in the process. He challenges with unerring accuracy and consistency already; despite playing in such a front-footed, potentially risky manner, he's only averaged one foul per game in the Eredivisie (and has only received two yellow cards).

Sanchez is a complete physical prospect: tall enough for his position, quicker than most of his colleagues, fast in recovery over long distances, and, most impressively, acrobatic when the situation requires. The overhead kick he scored in April against AZ Alkmaar was ridiculous.

     

Justin Kluivert, Winger

The second coming of Kluivert is just as exciting as the first was. Justin, son of Patrick, made his debut in January, his first start two weeks later, and ever since then, he has been gaining steam. The name helps, but what's important is that he's an incredibly talented player, too.

Capable of playing off either flank, Kluivert's already showcased how clever he is in how he varies his ways of attacking defenders. Sometimes he cuts inward and shoots; sometimes he drifts into central positions and plays killer passes into forwards' paths; and sometimes he hits the byline to crack the pitch open, crossing with accuracy.

His close control, technique and dribbling ability are, predictably, superb; at ease on the ball, his soft feet manipulate it easily as he twists and turns at will. He never looks flustered; he saunters about at times, clearly relishing being on the pitch and on the ball.

"I just love playing football," he told Wayne Harrison of UEFA's website last year.

His ability to play reverse passes takes entire defensive lines out of games at times. To have that awareness, poise and precision at such a young age is just jaw-dropping.

    

Matthijs De Ligt, Centre-Back

Despite being just 17 years of age and in the midst of his first professional season, De Ligt's already experienced the extreme highs and lows of senior football. He was called up to the Netherlands squad in March and given the chance to make his bow, but he made an error that led to one of Bulgaria's goals in a 2-0 loss.

The post-mortem was a vicious, public debacle; Danny Blind lost his job as a result, and De Ligt's stock took a serious hit, but the fact the former put the latter in that position in the first place was risible.

On Wednesday, we saw De Ligt at his confident, composed best. An excellent one-on-one defender, he held his ground against Lyon's quick, strong players, often dispossessing them and walling them off to see balls out for goal kicks. He was also pro-active in pushing forward and hunting interceptions, and he produced a few lovely long-range passes.

He's 6'2" but on the slight side, which is to be expected given he has years of growth in him yet. It'll be interesting to see how his game changes as he fills out, but he has all the raw defensive characteristics required to reach the top.

    

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All statistics via WhoScored.com 

Ajax claimed a superior 4-1 lead over Lyon in the first leg of the 2017 Europa League semi-final at the Amsterdam ArenA on Wednesday.

Goals from Isidore Traore and Kasper Dolberg grabbed a solid first-half advantage for the Dutch masters, and Amin Younes' strike four minutes after the restart strangled the visitors.

Mathieu Valbuena's finish gave the French team hope midway through the second half, but a second goal from Traore restored the three-goal cushion in a thrilling encounter.

Ajax manager Peter Bosz reshuffled his defence from the quarter-finals after the suspensions of Joel Veltman and Nick Viergever, as Kenny Tete and Jairo Riedewald were drafted in for the Netherlands side.

Lyon boss Bruno Genesio made one switch from their last-eight match, with Nabil Fekir deputising for striker Alexandre Lacazette—who was only fit enough to take a spot on the bench.

The Ligue 1 outfit dominated the opening moments of the match, but the hosts were soon in their flow as they pushed forward.

Ajax's sharpness was clear and present, and they took the lead through Traore's deft finish.

Squawka Football hailed the goalscorer:

Bertrand Traoré has now been directly involved in more goals (6) than any other Ajax player in the Europa League this season.

3 ⚽️
3 🅰️ pic.twitter.com/40rCySHI8P

— Squawka (@Squawka) May 3, 2017

The advantage was doubled just nine minutes later as Bosz's men displayed a thirst for a convincing win.

Ajax took advantage of a poor clearance, allowing Dolberg to produce a clinical finish from the top echelon.

Lyon were clearly shellshocked, and the decision to leave Lacazette on the bench seemed to have neutralised their attack.

WhoScored.com provided the vital stats on the half-time whistle:

Ajax 2-0 Lyon HT: Ajax hit the target with 5 of their 6 shots on goal in the first half https://t.co/GCiYjBimzs pic.twitter.com/OfIWwp0uMz

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) May 3, 2017

The hosts made it 3-0 after 49 minutes with Younes marginally scrambling his shot across the line, to the delight and rapture of the home supporters. 

The tie appeared to be slipping away from the French side, but Lyon were offered a lifeline after Valbuena found the back of the net 24 minutes from time.

The France international guided a perfect finish into the top corner as the game became a much more even affair.

After a period of reflection, the feel-good factor was reinstalled by Traore, who smashed his effort home after 71 minutes.

The attacker finished emphatically, prompting the arrival of Lacazette for the latter stages.

The flow of the game ebbed back and forth in the last 10 minutes with both teams on the front foot in a wild finish to proceedings.

Lacazette was unable to drive his usual influence during his brief cameo, and Lyon will be hoping he is fully fit for the second leg in France.

Ajax were clinical on the night, and Lyon were a rabbit in the headlights as they surrendered to a surprise scoreline.

Ajax defeated Feyenoord, 2-1, in Amsterdam on Sunday, and Lasse Schone got things started in the first minute for the hosts in a nifty way. 

Watch above as the Ajax man strikes a sensational free-kick to open the scoring.

As far as stunning first-team debuts from 17-year-olds go, Justin Kluivert's 51 minutes off the bench for Ajax against PEC Zwolle last weekend is up there with the very, very best. It was an outing made all the more special considering he's the son of Patrick Kluivert—a Champions League winner with the club before moving on to enjoy an illustrious career with Barcelona.

It is the second coming of Kluivert, and the burning question is whether or not Justin's career has any chance of matching his father's. That cannot be answered after one senior appearance, but there was enough in that solitary showing to suggest he has a fighting chance.

Trophies-wise, it seems highly unlikely Justin will achieve the jump-start Patrick did—the latter scored Ajax's winner in the 1995 Champions League final against AC Milan at age 18—but talent-wise, it's possible.

3 - Most successful dribbles in the Eredivisie, match day 18:
Arber Zeneli - 8
Anwar El Ghazi - 8
Justin Kluivert - 6
Wizards.

— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) January 16, 2017

Kluivert's remarkable work against PEC Zwolle on Sunday improved Ajax's chances of winning the game. He slid a beautiful pass in for Anwar El Ghazi in the box, which resulted in a foul and a penalty, and he completed six dribbles (second only to El Ghazi's eight, per OptaJohan) as he terrorised the Blauwvingers right side.

It was a true tornado of a performance, inclusive of speed, agility and quick feet. More than that, though, it featured some strong decision-making and a definitive end product—the two eternal scourges of the average winger.

Kluivert's debut exhibited all of his finest skills on the day; there was no fear in his eyes, no hesitation in his intentions. He is the type of footballer who unlocks defences with creativity, weaving runs and electric speed, and those were all on show. Rather than shrinking under the spotlight or buckling under the weight of expectation, he grasped the mantle and confidently asserted himself as a difference-maker. 

Ultimately, we shouldn't be surprised. Kluivert told UEFA.com in May 2016: "They [fans and media] anticipate things from me, but I feel no pressure—I just love playing football." He made that abundantly clear against PEC Zwolle. 

Playing off the left flank, he made 28-year-old right-back Dirk Marcellis' life a living hell. Jinking this way and that, chopping between cutting inside and taking the outside lane, Kluivert left his marker guessing, wondering and trailing in his dust with frequency.

He consistently squared up his opponents, allowing them to set their hips, before bursting one way or the other; he completed 100 per cent of his dribbles, meaning no one ever got close to stopping him. Despite being right-footed, he sent in a couple of dangerous crosses with his left. At youth level, when fielded on the right flank, he's been far more accurate when delivering from his native peg, but he did himself no disservice here.

The real danger, though, came when he cut inside off the left flank on to his right foot. A couple of inswinging balls into the box caused mild mayhem before Kluivert began flummoxing the defence with a series of reverse passes.

The first one saw him shimmy inside, beat two and feed his runner, but El Ghazi mistimed his run and was called offside. The next created the breakthrough goal: Having drifted infield to receive possession from a throw-in on the right, his pass resulted in El Ghazi's drawing a penalty. The weighting, direction and disguise were all perfect.

There are certain traits players boast that make you sit up and take notice, and this is one of them. Wingers are difficult to project due to so much of what separates them consisting in the "mental" spectrum of football. But in showcasing dribbling, crossing, shooting and creativity of this level...well, it's not often you see 17-year-olds manage it—let alone within 10 minutes of making their debut.

Understandably, people will be wary of Kluivert's showing, scared it's a fluke, a one-off. But he's been consistently starring for Jong Ajax at under-19 level and carried his great form to senior level. He was given a chance in early January against Excelsior in a club friendly and impressed, earning the right to take his place on the away bench at the MAC3PARK Stadion on Sunday.

There may also be those who presume he's a luxury player; one who offers much in the final third and can break the game open but who will not track back and muck in for defensive duties. But again, Kluivert has shown for Ajax's second team that he is willing to fulfil those duties. Although there have been some issues in terms of tracking runners all the way back, he doesn't shirk. Against PEC Zwolle, he worked hard and fought for loose balls fiercely.

It was clear to those monitoring the UEFA Youth League that Kluivert would break out, but that he did so this soon—and in such emphatic fashion—came as a shock. He played his natural, fearless game when entering the fray against PEC Zwolle. If he continues to do that, ignoring the inevitable attention that his debut will draw, it feels like Kluivert could indeed be reborn.

       

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Forward Bertrand Traore headed out on loan to Dutch side Ajax after agreeing to a new three-year contract with Chelsea on Friday.

The Blues announced the news on their official website and confirmed he'll spend his second full campaign in the Eredivisie after playing the 2014-15 season on loan with Vitesse Arnhem.

The 20-year-old showcased plenty of potential en route to 14 goals in 33 league appearances for the Vitas two seasons ago. It represented serious progress after finding the net just three times in 15 games for the club during a shorter stint in the 2013-14 campaign.

The Burkina Faso international struggled to find a consistent role with Chelsea last term, though. He made just 16 appearances across all competitions, scoring four goals in the process. So the club has opted to find him a home where he should receive more regular starts.

His move comes after a pre-season where he was able to gain some experience playing alongside Diego Costa. He discussed that opportunity with the club's official website in July.

"Diego is one of the best strikers in the world so it's a pleasure as a young player to play beside him," Traore said. "I learnt a lot from him, I enjoyed it and there were some good combinations between the two of us which was nice."

Chelsea already have a crowded group of forwards, including Costa, Michy Batshuayi, Loic Remy and Pedro. So Traore would have been stuck in the same type of situation as last season in terms of getting on the pitch, making a loan the better option for his long-term outlook.

Getting a chance to join a Ajax squad that's won the Eredivisie a record 33 times should provide him with the proving ground to show Chelsea he warrants a key first-team role moving forward.

Traore should help fill the void left by Arkadiusz Milik, who netted 24 goals in all competitions last term before heading to Napoli.

Ajax have officially parted company with manager Frank de Boer, ending his six-year spell in charge of the iconic football club.

News of the 45-year-old’s departure came via an official club statement on Thursday. Dutch Football relayed the bulletin through Twitter:

It's been confirmed. Frank de Boer has left Ajax.

— Dutch Football (@football_oranje) May 12, 2016

De Boer, who also enjoyed 10-and-a-half memorable seasons at the club as a player, leaves Ajax having won four league titles, all coming in the first four years of his tenure.

The Dutchman saw his team surrender the Eredivisie crown on the last day of the 2015-16 season in dramatic fashion, drawing with De Graafschap to hand the championship to rivals PSV Eindhoven.

Prior to his departure from the Amsterdam giants, there was speculation about De Boer’s future, with his agent, Guido Albers, touting a couple of possible destinations.

“He would love to join a club like Everton or Valencia,” he told NOS (h/t Kieran Gill of MailOnline). “It's all about the right philosophy and how they play football. That is what Frank is looking for.”

Incumbent Everton manager Roberto Martinez is under huge pressure, with the Toffees enduring a miserable end to a sorry campaign. Valencia, who sacked Gary Neville earlier this year, have Pako Ayestaran in temporary charge until the end of the Primera Division season and are also looking to recover after a poor term.

The man himself revealed he in unsure about what the next step in his career will be, per Dutch football writer Elko Born:

Frank de Boer on his future: 'I don't know what I'll do next. A year without a club is an option for me too, we'll see what happens.'

— Elko Born (@Elko_B) May 12, 2016

As a player, De Boer established himself as a great of his generation, inspiring Ajax to five league titles, the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Champions League. Here is a reminder of just how good the Dutchman, who also enjoyed spells with Barcelona and Galatasaray, was:

At Ajax, he provided a breath of fresh air during his first few seasons in charge, adhering to the Ajax principles by playing attractive possession football and winning titles. But the rejuvenated PSV have ousted them in the past couple of campaigns.

It seems the time is right for De Boer to take up a new challenge, and a club such as Everton would benefit from having someone of his huge pedigree at the helm. For the 45-year-old, the chance to test himself in the Premier League against the likes of Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Antonio Conte and Arsene Wenger would also surely be appealing.

Easy rider! 😜https://t.co/Zmgn43zFAm

— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) April 6, 2016

If you were in the vicinity of Ajax's training ground on Wednesday, you might have noticed an usual sight.

Club legend and current manager Frank de Boer suffered a ruptured Achilles while playing a game of footvolley recently, so he is currently using a motorised scooter to get across the training pitch.

De Boer made over 400 appearances as a player for Ajax, but he was never as fast on two legs as he has been this week on three wheels!

[Twitter]

https://twitter.com/AFCAjax_EN/status/716599458860023808

Supporters of Ajax came together to pay tribute to club legend Johan Cruyff on Sunday with a huge march to the Amsterdam Arena.

More footage from the Cruyff March. #ajax [@NOSvoetbal] pic.twitter.com/8UPkIeCVSs

— AjaxDaily (@ajaxdailydotcom) April 3, 2016

Sunday's Eredivisie fixture with Zwolle marked the first time Ajax played since Cruyff died on March 24, giving fans the perfect opportunity to bid farewell to their fallen hero.

Johan Cruyff March. #ajax [@Ajaxshowtimecom] pic.twitter.com/yEAv2n99Fy

— AjaxDaily (@ajaxdailydotcom) April 3, 2016

Videos and photos emerging from the Dutch capital showed the march in action, as huge crowds of supporters came together ahead of kick-off.

Goosebumps. Johan Forever! #ajax #cruyff [@wolthuizen] pic.twitter.com/l0tcGJ0lA4

— AjaxDaily (@ajaxdailydotcom) April 3, 2016

Cruyff won eight league titles and three consecutive European Cups as a player with Ajax. He also made a significant impact in his three years as the club's manager, winning the KNVB Cup twice and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.

[Twitter]