Ajax faced a stunning upset at the hands of Excelsior Rotterdam in the Eredivisie on Saturday. Excelsior secured a 2-1 victory, marking the first win ever for the club at the Johan Cruyff ArenA.
Match Overview
Under the guidance of caretaker coach Fred Grim, Ajax entered the match against the league’s lowest-scoring team. Excelsior had scored only 11 goals in their first 12 games of the season, suffering four losses in their last six outings.
First Half Highlights
- Ajax struggled to generate offensive momentum.
- Wout Weghorst missed a crucial opportunity to score early.
- Noah Naujoks capitalized on Ajax’s defensive errors to net Excelsior’s first goal.
Naujoks cleverly dribbled through Ajax’s defense and struck past goalkeeper Remko Pasveer, giving Excelsior an unexpected lead. This marked a significant moment for the Rotterdam side, boosting their confidence early in the match.
Second Half Action
After halftime, Naujoks struck again, extending Excelsior’s lead. He placed the ball precisely into the bottom corner of the net, taking advantage of a defensive lapse from Ajax.
Ajax faced further challenges with injuries impacting their lineup. Full-backs Owen Wijndal and Lucas Rosa were already unavailable, and Danish defender Anton Gaaei suffered a non-contact injury.
Ajax’s Response
- Kasper Dolberg scored for Ajax, narrowing the gap to 2-1.
- Substitute Mike van Duinen came close to restoring Excelsior’s two-goal advantage.
- Pasveer made crucial saves to keep Ajax in contention.
Despite their efforts, Ajax could not beat goalkeeper Stijn van Gassel. Excelsior’s defense held firm, clinching a remarkable victory.
Looking Ahead
This surprising defeat poses challenges for Ajax as they prepare for their upcoming UEFA Champions League match against Benfica. Both teams will compete at the Johan Cruyff ArenA, with Ajax aiming to bounce back from their disappointing league performance.
The match against Excelsior serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football, as even the giants can be toppled by determined underdogs.
