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Match Report: Ajax disappointing in first major
testcase
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Amsterdam Arena
Thursday, 26 July 2001 |
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26 July: Does a good dress-rehearsal mean that the 'real
job' will be good, too? Apparently not, if we think of last
season: Ajax made an excellent impression against Lazio Roma
(0-0) and Arsenal (2-0), but was hardly able to improve on that
performance during the actual season. Nevertheless, a
convincing first testcase is always nice. That's why the 0-1
defeat in the tournament's opener, against Italian giants AC
Milan, was disappointing.
The only goal of the night was scored by Rui Costa (13), who
tipped in a low Donati cross at the far post. Ajax' defense -
shaky in the first half - allowed the Italians far too many
similar chances. Far too often, Milan could launch their outer
midfielders, to provide low crosses. Ajax could have easily
gone three or four goals down in the first half, if it wasn't
for Fred Grim, who saved excellently when Inzaghi and
Shevchenko showed up in front of him.
The Ajax goalkeeper also saw a free Serginho shooting chance
from the edge of the penalty box go inches wide. He saved
excellently, once more, a few minutes later, managing to tip a
Shevchenko finish against the cross-bar with his foot.
Even more disappointing than Ajax' disorganized defending,
was the fact that the foursome upfront - Arveladze, Mido,
Zlatan and Van der Meyde - created virtually no danger during
the first 45 minutes. Okay: referee Braamhaar should have
rewarded Ajax a penalty as Paolo Maldini saved a Mido attempt
with his hand. But apart from that, a handful of poorly taken
corner kicks and one mean Arveladze shot from just outside the
box were the only things worth mentioning.
Ajax' incapacity upfront remained a problem after the break.
The defense line, in which John O'Brien was replaced by
Daniël Cruz, had more control over the Milan forwards.
Also, there was more Ajax pressure from midfield. The dominant
factor was Rafaël van der Vaart, by far the best man in
red and white (Fred Grim wore grey…). Goalkeeper Abbiati
had to stretch to save a furious Andy van der Meyde free kick,
whereas Shota Arveladze missed the only real open chance Ajax
managed to create. Five minutes before the end, he received the
ball right in front of Abbiati, but shot too hastily.
The most beautiful moment of the night came from Van der
Vaart, who slipped past three Milan defenders in one fluent
movement. And what about Zlatan, you may wonder? The Swede
played a minor part in his first big game for Ajax. He showed
one moment of magic in the penalty box, outplaying a few
Italian defenders - that was it. His hard work could not keep
the tall Swede from becoming the personification of the
disappointing performance of Adriaanse's eleven.
The moment Jari Litmanen walked onto the ArenA pitch
directly after the final whistle, for a quick warming-up with
his Liverpool team mates, was considered the nicest moment of
the night by many Ajax fans. For the first time ever, Litmanen
will play against Ajax, in the second game of the
Amsterdam Tournament, on Saturday… (MP)
GOALS
Referee: Braamhaar
Yellow card: Contra (AC Milan)
Attendance: t.b.a.
Ajax line-up: Grim; O'Brien (46. Cruz), Pasanen,
Yakubu, Chivu; Galásek, Arveladze, Van der Vaart; Van
der Meyde, Ibrahimovic, Mido.
AC Milan line-up: Abbiati; Donati, Maldini (62.
Costacurta), Contra (46. Helveg), Gattuso; Serginho, Kaladze,
Shevchenko (72. Pirlo), Coco; Inzaghi (72. Moreno), Rui Costa
(85. Bierhoff).
Result of second game: Valencia 0 - Liverpool FC 1
(Litmanen goal)
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