Several Dutch clubs took to the pitch in Europa League action this Thursday. Recap the action with GBeNeFN and Voetbal International.
Ajax
Francesco Farioli’s side had their first taste of European defeat this season as they fell 2-0 to Real Sociedad in the Basque Country. A solid second-half performance from the Reale Arena hosts saw goals from Ander Barrenetxea (67′) and Takefusa Kubo (85′), as a somewhat sloppy Ajax saw an unbeaten streak of sixteen matches come to a worthy end.
Admittedly, Ajax started well in Spain. Chuba Akpom nearly gave the Amsterdammers the lead following a quick fifth-minute break. Then, just minutes later, Brian Brobbey missed a huge chance and hit the post with a virtually open goal left gaping. Little response was offered from the Basques in the first period, although they did call for a penalty for handball against Devyne Rensch. However, the Ajax defender was deemed to have his hands at his sides.
After the break, and after Brobbey had to be withdrawn following a potential concussion, it was a slightly more equal duel. Kian Fitz-Jim hit the post before Eritz Elustondo found the net from an offside position.
Halfway through the second half, Real Sociedad upped the pressure and Takefusa Kubo crossed for Ander Barrenetxea to slot home. Five minutes before the end, Kubo then capped a solid personal outing – finishing a fine passing move to add a goal to his prior assist.
This result sees Ajax sit in sixth in the table. Farioli’s team are still yet to face Lazio and Galatasaray at home, with the last away match against Latvian RFS. On Sunday afternoon, a visit to Nijmegen’s Goffert awaits in the Eredivisie.
AZ Alkmaar
AZ took a very notable point against Galatasaray on Thursday evening. They snatched the lead as Sven Mijnans converted the club’s fastest European goal ever after one minute and 26 seconds. Jordy Clasie orchestrated the play over to the right, allowing the advancing Seiya Maikuma to shoot at Fernando Muslera. However, the goalkeeper couldn’t hold it and Sven Mijnans ran on to convert the rebound.
They conceded an unnecessary goal just before half-time, as Victor Osimhen’s header just crossed the line, and this sparked a change in momentum. In the second period, the visitors were much stronger. Osimhen proved a constant threat in the air and Abdelkerim Bardakci even headed against the post 15 minutes before the end. However, the young AZ remained composed to hold onto a hard-fought point.
Maarten Martens’ side are now 19th in the standings, with a record of W2 D1 L2. Their next game in the Eredivisie sees them welcome Heracles to the AFAS Stadion.
FC Twente
Joseph Oosting’s FC Twente had a disappointing evening in the Europa League against Union Saint Gilloise, failing to overcome a poor first-half performance to lose 1-0 at De Grolsch Veste.
Due to the sanctions imposed by UEFA following the alleged racist abuse against Lazio, Twente took on Union in a partially empty ground in Enschede. The club from Brussels were undeterred by the meagre crowd and thought they’d taken the lead after six minutes of play. However, the goal was cancelled out due to offside against Sofiane Boufal.
This should’ve been a warning for the Tukkers, yet proved otherwise, as Mohammed Fuseini raced in behind and fired through Lars Unnerstall to cement the lead five minutes later.
Even after the opening goal, Twente struggled, so an injury to Unnerstall halfway through the first half allowed a brief stoppage to think things through. At the break, Oosting brough on Sam Lammers, Bas Kuipers and Alec Van Hoorenbeeck for Daan Rots, Gijs Besselink, and Max Bruns.
The coaches tough intervention paid off immediately, as Sem Steijn immediately had a chance, while Michel Vlap and Mitchell van Bergen also created half chances. Just after Twente’s offensive had died down a bit, Lammers appeared. The substitute striker made a great turn, but could only fire wide of the Belgian goal. Union also fought back a few more times, but a recovered Unnerstall was able to the lead growing.
The supporters in the Grolsch Veste shouted ‘all or nothing’ five minutes before the end, but it was a futile attempt. As a result, Twente remains without a win in the Europa League. With Olympiakos (away), Malmo FF (away) and Besiktas (home), Oosting’s side have a tough job qualifying for the knockout phase of the Europa League. Their next game in the Eredivisie is at home to Go Ahead Eagles on Saturday.
