TheNewsGuru

Tag: Ajax

  • UCL: Ajax make it 2 wins, Inter Milan and Shakhtar draw

    UCL: Ajax make it 2 wins, Inter Milan and Shakhtar draw

    First half goals from Steven Berghuis and Sebastien Haller gave Ajax a 2-0 win over Besiktas on Tuesday.

    Victory helped to keep them perfect with two victories from two in UEFA Champions League Group C.

    The same pair had bagged all the goals in their opening rout against Sporting Lisbon.

    Côte d’Ivoire striker Haller, who scored four in Portugal, is now on five goals from two matches in the elite competition.

    Shakhtar Donetsk and Inter Milan both got off the mark with their first point in Group D thanks to a 0-0 draw.

  • Ajax director Overmars responds to Arsenal links

    Ajax director Overmars responds to Arsenal links

    Ajax sporting director Marc Overmars says he is committed to the Eredivisie giants amid reported interest from Arsenal.

    Overmars helped the Gunners to a league and cup double in 1998 and enjoyed a successful three-year stint in north London.

    Recent reports have claimed Overmars is on Arsenal’s shortlist to replace Edu as technical director, but the Dutchman has moved to quash those links.

    “As I’ve said before a number of times we’re really enjoying ourselves,” Overmars told Ajax TV.

    “We’re moving in the right direction. The four of us form good management and that’s important.

    “We’re like a family, we’re close. And that’s important too. And who knows, we might have some good news soon.

    “I’m not getting any younger. I’ve been offered the opportunity to go elsewhere too.

    “That’s what happens and it’s always good to consider a move.

    “But then I just think about how well things are going here. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. If your old shoes are still comfy, keep wearing them.”

  • Ex-Ajax winger: Zlatan Ibrahimovic slapped me for kissing him

    Ex-Ajax winger: Zlatan Ibrahimovic slapped me for kissing him

    Former Ajax winger, Andy van der Meyde, has revealed that AC Milan striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, slapped him after he kissed the Swedish international.

    Van der Meyde and Ibrahimovic, 39, were team-mates from 2001 to 2003 at Ajax.

    The pair were big egos amongst a fiery dressing room which featured huge prospects like Rafael van der Vaart, and they were known to butt heads.

    “When we were at Ajax, I always sat next to Zlatan on the bus,” Van der Meyde told Dutch TV show VTBL.

    “Once when he was sleeping I got gay tendencies and just kissed him on the mouth. Seconds later, I got a couple of slaps.”

    Van der Meyde scored eleven goals and registered fourteen assists for Ajax in the 2002-03 Eredivisie season.

    The 41-year-old eventually joined Inter Milan but never and later nailed-down a starting spot in Italy.

    He later joined Everton for £2million move in 2005.

    The Dutchman made just 23 appearances for Everton and left the Toffee in 2009 before retiring three years later.

  • What made Louis Van Gaal so tough – Ex-Super Eagles winger

    What made Louis Van Gaal so tough – Ex-Super Eagles winger

    Former Super Eagles winger Tijani Babangida has lauded coach Louis van Gaal for the influence he had in his game.

    The two worked together at Ajax after the former Super Eagle joined them in 1996 and was part of the squad that won the 1997/98 Eredivisie title. He left after making 77 appearances for the Dutch side, scoring 20 goals in the process.

    “Louis van Gaal is a very principled manager. He never hides his feelings no matter the situation,” Babangida said as quoted by TribalFootball .

    “He is my best coach. He discovered me and brought me to Ajax. He is one of the toughest coaches in the world. A completely blunt coach. He would look into your eyes and tell you what he thinks about you without pretense. He would tell you in training what he wants you to do.

    “I learned so many things about football under him. I grew rapidly under his tutelage and he will always remain my mentor and my best coach.”

  • Ajax Clinch 35th Dutch League Title With Three Matches To Spare

    Ajax Clinch 35th Dutch League Title With Three Matches To Spare

    Ajax Amsterdam clinched their 35th Dutch league title on Sunday with a 4-0 victory over Emmen.

    Jurrien Timber, Sebastien Haller, Davy Klaassen and Devyne Rensch scored for Ajax in a game played in front of empty stands due to anti-Covid measures.

    Despite calls from the authorities to avoid gatherings, thousands of fans gathered around the stadium, according to Dutch news agency ANP.

    Erik Ten Hag’s side hold a 15-point advantage over second-place PSV Eindhoven, who have four matches to play including their game later on Sunday against Heerenveen.

    Ajax completed the Dutch double two weeks after beating Vitesse Arnhem 2-1 in the cup final.

     

    No champion was crowned last season, which was halted in early March by the Covid-19 pandemic, with Ajax leading the table.

    Ajax announced on Friday they had extended the contract of coach Erik Ten Hag until 2023, ending rumours he was headed to Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga or Tottenham in the Premier League.

    “I am happy in Amsterdam and the management have assured me that the current squad will be retained and even strengthened in certain positions,” said the coach who has been at the Johan Cruyjff ArenA since 2017.
  • [Watch] Ajax legends celebrate Finidi George at 50

    [Watch] Ajax legends celebrate Finidi George at 50

    Former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal, Edwin Van der Sar, Patrick Kluivert and a host of Ajax legends have sent their wishes to Finidi George on his 50th birthday.

    The former Nigeria international was a key figure in the Eredivisie team that silenced AC Milan to lift the 1994–95 Champions League title.

    And to celebrate his golden jubilee, Ajax compiled a video involving members of the all-conquering side to congratulate their former right-winger.

    Aside from Van Gaal, Van der Sar and Kluivert, others involved were Danny Blind, Kiki Musampa, Ronald de Boer, Marc Overmars, Frank de Boer, Winston Bogarde, and Michael Reiziger.

    Watch video:

  • You need to leave Chelsea, Van der Gijp tells Ziyech

    You need to leave Chelsea, Van der Gijp tells Ziyech

    Former Holland international René van der Gijp has urged Hakim Ziyech to leave Chelsea.

    The former Ajax midfielder again was ignored by Blues manager Thomas Tuchel for last night’s Champions League win against Porto.

    Asked about the situation, Van der Gijp said on SBS6: “Well, well when Frank Lampard was still the trainer, he was very enthusiastic about him.

    “And then another trainer comes (Tuchel) and he wants to play a different game. He really wants to have runners in his midfield, instead of people like Ziyech. And then you have a problem.

    “He needs to leave.

    “That would be best for him.”

  • Why I almost turned down Barca – De Jong

    Why I almost turned down Barca – De Jong

    Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong admits he had doubts about initially moving to Camp Nou.

    De Jong joined Barca 18 months ago from Ajax and admits he spoke to Blaugrana coach Ronald Koeman, when he was still Oranje boss, about the move.

    He told Esport3: “I asked him some questions about Barça and he told me positive things about the club and about the city.

    “I had the feeling that Barça wanted to sign me but not to be a key player and that is why I was hesitating until Bartomeu, Mestre, Grau and Segura came to Amsterdam and they convinced me, because it was not clear to me that I was going to start at Barça.”

    On his current form, De Jong added: “I don’t know if I’m better than at Ajax, now I’m pretty good in the team, but I can give more and improve a lot. It gives me a lot of confidence and I feel very comfortable in the team.”

  • Liverpool ride luck as own goal secures win at Ajax

    Liverpool ride luck as own goal secures win at Ajax

    Liverpool beat Ajax Amsterdam 1-0 away with a fortunate own goal in their UEFA Champions League group stage opener on Wednesday.

    They rode their luck at times but still showed their title credentials.

    Ajax full-back Nicolas Tagliafico turned the ball into his own net in the 35th minute to ensure a winning start in Group D for the English champions.

    Liverpool looked the stronger of the two teams in spite of Ajax creating several good chances at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

    Davy Klaassen struck the post with a powerful shot and Quincy Promes had a point-blank effort stopped by the legs of Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian.

    This went on as the Dutch club created a handful of excellent opportunities.

    Yet Liverpool, who won their sixth UEFA Champions League title in 2019, still proved value for their victory.

    They dominated possession and counter-attacked at pace while keeping a clean sheet in spite of missing defensive talisman Virgil van Dijk, who suffered a serious knee injury at the weekend.

    Fabinho moved from midfield to central defence to replace Van Dijk and had an outstanding game, notably hooking a clearance off the line to deny Dusan Tadic just before half-time.

    It was one of several chances for Ajax in the first half.

    Lisandro Martinez had a header saved by Adrian and Ryan Gravenberch shot narrowly wide, much to the annoyance of Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp.

    Klopp spent the early part of the game berating and shouting instructions to his players.

    But his agitation was quelled when Sadio Mane turned the Ajax defence with a swift body movement to set up the goal.

    He miskicked his own effort, but it caught Tagliafico as he clumsily tried to clear and instead deflected it into the Ajax net.

    “It was a good enough performance to win the game, which at moments was pretty wild.

    “It was not one of our sunny shiny world class football days. It was not perfect but the boys fought like crazy,” said a more satisfied Liverpool manager afterwards.

    Klopp took off Mane and his strike partners Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah with 30 minutes still left.

    But replacements Diogo Jota and Takumi Minamino kept up the pressure on the home team.

    Ajax should have equalised, however, four minutes into stoppage time when Adrian did not properly deal with a cross into the area.

    But substitute Jurgen Ekkelenkamp missed the target.

  • Barca sign Ajax right back for €21m

    Barca sign Ajax right back for €21m

    Spanish giants FC Barcelona have announced the signing of right full-back Sergino Dest from Ajax for 21 million euros plus a further 5 million in variables.

    Dest, who signed a five-year contract, will have a buyout clause at 400 million euros.

    The Catalan club said the new signing will be presented on Friday afternoon.

    In a statement on its official website, Barcelona said: “Sergiño Dest combines many excellent qualities needed in a full back: attacking when called for, solid defensively, unruffled in possession and creative with it.

    “The defender has the ability to take players on and his pace is a virtue going forward and defending. Those qualities will be on display from now on in a Barça shirt, a challenge for a fearless young full back.”

    The 19-year-old American is the first signing of the Coach Ronald Koeman’s era.