Sunday, March 7, 2021 at 2:07 PM• Dominic Mostert

Ajax did not make a mistake in the home game against FC Groningen on Sunday afternoon. The leader of the Eredivisie won 3-1 against the number six and therefore hits a gap of nine points with PSV. Both teams have currently played 24 games, but PSV will play against Fortuna Sittard from 2.30 p.m. Ajax was the parent in large parts of the match, without appearing very convincing.

Ajax had to make do without Daley Blind, but was able to welcome Nicolás Tagliafico back into the base as a left back. Groningen missed basic forces Azor Matusiwa, Gabriel Gudmundsson and club top scorer Jörgen Strand Larsen. Ajax’s first attack played out resulted in a goal after five minutes. David Neres served Dusan Tadic in the penalty area. While keeper Sergio Padt rushed towards Tadic, the Ajax captain kept the overview. He served Ryan Gravenberch, who lashed out effectively from outside the penalty area. Damil Dankerlui was unable to clear the ball on the goal line: 1-0. A few minutes later, Lisandro Martínez almost hit from close range from a corner by Tadic, but Padt saved.

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Although Groningen played concentrated and well grouped, Ajax was in control of the match. Halfway through the first half, there was a big chance of the 2-0. After a sharp pass from Tadic from the left flank, a free shooting opportunity arose for Davy Klaassen in the penalty area. Again Padt reacted properly, after which defender Ko Itakura prevented Klaassen from scoring from the rebound. Six minutes before the break Ajax was almost presented with the bill for the missed opportunities. Maarten Stekelenburg, under the watchful eye of national coach Frank de Boer, could barely prevent Mo El Hankouri from heading at the far post, after a cross from Bart van Hintum from the left flank.

With a 1-0 halftime score, there was plenty of perspective for Groningen, but nine minutes after the break Ajax still increased the margin. Sébastien Haller, who played a mostly unfortunate game, shot from close range on a pass from Neres, who had been served by Tadic with a splitting pass: 2-0. Shortly thereafter, Tomás Suslov met Stekelenburg in the short corner and then committed an error by running in too early and then defending the ball out on a penalty by Tadic, who was awarded after a handball by Mike te Wierik. The latter got the ball shot against the arm by Edson Álvarez. Tadic shot from eleven meters against the bottom of the crossbar, but thanks to Suslov was allowed to try again and in the second instance aimed cleanly in the right corner.

With that, the match seemed decided, although Groningen did something back six minutes before the end. After a curving free kick from Suslov’s right flank, Ahmed El Messaoudi was released by the Ajax defense and so the substitute was able to hit the head in the right corner. On the other side, Haller left a big chance for the 4-1. However, Ajax will prepare itself with a victory for Thursday’s Europa League match against Young Boys.