Ajax Secures Hard-Fought Victory in Zwolle but Faces Injury Blow with Brian Brobbey Out

Ajax have successfully maintained their 8-point lead in the Dutch Eredivisie following a hard-fought victory over PEC Zwolle in bright conditions at Overijssel.

Fresh from a 2-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt just days earlier, Ajax made their way to the MAC³PARK Stadion in Zwolle for round 25 of the Dutch Eredivisie. PSV, who secured their first league win since January 25th on Saturday night, meant that Ajax understood the importance of a win to preserve their advantage.

Facing a PEC Zwolle team that hadn’t tasted victory in four league outings, Ajax dealt with the absence of first-choice goalkeeper Remko Pasveer, who was sidelined with a groin injury sustained during last Thursday’s Europa League clash. Braga loanee Matheus stepped in for his third straight Eredivisie start since his move to the Dutch club in January.

The first half, which lacked excitement, saw Ajax lose a vital player as striker Brian Brobbey was forced off due to a knee concern, leaving manager Francesco Farioli with only Bertrand Traore as an attacking option.

Olivier Aertssen, a former Ajax youth player, almost found the net within the opening 20 minutes, but PEC Zwolle’s defender could not capitalise on Matheus fumbling a corner kick. Ajax winger Mika Godts tested goalkeeper Jesper Schendelaar with a powerful strike, but the PEC shot-stopper managed to keep Ajax at bay, and the first half ended goalless.

Fifteen uneventful minutes into the second half, PEC Zwolle’s defender Anselmo Garcia Mac Nulty handled the ball after Kenneth Taylor attempted a shot. Referee Bas Nijhuis, prompted by VAR official Alex Bos, reviewed the incident and awarded Ajax a penalty.

Taylor took the responsibility for the spot-kick, netting his eighth goal of the Eredivisie season with a precise finish into the top left corner, giving Ajax the lead after an hour of play.

Despite struggling to create significant chances, Ajax managed to maintain their narrow lead, though Steven Berghuis failed to score from outside the box, and Bertrand Traore’s attempt was flagged offside. In the dying moments, Thomas Buitink nearly equalised for PEC Zwolle, but the former Vitesse player’s effort went astray.

Ajax left Zwolle victorious but hard-fought, maintaining their 8-point lead in the Eredivisie as they prepare for a pivotal week ahead with fixtures against Eintracht Frankfurt and their troublesome rivals AZ.

Go Ahead Eagles and FC Twente secure victories

In other Eredivisie action, Go Ahead Eagles earned a thrilling late win in Nijmegen with a 3-2 triumph over home team NEC. After going up 2-0 due to goals from Dean James and Milan Smit, NEC found themselves down to ten men following Lasse Schone receiving two yellow cards in rapid succession. Brayann Pereira managed to reduce the deficit for NEC, seeing a long-range effort deflect off Dean James and into the net.

Not leaving it to chance, Oliver Antman struck decisively, slotting the ball past Robin Roefs after NEC failed to clear their lines. Kento Shiogai managed a late consolation for NEC, but it was too little, too late for the home side.

The final Eredivisie match for the weekend saw FC Twente facing off against bottom-placed Almere City FC at Grolsch Veste. Twente, currently in fifth place, emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 win, thanks to a tap-in from Eredivisie’s top goalscorer Sem Steijn in the 19th minute.

This win saw Twente climb to fourth in the table, overtaking Feyenoord, who were on break ahead of their upcoming away clash with Inter in Milan.