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Ajax and coach Míchel Sánchez are preparing for a Conference League match against Hajduk Split in Croatia. The team is seeking to recover its form amid concerns over its Conference League campaign, with tactical and personnel issues reported in Amsterdam.
12 sources
Ajax drew 1-1 with NEC in the Eredivisie at the Johan Cruijff ArenA. Tolu Arokodare gave Ajax an early lead in the sixth minute, but Tjaronn Chery equalised from the penalty spot after Jorthy Mokio fouled Noé Lebreton in the area. Ajax hit the bar through Mokio before halftime but did not turn its possession into a winning goal. Simon Adingra made his Ajax debut as a substitute. The result was Ajax's fourth match without a home win in five home league games. Ajax remains fifth with 15 points from eight matches, five points behind leader Feyenoord. Coach Míchel Sánchez said Ajax had not played well enough under NEC's pressure and needed to improve.
10 sources
NEC drew 1-1 away to Ajax in the Johan Cruijff ArenA, where former Ajax captain Dusan Tadic made an emotional return and was welcomed by Ajax supporters with a banner. Before the match, the F-side marked its 50th anniversary with fireworks and a large banner. Tadic said afterwards that Ajax remains his love but that, as an NEC player, he must do what is best for NEC. Tadic had drawn criticism from NEC supporters after remarks before the match in which he described Ajax as his benchmark and contrasted playing with top players with playing alongside lesser players. He denied being disrespectful to NEC. Ahead of NEC's Europa League home match against Levski Sofia, coach Dick Schreuder said he hoped supporters would back Tadic and the team, while seeking to move on from the controversy.