Ajax – FC Utrecht 3-1: Still a chance to win one of the three European tournaments

The last home game of the 2022/23 disaster season. There was still something at stake against FC Utrecht. If Ajax still has a chance at Champions League football, PSV would have to lose points against Heerenveen. Europa League football is also far from certain for the retiring football champion. With only two points ahead of number three AZ Alkmaar, Ajax could also miss that.

After four minutes, Ajax already had a great opportunity. Brobbey was able to head in outlaw, but again the striker failed. Three minutes later, Tadic failed when he shot too wildly in free position and saved the keeper. Within fifteen minutes, Taylor was also unable to get the opening goal on the board: the midfielder shot just over the edge of sixteen meters. After 20 minutes the goal could not be missed. Hato continued well, Tadic held onto the ball and passed it on to Wijndal, who passed to Bergwijn. He shot 1-0 from about 16 meters. Completely justified interval.

In the 30th minute, Brobbey was already closer to a goal. This time he headed a cross from Bergwijn on the post. Ajax continued to miss opportunities. Also in the 34th minute. Again Bergwijn was close to scoring his second goal after Tadic had done well. Ajax continued with fun football until the break, but 1-0 was the halftime score. PSV trailed 1-2 at home against Heerenveen. If it all stayed like this, Ajax would still have a chance at all three European tournaments!

Immediately in the second half, Ajax continued to miss opportunities. Again Brobbey missed a huge opportunity. Douvikas equalized in a really ridiculous way. Against 5 (!!!) defenders of the team from Amsterdam, the striker managed to free himself nicely and pass Rulli. The opponent’s first ‘chance’ was a direct hit. Completely against the ratio, but also an old football law: if you don’t even finish the chances…

And Ajax continued…missing opportunities. And PSV even came behind with 1-3! It would be typical of Ajax this season if they didn’t even grab this last straw. But in the 68th minute it happened! Brobbey scored the 2-1! A ticker, but still. Of course, Ajax was not there yet, because Ajax’s shaky defense is a guarantee of goals against. Utrecht headed on the post after a free kick.

After the lead, Heitinga’s team naturally fell back into slow play. Meanwhile, PSV had already come back to 3-3. It kept squeezing, but that was over in the third minute of stoppage time. Substitute Godts put back nicely and Klaassen calmly tapped in the 3-1. At PSV it remained 3-3, so if Ajax wins next week and PSV loses, Ajax can still finish second…