Ajax coach John van ‘t Schip had adjusted his starting team in one place compared to the won home match against FC Twente (2-1). Benjamin Tahirovic was preferred to Branco van den Boomen in midfield. Jordan Henderson resumed group training this week after a back injury, but he was not yet in the selection. Steven Berghuis and Kristian Hlynsson were also missing.
Rensch opens scoring
Excelsior player Julian Baas had the first chance of the match after more than fifteen minutes of play, but he ran into goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli. Ajax was successful in the 27th minute. On a pass from Kenneth Taylor, defender Devyne Rensch shot the ball high into the goal with his left hand: 1-0.
Bergwijn caused Ajax problems when defending. The attacker grabbed Benita in the penalty area. After intervention by the video referee, Bergwijn received a red card and Baas used the penalty: 1-1. Shortly before halftime, Ajax also lost Brian Brobbey with an injury. Akpom replaced him.
With one more man, Excelsior quickly scored in the second half. After a high cross from the right, Lazaros Lamprou trumped Rensch in the air in the 53rd minute: 1-2. Taylor hit the bar for Ajax. After a good move by Rensch, the score was 2-2, via Akpom.
Ajax line-up: Rulli; Rensch, Sutalo, Kaplan (Sosa/81), Hato; Tahirovic (Gaaei/68), Mannsverk (Van de Boomen/80), Taylor; Godts (Rijkhoff/80), Brobbey (Akpom/44), Bergwijn
