In the first leg of the 4th qualifying round of the Europa League, Jagiellonia lost 1:4 (1:2) to Ajax Amsterdam. The rematch will be played on August 29 in the Netherlands.
Game against the Dutch national team It all started very well for the hosts. In the 5th minute – after a corner kick and a cross from Jarosław Kubicki – in the confusion surrounding the goal, Adrian Dieguez shot from close range towards Ajax’s goal.
The Białystok team were only in front for a few minutes. In the 10th minute, the ball went to Chuba Akpom in the Jagiellonia penalty area, who beat Sławomir Abramowicz with a low shot.
Ajax’s advantage was growing; the guests kept possession of the ball, looking for action on the wings, especially on the left side, where Mika Godts played. The 19-year-old Belgian was very activeand in the 28th minute he scored with a header from a few metres out. After taking the lead, Ajax only fell back for a few minutes. Lamine Diaby-Fadiga was close to the visitors’ goal in the 32nd minute, but – with his back to it – he was unable to turn with the ball and shoot.
In response, Godts was blocked by one of Jagiellonia’s defenders in their own penalty area after Ajax had quickly escaped the pressure from the Białystok side. Before the break, the Belgian winger had another chance, but either Abramovich saved or his shots went wide. In the last action of the half Akpom had a great chance to score but shot over the bar.
In the second half for many minutes Ajax’s dominance was even more pronounced. In the 53rd minute, Aurelien Nguiamba saved Jagiellonia from losing a goal, the ball was heading towards the goal after a shot by Carlos Forbs. In the 61st minute it was already 3:1 for the guests; Ambramowicz managed to save Kenneth Taylor’s shot, but was helpless when Akpom followed up.
Jagiellonia had virtually no chance to take the ballAjax persisted and planned other actions. Akpom increased the score again in the 69th minute, taking advantage of a penalty awarded for a foul committed by Dieguez. In the 77th minute, the guests did not take advantage of another “eleven” (foul by Darko Churlinov); this time it was Godts who shot, but Abramowicz was not defeated.
Jagiellonia came alive late on. Churlinov had a chance to score in injury time. He received a pass from Afimico Pululu, who won a tussle with several Ajax defenders. The Macedonian shot from a tight angle in the area, but it went wide.
Jagiellonia Białystok: Sławomir Abramowicz – Michal Sacek, Adrian Dieguez (70. Jetmir Haliti), Mateusz Skrzypczak, João Moutinho (46. Aurelien Nguiamba) – Miki Villar (70. Kristoffer Hansen), Nene (70. Taras Romanczuk), Jarosław Kubicki, Darko Churlinov – Jesus Imaz, Lamine Diaby-Fadiga (62. Afimico Pululu).
Ajax Amsterdam: Remko Pasveer – Devyne Rensch, Josip Sutalo, Youri Baas, Jorrel Hato (72. Anton Gaaei) – Steven Berghuis, Jordan Henderson, Kenneth Taylor (64. White van den Boomen) – Carlos Forbs (64. Bertrand Traore), Chuba Akpom ( 72. Brian Brobbey), Mika Godts (85. Steven Bergwijn).
Goals: 1-0 Adrian Dieguez (5), 1-1 Chuba Akpom (10), 1-2 Mika Godts (28), 1-3 Chuba Akpom (61), 1-4 Chuba Akpom (69 penalties).
Yellow card: Jagiellonia – Adrian Dieguez. Ajax-Kenneth Taylor, Jorel Hato.
Judge: Rade Obrenovic (Slovenia).
Spectators: 19,553.