Jagiellonia didn’t like the leadership for a long time
The match against the Dutch title-winning team started very well for the home team. 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.
Just like in the recent Ekstraklasa game against Cracovia, 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.
At half time it was 2-1 to Ajax
Ajax’s advantage grew. The visitors kept possession of the ball and sought action on the flanks, especially on the left side, where Mika Godts played. The 19-year-old Belgian was very active and in the 28th minute he scored with a header from several meters away.
After taking the lead, Ajax only fell back for a few minutes; Lamine Diaby-Fadiga came close to the visitors’ goal in the 32nd minute but – with his back to it – 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.
Two penalties in the second half
In the second half, Ajax’s dominance became even clearer for many minutes. In the 53rd minute, Aurelien Nguiamba saved Jagiellonia from missing a goal, the ball was going into the goal after a shot by Carlos Forbs. By 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 possession of the ball, Ajax held on to it and planned their subsequent actions. Akpom increased the score again in the 69th minute, taking advantage of a penalty awarded for a foul committed by Dieguez.
At 77 minutes, the guests did not take advantage of another “eleven” (foul of Darko Churlinov). This time Godts fired, but Abramowicz was not defeated.
Jagiellonia came to life at the end. Churlinov had a chance to score in stoppage time. He received a pass from Afimico Pululu, who won the battle with several Ajax defenders, the Macedonian shot from a tight angle in the penalty area, but shot over.
Jagiellonia Białystok – Ajax Amsterdam 1:4 (1:2)
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, Jorrel Hato
Judge: Rade Obrenovic (Slovenia)
Spectators: 19,553
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)
