Overview
- Ajax beat FC Groningen 5-2 at the Euroborg on Sunday, with Julian Brandt and Jorthy Mokio scoring two goals each and Aaron Bouwman also on the scoresheet.
- The coach made major changes to the starting eleven before the match, and Dies Janse—starting in central defence—earned public praise from Míchel for his duels and build-up play.
- Yves Bissouma made his Ajax debut as a substitute and Marc ter Stegen returned in goal, making a stoppage-time penalty save that preserved the win.
- Injuries to Kasper Dolberg and Steven Berghuis kept key attackers out and forced reliance on rotated and fringe players, while pundits flagged Marcos Leonardo’s finishing and questioned ter Stegen’s insistence on playing out from the back.
- The result halted a mini-slump after a draw with NEC and a Conference League defeat and should boost squad confidence as Ajax juggle selection choices and fixture congestion.