Ajax Shifts Focus to Eredivisie Following Elimination from European Competitions

Ajax has been eliminated from both the Champions League and the KNVB Cup, allowing the team to fully focus on achieving a second-place finish in the Eredivisie. This Sunday afternoon, they will face Excelsior Rotterdam in Kralingen. The Amsterdam squad is eager to settle the score with Excelsior, who previously triumphed with a 2-1 victory at the Johan Cruijff ArenA earlier this season. Which players will Fred Grim field in this crucial match?

### Predicted Lineup for Ajax Against Excelsior Rotterdam

Earlier this week, Ajax still held a slim hope of continuing in the Champions League, but that dream was dashed following a 2-1 loss to Olympiakos. This defeat marked the team’s first home loss since their match against Benfica on November 25. In the Eredivisie, however, Ajax has been performing well lately, currently trailing their rivals Feyenoord by just two points. Feyenoord will be playing an away match against PSV this weekend.

In a strategic choice on Wednesday, Grim opted to start Josip Sutalo in central defense to counter the aerial threat posed by the Greeks. However, it is anticipated that Sutalo will be replaced by Aaron Bouwman this weekend. The eighteen-year-old defender will team up with Youri Baas to form the central defensive pair. Anton Gaaei will occupy the right-back position, while Lucas Rosa will take the left flank, leading to Owen Wijndal’s move to the bench. Vitezslav Jaros will start as goalkeeper.

In the attacking front, interim coach Grim is likely to favor Rayane Bounida on the right wing. The nineteen-year-old Belgian has started the last two league matches, while Oscar Gloukh was selected for the Champions League fixtures. There may be additional competition for their positions, as Ajax is reportedly interested in signing Argentine right winger Maher Carrizo.

### Predicted Lineup for Ajax Against Excelsior Rotterdam (4-3-3)

Jaros; Gaaei, Bouwman, Baas, Rosa; Regeer, Klaassen, Steur; Bounida, Dolberg, Godts.

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