Ajax Faces Pivotal Match Against NEC in Eredivisie

omidbasir- Ajax is preparing for a crucial match in the Eredivisie this Saturday evening against NEC, a direct competitor for the second place. Both teams currently share the same points total of 42, making this a significant six-point match. Here’s an overview of the eleven players that interim coach Fred Grim will deploy in pursuit of victory.

Under Grim’s leadership, Ajax has remained unbeaten in the Eredivisie for an extended period. Although the interim coach lost his first two league matches against FC Utrecht (2-1) and Excelsior Rotterdam (1-2), he has since gone on a ten-match unbeaten run. However, the Amsterdam club has dropped several points by allowing substantial leads to slip, resulting in draws. Last weekend, Ajax secured a convincing 4-1 victory over Fortuna Sittard, although the serious injury to Oleksandr Zinchenko cast a shadow over the evening. The 29-year-old Ukrainian will not be returning to action this season.

Ajax will be without Ko Itakura for the upcoming weekend, as confirmed by Grim during the pre-match press conference. Consequently, the defensive duo of Josip Sutalo and Youri Baas will anchor the defense, supported by Vitezslav Jaros in goal. On the right flank, Grim appears to favor Lucas Rosa over Anton Gaaei, while Owen Wijndal will secure a starting position on the opposite side.

Once again, Oscar Gloukh will not feature in the starting lineup. Having joined Ajax as the club’s most expensive signing last summer, the 21-year-old Israeli has not performed as anticipated. Under John Heitinga, Gloukh was a regular starter in the attacking midfield role, but his role has significantly diminished under Grim, relegating him mainly to a substitute position. It is expected that Rayane Bounida will be preferred over Gloukh on the right side against NEC. Meanwhile, the Argentine winter signing Maher Carrizo is now eligible to play, but it remains uncertain whether he will be included in the squad for Saturday’s match, as noted by Grim.

Expected Ajax lineup against NEC (4-3-3):
Jaros; Rosa, Sutalo, Baas, Wijndal; Regeer, Klaassen, Steur; Bounida, Dolberg, Godts.

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