0 voters
Unused Subs: Kelleher, Jaros, Cain, N Williams.
Sub: Henderson on, Jones off 45’
Sub: Minamino on, Mane off 60’
Sub: Shaqiri on, Salah off 60’
Sub: Jota on, Firmino off 60’
Sub: R Williams on, Milner off 90+2’
Never in doubt.
The injuries to Virgil, Thiago, Matip and Henderson led to a much-juggled starting XI for our opening champions league match of the new campaign, with Fabinho moving into the heart of the defence and Curtis Jones earning his first CL start alongside Ribenaman in midfield.
Our makeshift Brazilian centre half made a couple of solid early challenges, the second of which resulted in Mané breaking but unable to pick out Salah with the crucial pass. The Ajax forwards were clearly instructed to press our defenders, with Gomez short of form and Fabinho new to the position; Neres, in particular, was buzzing around incessantly.
The much-maligned Adrián produced a fine save with an outstretched leg to deny Promes; it was a poor miss by the former Manchester United player, as he would have scored if he’d put it to either side of the keeper.
Moments later, the Reds took the lead as Mané turned his marker inside out before scuffing his shot. The effort was going well wide- possibly even out for a throw- but Tahliafico stuck out a leg and diverted the ball past a stranded Onana. The visitors were in a lead they had hardly deserved.
Tagliafico yhen made amends for his own goal by brilliantly intercepting a slide-rule pass from Bobby that would have set Mo free on goal. Robertson made a good run down the left but couldn’t provide the right ball for the Egyptian; Fabinho then came up with an outstanding goal-line clearance to deny Tadic, after the Serbian lobbed Adrián.
Jones, who had had a quiet half and was lucky to get away with an elbow to , was taken off at half time and replaced by the captain. Henderson was clearly meant to add a bit of steel to a midfield which had been overrun at times. Klaasen’s first-time long-range effort almost started the second half with a bang but cannoned off the post; Adrián made another good save from Mazraoui’s drive.
Making the most of the new five subs rule in this season’s competition, Jürgen hauled off the entire front three on the hour mark and brought on Jota, Shaqiri and Minamino. No doubt this was to rest the front three before our league game against Sheffield United at Anfield on Saturday evening, but it was good to see the replacement players get a good half hour of European football.
Jota and Minamino were very industrious and the Portuguese international’s skills are something to behold; the way Bobby has been out of form for a while now, his place in the “first team” must surely be under threat?
Fab was, well, fab in his new role and Adrián, despite the usual moments of panic (including at the very end), made some vital saves. Millie put in a real shift and fully deserved his rest as Rhys Williams was brought on to shore up the defence in stoppage time as the home side threw caution to the wind. Gini also had a solid game- our midfield strength in depth really is superb.
A far more satisfying result, then, than on our only previous visit to Amsterdam to play Ajax, way back in 1966, when we lost 5-1. Three points away is always a good way to start the group; next up, as mentioned earlier, are Sheffield United on Saturday. As a quick reminder, stand up to Sky and DO NOT fork out the £15 pay per view charge. Please donate to FoodbankFC instead. Thank you.
MOTM: Sadiq Khan, for calling out Bozo as the barefaced liar that he is.
Lucky or not, we needed that! Vital to lift the doom and gloom that’s been around for the last 17 days.
Dreary, but will very much do.
3 points
10 characters
Hate to say, but Fab needs to be starting CB now. He’s better than either Gomez or Fabinho
Adrian was the best goalkeeper on the pitch,Milner motm fucking easily.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The new colossal centre back!
we grinded out a win, we grinded out a clean sheet. we had luck, we worked out our own luck. In the end, this was an important 1-0 win. That is what Champions are made of. Onto the weekend we go.
Away win. Clean sheet.
Good win,
But while everyone is here, could people please log onto our mirror site to stress test lots of users
I have upgraded server, and made some changes since half time.
Much needed result…
Fabinho was just immense, he really is an outstanding center half.
Jota, Shaqiri, Taki all really lively and staking a claim ahead of Bobby.
Fabinho and milner were brilliant.
3 points is all that matters.
Think jota going to displace one of the front 3 soon.
One of the most boring games of the season!
I liked the tactical switch with dropping the line deeper and being more conventional in our defending. Asked for it before the game and it seemed to work. Fabinho is so good at defending the box, his game is all about making tackles and interceptions. Easily MOTM.
Mane and Robertson the best of the rest who started.
Thought the subs were excellent. Henderson solidified the midfield, Taki done fairly well and Jota was very good off the bench, ran with purpose every time he got the ball. Even Rhys Williams won about 3 headers in the 5 minutes he was on.
Good away result in Europe. Not pretty but effective. I’ll take the same on Saturday please.
Fabinho MOM, I think we’re going to need him a lot this season. Impressed with Schuurs, sign him.
Barely saw any of the match so dont know about the performance, but the result is a big one. We havent been great away in the CL groups in recent seasons, but with that win, if we beat the Danes home and away and dont lose the return with Ajax the games against Atalanta wont be that important. Being able to get through the groups without exerting much effort will be key I think
Fantastic start in this group. But to be fair, all the luck we lacked last week-end during the derby, we had it tonight. Ajax will feel disgusted.
Anyway, a clean sheet with our new defence without VVD (Fabinho and Gomez did well overall), a fluke goal, and we take the three points.
(Adrian played very well tonight.)
Wow a clean sheet and 3 points away from home, job done but Alisson needs a quick return.