AMSTERDAM--Ajax Amsterdam made it three wins from three matches in the Champions League with a sensational 4-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Johan Cruijff Arena.
Ajax manager Erik ten Hag spoke of his plan to face Dortmund’s eleven players instead of just focusing solely on its striker Erling Haaland. That plan worked as Ajax took a grip of the game from the start.
Antony and Daley Blind both went close before the opening goal fell in the 11th minute. Marco Reus diverted a Dusan Tadic free kick into his own net.
Ajax continued to push forward after the opener and that resulted in a second goal after 25 minutes. Blind latched onto a pass from Sebastien Haller before firing into the net via the post from just outside the box.
Ajax had the chances to net more before the break but Haller couldn’t finish after an excellent backheel from Steven Berghuis, while Ryan Gravenberch was denied by Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
Dortmund, who had ex-PSV Eindhoven forward Donyell Malen in the starting eleven, didn’t threaten until just before the break when Ajax goalie Remko Pasveer had to make a smart save to deny Haaland.
Three minutes into the second half, Pasveer made a great reflex save to tip Haaland’s strike onto the crossbar. The signs of life from Dortmund were extinguished in the 57th minute when Antony curled the ball into the far corner to make it 3-0 for Ajax.
Malen was substituted for Dortmund and their only threat came through Haaland, who was denied for the third time by Pasveer, who had an excellent night in the Ajax goal.
The home crowd erupted again in the 72nd minute as Haller beat Emre Can in the air before heading the ball into the net. That proved to be the final goal of the game as Ajax saw out the rest of the night comfortably.
Ajax moves onto nine points and they are within touching distance of the knockout stages. Ajax must now prepare for the Eredivisie clash against PSV on Sunday. PSV are facing French side AS Monaco in the Europa League on Thursday.
