Ajax news: De Godenzonen thrash Dortmund in the Champions League’s third game

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Ajax 4-0 Dortmund

Starting line-ups:

AFC Ajax: Pasveer, Mazraoui (Rensch 83’), Timber, Martinez, Daley Blind, Alvarez, Gravenberch, Berghuis (Klaassen 69’), Antony (Neres 76’), Haller (Daramy 83’), Tadic.

BVB Dortmund: Kobel, Meunier (Wolf 79’), Akanji, Hummels (Pongracic 79’), Schulz (Can 46’), Witsel, Bellingham, Brandt (Knauff 88’), Reus, Haaland, Malen (Hazard 53’).

Ajax 4-0 Dortmund

In the beginning minutes of the Ajax vs Dortmund game, Dortmund was the team having better performance on the pitch. However, the home team Ajax were the ones who could take better advantage of the opportunity. 

Right in the 11th minute, Dusan Tadic took a nasty free-kick that made Dortmund's captain Marco Reus become a criminal with an own goal in an effort to join the defense. That lucky goal seemed to strengthen the Dutch players. 

In the 25th minute after catching the passing from Haller, Daley Blind immediately hit the volley and doubled the lead with an extremely powerful finish. This is also the first goal of the former Manchester United star in this season. The skill and technique of this experienced midfielder have never made fans disappointed. 

Dortmund tried to counterattack many times with Marco Reus and Erling Haaland’s shots but they were all denied by goalkeeper Remko Pasveer as well as the close-knit defensive line. Although having been underestimated before the match, Holland’s representatives proved that they, themselves, were a dangerous power. Different from the Bundesliga’s side who played depending on Haaland, De Godenzonen displayed their fiery attacking style in the whole 90 minutes. Apart from the goalkeeper, the remaining positions in the squad of the defending Eredivisie champions could completely threaten the opponent's goal.

Haaland can't shine in this match against Ajax

In the second half, Dortmund played more tenaciously. However, while the attacking and midfield lines could control the game well, the German defenders continued making disappointments with superficial performances. In the 57th minute, Haller once again assisted a goal for Antony. The Brazillian winger did not waste his chance to make it 3-0 for the home team. BVB were almost paralyzed after this goal. 

Sebastien Haller made 2 assists and 1 goal in the game

By 72 minutes, Sebastien Haller had his own goal in the game after 2 assists. It came from a perfect pass from Daley to make a header confirming the 4-0 final score for AFC Ajax. This is Haller’s sixth goal in the Champions League group stage this season, making him become the top goalscorer in this race after just 3 games. He is also the first player who scored consecutively in the first three Champions League matches since his compatriot Didier Drogba in 2003. 

After the game

Ajax 4-0 Dortmund is the most terrible defeat in their history of the UEFA Champions League. This is also the worst match of the German representatives in the past 18 years since they lost 0-4 against Sochaux in the UEFA Cup (Europa League now) in 2003. 

At the moment, Dortmund are still standing at the 2nd position in Group C with 6 points. Meanwhile, Ajax are remaining in their top place with perfect 9 points after 3 straight winning games. Their achievement was extremely impressive with 11 goals and only 1 conceded goal. 

Group C standings

Reference Sources

• Goal.com
• Eurosport.com