Ajax capped off their pre-season preparations with an eventful 2-2 draw against AS Monaco at a sunny Johan Cruyff ArenA. The match saw both teams trade goals, but the biggest story was a worrying injury to Ajax striker Brian Brobbey, which overshadowed the final result. Bertrand Traore’s late goal ensured Ajax avoided a defeat, giving fans something to cheer about.
The game provided a mixed bag of takeaways for Ajax. On the positive side, the team showed resilience to fight back for a draw. However, the potential loss of Brian Brobbey to an ankle injury just before the Eredivisie season begins is a major concern for the team’s management and supporters.
⚽ A Lively First Half
The action started after 29 minutes when Kenneth Taylor scored the opening goal for Ajax. He finished a smooth team move involving Davy Klaassen and Wout Weghorst, tapping the ball into an open net. However, the lead didn’t last long. Just five minutes later, Monaco responded with a goal from Mika Biereth, who scored in a similar fashion to level the score at 1-1.
🥅 Monaco Takes the Lead
After the break, Ajax seemed to lose some momentum, and Monaco took advantage. About twenty minutes into the second half, former PSV player Jordan Teze set up his teammate Takumi Minamino, who found the back of the net to give Monaco a 2-1 lead. It was a disappointing moment for the home side as they found themselves trailing in the match.
🤕 Injury Scare for Brobbey
Things took a turn for the worse for Ajax when striker Brian Brobbey, who had come on as a substitute for Wout Weghorst, had to leave the pitch. After only a short time in the game, Brobbey went down with what appeared to be an ankle injury and was quickly substituted. This is a significant worry for Ajax as they prepare for their new season.
💪 Ajax Fights Back for a Draw
Despite the setback, the sold-out stadium still had a reason to celebrate. Late in the game, Bertrand Traore, moved into the striker position, scored an equalizer for Ajax. He connected with a low cross from Owen Wijndal and slotted the ball home to make the final score 2-2. While Traore had other chances to win the game, the draw was a fair result to conclude Ajax’s pre-season schedule.
