UEFA Champions League League Stage - 8
Ajax 1 - 2 FT Olympiakos Piraeus
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
↓ L. Pirola ↑G. Biancone 28'
32' K. Dolberg
Costinha 45'+1
HT
S. Hezze 49'
G. Martins (M. Taremi) 52'
69' K. Dolberg
69' ↓ S. Steur ↑O. Edvardsen
69' ↓ D. Klaassen ↑R. Bounida
↓ C. Mouzakitis ↑L. Scipioni 72'
↓ A. El Kaabi ↑Chiquinho 72'
S. Hezze (Chiquinho) 79'
80' ↓ K. Dolberg ↑W. Weghorst
80' ↓ O. Gloukh ↑J. Mokio
↓ G. Martins ↑B. Onyemaechi 87'
↓ Rodinei ↑D. Podence 88'
88' ↓ O. Wijndal ↑P. Nash
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Ajax
Goalkeepers
Vítězslav Jaroš 
MAGNET
63
Activity
63
Activity
63
Passes
0
Duels
Defenders
Anton Gaaei 
DRIBBLER
4
Dribbles
4
Dribbles
4
Attempts
100%
Success %
Josip Šutalo
MAGNET
87
Activity
87
Activity
84
Passes
3
Duels
Youri Baas 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
80%
Duel Win %
Owen Wijndal 
NPC
88
Minutes
88
Minutes
52%
Pass Acc
6
Rating
Midfielders
Youri Regeer 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sean Steur
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
69
Total Mins
69
Entry
Oscar Gloukh
LATE SHIFT
10
Late Mins
10
Late Mins
80
Total Mins
80
Entry
Davy Klaassen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
69
Total Mins
69
Entry
Mika Godts 
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Forwards
Kasper Dolberg 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
BENCH
Paul Reverson 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Joeri Heerkens
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Aaron Bouwman
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mylo van der Lans
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gerald Alders
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Lucas Rosa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jorthy Mokio
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
10
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kian Fitz-Jim
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Oliver Edvardsen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rayane Bounida
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Pharrel Nash
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Wout Weghorst
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
10
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Olympiakos Piraeus
Goalkeepers
Konstantinos Tzolakis
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Costinha
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Panagiotis Retsos
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
78%
Duel Win %
Lorenzo Pirola
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
28
Total Mins
28
Entry
Francisco Ortega
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Santiago Hezze 
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
Christos Mouzakitis 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Pen Given
Mistake
Pen Given
Mistake
2
Fouls
6.2
Rating
Rodinei
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Mehdi Taremi 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
3
Key Passes
6.9
Rating
Gelson Martins
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Forwards
Ayoub El Kaabi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
72
Total Mins
72
Entry
BENCH
Nikolaos Botis
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Georgios Kouraklis
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Giulian Biancone
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
62
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alexios Kalogeropoulos
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Bruno Onyemaechi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Lorenzo Scipioni
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
18
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Diogo Nascimento
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Chiquinho 
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
18
Minutes
7
Rating
Dani García
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gabriel Strefezza
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Stavros Pnevmonidis
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Daniel Podence
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19/07/2024 | Ajax | 1 - 0 | Olympiakos Piraeus | Friendlies Clubs | RKSV Driel Stadion |
19/07/2024
Ajax Win
Olympiakos Piraeus Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 8 GD: +19
P: 8 GD: +14
P: 8 GD: +12
P: 8 GD: +10
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +7
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +9
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +10
P: 8 GD: +10
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +2
P: 8 GD: 0
P: 8 GD: -1
P: 8 GD: +2
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -8
P: 8 GD: -1
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -3
P: 8 GD: -3
P: 8 GD: -9
P: 8 GD: 0
P: 8 GD: -5
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -9
P: 8 GD: -13
P: 8 GD: -11
P: 8 GD: -14
P: 8 GD: -13
League Standings
P: 8 GD: +19
P: 8 GD: +14
P: 8 GD: +12
P: 8 GD: +10
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +7
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +9
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +10
P: 8 GD: +10
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +2
P: 8 GD: 0
P: 8 GD: -1
P: 8 GD: +2
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -8
P: 8 GD: -1
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -3
P: 8 GD: -3
P: 8 GD: -9
P: 8 GD: 0
P: 8 GD: -5
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -9
P: 8 GD: -13
P: 8 GD: -11
P: 8 GD: -14
P: 8 GD: -13
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Efficiency Trumps Dominance in Amsterdam
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 52/100. A night of tactical frustration for the hosts saw Olympiakos Piraeus secure a gritty victory despite a heavy disparity in possession and expected goals.
The Frustrating Opening Act
Under the bright lights of the Johan Cruijff Arena, Ajax initiated the contest with an Intensity that pinned the visitors deep into their own half. Controlling a massive 63% of the ball, the Dutch giants dictated the tempo, moving the ball with a fluidity that suggested an opening goal was inevitable. The breakthrough appeared to arrive in the 32nd minute when K. Dolberg found the back of the net, only for a VAR intervention to silence the home crowd due to a marginal offside. This moment shifted the Balance of the early phase, as Olympiakos Piraeus realised they could weather the storm. Despite the hosts recording 11 total shots, the Greek side remained disciplined, waiting for their singular opportunity to counter-punch.
The Pivot: A Tale of Two Penalties and Clinicians
The match exploded into life shortly after the interval when the visitors struck against the run of play. In the 52nd minute, M. Taremi turned provider, sliding a perfectly weighted pass to G. Martins, who dispatched a clinical finish to stun the Amsterdam faithful. Ajax responded with desperation, eventually earning a lifeline in the 69th minute. Dolberg stepped up to the spot, converting a high-pressure penalty to level the scores and reignite the atmosphere. However, the Stakes of this Champions League clash were best understood by the visitors. While Ajax dominated the ball, they lacked the 'Sniper' edge, whereas Olympiakos needed only three shots on target to inflict maximum damage. The game swung for the final time in the 79th minute when Chiquinho, having just entered the fray, delivered a pinpoint ball for S. Hezze to restore the lead.
The Resolution: Defensive Resilience
The closing stages were a masterclass in defensive organisation from the visitors. Led by a towering performance from Panagiotis Retsos, who recorded a match-high 7.9 rating, the Greek backline repelled a late barrage of Dutch crosses. This result creates a significant Upset in the group trajectory; while Ajax languish in 32nd position after six losses this season, Olympiakos climb to 18th, firmly in the mix for the knockout stages. For the hosts, an xG of 1.84 compared to the visitors' 0.54 tells a story of wastefulness. The final whistle confirmed a 1-2 win for the away side, leaving the Amsterdam fans to rue what could have been. This result cements the Greeks' recent form of three wins in their last five, while Ajax must now find a way to stop a slide that is threatening their European future.
Key Questions
How did substitute Panagiotis Retsos change the game?
Though he actually started the match, Panagiotis Retsos was the defensive anchor, earning a 7.9 rating by neutralising Ajax's 11 shots and high-possession approach.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
A Desperate Sprint for the Playoff Line
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 54/100. This is a pure survivalist scrap where the winner likely secures a playoff berth and the loser faces a cold continental exit.
The Setup
The Stakes could not be clearer at the Johan Cruijff Arena. Ajax enters this final matchday of the league stage sitting in 31st place, knowing that only a victory can potentially bridge the gap to the top-24 playoff line. Their Form has been a cause for concern, specifically a defensive fragility that has seen them concede 2.3 goals per game at home. Conversely, Olympiakos Piraeus arrives occupying the 23rd spot, teetering on the edge of qualification. The Balance between these two is razor-thin, as both sides have struggled to find consistency, yet both possess the Stars capable of a match-winning moment.
Key Battle
The outcome will likely be decided in the pockets of space exploited by Oscar Gloukh. The Ajax playmaker has been the creative heartbeat of the side, but he faces a rugged test against the experienced Rodinei. If the Olympiakos full-back can pin Gloukh back and prevent him from linking with the front line, the Dutch giants will struggle to find their rhythm.
Our Prediction
Given that both teams have combined for a staggering 5.0 goals conceded per game recently, a defensive masterclass is unlikely. Mehdi Taremi and Ayoub El Kaabi will find joy against a shaky Ajax backline, but the home side's desperation will drive them forward. We expect a frantic, end-to-end encounter that finishes in a 2-2 draw, a result that might leave both nervously checking other scores across Europe.