Ajax is second in the UEFA Europa League after destroying Maccabi Tel Aviv 5-0

Ajax has given its victories in the Eredivisie over Feyenoord (0-2) and PSV (3-2) a fitting follow-up in the Europa League. Manager Francesco Farioli’s team had little trouble with Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Johan Cruijff ArenA winning 5-0. The score was 3-0 at halftime. Striker Brian Brobbey scored his first goal for Ajax since August 29 in the match.

Ajax is still competing at the top end of the competition with 10 points from four matches. The Amsterdammers are in second place with Lazio, who have won every game thus far in the competition, the only team ahead of them. The first eight clubs qualify directly for the last 16; numbers 9 to 24 go to the playoffs. Ajax’s next match in the Europa League is in three weeks against Real Sociedad away.

Kenneth Taylor will not be available in San Sebastián because he received his third yellow card in the competition against Maccabi shortly before half-time. Taylor was one of the five new players in the starting team compared to the match against PSV. Anton Gaaei, Daniele Rugani, captain Branco van den Boomen, and Mika Godts were the other four.

Brobbey was close to the opening goal in the fifth minute but shot the ball hard against goalkeeper Roi Mishpati's head. The first goal of the match came after 15 minutes played. Brobbey did well to turn away from his opponent and laid the ball wide to Bertrand Traoré, who could not miss from close range in front of an empty goal (1-0). Maccabi looked to have equalized in the 19th minute, but the goal was canceled due to offside.

Ajax doubled the lead in the 27th minute. Taylor scored after combining with Brobbey. Brobbey set the chance up with a nice backheel. Godts made it 3-0 with a curled shot before halftime.

The home team kept the pace high after the break. After an hour of play, Brobbey was allowed to take a free kick in the Maccabi penalty area, and the striker hit the ball hard into the net (4-0). The relief after the long period without a goal was visible in Brobbey’s celebration. Kian Fitz-Jim scored the final goal to make it 5-0. A goal by Christian Rasmussen was also disallowed before full-time.