Ajax have qualified for the UEFA Conference League after defeating FC Sion 9-5 on aggregate.
Ajax have now qualified for the league phase of the UEFA Conference League after beating FC Sion 5-3 on Thursday night in Amsterdam, after also beating them 4-2 in Switzerland last week.
Youri Baas put Ajax ahead in the first minute, but two goals from Winsley Boteli put Sion 1-2 ahead. Their joy was short-lived, however, as Davy Klaassen levelled the score only minutes later.
A goal in stoppage time from Tolu Arokodare completed the comeback, giving Ajax a 3-2 lead into the break.
Ajax began the second half very strongly. Tolu scored his second of the night, and Oliver Edvardsen found the back of the net for Ajax's fifth and final goal of the night, only minutes later.
Boteli completed his hat trick in stoppage time, but it proved to be only a consolation goal.
#1: Tolu has to start
It is clear that, for now, Tolu has to start ahead of Marcos Leonardo.
Leonardo is a top player, but it is very clear that he is struggling for confidence in front of goal right now. He was brought on for the final 30 minutes on Thursday night and missed three big chances.
Tolu has made an impact off the bench in several matches now, but proved on Thursday that he can also make an impact when starting.
#2: Regeer's struggles continue
Youri Regeer had a very poor start to the game and went off with an injury after 22 minutes. The cheer from the Johan Cruijff ArenA when he came off was maybe even more painful than the injury for him.
Regeer has struggled massively so far this season, but due to the lack of options in the No. 6 position, he has continued to start games for Ajax.
It has come to the point now, though, that Michel Sanchez has to find a different solution until Ajax sign a defensive midfielder. The pressure on Regeer is growing more with every game, and he is clearly struggling to deal with it.
If the injury is not too serious, Regeer leaving before the transfer window could benefit both parties. A fresh start could do the midfielder a lot of good.
#3: Ouazane will have a big role this season
Abdellah Ouazane was fantastic on Thursday night as he registered two assists.
Ajax are in the market for a left winger, but Ouazane will get a lot of minutes this season, whether that be on the left or in a more central role as a no.10.
It is highly probable that he will become one of Ajax's most important players in the coming two seasons. Ajax have shown interest in Azzedine Ounahi this summer, but he also plays as a No. 10 and can play on the left wing too.
Given that Ajax has Ouazane, there is no need to sign Ounahi. Ajax need to make sure Ouazane gets enough minutes to develop.
#4: Ajax remain defensively vulnerable
Ajax have now conceded nine goals in their last four matches.
Michel's team are defensively quite vulnerable. The potential arrival of a new defensive midfielder in the coming days should hopefully help with that, but Ajax also look poor on the flanks as well at times.
Ajax themselves seem to be scoring quite freely, but if you want to win the Eredivisie, a strong defence is crucial, and it is something that Michel will need to find a way to improve quickly.
#5: Ajax can go far in the Conference League
Ajax should go quite far in the Conference League this season. The likes of Brighton, Atalanta, Braga, Freiburg, Monaco and Copenhagen mean it will be hard for Ajax to win it, but reaching at least the semi-final should be a realistic expectation, especially if further signings are made in the coming days.
