Ajax secured a 2-0 victory against Atalanta in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday night thanks to goals from Tolu Arokodare and Abdellah Ouazane.

Ajax were the better team over 90 minutes. They had more possession and created more chances. Atalanta offered very little on the ball and struggled to create goal-scoring opportunities throughout the game.

While Ajax's performances against NEC Nijmegen and Hajduk Split were both very poor, the Amsterdammers have improved significantly over the last two games against FC Groningen and Atalanta.

They are now starting to build real momentum, and Michel Sanchez will be hoping his team can carry their current form into Sunday's game against Sparta Rotterdam.

Ajax's finishing has let them down at times this season. In the games against Excelsior and NEC Nijmegen, Ajax created a total xG (expected goals) of 4.48 across the two games and scored only three goals in total.

While they scored twice against Atalanta, they could have had a couple of goals more had they been more clinical.

Marcos Leonardo had a very good chance in the first half, but his shot was just slightly too wide. Julian Brandt also came close to breaking the deadlock with a header in the second half after an excellent cross from Lucas Rosa.

Oscar Gloukh also had his fair share of opportunities to score in the first half. He had four shots in the first half, two of which were on target.

Speaking on ESPN's Voetbapraat podcast, Marciano Vink criticised Ajax, and in particular Oscar Gloukh, for the finishing against Atalanta.

"The finishing and shooting disappointed me tremendously at Ajax. Especially Gloukh," Vink said.

"He doesn't finish with control. Everything goes through the middle and is too soft."

While Vink thought Ajax's finishing was not good enough, he praised the overall performance of Michel's team on Thursday night.

"They should have been 1-0 up at half-time. That makes you feel a bit better going into the break," Vink explained.

"Ultimately, they did win the match, very deservedly, but also desperately needed. I really enjoyed watching an Ajax play football that really wanted to win. They created quite a few chances."

Gloukh does a lot right, but his end product is not good enough. It is costing Ajax goals, and because of that, Michel needs to start Ouazane on the left wing.

Ouazane's goal against Atalanta was fantastic. The angle was very tight, but the finish was also very powerful. Almost every time he plays, he makes things happen and deserves more playing time.

Ouazane has registered two goals and three assists in 16 appearances for Ajax this season in all competitions, but the vast majority of those appearances have come as a substitute. He has only started in four games so far this season.

Gloukh has started the majority of games for Ajax on the left wing this season. Simon Adingra has been injured for most of the season and has only made one appearance for Ajax so far.