Ajax narrowly reclaimed second place in the Eredivisie following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar at the Johan Cruijff Arena. Tolu Arokodare's first-half header proved decisive as the Amsterdammers ended a 12-match winless run against their bogey team despite losing Julian Brandt to injury.
Late goals from substitutes Tolu Arokodare and Abdellah Ouazane handed Ajax a dramatic 2-0 UEFA Conference League victory over Atalanta. The Amsterdammers ended an eight-game winless streak against Italian opposition as Michel's side claimed their first points of the campaign.
A cagey tactical battle at the Johan Cruijff ArenA was eventually decided by the clinical impact of Ajax's bench. Michel outmanoeuvred Maurizio Sarri in the closing stages to secure a vital 2-0 victory.