His tally of zero assists had been the only statistical blemish on Julian Brandt’s strong first season so far at Ajax. On Sunday, he broke his duck in that regard too.
Julian Brandt has enjoyed a strong first season at Ajax so far and has now even won over his chief critic, Rafael van der Vaart. One statistic clouds the picture, however – but there is a simple explanation for it.
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.
Ajax
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