Silva on target in Ajax defeat

Goals at the start of each half ensured victory for the Dutch club, and although Silva pulled a goal back for the Eagles, they couldn’t find an equaliser as they went down to their first defeat of pre-season.

Personnel: First start for Ache

Summer signing Ragnar Ache was handed his first start, partnering Silva up front. It was otherwise a familiar-looking line-up for the Eagles, who started with a 3-4-2-1 formation.

Ajax on top

In front of a socially distanced crowd of 6,000 at the Johan Cruijff ArenA, Eintracht got off to the worst possible start when Quincy Promes stroked the ball past Kevin Trapp inside the penalty area to give the hosts the lead after just four minutes. Ajax, who were top of the Eredivisie when the season was aborted in March, continued to threaten but the Eagles largely kept them at bay, without creating much themselves.

When Erik ten Hag’s side did break through, either Trapp or the woodwork denied them, with the Eagles goalkeeper making two smart reflex stops from Lassina Traoré and Promes. As the first half drew to a close, Silva came close to equalising but his volley was tipped wide by goalkeeper André Onana.

Silva reduces deficit

The second period started like the first – with an early goal for Ajax, as half-time substitute Mohammed Kudus fired into the empty net after a three-against-one counter-attack. However, the Eagles responded well and immediately got themselves back in the game, Silva prodding home from a corner. The frame of the goal came to their rescue again in the 58th minute, when Edson Álvarez’s long-range shot crashed against the crossbar.

The contest then became somewhat scrappy, with substitutions and yellow cards slowing things down. Eintracht’s best chance for an equaliser again fell to Silva when he broke free and bore down on goal, but Onana was equal to the finish.

Overall, it was a good test for the Eagles against top-class opposition, and Adi Hütter will undoubtedly have gained some insights from it as he prepares for the new season, which starts in just two weeks.

SGE line-up

Trapp – Abraham (Hasebe 72’), Hinteregger (Zuber 72’), Ndicka (Tuta 72’) – da Costa (Toure 72’), Ilsanker (Sow 81’), Rode (Kohr 46’), Kostic (Chandler 81’) – Kamada (Barkok 46’) – Ache (Paciencia 46’), Silva (Dost 81’)

Goals

Promes 1-0 (4’)
Kudus 2-0 (47’)
Silva 2-1 (51’)