Ajax beat Atalanta 2-0 in the Conference League at the Johan Cruyff ArenA on Thursday, claiming their first win and first three points in the competition. Ajax had opened their European campaign with a 2-1 defeat away to Hajduk Split.
Team selection and shape
Following Sunday's 5-2 win over FC Groningen, Ajax kept ten of the same players in their starting line-up. Youri Baas replaced Dies Janse in central defence, while Davy Klaassen again played on the right flank and Marcos Leonardo was preferred to Tolu Arokodare.
Atalanta manager Maurizio Sarri chose a 4-2-3-1, with Charles De Ketelaere behind striker Gianluca Scamacca.
First-half incidents
Jorthy Mokio had a goal ruled out because Klaassen was offside in the build-up. Ajax led Atalanta 11 attempts on goal to seven before half-time.
Penalty appeal and changes
Ajax escaped a possible penalty after an hour when Klaassen slid in to challenge Nicola Zalewski inside his own penalty area. The Croatian referee ruled that Klaassen had touched the ball, and VAR backed the decision.
Tolu came on for Marcos Leonardo in the 66th minute.
Goals from the bench
Tolu scored after controlling a long ball from Baas with his chest, running clear on goal and finishing one-on-one with Carnesecchi. Ouazane scored after dribbling in from the left flank and hitting the ball in off the underside of the crossbar.