Ajax Amsterdam reestablished their presence on the European stage after securing their qualification for the Europa League Round of 16, following nail-biting encounters with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. The Dutch side managed to sneak through with a 3-2 aggregate score after triumphing 2-0 away and facing defeat 1-2 at home.
The first leg took place on February 20, 2025, where Ajax showcased their resolve on the muddy pitch of Brussels. Their victory came from stellar performances, with Christian Rasmussen and Jorthy Mokio netting second-half goals leading to their well-deserved win. They had previously struggled against the same team before this resurgence.
The return match at the Johan Cruijff ArenA was fraught with challenges. Ajax started poorly as Davy Klaassen received a red card, which seemed to paint their pathway to qualification as nearly impossible. Royale Union struck first with Kevin Mac Allister's header. The situation worsened when Promise David converted a penalty, pushing Ajax to the brink of elimination with the score at 0-2 on the night and 2-2 on aggregate. This scenario seemed dire for the home team, as the crowd was left anxious and disappointed.
Despite their troubles, Ajax made impactful substitutions, bringing on Jordan Henderson, Kenneth Taylor, and Bertrand Traore, who helped fortify their defenses. The turning point came early in extra time when Ajax was awarded another penalty after Traore's cross struck the hand of Royale Union's defender, Christian Burgess. Taylor stepped up and flawlessly converted the penalty, bringing Ajax’s aggregate score to 3-2.
The remainder of the match was tense, with Royale Union pushing for equality and Ajax digging deep to hold onto their lead. Ajax dodged several attempts, including a notable effort from Kevin Rodriguez at the dying moments of the game, which could have cost them dearly.
Ajax will learn of their next opponent at the upcoming draw set for February 21, 2025. They could potentially face historical rivals Olympique Lyon, reigniting memories of their previous encounters, or challenge Eintracht Frankfurt, with whom they have limited history but will certainly provide another thrilling chapter in Ajax's campaign this season.
Ajax last reached the Round of 16 in the 2020/21 season, when they defeated Young Boys decisively. Their recent qualification marks not just the return of ambition but sheds light on their development under manager Francesco Farioli, showing depth and resilience, particularly with several players absent for different reasons including illness.
This outcome reinforces Ajax's historical place within European football and sets the stage for exciting future matches as they eye progress farther along the road to European glory. Now, with the draw looming, anticipation builds among fans and players alike, hoping for another memorable run.