Ajax Faces Injury Woes Ahead of Crucial Match Against Qarabag

Ajax Amsterdam’s quest for their first points in this season’s UEFA Champions League faces significant challenges due to injuries to key players. The four-time European champions have lost all five of their group matches and currently sit at the bottom of the standings. They will be looking to change their fortunes in an away match against Azerbaijan’s Qarabag on December 9, 2023.

Acting head coach Fred Grim, who took over following the dismissal of John Heitinga last month, confirmed that international striker Wout Weghorst will be sidelined until next month due to an ankle injury suffered over the weekend. In addition, two regulars, centre-back Josip Sutalo and attacker Kenneth Taylor, have remained in Amsterdam, further complicating Ajax’s lineup options.

Grim expressed concern over the situation but remains optimistic about his team’s chances. He indicated that striker Kasper Dolberg may need to step up again after his recent performance in a victory against Fortuna Sittard. “He played more minutes than we actually think is right. Necessity knows no law,” Grim stated during Tuesday’s pre-match press conference.

Despite the daunting task ahead, Ajax is determined to secure a win against Qarabag. Qualifying for the playoff stage seems nearly impossible after their dismal start, leading to thoughts of potentially resting players for their upcoming match against arch-rivals Feyenoord, who currently sit eight points ahead of Ajax in the Dutch league.

Grim emphasized the importance of the match against Qarabag, stating, “We want to perform well in every match. We have a group that puts a lot of energy into training. The boys want to show they belong in the starting lineup.” He expressed hope that Sutalo and Taylor could be available for the weekend clash, depending on their recovery.

Ajax has recently regained some momentum, winning their last two league outings after a challenging stretch that included four consecutive defeats across all competitions, featuring home losses in the Champions League to both Galatasaray and Benfica. As they prepare for their pivotal match against Qarabag, the team is focused on reclaiming their competitive edge.