[Limasbravo]

Conference League - Round of 16 Leg 2

Ajax entered the second leg down a goal, but were hopeful since the second leg was back in Amsterdam. They couldn't score in Germany but only had allowed the one goal. So, the path through was clear, win by two goals.

And it couldn't have started better, Brenner scored before some people could get to their seats, just 3 minutes in.

And then it was time for the joy to go away quickly. Borussia scored just seven minutes later, making that the tie would not go to penalties. Dembele hit the bar and then minutes later hit the bar again. This time he finished the rebound himself, putting the tie 3-1 for Borussia.

Just before the break Ajax got within 1 goal with a goal from Taylor on the counter attack. Halftime had Borussia winning Leg 2 on possession (51 to 49%), shots (9 to 4) and expeted goals (2.5 to 1.5) and of course up 3-2 in the tie with the away goals making Ajax needing a big second half.

Ajax pulled the match level. Salah-Eddine beat his man on the left side. He took a few dribbles and laid it off to Tadic. A big first touch and then he sent it in the box to Brenner, who immediately one time passed it to all alone Taylor. Taylor grabbed his second of the match, just like his first, one timing the ball into the bottom right corner.

Minute 65, The Amsterdam crowd was very nervous when Sanchez sent a ball across the pitch which was easily intercepted Dembele. He was through on goal but didn't have an angle to shoot. He laid it off to Kone who made a great ground through ball but Haidara just couldn't get there and would have easily scored if he did. Sanchez no doubt breathed a sigh of relief, being able to usher the ball to Rulli to dive on.

Things weren't looking good for Ajax as there were four times they were caught offside.

But then a break-though. On the ensuing free kick from one of those offsides, Italiano's long ball went straight to sub Fitz-Jim. He had an easy header to Brenner who laid it off to Kudus. He made a run and made a great move past Aguilar, just keeping the ball from going over the touch line. He made a few touches to be just outside the box and held off Aguilar before cutting it back to Tadic. Tadic took one touch of the ball before hitting a powerful shot into the upper right corner that Omlin could do nothing about.

Five minute from stoppage, Haidara sent a brilliant through ball to sub Hofmann. In alone on goal but the Ajax defenders catching up, he shot but Rulli made a fantastic diving save and held it.

Last minute of regular time and Borussia earned a corner following a great long ball. Nothing came of it and after 3 minutes of stoppage time, Ajax are through to the next round!

Full time stats had Ajax ending up winning possession 53 to 47%. Borussia had far more shots, 15 to 6, and also 3.3 to 2.9 expected goals. Borussia's pressing gave Ajax fits, but it also lead to three Borussia players getting booked: Dembele in minute 12, Kone in minute 53, and Italiano in minute 68.

The draw for the quarter-finals is against AEK Athens, with the first leg being in Amsterdam. The other matchups are Lyon versus Sevilla, Ferencvarosi versus Hearts, and Latium versus Celtic.