Analysis The numbers behind the result
Ajax ride early goal to narrow win despite inferior xG
The result marginally flattered Ajax, who scored from their only clear chance (0.7 xG) while AZ Alkmaar created twice the danger (1.27 xG) from 19 shots but failed to convert. Tolu Arokodare's 9th-minute strike, assisted by Abdellah Ouazane, decided a match where AZ dominated possession (52%) and fired five shots on target to Ajax's two.
AZ's pressing game generated eight corners and twice as many shots inside the box (11 vs 7), but Ajax's compact 4-3-3 limited clear chances until late substitutions. Key performers included AZ's Weslley Patati (26th-minute yellow) and Ajax keeper Ter Stegen (5 saves versus De Busser's 1). The decisive stat was AZ's 19 total shots yielding no goals – their 5.6% conversion rate underperformed Ajax's 11.1%.