The Eredivisie giants thrashed the Bulgarian champions 4-1 in the first leg thanks to Mohammed Kudus' hat-trick and one goal from Brian Brobbey.
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Ajax will be looking to seal their place in the group stage of the 2023-24 Europa League when they host Ludogorets Razgard in the second leg of their playoff tie at Johan Cruiff Arena on Thursday. The Eredivisie giants thrashed the Bulgarian champions 4-1 in the first leg thanks to Mohammed Kudus’ hat-trick and one goal from Brian Brobbey. After the disappointing defeat, the Eagles thrashed Beroe 5-0 in the First League on Sunday, while de Joden were blessed with a weekend off from domestic duties.
Tomorrow: @EuropaLeague! 👊#UEL #ajalud
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) August 30, 2023
Ajax would have anticipated a testing evening at Huvepharma last week, but the Dutch giants ended up taking a three goal lead and are now just one step away from booking their place in the group stage of Europe’s second tier club competition. Maurice Steijn’s men took a 3-0 lead in the first half thanks to Ghanaian striker Kudus’ brace and one goal from Brian Brobbey. After the break, Kudus completed his hat-trick with a 50th-minute effort, before Ludogorets scored a consolation goal through Olivier Verdon’s penalty kick 20 minutes from time. As a result, Ajax remain unbeaten this season thanks to a run of two wins and a draw in all competitions.
Ludogorets, on the other hand, have already played six league games this season, recording four wins and two defeats in the process, and are currently sitting at the sixth spot in the First League standings. The Eagles put five goals past Beroe without reply in their last outing thanks to one goal each from Franco Russo, Bernard Tekpetey, Jakub Piotrowski, Caio Vidal and Spas Delev. The victory would have been a huge confidence boost for Ivaylo Petev’s men ahead of their trip to Netherlands as they are bidding to overturn three goal deficit, in order to reach the group stage of the Europa League. It is also worth remembering that the Eagles reached the playoffs courtesy of defeating Astana 6-3 in the two legged third qualifying round.
Ajax probable starting lineup: Gorter, Rensch, Medic, Hato, Wijndal, Tahirovic, Berghuis, Taylor, Borges, Brobbey, Bergwijn
Ludogorets Razgard probable starting lineup: Padt, Fonn Witry, Sonko Sundberg, Verdon, Heister, Piotrowski, Goncalves, Yordanov, Despodov, Seco, Tekpetey
Ajax
| Opponents | Score |
| Ludogorets | 1-4 (W) |
| Excelsior | 2-2 (D) |
| Heracles | 4-1 (W) |
| Dortmund | 3-1 (L) |
| Augsburg | 3-1 (L) |
Ludogorets
| Opponents | Score |
| Beroe | 5-0 (W) |
| Ajax | 1-4 (L) |
| Cherno More | 1-0 (L) |
| FC Astana | 5-1 (W) |
| CSKA Moscow | 3-0 (W) |
| Last match-result | Score |
| Ajax beat Ludogorets | 1-4 |
The Europa League playoff between Ajax and ludogorets Razgard will take plave at Johan Cruiff Arena on Thursday at 11:30 pm IST.
| Ajax vs Ludogorets | Key Details |
| Date | August 31 |
| Venue | Johan Cruiff Arena |
| Kickoff time in Netherlands | 8:00 pm |
| Kickoff time in Bulgaria | 9:00 pm |
| Kickoff time in India | 11:30 pm |
Football fans in Bulgaria can catch the live action via Play Diema Xtra and Diema Sport 3. Meanwhile those in Netherlands can watch the match on Ziggo Sport network.
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