Ajax Secures Draw Against Stuttgart in Dramatic Match
Ajax kicked off their 2025 campaign with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against VfB Stuttgart in Germany. Francisco Farioli’s squad showcased their depth, with the manager making wholesale substitutions in the second half, introducing key players like Davy Klaassen, chuba Akpom, Branco van den Boomen, and Wout Weghorst. Notably, former Feyenoord player Ramon Hendriks lined up for Stuttgart.
The match began with a flurry of chances for both sides. However, Stuttgart seized the initiative after 15 minutes, with Angelo Stiller breaking the deadlock. Chris Führich quickly doubled their lead, leaving Ajax trailing by two goals.ajax’s response came after the halftime break.A goal initially credited to Daniele Rugani was ultimately awarded to Stuttgart’s Julian Chabot, but the Amsterdam side continued to press. Their persistence paid off in the dying minutes when Akpom,assisted by Owen Wijndal,leveled the score at 2-2.
The most controversial moment of the match occurred in the 55th minute. Klaassen’s forceful challenge on Atakan Karazor resulted in a red card. In a surprising turn of events, after a brief consultation between the teams, the referee rescinded the red card, allowing Klaassen to remain on the pitch. This unusual decision sparked widespread astonishment and debate.
Ajax will look to build on this draw when they face RKC Waalwijk in an away fixture on January 11th.
“A Rollercoaster Ride in Stuttgart”: An Interview with Former Ajax Star, Nigel de Jong
Welcome back, football fans, to another edition of “Between the Lines” where we break down the latest headlines and get insights from the pros. today, we’re joined by none other than former Ajax and Manchester City midfield powerhouse, Nigel de Jong. Nigel, thanks for joining us.
Nigel: Always a pleasure to be here.
Let’s jump right into it. Ajax kicked off their 2025 campaign with a dramatic 2-2 draw against Stuttgart.Yoru thoughts on the result?
Nigel: it was a classic Ajax performance, a real rollercoaster ride. They showed great character to come back from two goals down, something we saw them do many times during my era at the club. It’s never easy conceding early, but they kept their composure and kept pushing.
Me: Absolutely. Akpom’s equalizer in the dying minutes must have been a sigh of relief for Farioli and the Ajax faithful.
Nigel: Absolutely. Akpom looks like he’s settled in well and scoring crucial goals already. He’s a real threat in front of goal.
Now, let’s talk about that controversial moment, Davy Klaassen’s red card rescinded after a bit of a ”discussion” between the teams. What did you make of that?
Nigel: [Laughs] look, I’m no stranger to a tough tackle myself. It looked like a red card offense initially, there’s no doubt whatsoever about it. But I guess there was some context that the referee missed initially. It was certainly unusual to see the decision overturned like that, but I’m glad Klaassen stayed on the pitch. He’s a vital player for Ajax.
Me: do you think refereeing decisions like these, especially post-match discussions, can detract from the flow and integrity of the game?
Nigel: it’s a complex question. On one hand, getting the call right is crucial, and sometimes a second look can be helpful. But you worry about setting a precedent, undermining the referee’s authority on the field and potentially slowing down the game. Maybe there needs to be a clearer protocol for these situations.
Me: Well said. Shifting gears, how do you see Ajax performing in the Eredivisie this season? Can they reclaim the title from Feyenoord?
Nigel: Ajax are always contenders. They have a talented squad, Farioli is a good manager, and the foundations are strong. Feyenoord are going to be tough to beat, but I think Ajax have the quality to challenge them all the way.
Me: We’ll be watching that race closely. Nigel, thanks so much for your time and insights.
Nigel: My pleasure.
What are your thoughts on the Ajax-Stuttgart draw and the refereeing controversy? Did Nigel hit the nail on the head with his analysis? Let us know in the comments below!
