UEFA Europa League Preview: Ajax Eye Victory for Early Advantage as Vojvodina’s Weak Defense Must Avoid Heavy Defeat

On July 26 at 2:30 AM, the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round kicks off with the first leg as Ajax hosts visiting Vojvodina.

Ajax is a powerhouse from the Dutch Eredivisie, where they have maintained dominance for many years and are regulars in the UEFA Champions League. However, last season was a disaster for them, finishing fifth in the Eredivisie with a record of 15 wins, 11 draws, and 8 losses. As a result, they must now compete in the Europa League qualifiers.

This team is typically characterized by strong attacking play but weaker defense. In recent years, their potent offensive capabilities have masked their defensive shortcomings. However, as teams like PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord began to bring in powerful forwards, Ajax’s weaknesses were magnified. Despite maintaining a high goal-scoring rate, their poor defensive performance ultimately led them into a slump.

In the previous season, the team scored 74 goals across 34 league matches, showcasing terrifying offensive prowess. However, they conceded 61 goals, a staggering number that makes it hard to believe they finished in the top five of the league. This highlights the stark disparity between their attack and defense. The team is currently in the preparation phase for the new season, and there are no players on the injury list.

Vojvodina is a team from the Serbian SuperLiga, which finished fourth last season, earning them a spot in the Europa League qualifiers. They are not considered a particularly strong team in the Serbian SuperLiga and have limited capabilities. Across 30 league matches, they scored 49 goals and conceded 42, also exhibiting stronger attacking play than defense, though clearly at a lower level compared to their opponents.

The current season of the Serbian SuperLiga has already started, presenting a significant physical challenge for the team. Looking at the schedule, they face three consecutive matches within the next week, including two Europa League qualifiers against Ajax. This level of fixture congestion will only exacerbate their difficulties.

The teams have never met before in history, but based on paper strength, Ajax clearly has the upper hand. Moreover, both teams share similar styles of play, which is good news for Ajax. Additionally, the away team faces fitness challenges, so Ajax is likely to gain an early advantage in the first leg.

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