Player Ratings | Feyenoord 1-1 Ajax: Mats Wieffer’s own goal cancels Igor Paixao’s stunning strike as hosts drop two points in De Klassieker

De Klassieker concluded with Feyenoord left to rue missed chances as the hosts had the momentum for the majority of the game but failed to be clinical in front of goal. 

Igor Paixao’s stunning strike erupted De Kuip in the first-half to give the Eredivisie leaders the lead going into half-time but a mishap from Mats Wieffer meant the hosts dropped two vital points in the title race. 

The draw could well be enough to save Alfred Schreuder’s job as the Ajax head coach handles the huge pressure having failed the find a league win in their last six matches now.  

Arne Slot’s team now sit three points ahead at the top of the table but could have been five if they took their chances. 

FEYENOORD – 1

Justin Bijlow, 6 – Could have done more to stop Ajax’s equaliser after misreading Bergwijn’s effort 

Marcus Pedersen, 5 – Game to forget for the full-back as he struggled to stop the likes of Bassey, Bergwijn and Berghuis.

David Hancko, 6 

Lutsharel Geertruida, 6

Quilindschy Hartman, 7 – Supplied Paixao for the goal in the first-half and had the challenge of stopping Tadic and Taylor down his flank. He could have done more to stop Tadic before Ajax’s equaliser. 

Igor Paixao, 7 – Superb goal to give the hosts the lead before half-time but did not offer a lot in the second-half as the hosts conceded. Slot was right to make the necessary change. 

Sebastian Szymanski, 6

Mats Wieffer, 5 – Wrong place and wrong time for the midfielder as he fails to clear Klaassen’s header and gift Ajax the equaliser. 

Orkun Kokcu, 6 – A frustrating afternoon at De Kuip for the Feyenoord captain as he struggled to support the attack or limit Ajax’s pressing game. 

Alireza Jahanbakhsh, 6 – Did not do a lot in the final third and lost a bit of discipline in the first-half to warrant a yellow card. 

Danilo, 6 – Ajax’s pressing left Danilo with little opportunities to take but still contributed well in finding teammates to set up efforts elsewhere. Will feel frustrated to have been subbed off. 

Others: Oussama Idrissi 6, Quinten Timber 6, Javairo Dilrosun 6, Santiago Gimenez 5.  

AJAX – 1

Geronimo Rulli, 6 – Brilliant stop at the end of the match to deny a Gimenez winner. 

Jorge Sanchez, 6

Edson Alvarez, 7 – Was the only defender who was consistent throughout. Really set the tone and was an example for his teammates around him to ensure Feyenoord did not get a winner at the end.  

Jurrien Timber, 6

Calvin Bassey – Solid on the wing creating plenty of chances down the left. 

Davy Klaassen, 7 – Good strong performance in the midfield to limit anything on offer for Feyenoord and read Bergwijn’s effort well to head the ball to set up the own goal to grab the point. 

Steven Berghuis, 6

Kenneth Taylor, 6

Francisco Conceicao, 5 – Had plenty of chances in the first-half but failed to do anything with them and was rightly replaced at half-time for Bergwijn.

Mohammed Kudus, 6 – The attacking midfielder had a few good chances in the false nine position but failed to capitalise on it. Could have talked about a smash-and-grab win if he found the target. 

Dusan Tadic 6 – Wasted a fair few set pieces in the first-half but did manage to start the move which gifted the visitors the equaliser and save Schreuder’s job, for now.  

Others: Brian Brobbey 5, Steven Bergwijn 6, Owen Wijndal N/A.

GBeNeFN | Tom Phillips