FC Midtjylland suffered a heavy 6-1 defeat to Ajax in their third UEFA Europa Conference League group stage match on Thursday, November 5th. The loss came after midfielder Kjell Wätjen was sent off in the first half, leaving the Danish side with ten men for over 45 minutes.
Nordin Bakker started in goal behind a back four of Ousmane Diao, Mads Bech Sørensen, Victor Bak Jensen and Rasmus Kristensen. Wätjen partnered Philip Billing in central midfield, with Sofus Johannesen, Denil Castillo and Friday Etim supporting striker Gue-sung Cho.
The defeat takes shape
Ajax took an early lead in the 9th minute when Tolu Arokodare finished from an Oscar Gloukh assist. FC Midtjylland responded well and equalised in the 28th minute through Friday Etim, who notched his sixth goal in 13 appearances across all competitions this season, making him the club's top scorer.
The match's turning point arrived just before half-time. Wätjen received his first yellow card in the 35th minute and a second just eight minutes later, resulting in a red card and dismissal. Denil Castillo was also booked in first-half stoppage time, leaving the hosts a man down.
Ajax exploit the advantage
With the numerical superiority, Ajax dominated the second half completely. Arokodare scored his second of the night in the 52nd minute, and Owen Wijndal made it 3-1 seven minutes later. Davy Klaassen, Oscar Gloukh and substitute Marcos Leonardo completed the scoring in a one-sided finish. The match statistics showed Ajax with 23 shots to Midtjylland's 10 and 71 percent possession.
Focus shifts to the Superliga
The defeat interrupts a strong domestic run which sees FC Midtjylland sitting top of the Superliga with 31 points from 13 games, having recorded nine wins and four draws. They have won four of their last five league matches, including a 3-2 victory over FC Nordsjaelland on Saturday. That run also features wins over Odense and Lyngby and a single loss to St. Truiden. With 27 goals scored and 15 conceded, their goal difference stands at plus twelve. They lead the table by two points ahead of FC Copenhagen.
The team's next challenge is a home fixture against 12th-placed Sønderjyske on Sunday, November 8th at 6 PM local time. The two sides last met in late July, with FC Midtjylland winning 3-2 away.
This was the third match in the Conference League's league phase, and the heavy loss makes progression difficult. The squad must now regroup quickly ahead of the key league encounter this weekend.
Kasper Hjulmand reacted to FC Midtjylland's 1-6 defeat to Ajax. The former national team coach, who was an expert for Disney+, said: "It really has to hurt. You have pride and honour." He added that it was "far too easy" for Ajax. The defeat leaves the team in 34th place in the Conference League out of 36 teams. Their next European match is away to Pafos on November 26.
FC Midtjylland's 1-6 defeat to Ajax has now been confirmed by DR. The club remains in first place in the Superliga with 31 points and a two-point lead over FC Copenhagen. They must now regroup for Sunday's home match against Sønderjyske.
Kasper Hjulmand reacted to FC Midtjylland's 1-6 defeat to Ajax. The former national team coach, who was an expert for Disney+, said: "It needs to be addressed quite hard. You have to feel it deep inside." He added that the team's defence had left too much space. The defeat leaves the Superliga leaders, who have 31 points and a two-point lead over FC Copenhagen, in 34th place in the Conference League out of 36 teams. The next European match is away to Pafos on 26 November.
