LaLiga unhappy with new date for Clasico
LaLiga chiefs could yet take legal action over the Spanish Football Federation’s decision to rearrange the El Clasico clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid for December 18.
Thegamewasduetobe played at the Nou Camp this Saturday but had been postponed because of civil unrest in Catalonia.
However, LaLiga indicated that it was unhappy with the decision and is considering its options, stating: “LaLiga does not share the resolution of the Competition Committee to set 18 December — following the agreement reached by Barcelona and Real Madrid, despite LaLiga’s refusal — as the date of the postponed Clasico.”
AJAX: Onana, Dest, Veltman (Huntelaar, 89 mins), Blind, Tagliafico, Alvarez (De Jong, 89 mins), Martinez, Ziyech, van de Beek, Promes (Neres, 74 mins), Tadic. Unused subs: Bruno Varela, Schuurs, Mazraoui, Marin.
CHELSEA: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Tomori, Zouma, Alonso, Jorginho, Kovacic, Hudson-Odoi (James, 90 mins), Mount, Willian (Pulisic, 66 mins), Abraham (Batshuayi, 71 mins).
Unused subs: Caballero, Giroud, Emerson Palmieri, Gilmour.
Referee: Ovidiu Alin Hategan (Romania) Man of the match: Mateo Kovacic
Match rating: 6/10
FRANK Lampard felt his Chelsea “babies” came of age in the Champions League after their stunning 1-0 win at Ajax.
Michy Batshuayi climbed off the bench to fire the Blues to a memorable victory in Amsterdam, the Belgian striker making amends for a shocking earlier miss four minutes from time to hand last season’s semi-finalists their first defeat of this campaign.
The Blues rode their luck at times, not least when an Ajax goal was ruled out by VAR for the tightest of offside calls, and when the hosts hit the frame of the goal, but Lampard’s young side grew in stature as a frantic, tetchy encounter wore on and ran out deserved winners when Batshuayi rifled in off the underside of the crossbar.
“I’m delighted with every element of the performance,” said the Blues boss. “It feels huge — it’s just six points in the group and we play Burnley on Saturday. But I think we’re allowed to be excited tonight.
“That’s the blueprint. There are no excuses for us now. That’s the standard and we can’t drop it. The young players are still babies in terms of Champions League minutes so this was a huge test for them.
“There was a good balance of young players and experience.
“We need to realise the things that made that happen tonight because Ajax are a top, top team,” he added.
Lampard was indebted to his substitutes after the lively Christian Pulisic set up the goal for Batshuayi.
“The subs were second to none,” he added. “Sometimes the hardest thing is leaving someone out. But it’s great for the spirit of the squad when subs come on and have an impact like that.
“I was frustrated when Michy missed, and whatever had happened after that I would have been proud, but I know Michy can finish.
Ajax Chelsea Valencia Lille 3 3 3 3 2 2 1 0 0 0 1 1
L1 1 1 2
FA61 3 2 2 4 2 6 6 6 4 1
“Christian’s assist is as important as the finish, and the fact the sub scored makes me so happy.”
It had been a nervy start from the west Londoners, with Fiyako
Tomori’s slip gifting Donny van de Beek a shooting chance, and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga passing straight to Hakim Ziyech.
They were fortunate to escape on both counts, while Joel Veltman belted a drive from the edge of the box narrowly wide.
But Chelsea had their chances too in a frantic opening, with Mason Mount playing a sharp one-two before forcing Andre Onana to save at his near post, and Callum Hudson-Odoi slicing wide when well placed.
Nerves were fraying on the Chelsea bench as well, with assistant Jody Morris booked for letting his frustration get the better of him.
Ajax had the ball in the net in the 34th minute when Southampton flop turned Ballon D’or nominee Dusan Tadic played in Ziyech, whose attempted curler was deflected into the path of Quincy Promes.
But Chelsea breathed again after VAR ruled that Promes,