Ajax-FC Barcelona U19: First defeat in Youth League (1-0)

The Barça U19 A side lost for the first time in this season’s UEFA Youth League away at Ajax. Jordi Vinyals’ team were victims of the only goal of the game scored by Cerny in the second half after having struck the woodwork themselves in the first half through Enguene.
Both sides took turns to dominate in the first half - both getting into dangerous positions inside the penalty area but without a cool head in front of goal. Ajax looked to hit Barça on the counter but the blaugranes were solid and organised at the back. At the De Toekomst training ground close to the Amsterdam Arena, Vinyals’ boys showed they could control the game but without creating clear cut chances. The best opportunity early on fell to Ajax’s El Idrissi who forced keeper Onana into a good save.

Woodwork in the way

Just before the break Barça had their best chance of the game to take the lead. Enguene curled a shot in from outside the box and it came back off the post with Ros unable to convert the rebound.
The U19 side came out following half time with the intention of opening the scoring. Both Ros and Amir had chances to break the deadlock but it was Ajax who found net in the 59th minute. Ajax were awarded a disputed free kick in the box for a backpass and Cerny made it 1-0 from inside the penalty area.

Looking for the equaliser

Barça’s attempts to come up with an equaliser were led by Amir. Chances came with Ajax sitting back and defending their lead in the last 20 minutes. The blaugranes forced a series of corners but the levelling goal would not come. With the visitors pushed up in attack, Ajax had opportunities to extend their lead. In the end one goal was enough for the Dutch side and their first defeat in the UEFA Youth League leaves Jordi Vinyals’ team with 5 points after 4 games.

Blaugrana representation

The Barça director responsible for the U19’s, Silvio Elías was at the game along with Albert Soler, Director of Sporting institutional Relations, Carles Puyol, assistant to the Sporting Director, David Bellver, UEFA Relations and Pere Gratacós, Institutional Football Relations.