Ajax 2-0 FC Groningen result, stats and report

Ajax put Sion to the sword with a dominant 5-3 victory in the UEFA Europa Conference League, with Tolu Arokodare netting twice and Winsley Boteli completing a hat-trick for the Swiss side in a match that had everything except defensive competence.

Fortuna Sittard came to Groningen, dominated possession and territory for ninety minutes, and still needed a Justin Hubner own goal in the 87th minute to seal a 3-2 win. FC Groningen competed harder than the scoreline suggests, but they could not hold what they had.

Ajax were ruthless and efficient in Velsen, putting four past Telstar without reply. Davy Klaassen got the opener, Steven Berghuis and Tolu Arokodare added to the tally in a dominant second half, and substitute Marcos Leonardo wrapped it up late.

FC Groningen squandered a host of big chances and let Twente back into the game twice, ending in a frustrating 2-2 draw at home. Connor Maguire breaks down exactly where Groningen let themselves down.

Ajax have looked like a different team depending on the venue this season, and Excelsior arrive at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Saturday carrying their best away form in months. The structural questions surrounding Ajax at home make this a more interesting fixture than the table suggests.

FC Groningen host PEC Zwolle in an Eredivisie Friday night fixture that pits a structured home side against visitors who have conceded 17 goals in their last five away matches. The patterns here are clear, and they point in one direction.

Ajax carry a puzzling split personality into this Tuesday fixture, dominant away from home but brittle at the Johan Cruyff Arena. Willem II arrive with zero points, zero clean sheets, and a structural problem that looks very much like a coaching issue.