Blow for Míchel

Julian Brandt forced off after 35 minutes with an injury; Ajax won 1-0 to close within one point of Feyenoord.

Ajax beat AZ Alkmaar 1-0 in the Eredivisie thanks to a goal from Tolu Arokodare, moving to within one point of leaders Feyenoord. However, the victory was overshadowed by an injury to midfielder Julian Brandt, who was substituted in the 35th minute.

Manager Míchel said after the match that Brandt had felt discomfort from the start of the game and was unable to accelerate, eventually asking to be withdrawn to avoid worsening the problem. "Brandt wasn't feeling well and eventually asked to be substituted," Míchel told ESPN. "We'll evaluate the severity of the injury. Hopefully it's not serious, but he wasn't right." Brandt was replaced by Oscar Gloukh.

On the sporting side, Míchel highlighted the significance of the win, Ajax's first against AZ in over five years and their first in twelve direct meetings.