Remko Pasveer will once again take up the position of goalkeeper for Ajax in their away match against FC Twente on Sunday. The 41-year-old was deployed as the starting keeper for the first time this season in the recent match against Chelsea, and he has earned the continued trust of coach John Heitinga. The match is set to kick off at 12:15 PM at De Grolsch Veste.
This marks Pasveer’s second consecutive appearance as Ajax’s goalkeeper. He was preferred over Vitezslav Jaros during the Champions League match against Chelsea, which ended in a disappointing 5-1 loss. In Enschede, Pasveer will again be given the nod ahead of the Czech loanee, indicating Heitinga’s preference for the experience and leadership that Pasveer brings.
In defense, Heitinga has opted to keep the same lineup as in the encounter at Stamford Bridge. Lucas Rosa remains the first choice at right-back over Anton Gaaei, while Youri Baas continues at left-back despite the return to fitness of Owen Wijndal. Josip Sutalo and Ko Itakura will pair up in the central defense.
James McConnell retains his place as the holding midfielder, a decision that sees Davy Klaasen starting on the bench once again. The midfield trio is rounded out by Kenneth Taylor, who returns to the starting lineup following his red card incident in London, and Oscar Gloukh. Gloukh unfortunately had to be substituted in the previous match due to Taylor’s red card situation, a decision that drew criticism from the traveling Ajax supporters.
In terms of the attacking line, there are no changes either. Raúl Moro, who was in the starting lineup during the Champions League fixture, will aim to make an impact once more, having been favored over Oliver Edvardsen. Mika Godts will be playing on the left wing to create opportunities and provide support for the tall striker Wout Weghorst, who will once again spearhead the attack.
However, Heitinga will be without three players for this match: Kasper Dolberg, Steven Berghuis, and Branco van den Boomen, all of whom are sidelined due to injuries.
Ajax is eager to secure a victory against FC Twente, a feat they last accomplished during the 2022/23 season when they won 1-0 in the cup, with Mohammed Kudus scoring the decisive goal. Their last league win against Twente dates back to January 2021, when they famously overturned a 1-3 deficit to win 4-3, thanks to goals from Sébastien Haller and two from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
The Ajax lineup for the match is as follows:
Pasveer; Rosa, Sutalo, Itakura, Baas; Taylor, McConnell, Gloukh; Moro, Weghorst, Godts.
Substitutes for Ajax include: Jaros, Heerkens, Gaaei, Wijndal, Regeer, Edvardsen, Klaassen, Mokio, Fitz-Jim, Bouwman, Alders, Bounida.