FC Volendam vs Ajax

1. Main Players Comparison 

FC Volendam 
- Core: Etienne Vaessen (29, GK, 33 apps – stability), Marco Rente (28, CB, 30 apps, 2G), Leandro Bacuna (33, midfield versatility, 25 apps, 4G/3A – now left). 
- Midfield: Luciano Valente (21, AM, 31 apps, 2G/7A – left), Stije Resink (22, DM, 25 apps, 5G/2A), Jorg Schreuders (20, CM, 23 apps, 5G/1A). 
- Attack: Thom van Bergen (21, FW, 29 apps, 5G), Oskar Zawada (29, CF, 24 apps, 9G), Anthony Descotte (22, new CF, potential scorer). 
- Output: Several midfield leaders departed (Valente, Bacuna), but attacking upgrades with Descotte and Ideho. 
- Stability: Defense weakened by exits (Beukers, Anita, Daan Steur), but new prospects (Ugwu, Verschuren) added. 

Ajax 
- Core: Jorrel Hato (19, CB/LB, 30 apps, 2G/6A – left), Kenneth Taylor (23, CM, 29 apps, 9G/6A), Josip Sutalo (25, CB, 28 apps, 2G). 
- Midfield: Davy Klaassen (32, CM, 24 apps, 8G/2A), Jordan Henderson (34, CM, 21 apps, 1G/4A – left), Anton Gaaei (22, RB, 19 apps, 3G/4A). 
- Attack: Brian Brobbey (23, CF, 22 apps, 4G/3A), Bertrand Traoré (29, RW, 20 apps, 6G/5A – injured), Mika Godts (19, AM, 20 apps, 4G – injured). 
- Output: Ajax still strong offensively (Weghorst, Brobbey, Berghuis), but recent injuries reduce wing options. 
- Stability: Departures (Hato, Henderson) weaken leadership spine; injuries limit attacking depth. 

2. New Players Comparison 

FC Volendam 
- Aaron Meijers (37, LB, veteran leadership). 
- Gibson Yah (21, CM, ball carrier). 
- Precious Ugwu (19, CB, defensive potential). 
- Anthony Descotte (22, CF, goal-scoring option). 
- Joel Ideho (22, LW, pace and dribbling). 
- Ozan Kökcü (26, LW, creativity). 
- Dion Vlak (24) & Roy Steur (20, GKs, depth). 
- Key-Shawn Wong-A-Soij (18, LW, youth prospect). 
- Value: Balanced mix of experience (Meijers) and young attackers; reinforcement in defense and forward line. 

Ajax 
- Raúl Moro (22, LW, 4G/5A, wide threat). 
- Wout Weghorst (32, CF, 10G/2A, aerial finisher). 
- Oscar Gloukh (21, AM, creative dribbler). 
- Ko Itakura (28, CB/DM, versatile). 
- Daniele Rugani (30, CB, experienced cover). 
- Branco van den Boomen (29, DM, doubtful with injury). 
- Value: Strong reinforcements (Weghorst, Itakura), adding both physicality and creativity. Depth covers midfield and central defense. 

3. Substitutes Comparison 

FC Volendam 
- Sub depth: Tika de Jonge (22, DM), Romano Postema (23, FW, 2G), Brynjólfur Willumsson (24, FW, 4G/1A). 
- Impact: Bench offers youthful energy but lacks proven top-flight consistency. 
- Sub potential: 5–7 goals, limited midfield creativity. 

Ajax 
- Sub depth: Devyne Rensch (22, versatile defender), Chuba Akpom (29, 3G/1A), Eldor Shomurodov (29, 4G/4A), El Shaarawy (32, 3G/4A), Oliver Edvardsen (26, 4G). 
- Impact: Much stronger bench depth – attacking subs can change matches. 
- Sub potential: 12–15 goals + assists from rotation options. 

4. Consolidated Quality Scorecard 

5. Injuries & Suspensions 

FC Volendam 
- None major reported for main squad. 

Ajax 
- Bertrand Traoré – Injured (Early September). 
- Branco van den Boomen – Back injury, doubtful. 
- Mika Godts – Injured (Early September). 
 
Impact: Ajax’s wing depth hit by Traoré & Godts absences, but Weghorst and Brobbey ensure scoring options. Volendam enters relatively healthier but weaker structurally after summer exits. 

6. Predicted Outcome 

- FC Volendam: Reinforcements add energy but many are young or unproven; defensive fragility remains. 
- Ajax: Despite injuries, squad depth and attacking options superior. Weghorst’s form adds finishing edge. 
 
Likely Result: Ajax 3 – 1 FC Volendam