Vojvodina vs Ajax

Ajax’s effort to reach the Europa League proper continues with a potentially daunting qualifying second-round return leg against Vojvodina at the Karadjordje Stadium.

It’s been a while since Vojvodina last competed in the Europa League qualifying round three. They most recently navigated this stage of Europe’s second-tier competition in 2015/16. Bozidar Bandovic’s side must defy the odds to replicate that result this summer, but they fared reasonably well in Amsterdam a week ago, even hitting the post at 0-0. Back to the home comforts of their Karadjordje Stadium, where they’ve won their last two competitive matches by an aggregate score of 6-0, the Tulips will take the field in a buoyant mood. More confidence stems from Vojvodina’s inspiring home record in 2024, with the Serbian club suffering just one defeat in ten competitive games at this stadium since the start of the calendar year (W5, D4).

Meanwhile, Branco van den Bommen scored off the bench in the 86th minute to help Ajax avoid a catastrophe and move closer to a second consecutive Europa League group-stage appearance. It wasn’t a dream touchline debut for new manager Francesco Farioli, as his side barely grabbed a win despite attempting 16 shots, including nine on target. Nonetheless, Van den Bommen’s header protected Ajax’s faultless overall record against Serbian clubs in European football (W3). Farioli’s first competitive away game in charge of the Lancers won’t be a walk in the park, considering the Dutch underachievers have only won twice on their last seven competitive road trips (W2, D2, L3). With six of those seven games featuring at least four goals, a goal-glutted contest could be on the cards.