Ajax face Manchester United in the Europa League final on Wednesday and having missed out on Champions League qualification through the Premier League after finishing sixth, Jose Mourinho’s side will be determined to make it into Europe’s elite competition by winning their first ever Europa title.
However, Ajax are in the hunt for their second Europa crown and pose more than a significant threat. But in what is touted as the biggest game in both sides’ seasons, it could all come down to the performances of two teenagers.
Kasper Dolberg has led a young Ajax team all season scoring 16 goals in Eredivisie and six in the Europa League while Marcus Rashford has stepped up with aplomb ever since Zlatan Ibrahimovic got injured.
Here, we analyse the two teenage sensations.
Basic stats
DOLBERG
Minutes Played – 872
Goals – 6
Assists – 1
Goals/Assists per min – 124.57
Shots per game – 1.7
Dribbles per game – 1.3
Key Passes per game – 0.9
RASHFORD
Minutes Played – 683
Goals – 2
Assists – 2
Goals/Assists per min – 170.75
Shots per game – 2
Dribbles per game – 1.7
Key Passes per game – 1.1
Style of play
DOLBERG
In Dolberg, Rashford comes up against the kind of striker he’s been compared to all season at United. The 19-year-old bears an uncanny resemblance to Zlatan Ibrahimovic with the way in which he operates.
Dolberg uses his physique to great effect, holding the ball up expertly and bringing others into play. He also fits into the mould of a traditional Ajax centre forward, much like United’s Swede did during his early career, with his ability as a playmaker.
He regularly drops deep to get involved in the build-up play and has a great eye for a pass. What really comes to the fore though is his outstanding composure which makes him a lethal finisher in front of goal. Aided by a velvet first touch, he often affords himself an extra split second to set up for the finish.
Dolberg is also renowned for his clever runs which causes defenders all sorts of problems, particularly when attacking crosses, while they also tend to create space for his team-mates to exploit. While he isn’t the quickest, he makes full use of his superb close control and dribbling ability to get the better of defenders.
RASHFORD
The United striker is in many ways the embodiment of the club’s fan base on the pitch. Lauded for his pace, attacking instinct, relentless running and strength, the local Mancunian endeared himself to the fans in no time. While he did burst onto the scene with a flurry of goals, that’s not the best feature of his game, at least not yet.
He does have a knack for scoring vital goals though but apart from that and his outstanding work-rate he also possesses great technique and links up play well. He’s rarely given credit for his crossing, which he uses to good effect as he drifts out wide or when he stands over a corner kick.
Rashford is always dangerous from free-kicks as well having recently started taking more of them. The goal he scored away to Celta Vigo obviously stands out but he’s come close on other occasions as well.
Weaknesses
DOLBERG
At only 19, Dolberg has shown a level of maturity beyond his years. However, there is still a long way to go for the Dane. One of his main criticisms is that he doesn’t finish games strongly, often fading in the closing stages.
Unlike many promising young strikers, Dolberg doesn’t possess blistering pace but while that is a bit of a setback in the modern game, his effectiveness in spite of it speaks volumes of his ability.
RASHFORD
While Rashford has shown that he can finish expertly, he’s also been guilty of snatching at a few chances, although he should be able to remedy that with experience.
Given his strength and physique though, it’s fair to say that the striker doesn’t win enough aerial battles, rarely looking like he could score from headers. In the Europa League this season, he’s won just one of his eight aerial duels.
Europa League 2016/17 best moments
DOLBERG
With six goals in 12 matches, Dolberg has popped up when it’s mattered for Ajax. He scored the only goal over two legs against Legia Warszawa to carry his side into the Round of 16 where he again delivered the goods against Copahagen, scoring a goal in each leg. His strike in the first was particularly crucial as it gave the Dutch team an away goal despite losing 2-1.
After scoring in a 4-1 semi-final first leg win at home against Lyon, Ajax were expected to cruise into the final. However, a remarkable comeback from the Ligue 1 outfit saw them go 3-0 down and were on the brink of elimination on the away goals rule. However, Dolberg scored in the 90th minute to rescue the Eredivisie giants.
RASHFORD
The Englishman was hardly a central figure in the first half of United’s campaign in Europe with Ibrahimovic dominating the attack. However, he proved to be absolutely crucial after the Swede ruled out through injury, scoring twice and providing three assists in the last four fixtures.
He scored in extra-time to beat Anderlecht in the quarter-finals but his most crucial contributions came against Celta Vigo in the semi-finals. An 80th minute free-kick earned United a 1-0 away win in the first leg before his assist for Marouane Fellani in the 89th minute of the second leg secured their final berth with a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
All statistics are compiled using whoscored.com