UCL: Bassey shows class on Champions League debut against Rangers
Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey made his Champions League debut on Wednesday in Ajax's 4-0 loss to his former side Rangers at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam.
Bassey follows in the footsteps of Nigerian icons, Nwankwo Kanu and Finidi George.
Ajax, under new manager Alfred Schreuder, started their UCL campaign on a winning note with Edson Alvarez, Steven Berghuis, Mohammed Kudus and Steven Bergwijn on the four-time winners' scoresheet Europeans.
Meanwhile, Nigerian defender Bassey proved his class throughout the match with an assist to show for his full display.
Bassey played in the centre-back position alongside Jurrie Timber, with the duo of Daley Blind and Devyne Rensch on the left and right sides, respectively.
Bassey not only excelled in his defensive work for his club, but he was also involved in their attacks.
In the 12th minute, Bassey was involved in Steven Bergwijn's shot towards the edge of the post. Two minutes later, Bassey prevented his former team-mate Antonio Colak from reaching the Ajax penalty area.
With Ajax's attacking attempts, they forced an attack that led to the game's second corner, which also led to the opener. Alvarez put the hosts ahead with a header from Steven Berghuis' corner in the 17th minute.
Despite the departure of Ajax manager Erik Ten Hag, the team seemed unchanged with their pressing style of play.
Four minutes later, Ajax put on Jon McLaughlin, but the Rangers keeper was quick to save the attempt. Another one-on-one attempt from Blind and Kudus failed to get his final touch as the Rangers goalkeeper saved the chance.
Rangers players tried to resonate with Ajax's attacks but failed to get past Blind in the 25th minute.
Berghuis, who assisted the first goal, scored the second on a Mohamed Kudus assist which was deflected by James Sands in the 32nd minute.
Two minutes later, Ajax scored the third goal. It came from Bassey's cross that arrived at Kudus, who passed Rangers defender Tavernier before sending his shot past McLaughlin.
Towards the end of the first half, Bassey stopped Kent from attacking with a shield on the ball.
In the second half, Rangers made a triple substitution with Leon King, Rabbi Matondo and Ryan King.
In the 48th minute, Bassey gave a free kick for a foul on Matondo, but he prevented Sands from getting a clear header on goal.
A Rangers chance for consolation was ignored after Colak failed to connect with Matondo's cross in the 67th minute.
A minute later, Ajax launched an attack through Dusan Tadic, who sent a low pass to Berghuis, who struck from the right side of the box, but McLaughlin made a superb save.
Rangers' joy for a consolation goal was short-lived after Borna Barisic's goal was ruled out for offside after Kent moved slightly wide from offside.
The final 10 minutes of the match saw Ajax score their fourth goal from new signing Bergwijn who intercepted Goldson's short pass and swung past McLaughlin to score. However, he was unable to celebrate his first Champions League goal for Ajax following a hamstring injury suffered while scoring the goal.
Elsewhere, Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt continued their poor start to the season when they lost 3-0 at home to Sporting Lisbon.
Second-half goals from Marcus Edwards, Trincao and Nuno Santos helped the visitors return to Portugal with three points in the bag.
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Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey made his Champions League debut on Wednesday in Ajax's 4-0 loss to his former side Rangers at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam.
Bassey follows in the footsteps of Nigerian icons, Nwankwo Kanu and Finidi George.
Ajax, under new manager Alfred Schreuder, started their UCL campaign on a winning note with Edson Alvarez, Steven Berghuis, Mohammed Kudus and Steven Bergwijn on the four-time winners' scoresheet Europeans.
Meanwhile, Nigerian defender Bassey proved his class throughout the match with an assist to show for his full display.
Bassey played in the centre-back position alongside Jurrie Timber, with the duo of Daley Blind and Devyne Rensch on the left and right sides, respectively.
Bassey not only excelled in his defensive work for his club, but he was also involved in their attacks.
In the 12th minute, Bassey was involved in Steven Bergwijn's shot towards the edge of the post. Two minutes later, Bassey prevented his former team-mate Antonio Colak from reaching the Ajax penalty area.
With Ajax's attacking attempts, they forced an attack that led to the game's second corner, which also led to the opener. Alvarez put the hosts ahead with a header from Steven Berghuis' corner in the 17th minute.
Despite the departure of Ajax manager Erik Ten Hag, the team seemed unchanged with their pressing style of play.
Four minutes later, Ajax put on Jon McLaughlin, but the Rangers keeper was quick to save the attempt. Another one-on-one attempt from Blind and Kudus failed to get his final touch as the Rangers goalkeeper saved the chance.
Rangers players tried to resonate with Ajax's attacks but failed to get past Blind in the 25th minute.
Berghuis, who assisted the first goal, scored the second on a Mohamed Kudus assist which was deflected by James Sands in the 32nd minute.
Two minutes later, Ajax scored the third goal. It came from Bassey's cross that arrived at Kudus, who passed Rangers defender Tavernier before sending his shot past McLaughlin.
Towards the end of the first half, Bassey stopped Kent from attacking with a shield on the ball.
In the second half, Rangers made a triple substitution with Leon King, Rabbi Matondo and Ryan King.
In the 48th minute, Bassey gave a free kick for a foul on Matondo, but he prevented Sands from getting a clear header on goal.
A Rangers chance for consolation was ignored after Colak failed to connect with Matondo's cross in the 67th minute.
A minute later, Ajax launched an attack through Dusan Tadic, who sent a low pass to Berghuis, who struck from the right side of the box, but McLaughlin made a superb save.
Rangers' joy for a consolation goal was short-lived after Borna Barisic's goal was ruled out for offside after Kent moved slightly wide from offside.
The final 10 minutes of the match saw Ajax score their fourth goal from new signing Bergwijn who intercepted Goldson's short pass and swung past McLaughlin to score. However, he was unable to celebrate his first Champions League goal for Ajax following a hamstring injury suffered while scoring the goal.
Elsewhere, Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt continued their poor start to the season when they lost 3-0 at home to Sporting Lisbon.
Second-half goals from Marcus Edwards, Trincao and Nuno Santos helped the visitors return to Portugal with three points in the bag.
Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government. For free and continued access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider providing modest support to this noble endeavour. By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help sustain relevant journalism and keep it free and accessible to everyone.Donate
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