Kasper Dolberg produced a goal and two assists as Ajax beat Willem II 5-1 at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on Tuesday.
The Danish striker’s contribution drew an 8+ from Het Parool columnist Henk Spaan, who singled out two moments of technical clarity that marked a clear step up from last season.
Spaan gave Dolberg an 8+ and called him “so bursting with talent” after the 5-1 win.
Spaan described the first assist in detail. Dolberg cushioned the ball on his chest for Davy Klaassen. “The Dolberg of last season would, after cushioning a ball on his chest for Davy Klaassen, have been hit in the stomach by his fierce shot. The Dolberg of today knew he had to get out of the way after laying the ball off.” Klaassen finished for 1-0 in the 41st minute.
Five minutes into the second half the second assist arrived. Dolberg played a no-look pass with the outside of his right foot to Oscar Gloukh, who scored. Spaan wrote: “How much confidence he has was clear from the no-look pass with the outside of his right foot to Oscar Gloukh, who scored.”
Dolberg then headed the fifth goal himself in the 87th minute. Two assists and a goal. “If there is one player I wish it for, it is the Dane, so bursting with talent,” Spaan concluded, hoping the form holds.
Gloukh also earned praise. The Israeli delivered a goal and an assist and produced his best cross of the night to Steven Berghuis in the 23rd minute. “Gloukh had an assist and a goal and played excellently,” Spaan noted.
The columnist reserved a quiet nod for the head coach. “This coach must be doing something right,” Spaan wrote of Míchel, appointed in the summer.
Ajax’s second 5-1 victory in three days lifted them to fourth in the Eredivisie with 13 points. Dolberg has now contributed two goals and two assists across the last two matches and is firmly in the conversation for the centre-forward role.
The performance fits a wider pattern. Dolberg has spoken of feeling more settled in the squad and of learning from Tolu Arokodare’s movement in the box. The numbers are starting to match the words.
Dolberg’s chest control for Klaassen and the no-look pass for Gloukh were the two moments Spaan highlighted as evidence of renewed confidence.
Ajax host Excelsior next. Continued minutes for Dolberg would give Spaan further material for the next set of ratings.
Two assists and a goal. Spaan hopes the form continues for the Dane he describes as bursting with talent.
By James Hartwell | Football Writer, Sportspherearena
Football journalist covering the world’s top leagues and global transfer market — fast, well-sourced, and always first to the story.
