Sports
Ajax Host Midtjylland in Conference League Third Round
Ajax will play FC Midtjylland in the third round of the Conference League league phase on Thursday. The Dutch club comes into the match after a 2‑0 win over Atalanta and is near the top of the Eredivisie. Midtjylland, who lead the Danish Superliga with 31 points from 12 matches, have struggled in Europe, earning only one point from a 1‑1 draw with Egnatia and a 2‑1 loss to Sint‑Truiden. Domestically, they have won nine games and sit five points ahead of title rivals FC Copenhagen.
Midtjylland lost several key players last summer, including striker Franculino and winger Aral Simsir to Trabzonspor for €35 million, centre‑back Han‑beom Lee to Club Brugge for €9 million, midfielder Valdemar Byskov to AZ for €6 million, and winger Dario Osorio to Crystal Palace on loan (with a permanent move for €32 million possible next year). The club replaced them with former Ajax defender Rasmus Kristensen from Eintracht Frankfurt for €6 million, winger David Martínez from Los Angeles FC for over €7 million, midfielder Kjell Wätjen from Borussia Dortmund, defender Nordin Bakker from SC Heerenveen, forward Etim from Fredericia, and loan signing Mileta Rajkovic from Legia Warsaw.
Head coach Mike Tullberg, 40, previously coached at Borussia Dortmund and has led Midtjylland to a Danish Cup win and a third‑place finish in the Europa League group stage. He has received nine yellow cards in the 2025/26 season and is known for demanding aggression, energy and high pressing.
Midtjylland’s history with Ajax includes former player Viktor Fischer, who joined Ajax in 2011 after a youth spell at Midtjylland, and defender Rasmus Kristensen, who left Midtjylland for Ajax before returning. The clubs have met twice before, both times in the 2020/21 season, with Ajax winning 2‑1 and 3‑1.
Midtjylland’s goalkeeper Nordin Bakker, who stepped in after an injury to first‑choice Elías Ólafsson, has played eight matches and is expected to start against Ajax. The match will be the third encounter between the two clubs, with Midtjylland hoping to secure their first win over Ajax.
Predicted Midtjylland line‑up: Bakker; Maxsø, Diao, Bech; Kristensen, Bravo, Hyun‑seok, Wätjen, Bak; Emefile, Rajović.
Frequently asked questions
Who is expected to start as goalkeeper for Midtjylland against Ajax?
Midtjylland’s goalkeeper Nordin Bakker is expected to start against Ajax.
What were the results of Ajax’s previous encounters with Midtjylland?
Ajax won 2‑1 and 3‑1 in the two meetings during the 2020/21 season.
What is Midtjylland’s current standing in the Danish Superliga?
Midtjylland lead the Danish Superliga with 31 points from 12 matches.