How Tolu Arokodare ended Ajax’s 24-year curse against Italian clubs

Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare helped Ajax end their 24-year wait for a home win against Italian opposition in European competition.

The Nigeria international scored a late goal and provided an assist in Thursday’s 2-0 victory over Atalanta at the Johan Cruijff Arena.

The win gave Ajax their first points in the UEFA Conference League campaign and ended a run of 14 consecutive European home matches without a victory against Italian clubs. They had drawn six and lost eight of those games since beating AS Roma 2-1 in the Champions League in December 2002.

Ajax’s poor record included a 6-1 home defeat to Napoli in October 2022. Atalanta had also beaten them 1-0 in Amsterdam during the 2020/21 Champions League campaign after the teams played out a 2-2 draw in Bergamo.

Arokodare came off the bench in the 66th minute, replacing Marcos Leonardo, with Ajax still struggling to break down Atalanta’s defence.

Three minutes before the end of normal time, Youri Baas sent a long ball towards the Nigerian striker. Arokodare used his strength to get ahead of his marker, controlled the ball and beat goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi to put Ajax in front.

He then turned provider in the third minute of stoppage time, setting up 17-year-old Moroccan forward Abdellah Ouazane, who finished well to seal the victory.

What Tolu Arokodare said after Atalanta win

Despite his decisive contribution, Tolu Arokodare credited the team and stressed that every player had a role to play, whether they started or came off the bench.

“If you are an Ajax player, you are important anyway, regardless of whether you are in the starting lineup or not. Even if you don’t play, you are important, because you help your teammates improve in training,” he explained as per Voetbalzone.

“I am just happy that I could help my team with the first goal and that I was able to contribute to the victory.”

Arokodare had to wait for his chance after Marcos Leonardo was named in the starting lineup again. However, the Nigerian said he understood the manager’s decision and was willing to be patient.

“I am a patient person. Of course, everyone wants to play and be in the starting lineup, but Leo played very well in the previous match and the manager felt he deserved to start,” he said.

“He played well today too, he was just unlucky not to score. He tired out the defenders, which allowed me to take advantage afterwards.”

The striker also rejected the idea that he and Leonardo were competing for a place in the team at each other’s expense, insisting that the two forwards needed to work together.

“We don’t compete with each other, because if you play on the same team, you can’t compete. If you fight against each other, you don’t help each other, and then the team can’t develop,” the Nigerian stated.

Tolu Arokodare’s latest contribution adds to his impressive start at Ajax. The striker, who joined the Dutch club on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, has scored eight goals and provided three assists in 15 appearances across all competitions.