Kasper Dolberg has been ruled out for the rest of the season. The AFC Ajax striker suffered a torn cruciate ligament during the match against Willem II, representing a significant loss for the squad.
The injury occurred in the away fixture against Willem II, where Dolberg had been performing strongly. He provided an assist and scored himself in the 5-1 victory before being forced off. The medical staff have now confirmed the severity of the knee injury.
"A personal drama for Kasper Dolberg is also a major blow for Ajax," said club watcher Johan Inan. The striker was determined to make his mark at the club again and had just hit a good run of form. His absence comes at a critical time, with Ajax sitting fifth in the Eredivisie with fourteen points from seven games.
Attacking issues
Dolberg's injury presents a problem for the manager and technical staff. He was a key option up front alongside top scorer Julian Brandt, who has four goals this season. His assist in the last league match against Excelsior demonstrated his value, even though that game ended 2-2. Losing his physical presence and finishing significantly limits options for the coming months.
Ajax must now rely on the other forwards in the squad. The coming weeks are vital, starting with a home match against NEC Nijmegen this weekend. NEC currently sit eleventh. The Amsterdammers will look to continue their recent form of three wins, one draw and one defeat in their last five matches. The full squad and upcoming fixtures now carry extra importance to cover for his loss.
The timing is particularly bitter for Dolberg himself. After a difficult period, he seemed to be reclaiming his place. "Kasper Dolberg was determined to finally succeed at Ajax," it was said. "But after a strong sign of life, his comeback is brutally interrupted by a serious knee injury." He will rehabilitate over the coming months, targeting a return for the start of next season.
For the club, this means other players must step up. The attacking statistics show Ajax have scored twenty-one goals and conceded nine this season. That productivity must now come from elsewhere. The match against NEC Nijmegen on October 10th is the first test without the Danish international. The league standings, where Ajax trail leaders AZ Alkmaar by five points, make any dropped points more costly. Kasper Dolberg's rehabilitation begins immediately, but his season is over.
The report in full is at AD Sport
