Julian Brandt Impresses in Ajax Debut, Casting Doubt on Oscar Gloukh's Role

Ajax officially opened their Eredivisie season with a 2-0 away victory against Zwolle on August 10, 2026. Despite winning, the Amsterdam-based club struggled, especially after being reduced to 10 players, and their overall performance left much to be desired. Dutch media highlighted a significant gap between Ajax's ambitions to compete for the league title and their current level of play.

Oscar Gloukh started the match and played for 60 minutes but delivered a lackluster performance. He was substituted by Julian Brandt, the new German signing from Borussia Dortmund, who scored the second goal and contributed significantly to the team's success. The Dutch newspaper AD noted that Brandt's sophisticated passing and decisive play made him a valuable asset, overshadowing Gloukh, who now reportedly faces pressure from Brandt's arrival.

The match raised questions about Ajax's readiness to fulfill their championship aspirations, with Brandt's impressive debut intensifying competition within the squad. The club and fans will be watching closely to see how this dynamic evolves in the coming matches.