Calvin Bassey shut down some of his Ajax doubters as Dutch pundits singled him out as one of the only players worth praise in their 0-0 stalemate with Union Berlin.
Bassey has had a hard time of it since his switch from Rangers and recently lost his starting spot in Johnny Heitinga's side but he was restored to the team for the Europa League clash with Union with Heitinga praising his robust defensive abilities. It was ultimately a night to forget as they played out an Amsterdam borefest that hands the initiative to the Bundesliga team ahead of the return leg in Berlin.
Former Celtic defender Josip Juranovic started on the other side and the Germans will fancy their chances of progress. And Dutch pundits Marciano Vink and Pierre van Hoojdonk showed no mercy to the struggling Ajax flops - except for Bassey who was singled out as one of the "best men on the pitch" alongside keeper Geronimo Ruli. Vink said: "If Bassey and Rulli are the best men on the pitch, that says it all."
