Ajax could do no more than hold Union Berlin to a 0-0 draw in the first round of the Europa League playoffs on Thursday night and failed to muster a single shot on target.

The Amsterdammers, described as ‘lacklustre’ by pundits, were lucky to escape with a draw as Union Berlin, currently second in the Bundesliga, had a goal disallowed after the intervention of the VAR.

In their tie, PSV were hammered 3-0 with Sevilla and leave themselves with an almost impossible battle in the away leg next week.