Ajax scored two goals in each half for a comprehensive victory

Bristol City kicked off their pre-season campaign at home with a heavy defeat by European giants Ajax.

Luas Suarez (27) and Urby Emanuelson (35) gave the Dutch side a 2-0 half-time lead on Wednesday night.

After the interval former Newcastle striker Albert Luque extended the lead with a 45-yard chip before Dennis Rommedahl scored late on for Ajax.

"If you give the ball away against quality teams they'll punish you," City boss Gary Johnson told BBC Points West.

"We did work a lot [in training] on getting behind the ball and not letting them break us down.

"But unfortunately when we got the ball we gave it away too quickly and they showed why they've got some of the world's best players in their team," added Johnson.

Almost 11,000 fans turned out at Ashton Gate as City gave debuts to five out of their six new signings.

Striker David Clarkson and goalkeeper Dean Gerken made the starting XI while defender Lewis Nyatanga, midfielder Paul Hartley and striker Danny Haynes all came on during the second half.

But the most surprising debutant was former Swindon goalkeeper Peter Brezovan, who came on after half-time.

606: DEBATE City looked all over the place but I think they just outclassed us citytillidie999

The Slovakian made an 11th-hour dash down the M4 after first-choice keeper Adriano Basso pulled out.

"I asked my brother about two o'clock if he knew anyone in the area that could get to us by six o'clock," said Johnson.

"He did OK for us. We might just get him for a couple of days rather than just send him back."

City's next pre-season game is away at League Two side Cheltenham Town on Saturday.

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