Playing the Ajax way, Ajax have shown they have enough talent to compete with the best.
It is hard to say that a 1-1 draw at home is a statement scoreline for the home team, but in this case, that is exactly what it is for Ajax. The Dutch side followed up their thrashing of Real Madrid with a performance just as amazing against Juventus at the Amsterdam arena.
What was impressive about this game wasn’t actually the scoreline, but the way Ajax approached the game. Erik Ten Haag’s side carried on from where they left off at the Santiago Bernabeu, pressing Juventus at efficiently and troubling the Bianconeri’s backline with constant movement off that ball.
Had they taken their chances in the first half, Ajax would have been cruising in this tie. Instead, pretty much like the first half of the game against Madrid, the Dutch side found themselves behind, courtesy of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ajax’s response to that goal was to crank up that press a notch further, as they created chances for Donny Van de Beek and Hakim Ziyech. And it is this approach that paid dividends after the break as David Neres thundering run and finish gave the home side a much-deserved equalizer.
And in doing so, he also gave Ajax more than fighting chance of progressing through to the semis. Sure, Juventus have the away goal. And their performance will definitely get better at home. But away games like these seem to be tailor-made for this side.
Long considered to be the training academy of some of the best young players in the world, Ajax have managed to convert potential into reality in the course of this Champions League campaign.
In Erik Ten Haag, they have a manager who completely understands and lives by the club’s philosophy. And that is what had led to the rejuvenation of this fallen European giant. Ajax have once again become the team that is doing well in Europe by sticking to its principles of promoting youth.
While the much renowned Frenkie De Jong got his move to Barcelona, this team is still full of exciting youngsters looking to make their mark in Europe. Captain Mathijs De Ligt is one of the best young defenders in the world and supported by the rejuvenated Daley Blind, his performances have earned him links to some of Europe’s most exciting clubs.
Left-back Nicholas Tagliafico is one of the more exciting fullbacks in Europe, while a midfield three of the aforementioned De Jong, Lasse Schone, and Donny Van de Beek continues to outwork opponents.
Up front, David Neres already looks like a future superstar while Hakim Ziyech is already one of the better playmakers in the world. And then there is Dusan Tadic. The former Southampton winger has been reinvented as a center forward/false nine by Ten Haag and the results are quite simply amazing. It wouldn’t be a stretch to name Tadic as Ajax’s best player over the course of the Champions League campaign, which in itself should mean a lot considering the amount of talent present in this team.
Depth up top is also not an issue for the Eredivisie side, with the immensely talented Kasper Dolberg and Klass Jans Huntelaar both waiting in the wings for their chances.
And it is this depth that defines this Ajax team. They are no longer a side looking to string along a couple of results in Europe to excite their fans. Neither are they a lucky team surviving in the Champions League by producing sterile defensive displays.
No, This Ajax team are a superbly talented squad full of individuals living up to their full potential. They play the only way they know how to play and it is that style of play that is bringing them success.
So let’s put the notion aside, that this Ajax team is surviving because they have faced teams beyond their prime or because the opposition failed to finish them off. No, this Ajax team are here on merit because they have kept their faith in the Ajax way.