❌❌❌Rebuilding AJAX❌❌❌
AJAX are looking for ways to come out of the hole they've essentially dug themselves. It seems a lifetime ago but just over two years ago in February 2022, Ajax was on the peak of its powers...
Forum Discussion
@JustinCase0110 wrote:It's actually a pretty tough draw, as I see it. Three of the last four are against teams that are currently better than Ajax. So you need to make the most of the first four games. If you fail to win these, or at least the majority of them, I predict things to be very difficult in the final four.
Indeed, I'm hoping for good points on the board out of the first four games and later a result in Ireland. Fortunately for Ajax, we play Besiktas, Lazio and Spurs at home, so if we win one, or draw two of those, I'd see that as a class performance.
@Danimal5981 wrote:we play Besiktas, Lazio and Spurs at home, so if we win one, or draw two of those, I'd see that as a class performance.
Indeed. Just saw that Lazio and Spurs are the bookmakers' top two favourites for the competition IRL. Unlucky to play them both, I suppose.
- We shouldn’t talk about Spurs playing Ajax in Europe here. This is a safe space, no need to bring up bad memories…
@LABoog4 wrote:
We shouldn’t talk about Spurs playing Ajax in Europe here. This is a safe space, no need to bring up bad memories…Indeed, that 2019 game still hurts - even more, now that they've finally cancelled the away goal rule. If only it was applicable back then, already....
2 wins from 2 and phenomenal result against GA Eagles. Will surely fill with confidence with upcoming hand against The Turkish side.
You have to love when a change in formation suddenly produces instant results. Especially, when you change the attack and then score 6 goals in a match. Hopefully the momentum goes into Thursday, a win will be huge for Europe.
It's typical, I always fiddle around with tactics in the beginning to see what works best and even though I want it to be a form of 4-3-3, in practice the tactics with an uneven number of defenders at the back (three or five) and a triangle up front (two strikers backed by a number 10) work best for me: so, in this system Henderson sinks in between the central defenders while the wing backs push up (which makes Gaaei more useful than Rensch). Up front, it's suddenly a luxury problem having three capable strikers and essentially five players who can play behind the strikers.
However, not playing 4-3-3 at Ajax is like putting pineapple on pizza for Italians <figure of speech>
Pineapple on pizza?! No need for foul language, my friend 😄 Surely you don't need to be Italian to recognize what an abomination that is.
However, you're right about a 4-3-1-2 formation being a strange look for an Ajax side. It's funny, cause it's pretty similar to what I've done myself in my last two games. First it was a half time switch to a 4-1-3-2, and after that a full 90 with a 4-1-2-1-2 narrow.
Whilst a formation with a front two may not reflect the typical Ajax formation, I suppose a 6-0 win in the Eredivisie does reflect a typical peak Ajax result.
@JustinCase0110 wrote:Whilst a formation with a front two may not reflect the typical Ajax formation, I suppose a 6-0 win in the Eredivisie does reflect a typical peak Ajax result.
it would, if peak Ajax indeed would still be typical... Lately, things having been swinging at all.
IRL Farioli has brought stability, just by sticking to a clear vision: that has stabilized our defence somewhat, but overall Ajax are still playing quite weak. And it reflects in the game too; I think against the more modest team I'll get my results but I still haven't played AZ and NEC - that would be a real indicator where we stand in the Eredivisie.
In Europe however, not a good start...
What would the fans do IRL if Ajax brought in a manager who was defensive and played 5-3-2 or something similar? Would it be an instant rejection or wait to see what results happen?
For the career, bad start to Europe. A better side and it looked like a tight game but came up short.
@LABoog4 wrote:What would the fans do IRL if Ajax brought in a manager who was defensive and played 5-3-2 or something similar? Would it be an instant rejection or wait to see what results happen?
Demand a new manager..., instantly.
- Last season, John van 't Schip became crisis-manager. Ajax until then scored 8 points from 9 games. Under Van 't Schip in 4-3-3 suddenly they achieved 27 points out of 11 games. But a cup humiliation (knocked out by amateur side), struggles in European football and a single defeat in February 2024, meant that Van 't Schip changed to a 5-4-1 and that was it..., people were soon done with him: only 21 points from the last 13 games.
- Martin Jol (2009-2010) changed to a 4-4-2 to fit in Luis Suarez with Mounir El Hamdaoui up front.Within a matter of games, he was out.
- Ronald Koeman (2001-2005) is the only one who briefly played 4-4-2 and achieved succes with a double in 2002: he paired Zlatan with Nikos Machlas and he became coach because before him, Co Adriaanse came up with the weirdest tactics: then 3-5-2, then 4-2-4, then 4-3-3 and the next week again something completely different.
So, that's why you see so many managers with Ajax-DNA: Rinus Michels, Johan Cruijff, Louis van Gaal, Ronald Koeman, Danny Blind, Marco van Basten, Frank de Boer, Hedwiges Maduro, John van 't Schip - all ex-players of the club and later managers. They know the club inside out and they know fans don't tolerate anything different than 4-3-3 for long; not even a Champions League win would change their minds.
As I mentioned previously, it would be important for Ajax to get a good start to Europe, getting the most out of the first four games. Having lost the first one to Besiktas, arguably the toughest of the four, you pretty much need to win the next three. Looking better and better in the Eredivisie though.
Not an idea result against Besiktas worst possible start for Europe, but at least the league form has continued picking up another win on the road
@JustinCase0110 @thurlow885 the tricky thing is, in the old 4 teams in a group you could calculate how much points you'd need to advance. In this 36 league format, I could not imagine what would be enough to make at least the cut at 24th or better. If I defeat Qarabag, Lugano and Shamrock, it gives me 9 points: is that enough? Will I need a result against Slavia, Lazio, Sociedad, Tottenham? I honestly have no clue.
@Danimal5981 wrote:@JustinCase0110 @thurlow885 the tricky thing is, in the old 4 teams in a group you could calculate how much points you'd need to advance. In this 36 league format, I could not imagine what would be enough to make at least the cut at 24th or better. If I defeat Qarabag, Lugano and Shamrock, it gives me 9 points: is that enough? Will I need a result against Slavia, Lazio, Sociedad, Tottenham? I honestly have no clue.
I believe when the draws were made the projection was 9 points, but I feel it's very unpredictable especially with so many sides involved. I think it's gonna take a few seasons to really predict across the 3 comps to see the averages. I'd like to think beating those 3 clubs would be enough or 3 wins in general. I wouldn't like to predict projection for Top 8
@Danimal5981 wrote:the tricky thing is, in the old 4 teams in a group you could calculate how much points you'd need to advance. In this 36 league format, I could not imagine what would be enough to make at least the cut at 24th or better. If I defeat Qarabag, Lugano and Shamrock, it gives me 9 points: is that enough? Will I need a result against Slavia, Lazio, Sociedad, Tottenham? I honestly have no clue.
Same here mate. Sir Alex used to say you needed to win the home games and not lose the away games. But playing opponents just once, you can't really use that guideline anymore, can you? I mean, playing one of the absolute favourites at home, then playing a European debutant away, surely the latter would be the one where you'd expect to win the points. Bottomline, this certainly will take some time to get used to. Also counting the coefficient points, which you and I have a habit of doing. I need to learn how to do this with the new format.
@JustinCase0110 wrote:Same here mate. Sir Alex used to say you needed to win the home games and not lose the away games. But playing opponents just once, you can't really use that guideline anymore, can you? I mean, playing one of the absolute favourites at home, then playing a European debutant away, surely the latter would be the one where you'd expect to win the points. Bottomline, this certainly will take some time to get used to. Also counting the coefficient points, which you and I have a habit of doing. I need to learn how to do this with the new format.
Well..., I met the requirement of not losing the (first) away game...
@CO88LER5 of course, I'd like to win every game - but realistically, one needs a path to whatever the season targets are: one of the targets is to get out of the League stage into the play-offs and I wonder how many points are required, so that it won't come to a decider against Tottenham in January 2025. Fatigue is another consideration here: I cannot play my best eleven all the time and I want to have them fit in games that it really matters - but what does that mean: do games with greater opponents take priority, or the ones where it is more likely to claim three points?
A quick response in that match. Important, once you've fallen behind. I do see goals coming often 3-4 minutes after a goal in this game, so it isn't surprising to see it again here. Too bad you couldn't make another, as this opponent was probably one of them you could/should have got 3 points against. It's not been a dream start to Europe so far.
Love the mention of Maduro here. He used to be one of my go-to guys in Career Mode, whenever I needed a versatile defensive-minded player, who was able to play both as a holding midfielder and in the heart of defence. At least that's how I remember seeing him back in the day. Him being a manager now is just another testament of me getting older, haha...
Maduro is right, by the way. A win is a win, and Ajax are on the right track with two 2-1 wins there. But if one wants to be in a title race, one also needs to win some of these games more comfortably. And the start you've had in Europe also tells a tale of a team that needs more work.
Berghuis leaving could be a concern on short term. However, if one wants to build a sustainable winning side, one shouldn't build a team around a 33 year old. You must be able to find a younger solution as replacement and build around him.
Some good results wins are wins and all equal 4 points. Shame to lose a player and fail to agree terms. As stated may not be first choice but he'd have been a good option for now to have available. Hopefully gap gets filled
