Tactical Analysis: The Two Faces of Ajax

Tactical Analysis: The Two Faces of Ajax

According to Vi.

Context

Under coach Michel Sánchez, Ajax have shown attacking potential, but their defensive frailties continue to be an issue. Their ability to recover from defensive mistakes will be key to their progress in Eredivisie football.

Why it matters

Ajax's 1-1 draw against NEC highlighted the challenges facing the team in the current Eredivisie season. Although their offense seems to be returning to the level of a title contender, their defense continues to cause problems, which could affect their season outlook. Having double-digit goals conceded shows that there are aspects of their game that need improvement.

Key Points

• Tactical Analysis: The Two Faces of Ajax.
• Ajax showed a very strong offense—compared to PSV's record—but remain vulnerable when the opponent's initial pressure gets through.
• Tactische analysis: de twee gezichten van Ajax.

Ajax's 1-1 draw against NEC was not just a result — it was also a clear reflection of the two opposing faces of the team under coach Michel Sánchez. On the Eredivisie stage, Ajax once again showed their attacking capacity: quick combinations from the middle, high possession of the ball and constant creation of chances produced a great number of attempts in the first seven league games. According to the record, Ajax's number of shot attempts in the first seven consecutive rounds reached 173 — equal to the record set by PSV in 2023/24. Such a level of attack proves that the team has a clear aggressive intention in dole-play and control of the game while on the ball. On many occasions, Ajax became the dominant team when it came to building attacks from the center and moving the ball quickly to the flanks. But the other side of the coin is the long-term defense issue that is still not fully resolved. When opponents break through the first pressure — Ajax's first pressing line — large spaces immediately appear between the lines. Rear coordination is not always smooth; closing space is often chaotic and at times players seem to shift out of sync. As a result, the number of goals conceded in the Eredivisie has reached double digits, an indication that there is serious work to be done in the defensive structure.

Against Dick Schreuder's NEC the same pattern emerged again: plenty of attacks and chances for Ajax, but a critical lapse in defense that allowed NEC to score and earn a crucial draw in Amsterdam. The note did not name specific goal scorers, but it was clear the issue was tactical and collective — not just an individual shortcoming. For Sánchez, the challenge now is to reduce defensive lapses without sacrificing the attacking identity of the team. Better coordination between pressing triggers and the defensive line is needed, as well as a clear contingency when the initial pressure breaks through. In this season of the league, points wasted due to defensive inadequacies can change the course of the record if not fixed immediately. All in all, the draw against NEC was a reminder that Ajax is a team with two faces: a mold that can dominate a game in attack, but is easily exposed when defensive coordination breaks down. The next matches will show if Sánchez can find a balance between an aggressive offense and a solid back.

What's next

In the next matches, Ajax will need to focus more on their defensive structure to avoid the large spaces that are left when the opponents break through their pressure. Their ability to adjust to the opponent's tactics will be crucial in their fight in the Eredivisie. Success in the next few games could change their momentum and give a better season outlook.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the result of the match between Ajax and NEC?

The match between Ajax and NEC ended in a 1-1 draw.

What is the effect of the result on the Eredivisie standings?

The 1-1 draw highlighted Ajax's defensive issues, which resulted in an increase in the number of goals conceded in the league.

How many shot attempts did Ajax have in the first seven league games?

The number of shot attempts by Ajax reached 173 in the first seven league games.

What is Ajax's next match?

There is no information about Ajax's next match in ibini gay context.

What are the issues facing Ajax in their defence?

Ajax have long-term issues in defence, where there are often large spaces between the lines and poor coordination at the back.

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