Ajax Amsterdam is experiencing a significantly improved performance this season, especially concerning their defensive stability, compared to the previous year. Analyzing their latest match against Almere City, former players and analysts provided insights on how coach Francesco Farioli has contributed to this transformation.
Ajax faced Almere City recently, securing a narrow victory thanks to Kenneth Taylor's lone goal. Despite the win, the match attracted scrutiny for Ajax’s overall display, with some observers noting the team had not performed up to its usual standards.
The former Ajax midfielder, Theo Janssen, expressed his disappointment over the team's performance, stating, "I reached for the bottle this afternoon. It was really bad." He highlighted the general lack of quality within Ajax's play, stating, "Almere was not worse and was even the stronger side after half-time." Janssen applauded the team for adopting a more Italian style of play defensively: "Ajax defended as the Italians do, and locked down the game after the 1-0 lead." This shift indicates the tactical evolution under Farioli, who has taught the players to be patient and to focus more on defending rather than aggressively seeking to regain possession.
Hedwiges Maduro, who previously served as Ajax's assistant coach, also praised Farioli's defensive setup. "Ajax can simply fall back and defend the goal this season, even sometimes having the number six drop between the center-backs to help with positioning," he noted. The approach has made Ajax commendably stable at the back, contrasting sharply with last season when they struggled significantly on defensive organization.
Maduro identified one key reason for Ajax's winter improvement: their goalkeeper, Remko Pasveer. He commented on Pasveer's exceptional abilities as he emphasized, "Pasveer has kept the team afloat and is very important with his coaching. Not only has he kept the team organized, but he also prevents many crosses and shots on goal, bringing calm to the back line." Pasveer's impact has been palpable—he had already recorded 39 appearances this season before suffering a minor injury, during which Ajax conceded only 18 goals across 24 league matches.
Meanwhile, Matheus took the place of Pasveer during the Almere match, but Janssen noted some concerns about Matheus’ performance: "I saw him on the ball today; it did not go well. He was very sloppy with his passing and often kicked it straight to Almere." This raises questions about the depth of Ajax’s goalkeeper position this season and how effectively substitutes can maintain the same level of defensive stability.
The conversation shifted to concerns about how well Ajax’s current style and performance would resonate with their supporters. Ibrahim Afellay reiterated the importance of results versus style, stating, "Considering where Ajax stood last season, it’s super impressive where they are now. It seems they are likely to become champions, which no one could have predicted. But supporters who love Ajax certainly don’t want to see their team playing this way." He suggested the need for changes heading toward next season to align with fans' expectations amid the current unadventurous style.
Critics have pointed out some dissatisfaction within the fanbase concerning the way Ajax has played this season. There is concern surrounding whether Ajax can maintain its attractive playing philosophy, traditionally characterized by attacking football. Janssen pointed out, "This team is not good enough offensively to dismantle its opponents, and it is often described as 'playing ugly.' Yet, teams playing more defensively tend to win more titles." He also reflected on how supporters would view different clubs handling situations differently; more defensive tactics from clubs like FC Utrecht would garner positive feedback if they brought tangible success.
Afellay supported this view, emphasizing Ajax’s need to uphold its identity and the expectations associated with the club: "At the end of the day, you’re Ajax, and you stand for something. You should never abandon your identity. Uplifting football has significant marketing potential abroad, after all. You should always strive to represent the club suitably."
Therefore, Farioli faces the challenge of producing such attractive football without compromising the solid foundation laid this season. With Ajax climbing to possibly clinch the title, fans and analysts eagerly await how the team will evolve as the season progresses. The upcoming matches promise to be telling for their ambition and direction. If Ajax wishes to maintain its once-imperative place at the pinnacle of Dutch football, they must strike the right balance between defensive organization and returning to their offensive roots. Time will tell if they can achieve this delicate balance effectively.
With only weeks remaining in the season and the pressure intensifying, Ajax's tactical decisions and performances will undoubtedly come under the microscope. Farioli's reign is positioned at a crossroads—the path forward rests on blending pragmatism with the flair and excitement characteristic of Ajax Football Club. Will fans see improvement next season, or will thoughtful adjustments be necessary? Only time will tell.