Champions League: Ajax's X-Ray

Ajax, a historic club from Dutch and European football, is Benfica's next opponent in the Champions League Group E. Before the kick-off, the Official Site describes the opponent's current framework.

The team led by the Dutch Erik ten Hag, aged 48, hit the ground running, both in the Champions League and in the domestic competitions. In 18 official matches, they amassed 13 triumphs and only one defeat (against PSV, by 3-0), scored 49 goals (2,72 per match) and conceded nine (0,50 per encounter).

With a very young squad (average of 23 years), Ajax gave the team some experience through names such as Blind, Schone, Tadic and Huntelaar. Even so, among the most used players, there is a lot of youth. Onana (22), De Ligt (19), Wober (20), Mazraoui (20), Frenkie de Jong (21), Eiting (20), Van de Beek (21), Neres (21) and Dolberg (21).

During the 2018/19 season, and according to the portal Wyscout, the team from Amsterdam makes 18 attempts per matches, ends the matches with a 55% ball possession average and carries out more than 540 passes per encounter (86% efficacy).

An aspect from this opponent to bear in mind are the set pieces. 71% of the corner kicks in favor result in shots, as well as 44% of the free kicks.

Eleven with dynamics in 4x2x3x1 and 3x5x2

In the 2018/19 season, the formation has been varying between the 4x2x3x1 and the 3x5x2, and even in the Champions League both have been used.

In the standard lineup, with the most used players, the formation changes to 4x2x3x1: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Daley Blind, Tagliafico; Schone, Van de Beek, Ziyech, Tadic, Neres and Huntelaar.

However, the last starting XI was fielded in 4x3x3. Against Heerenveen, Ajax won by 0-4 and started the match with Onana; Kristensen, De Ligt, Wober, Daley Blind; Van de Beek, Schone, Frenkie de Jong (71’ Labyad); Ziyech (57’ Neres), Tadic and Dolberg (57’ Huntelaar).

On Ajax's injury list are at the moment Bandé, El Azzouzi, Matusiwa, Sinkgraven, Tagliafico and Veltman.

The defensive side

Ajax does not feel comfortable in the match when they do not have ball possession. Despite trying to press high up the pitch, they give the opponent to much space.

It is not surprising that Ajax's opponents' have carried on average 10 shots per match . The players from Ajax take part in less duels than the opposing teams (71 against 88);in the ball interceptions this aspect is also notable(44 against 52).

Still have not lost in the Champions League

To get to the group stage, Ajax had to go through three qualifying rounds. The first match was in July against Sturm Graz, of Austria. They won both matches (2-0 at home and 1-3 away) Ziyech and Schone the goals from the first leg; Huntelaar (2) and Tadic the goals from the second leg.

Next came Standard Liège. In Belgium, there was a 2-all draw (goals from Huntelaar and Tadic) and at the Johan Cruijff Arena the home side won by 3-0, with accurate strikes from Huntelaar, De Ligt and Neres.

In the final barrier before the Champions League group stage, the Dutch locked horns with Dynamo Kyiv. Ajax won 3-1 in the first leg (Van de Beek, Ziyech and Tadic) and the second leg finished with a scoreless draw.

Inserted in Group E with Benfica, Bayern Munich and AEK, Ajax started with a 3-0 win over the Greeks, with goals from Tagliafico (2) and Van de Beek. In matchday 2 they got a 1-all draw at the Munich Arena. The goal was scored by Mazraoui.

Transfers at Ajax

Text: Marco Rebelo

Pics: Twitter Ajax