Ajax are on a roll in the Eredivisie and unbeaten in the Champions League this season. The Dutch giants have lost just one game in all competitions this season and are on an impressive 10-game winning streak in the league.
The Amsterdam side have achieved this without compromising on the aestheticism of their football. Erik ten Hag’s version of Juego de Posicion reminds one of Pep Guardiola’s style of play. The former was in-fact the assistant to the Spaniard at Bayern Munich.
We take a look at the tactics behind Ajax’s successful start to the season.
TOTAL FOOTBALL 2.0
Ajax line up in a traditional 4-3-3, which sometimes assumes the shape of a 4-2-3-1, with Lasse Schone dropping down to form a double pivot with Frenkie de Jong. Ten Hag emphasises on possession, pressing and movement between the lines, much like what Guardiola has employed everywhere he went.
The full-backs press high and the wingers go narrow, allowing them vertical movement as they shuttle in the half-spaces. One of the central midfielders plays high on the pitch and provides attacking options alongside the number nine.
FRENKIE DE JONG’S ROLE
Ajax assume different shapes depending on how they are pressed, with de Jong playing a key role in each case. When under pressure, the youngster drops to form a three-man defence alongside Daley Blind and Matthijs de Ligt. Shone drops deep to provide passing options as they build from the back.
De Jong’s incredible press resistance and dribbling skills allows him to advance forward, break the press and execute line-cutting passes.
When not under pressure, the 22-year-old plays more centrally and forms a passing triangle with de Ligt and Blind and use this as the foundation for build-up play.
In either case, de Jong’s role is extremely crucial as he operates as the linchpin of Ajax’s midfield. The fact that big clubs like Barcelona, Manchester City and Tottenham are fighting fir his signature further throws light on what a gem of a player the young Dutchman is.
VERSATILE WINGERS
The wingers have had a key role to play in ten Hag’s total football system. The fact that each winger offers something different has been beneficial to Ajax.
Dusan Tadic operates on the left, dropping deep and directing play as he sets Nicolas Tagliafico on the overlap. The former Southampton forward often shifts the play to the other side of the pitch, setting David Neres into space in the wide areas.
Neres offers pace and width on the other wing and uses his dribbling skills to stretch the opponents and latch in a cross for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to take care of.
On the other hand, Hakim Ziyech prefers to play narrow, cut in and prove to be a direct threat on the opposition goal.
DONNY VAN DE BEEK’S DIFFERENT ROLE
Van de Beek’s role offers extra arrows to the quiver in Ajax’s attack. The midfielder often strays higher than the wingers as he attempts to directly threaten the custodian. The Dutchman’s specific role depends on who plays as a striker.
With Huntelaar upfront, de Beek plays a deeper role as he attempts to create for the veteran from the centre of the park. However, Kasper Dolberg’s presence allows the midfielder to play higher up the pitch, almost as a second striker.
The 2016-17 Europa League finalists have timed their resurgence in sync with that of the Dutch national team and a common element stands tall and promises sustainability of the same – a bunch of talented, young and mature players.
