Ajax and its 'self-destruction' journey in the 2024-2025 season

Ajax can only finish in 2nd place this season - Screenshot

Before round 29, it seemed that the Eredivisie championship was firmly in Ajax's hands when they were 9 points ahead of PSV. However, disaster struck the Johan Cruyff Arena when Ajax suddenly faltered in 4 consecutive rounds with 2 draws and 2 losses.

Not stopping there, in the penultimate round, Ajax only had to face a Groningen team that had lost motivation. Despite leading 2-1 until the last seconds of injury time and even having one less player, Ajax still let Groningen equalize 2-2 in the 90+9 minute, an "unacceptable" result for both the team and the fans.

This defeat was the turning point that changed the championship situation. PSV took full advantage of the "golden opportunity" when they easily crushed Heracles with a score of 4-1 to rise to the top of the table with 1 more point.

In the final round, PSV made no mistake to get 3 points and win the Eredivisie championship despite Ajax's great efforts to win 2-0 against Twente.

To lose the championship, Ajax can only blame themselves for being too subjective and mentally unstable.

The key point probably came from round 31, Ajax lost 0-4 at Stadion Galgenwaard. All the Ajax players and coaching staff seemed shocked and could not get up. Among the stars at Ajax, the one who was expected to be the team's morale support was the most disappointing, Jordan Henderson.

The best of the Ajax captain may have stayed at Anfield. A leader and a great performer is no longer in the Ajax shirt.

The talk of Henderson leaving mid-season has exposed a sad truth: he has never really settled in and focused on contributing to Ajax.

The verbal spat with the Dutch media further exposed Henderson’s distraction. Instead of focusing on the title race, he wasted his energy on pointless arguments. While PSV quietly broke through, Ajax and their captain lost focus at the crucial moment.

In addition, the goals conceded in extra time showed that Ajax lacked courage and fighting spirit. Losing a goal in the 90+5 minute against Sparta Rotterdam could be considered a risk, but when the painful scenario repeated itself with a goal conceded in the 90+9 minute against Groningen in round 33, it showed Ajax's psychological weakness.

Having missed out on the title, Ajax have a lot to do to aim higher for next year.

TUAN LONG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ajax-va-hanh-trinh-tu-huy-o-mua-giai-2024-2025-2025051915590716.htm