Ajax's painful journey to collapse

Jordan Henderson could not revive Ajax in a difficult period.

In the early morning of May 15, Thijmen Blokzijl's goal in the 90+9 minute dealt a fatal blow to Ajax's ambition to win all 3 points. From a position of almost certain victory, coach Francesco Farioli's team could only accept a regrettable 2-2 draw against Groningen.

Meanwhile, in the same round, PSV easily crushed Heracles with a score of 4-1 at home, thereby rising to the top of the rankings. Currently, PSV owns 76 points, 1 point more than Ajax, in the context of the season with only one final round left. The race for the Eredivisie championship is therefore developing dramatically, with the wind completely changing the direction of the game.

The nature of collapse

In football, there are defeats that are more painful than a crushing defeat. They are when victory is within reach, when glory is just a touch away, and then it evaporates like smoke. The story of Ajax in 2024/25 – should they fail to win the title – will be not just a lesson in tactics but also a profound examination of human psychology under pressure.

Leading PSV by 9 points with only 5 games to go. Needing just 6 points to be crowned champions. Hard to imagine a more favourable position. But then something strange happened - not gradually, but a sudden, unforeseen and inexplicable collapse.

The 0-4 defeat to Utrecht in the 31st round on 20 April was not a mere “accident” but a sign of a deeper rift. A truly strong team can lose a match, but will not let one defeat lead to such a long decline. This is the difference between a true champion and a pathetic runner-up: the ability to endure adversity and bounce back from defeat.

Ajax collapsed at a very unexpected time.

The Ajax squad still has Jordan Henderson, who arrived at the club as a symbol of leadership and winning experience. But somewhere between Saudi Arabia and Amsterdam, the old Liverpool warrior spirit seems to have been forgotten. It is ironic that the man who lifted the Champions League could not take Ajax past the final stages of the Dutch league.

The mid-season transfer rumours reflect a worrying reality: Henderson has never really committed to the Ajax project. He is more of a temporary visitor, a traveller stopping at a rest stop before continuing his personal journey. A true leader is not made from half-hearted commitments.

The war of words with the Dutch press only made it clearer: Henderson wasted energy on the wrong battles. While PSV quietly built from behind, Ajax and their captain were busy with a pointless media war. They lost focus at the most crucial moment.

The last-minute goals were not accidental but were a symptom of a deeper illness: a lack of character and resilience. Conceding a goal in the 90+5 minute against Sparta Rotterdam in round 30 may have been a stroke of bad luck, but when history repeated itself with a goal in the 90+9 minute against Groningen in round 33 early on May 15, it was a sign of mental weakness.

A true champion must not only be brilliant in the first 89 minutes but also maintain absolute concentration until the very last second. That is what Sir Alex Ferguson built at Manchester United with his legendary "Fergie extra-time" goals. Meanwhile, Ajax let PSV write their own comeback story.

Psychological leverage in modern football

Modern football is not only a battle of technique, tactics or physical strength but also a fierce psychological battle. When the pressure becomes too great, not every player can bear it.

The possibility of Ajax losing the domestic championship this season is very high.

PSV seemed to have it figured out perfectly. They took no chances, they didn’t put pressure on themselves, they waited patiently for Ajax to collapse from within. And as expected, panic spread through Ajax’s ranks – from poor decisions on the pitch to uncontrolled statements off the pitch.

The Ajax tragedy holds invaluable lessons not just for football but for life. Titles are never awarded until the final whistle has actually blown. No position is ever completely safe – whether nine points ahead or six points down. Great teams are defined not just by talent but also by their character. Off-field battles can undermine what is achieved on the pitch.

Henderson and Ajax still have a slim chance of saving the season, but whatever the outcome, their story will be remembered as a warning to those who dare to be complacent on the road to glory. In the harsh world of football, there is no room for weak hearts and weak minds.

The 2024/25 Eredivisie may be drawing to a close, but the lessons of Ajax's collapse will resonate in fans' memories forever - a reminder that in football, as in life, nothing is certain until it's over.

Source: https://znews.vn/hanh-trinh-sup-do-dau-don-cua-ajax-post1553323.html