From the ashes, Ajax has risen again.

Ajax put one hand on the Dutch Eredivisie trophy after a 2-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven in round 27, marking a comeback after a disappointing 2023/24 season.

Francesco Farioli helped revive Ajax.

Around this time last year, the atmosphere at the Johan Cruyff Arena was worse than ever. Ajax had to change four coaches in just six months, creating a rare crisis within the most traditional club in the Netherlands.

Resurgence from crisis

At one point, Ajax dropped to the bottom half of the 2023/24 Eredivisie table, causing fans to worry about the worst-case scenario. After a recovery period in the final stages, Ajax finished last season in 5th place in the Eredivisie, while still qualifying for European competition this season.

However, it was still a disastrous result given the club's stature and expectations. A fifth-place finish in the 2023/24 Dutch Eredivision was Ajax's worst performance since the 1999/00 season. They averaged just 1.65 points per game, their lowest since the 1964/65 season.

The arrival of Francesco Farioli from Nice at the end of May changed everything. The Italian coach took over the team at the age of 35, becoming one of the youngest strategists ever to lead Ajax. By choosing a young foreign coach, the Dutch team took a risk.

Initially, Ajax's management only expected Farioli to rebuild the team, bring them back to the top 3, and secure a place in the Champions League next season. But what this coach has achieved so far has far exceeded expectations. The victory against PSV at Philips Stadion in round 27 last weekend is proof of Ajax's resurgence.

Prior to this match, PSV were the reigning champions of the league. At one point earlier in the season, PSV even had a significant lead over Ajax in the title race. However, Ajax's consistent form since the end of last year has allowed them to gradually pull ahead.

Currently, they are 9 points ahead of second-placed PSV with only 7 rounds remaining. Given the tradition of the Dutch league, where Ajax and PSV are often far too strong for the rest, the championship seems already decided.

PSV captain Luuk de Jong admitted: “A nine-point gap is too big. We have to focus on second place and a Champions League spot.” His teammate Noa Lang and coach Bosz agreed, stating that the championship is almost out of reach.

It's important to remember that Ajax's resurgence didn't come from expensive signings. After parting ways with Erik ten Hag and a host of key players in the summer of 2022, Ajax spent very little in the transfer market. The subsequent departures of the management team, including CEO Edwin van der Sar and Sporting Director Marc Overmars, plunged Ajax into crisis.

Resourcefulness

Thanks to coach Farioli's resourcefulness with the old squad, Ajax gradually regained its strength. Upon taking over the club, Farioli recognized the core problem: the team's fitness level was insufficient. He acted decisively, rotating the squad and placing his faith in young players.

This season, Farioli has used 39 different players across all competitions, with 37 of them featured in the Eredivisie – matching the league's historical record. Ajax has never fielded the same starting lineup in two consecutive matches this season.

Ajax reaped the rewards of placing their faith in young players.

This policy initially drew criticism from the Dutch press, but the positive results quickly dispelled any doubts. Ajax won 10 of their 11 Eredivisie matches since mid-December, earning 31 points – eight more than any other team.

Farioli's success didn't come from blockbuster signings. Of the 13 Ajax players who have played over 1,000 minutes this season, only Davy Klaassen and Bertrand Traore are new signings, both arriving on free transfers.

He optimized the existing squad, unlocking the potential of forgotten names. Youri Baas is a prime example. From a left-back, Farioli transformed him into a center-back in the defensive trio. This helped Baas earn his first call-up to the Netherlands national team in March.

Jordan Henderson also played a key role in Farioli's system. The 34-year-old midfielder led the team in ball recoveries (5.7 per 90 minutes) and successful passes into the opponent's half (39.7 per 90 minutes). Ajax were unbeaten in the 15 Eredivisie matches Henderson started (11 wins, 4 draws), which helped him return to the England national team under Thomas Tuchel.

Farioli abandoned Ajax's renowned total football style to build a more solid, defensive-minded approach. They had less possession (57.6% – the lowest since the 2015/16 season), but achieved a passing accuracy of 86.8% – the highest since the 2011/12 season.

They don't press relentlessly, allowing opponents to complete an average of 12.1 passes before intervening, but their tight defensive organization makes it difficult for opponents to create quality chances. Ajax conceded the fewest goals in the league (20), a stark contrast to last season's 61 – the second-worst record in the club's history.

With seven matches remaining, Farioli's Ajax had the opportunity to erase the memory of last season's disaster. If they won the title, he would become the youngest coach to win the Eredivisie, surpassing the record of Aad de Mos in 1982/83. From the ashes, Farioli not only revived Ajax but also brought them closer to their 37th domestic league title in the club's history.

Source: https://znews.vn/tu-dong-tro-tan-ajax-da-tro-lai-post1542632.html