With twelve points from four matches, Ajax is already certain of a place in the eighth finals of the Champions League, just like Juventus, Bayern Munich and Liverpool, while Manchester City and Chelsea are also well on their way. Ruud Gullit discusses in his column for The Telegraph an agreement between Ajax and these European superpowers, while he also points out a difference.
Ajax impresses this European season by beating Sporting Portugal (1-5) and Borussia Dortmund (4-0 and 1-3) with large numbers, while Besiktas was beaten 2-0 relatively easily. Gullit sees it as a compliment to the Hollandse School that, in addition to Ajax, Bayern, Liverpool and Manchester City are also successful with the 4-3-3 system. “It is striking that this system, of which the Dutch School is the basis, is so successful at the highest level,” says Gullit.
“The difference between Ajax and Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea is that the others are better defensively,” says Gullit. “Erik ten Hag’s team is good at building up, comfortable with the ball, but often takes great risks defensively. If that goes wrong in the knockout phase, the European adventure could just be over.” According to Gullit, Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have built in more defensive security at Liverpool and Manchester City respectively by investing in defenders who are “very good on the ball, build up and defend at the same time.”
Gullit mentions players such as Virgil van Dijk, Rúben Dias and John Stones. “Thanks to them, Liverpool and City can play so offensively, dominantly and with three up front. There is naturally more to this at Chelsea, but Thomas Tuchel gave that defensive aspect extra attention when he took over in London almost a year ago and won the Champions League shortly afterwards,” said Gullit, who believes that the euphoria surrounding Ajax and Feyenoord should not be tempered. “European euphoria at Ajax and national and international euphoria at Feyenoord. How long did we not have to wait for that in the Netherlands? A great development and, above all, great fun for our football. There is nothing more beautiful than that Dutch football manifests itself in this way and with its own face. You need that to stay in the picture in Europe.”
“Whether it is right or wrong that they dream of winning the Champions League in Amsterdam or of winning the national title or Conference League in Rotterdam, that experience is great,” says Gullit. He believes that the euphoria should not be tempered, but nurtured. He emphasizes that Ajax’s performance against Sporting and Dortmund gives the feeling that something can be achieved in a European context, especially now that the team from Amsterdam has managed to hibernate in the Champions League. “Then you really want to participate and you can bet that something like this also exists in the group of players. Apart from the lesser phase in the Eredivisie.”
