Ajax’s Defensive Woes: Is a Shake-Up in the Cards for Heitinga’s Squad?
By ArchySports Staff | September 24,2025
The amsterdam giants,ajax,are facing a critical juncture. Recent performances have highlighted significant cracks in their defensive organization, prompting urgent calls for change from seasoned football analysts. The team’s ability to secure a late equalizer in a recent high-stakes match against PSV, while ultimately salvaging a point, also exposed glaring vulnerabilities that cannot be ignored.
Veteran football pundit Hans Kraay Junior didn’t pull any punches in his assessment, pointing directly at the team’s struggles with aerial threats and marking. “ajax simply isn’t dealing with balls coming in from the flanks effectively,” Kraay observed. He specifically cited the ease with which PSV’s Saibari found the back of the net for the opening goal, a situation that would undoubtedly frustrate any manager.
The core of the issue,according to Kraay,lies in a lack of compactness and structure within the Ajax defense. These are fundamental principles that coaches preach relentlessly. “You hear trainers constantly talking about being compact, well-organized, having structure, and maintaining focus,” Kraay stated. “Sadly, these concepts were hard to find for Ajax in the second half of that PSV match.”
Kraay believes a straightforward solution exists: a revamped central defensive pairing. He strongly advocates for Ajax to quickly transition to a partnership of Itakura and Sutalo at the heart of the defense, with boss deployed at left-back, even if it’s not the players’ preferred roles. While the criticism is sharp, kraay did acknowledge a silver lining: the team’s resilience in fighting back to snatch a draw. “Ultimately, it was pretty impressive how Ajax still managed to squeeze out a point,” he conceded.
The offensive spark that ignited the comeback came from a substitution in the second half. Oscar Gloukh, who replaced the injured Kasper Dolberg, injected much-needed creativity into Ajax’s attack.His dynamic run culminated in the crucial equalizer,showcasing the impact a fresh outlook can have on a struggling side.
This defensive fragility raises questions about Ajax’s long-term prospects. Can they shore up these weaknesses before they become insurmountable? The tactical decisions made by manager John heitinga in the coming weeks will be under intense scrutiny. Will he heed the advice and implement the proposed defensive changes, or will he stick with his current setup and risk further defensive lapses? The upcoming fixtures will undoubtedly provide the answers.
What’s Next for Ajax?
The focus now shifts to how Ajax will address these defensive shortcomings. The potential introduction of Itakura and Sutalo as a central defensive duo, alongside Boss at left-back, could be the tactical masterstroke needed to restore stability. This move, if implemented, would represent a significant shift and could redefine the team’s defensive identity.
For fans, the hope is that these tactical adjustments will not only tighten the defense but also allow the team’s attacking talent to flourish.The ability to create chances, as demonstrated by Gloukh’s equalizer, is evident.The challenge now is to combine that offensive prowess with a solid defensive foundation.
The Eredivisie season is a marathon, not a sprint, and Ajax has shown they have the grit to fight back. however, consistent defensive solidity will be paramount if they are to compete at the highest level. The coming weeks will be a true test of Heitinga’s managerial acumen and the team’s ability to adapt and overcome their current challenges.
