Ajax Slide to Fifth After Dismal Home Defeat to FC Twente

Ajax entered the weekend fighting to secure a top-two spot in the Vriendenloterij Eredivisie, but a sluggish performance at the Johan Cruijff ArenA has left the club reeling. A 1-2 loss to FC Twente has not only stripped the Amsterdam side of crucial points but has seen them plummet to fifth place in the standings, while Twente climbed above them in the race for European positions.

The result marks a sobering third match for manager Óscar García. After starting his tenure with a dominant 4-0 victory over Fortuna Sittard and a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Feyenoord, García’s side looked disjointed on their return from the international break. The performance was described as extremely poor, characterized by an inability to handle the visitors’ pressure and a lack of cohesion in the build-up play.

A Tale of Two Halves

From the opening whistle, John van den Brom’s FC Twente set a physical and aggressive tone. The visitors dominated the early exchanges, forcing Ajax into an uncertain defensive posture. After eighteen minutes of sustained pressure, Ramiz Zerrouki finished a swift attack to put the Tukkers ahead 1-0.

Ajax struggled to uncover a rhythm for much of the first half, though they showed flashes of competence midway through the period. A cross from Oliver Edvardsen narrowly missed Wout Weghorst, signaling a slight shift in momentum. That pressure eventually paid off in the 32nd minute when Weghorst tapped in a goal following quality operate from Mika Godts, ending a months-long goal drought for the striker.

Despite the equalizer, the match remained scrappy. Ajax continued to struggle with their build-up play, and while the teams headed into the locker rooms tied at 1-1, the momentum remained largely with the visitors. Twente emerged from the break as the sharper side, eventually securing the 2-1 victory and leaving the home crowd frustrated.

Tactical Gambles and Roster Woes

The match was notable for several surprising selection choices by Óscar García. Most prominent was the inclusion of Oliver Edvardsen on the right wing, marking his first start since November 22. In the midfield, Steven Berghuis was deployed in the number 10 role, tasked with creating opportunities for the attack.

Yet, the squad’s depth was tested by a string of injuries and fitness concerns:

• Takehiro Tomiyasu: Absent from the matchday squad after being forced off injured during the Feyenoord match and missing Japan’s friendly internationals.
• Youri Regeer: Sidelined due to a hamstring injury, leading to Jorthy Mokio starting in midfield.
• Davy Klaassen: Absent from the lineup while struggling with knee problems.
• Kasper Dolberg: Not fully fit, resulting in Wout Weghorst retaining the starting role as the primary striker.

While Ko Itakura has returned to training with the first team and was available on the bench, the central defensive partnership of Josip Sutalo and Youri Baas struggled to contain Twente’s offensive thrusts throughout the evening.

The Stakes for the Vriendenloterij Eredivisie

The implications of this defeat extend beyond a single loss of three points. By dropping to fifth place, Ajax has lost its grip on the immediate fight for second place, a position they desperately needed to secure. For FC Twente, the victory serves as a statement of intent in their pursuit of European qualification.

For the global observer, this slump highlights the volatility of the current Ajax project under García. The contrast between the 4-0 win over Fortuna Sittard and this “extremely poor” showing suggests a team still searching for a consistent identity. The struggle to play out from the back under pressure—a hallmark of the club’s philosophy—was glaringly evident at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.

As the club navigates this period of instability, the focus will inevitably shift to how the staff and selection can be stabilized to avoid further slides in the table.

Next Checkpoint: Ajax will look to bounce back in their upcoming Eredivisie fixtures as they attempt to climb back into the top four.

Do you think the current tactical shifts under Óscar García are the right move for Ajax, or is a deeper structural change needed? Let us know in the comments below.