Ajax, the Dutch football powerhouse, has been struggling this season, a far cry from the dominant team that won the Eredivisie title last year and reached the Champions League semifinals. The team has endured a string of poor performances, raising questions about the reasons behind their downfall. In this article, we will delve into the factors that have contributed to Ajax's struggles and analyze the challenges faced by the team.

1. Lack of Player Depth and Squad Rotation

Ajax's squad has been stretched thin this season due to injuries and departures. Key players such as Antony, Lisandro Martinez, and Ryan Gravenberch have left the club, leaving gaps in the team's structure and dynamics. The lack of depth has forced manager Alfred Schreuder to rely on a small group of players, leading to fatigue and a lack of freshness in their performances.

2. Tactical Issues and Lack of Cohesion

Schreuder's tactical approach has also come under scrutiny. The team seems to lack a clear identity and has often appeared disjointed on the pitch. The absence of a consistent playing style has made it difficult for Ajax to control games, leading to uncharacteristic defensive frailties and an inability to create scoring opportunities.

3. Loss of Creative Spark and Talismanic Influence

The departure of key attacking players like Antony and Sebastien Haller has deprived Ajax of their main sources of creativity and goals. The team has struggled to find replacements who can provide the same level of impact, leading to a significant drop in goal production. Dusan Tadic, who has been the team's talisman in recent seasons, has also been affected by injuries and has been unable to replicate his previous performances.

4. Injuries and Lack of Continuity

Injuries have played a major role in Ajax's struggles this season. The team has been without several key players for extended periods, disrupting their rhythm and cohesion. The absence of players like Mohammed Kudus, Ahmetcan Kaplan, and Steven Berghuis has further weakened the squad, making it difficult to compete with their rivals.

5. Pressure and Expectations

Ajax has been under immense pressure to perform this season, both domestically and in Europe. The club's success in recent years has raised expectations, and the team has struggled to cope with the weight of those expectations. The pressure to win every game and progress deep into competitions has affected the players' mentality and led to uncharacteristic mistakes and poor decision-making.

Conclusion

Ajax's struggles this season are a combination of factors, including a lack of player depth, tactical issues, loss of creative spark, injuries, and the pressure of expectations. Manager Alfred Schreuder has a big task ahead of him to turn things around and restore Ajax to their former glory. The team needs to find a way to cope with the departures of key players, develop a more cohesive tactical approach, and rediscover their attacking verve. With the second half of the season still to come, there is time for Ajax to turn their fortunes around and salvage something from a disappointing campaign.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the main reasons for Ajax's poor form this season?

Ajax's struggles can be attributed to a lack of player depth, tactical issues, loss of creative spark, injuries, and the pressure of expectations.

2. How has the departure of key players affected Ajax?

The departures of players like Antony, Lisandro Martinez, and Ryan Gravenberch have left gaps in the team's structure and dynamics, leading to a lack of depth and tactical cohesion.

3. What are the tactical issues that Ajax is facing?

Ajax has lacked a clear tactical identity under manager Alfred Schreuder. The team has often appeared disjointed on the pitch, with a lack of control in games and an inability to create scoring opportunities.

4. How have injuries impacted Ajax's performance?

Injuries have played a major role in Ajax's struggles this season. The team has been without several key players for extended periods, disrupting their rhythm and cohesion.

5. Can Ajax turn things around in the second half of the season?

Ajax has the potential to turn things around in the second half of the season if they can address their tactical issues, find replacements for departed players, and rediscover their attacking verve.