Multiple Frustrations Dog Crucial Ajax Campaign

After a disappointing 2023/24 season that saw Ajax finish sixth in the Eredivisie the club is under immense pressure to deliver a strong response this season.

However, despite progressing to the group stages of the Europa League, early signs suggest that the frustrations from last season are still lingering, and the campaign has already been hit by a number of setbacks, threatening their ambitions for recovery.

With new head coach Francesco Farioli at the helm, Ajax needed to start strong, but the start to their 2024/25 campaign has been anything but smooth. From fixture postponements to key player departures, the club finds itself battling external and internal issues, leaving fans and the team frustrated.

Fixture Break Angers Ajax Coach

One of the immediate challenges facing Farioli is a forced month-long break from Eredivisie action. Following the cancellation of De Klassieker against Feyenoord due to a police strike, the home fixture against FC Utrecht also fell victim to the ongoing protest. The police are fighting for a better early retirement scheme, and in their absence, the mayors of Amsterdam and Rotterdam had no choice but to call off the matches.

As a result, Ajax has not played an Eredivisie match since August 18, when they suffered a 2-1 defeat against NAC Breda. Their next match, against Fortuna Sittard, will not take place until September 18. Farioli expressed his frustration at the disruption. “It is frustrating,” he told Ajax’s club channels, adding, “Our vacation is going to be too long, to be honest. On the other hand, this is beyond our control.”

The Italian coach acknowledged the growing pressure from the already congested fixture schedule. “It was already tight and it is only getting tighter and tighter now. But there is nothing we can do about it,” Farioli said. With an intense period of matches ahead, Ajax will have to navigate the challenging calendar and recover lost momentum.

Player Departure Not Covered

Adding to the frustration is the departure of key players without adequate replacements. One of the most significant blows was the sale of winger Steven Bergwijn to Al-Ittihad late in the transfer window. Similarly, Carlos Forbs also left the club, leaving Farioli short of attacking options. Despite their importance to the team, no replacements were secured before the window closed.

“I wanted to keep all the players because they were all important to the process. On the sporting side, we have clearly lost two important players,” Farioli told VI, referring to Bergwijn and Forbs. He acknowledged the financial realities the club faces but admitted that the chaotic nature of the transfer window caused frustration. “It was chaotic and that caused some frustration for everyone involved.”

A deal for winger Kamaldeen Sulemana was also cancelled, leaving Farioli with limited options going forward. Still, the coach is trying to remain positive, seeing the situation as a challenge and an opportunity for other players to step up. “What gives me a lot of confidence is that there are a lot of qualities and footballing qualities in the group,” he said. Despite the setbacks, Farioli is focused on developing his team further, adding, “The most difficult thing in a team is to keep developing.”

For Ajax, the combination of a disrupted schedule and the loss of key players presents an early test to their season.

Site Opinion: Progress Hampered

The recent disruptions, including postponed fixtures and key player departures, are likely to hamper Ajax’s push to climb the Eredivisie table. After finishing a disappointing sixth last season, they needed a strong start, but the month-long break has interrupted any momentum they might have gained. Without competitive matches, players lose sharpness, and with a congested fixture list ahead, fatigue could become a factor.

Additionally, the loss of key attackers like Steven Bergwijn and Carlos Forbs without replacements puts further strain on their ability to perform consistently. These issues create an uphill battle for a team aiming to re-establish itself as a dominant force, forcing Francesco Farioli to rely on squad depth and adaptability in a crucial period of the season. If Ajax cannot resolve these challenges quickly, their ambitions for a top finish may begin to slip further out of reach.