Ajax in a bit of a shambles

– Ajax Amsterdam’s promising young cast rekindled memories of past glories by reaching the Champions League last-16 but Saturday’s league defeat has underlined their recent poor form and set the alarm bells ringing with the upcoming visit of Real Madrid.

The 1-0 loss at Heracles Almelo was only the second time Ajax had been beaten by the provincial team but was marked by players arguing with each other in a defeat teenage captain Matthijs de Ligt (above) termed “scandalous”.

A repeat performance against Real Madrid in tomorrow’s first leg would be fatal to their chances of progressing in Europe’s top club competition.

“We cannot afford to play as we did against Heracles. If we do so we will be slaughtered,” De Ligt told reporters.

Just months ago, Ajax were being lauded after finishing behind Bayern Munich in the group phase, eliminating Benfica and AEK Athens. They were also breathing down the necks of PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch league race, hoping to end a four-year title drought.

But since returning from the winter break, Ajax have won only twice in five outings, including a 6-2 defeat at arch-rivals Feyenoord, and slipped six points off the pace in the Dutch championship.

Dutch newspapers have been quick to offer reasons for their recent struggles.

“Ajax do not look to have the mental strength to stand up to Real,” was the scathing summation of former Dutch international Wim van Hanegem in his regular column yesterday.

Others have speculated about the side being plagued by too much individualism, blamed a porous defence and said manager Erik ten Hag had his hands tied by a restrictive transfer policy.

Frenkie de Jong is also being criticised. The midfielder is joining Barcelona at the end of the season for a fee of €86 million but he has not been living up to that price tag. – AFP