The Holy grail
Season 2019/2020 Group Stage
Day 6 Analyzed game
10/12 Ajax - Valencia 0:1
We came to the last round of the group stage in the Champions League this season. There were few question marks to be answered before we knew which teams will continue forward in the knock-out stage next year. The most intrigue games were in groups F and H where Inter, Ajax and Chelsea had to fight their way ahead against Barcelona, Valencia and Lille.
On first glance Inter's task seemed the most difficult one since Barcelona was the strongest of the three opponents. But we already know in the Champions League is never easy and one has to be always on alert and at his best in order to survive the vicious competition. Never underestimate your opponent. If he is here it means that he deserved it and should be treated with respect. Play with the heart but also use your brain and don't try to make unnecessary moves unless you're pushed at the corner and have no other option. Always enter into battle under your terms and at a time and place chosen by you. These are the basic rules one should keep in mind and if he follows them the success is almost guaranteed.
Unfortunately for Ajax this was not what they did on Tuesday Dec 10 against a tough opponent such as Valencia. They came out on the pitch over confident given the fact that the game was on the legendary Johan Cruijff Arena. The atmosphere was absolutely fabulous. All fans waving the white and red Ajax flags singing the famous ¨Bloed, zweet en tranen¨ by Andre Hazes, swinging left to right under the music and each holding a plastic cup of icy cold Dutch beer. Only this by itself is enough to fill the blood of any youngster with passion, adrenaline and high spirit giving him wings to fly.
Before the match Ajax was on the top of the group with 2 points ahead of Chelsea and Valencia. That meant that they only needed a point to secure their place in the 1/16 finals. Valencia's only chance was to win. But to win in Amsterdam is no easy task and if you lack the football qualities this can only be achieved by well crafted strategy and discipline. So Valencia had no other option but to settle for the latter. Since the first whistle of the game Ajax was the dominant team using every opportunity to attack and press their opponents as if they were the team who desperately needed the three points. The crowd was cheering and encouraging them. They wanted to be entertained. This is what they came for. It was a cold December night so they had to stay warm by being active and support their team in every way.
They expected them to win because they never even considered the possibility that the team from the east coast of Spain stands any chance. This is totally understandable and normal. But only from the fans point of view. That's why each team has a coach. His role is to ensure the success of his team. That means how to win or how not to lose. As a fan of football I admire Ajax approach to this game. This is what football in my opinion should be all about - trying to outplay your opponent every step of the way. But only on the condition that both sides share this philosophy. But as we saw this was not the case with Valencia. They didn't even think for a moment to play by the rules Ajax was offering. They had their own game plan - the only one that could bring them success. And that was to wait. Being patient in general is an important quality which in most cases in life gives you a huge advantage. Fortunately for Valencia they didn't have to wait for long because in the 24 minute Rodrigo opened the score for the Spanish side. This was the moment when the match ended for Ajax. The moment when Valencia achieved their primary objective - to score first.
Why? Because they knew exactly how to keep this very fragile but enough advantage. All they had to do is what they can do best - ruin the game, break the game play as much as possible with all kinds of fouls, useless and pointless arguments with the referee, use every opportunity to provoke their opponents, waste and waste as much time as possible. So they did. Ajax players became more and more frustrated as time went by and made more and more mistakes falling into the trap the Spanish had set up for them. And so that's how it had to end for Ajax. Any other strategy would have guaranteed them success except for the one they had particularly chosen this evening on Johan Cruijff Arena. It is not the first time and for sure it will not be for the last. Ajax is a legendary team who has given the world of football many iconic players. This is a team that always wants to bring the best of football even if sometimes it is on their own expense.