AFC AJAX #1768: AMSTERDAM!

quote:
"I have no explanation," Frank de Boer's answer, to why Ajax perform better after the winter break, three seasons in a row now. Their current run of eight consecutive wins is the best sequence by any side in this crazy Eredivisie season strung at the right time. However the year didn't get off to the best start; defeats to Feyenoord and FC Utrecht, meant Ajax were staring right down the barrel, eight points off the leaders, and their chances of retaining the championship looking slim.

As the Eredivisie enters the final stretch, Ajax wrestled back the favourite tag originally bestowed upon them, leading with six games remaining albeit four points ahead of sixth place. At the back of De Boer's mind is the knowledge last year they won their final six fixtures to snatch the title. Whereas their rivals have either stagnated or stuttered the Amsterdammers have an essence of calm, vibrancy and renewal.

In their last eight games, they've picked up the maximum 24 points, compared to Feyenoord and Heerenveen (17); FC Twente (16); AZ (15) and PSV (12). Only Heerenveen (26) have accumulated more points to Ajax's 25 since the league resumed in late January. How they've done it is the result of going back to the future. De Boer was at a crossroads, an injury crisis threatened to destabilise Ajax's season. But with key personnel returning the former left-back had an ace up his sleeve. Not many would paint the Hoorn native as a tactical buff in the guise of a Marcelo Bielsa. In the last few weeks that attitude has slowly changed.

A coach that knows what he wants. De Boer has often spoken, at times in great length, the importance of Ajax returning to their roots, dismissed as a romantic and idealist. He has – without exaggerating – turned back the clock, getting the Amsterdam club to play a brand of football many never thought possible. Since his arrival he's kick-started a renaissance, the past few weeks, a continual phase, seen further progression.

"It seems we finally understand," he said after the Heracles game. "Before the winter break we were rather predictable, a lot of matches we kept possession, but weren't a threat." Ajax, this must be stressed, are on the right path but still have a long way to go if they’re to be held in the same breath as the class of 1995.

It's no coincidence this revival has coincided with reverting Ajax's most valuable commodity to his natural position. It's often said the best things come in small packages, at 5 foot 6 Vurnon Anita is not the most physically imposing, but in recent weeks his presence cannot be underestimated. Anita started the defeat to Utrecht at left-back, where he's played for much of the season, due to the injuries of Nicolai Boilesen and back-up Dico Koppers.

The latter returned in the following game away to NAC Breda, Anita remained in defence, this time filling in at right-back. However, against NEC, he got his wish and returned to a defensive-midfield role with Ricardo van Rhijn slotting in at right-back. Ajax's fortunes changed and they’ve not looked back.

The 22-year-old midfielder of Antillean descent, a graduate of the Ajax academy, is adept in multiple positions. He's gradually become a fixture in the side over the last four seasons but never cementing a spot. "He's no Messi or Maradona but still a very valuable player," according to his former Oranje U17 coach Ruud Kaiser. "Left back or right back, it doesn't bother me, because I'm playing and can continue to develop," Anita added. "The coach knows that I prefer to play as a defensive midfielder, circumstances mean I have to fill in at full-back, but I will always give my best."

At the back-end of last season De Boer started him where he prefers to much acclaim. This time around he’s armed with additional instructions. A settled defence has allowed Anita to thrive, often dropping between Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, effectively becoming a third centre-back, or as Henk Spaan writes "point guard."

As a result Ajax with the ball takes up a 2-3-2-3, stretching play. When out of possession adopting a 3-3-1-3 or sticking to their orthodox 4-3-3 shape, making the pitch as small as possible, pressing and closing down space. Ball retention is also a defensive weapon, as the old adage goes if the opposition don't have it, they can't hurt you, the result a significant improvement, keeping four straight clean sheets, before they only managed five in their previous 24 league games.

The keystone is Anita. "Nice statistics," grinning after being told Ajax have never dropped any points whenever he's played in midfield. "But we do it together, the team is now more balanced, we still miss some players but their replacements have done a good job." His movement like a conductor prompts the rotation of systems. When dropping to become a third-centre back, slightly in front of Alderweireld and Vertonghen, it's a cue for the full-backs – in recent weeks Van Rhijn and Koppers or Daley Blind – to push forward, either side of him, turning into auxiliary wingers. If they move further ahead, sandwiching the two other midfielders, the shape morphs into a 2-1-4-3.

A playing style similar to Clarence Seedorf, Anita shuttles across the pitch following the ball, once in possession his impeccable metronomic passing coupled with grandiose football intelligence makes him perfect for the role, the 'number six' or controlling playmaker, according to De Boer. He can dictate the tempo: whether Ajax needs to slow things down or raise it. This also depends how high up the pitch they are. More than anything the entire midfield, which was disjointed at the start of the season, is more balanced, proactive and fluid.

His goal against Heracles, another domineering display by Ajax winning 6-0 – goals from six different players – typified a newfound confidence: first exchanging passes with Eriksen then a one-two with Siem de Jong before coolly lifting the ball over the oncoming goalkeeper. The returning Kolbeinn Sigþórsson also got on the score sheet. "This is the Ajax I want to see," De Boer purred.

Often going unnoticed, a sign of a good job, Anita is now in the nation's conscious – teammate Eriksen believes he's good enough for a place in Oranje. Anita, recognising the completion he faces, is not undaunted "I'm now in the spotlight, playing in different role than at the start of the season, if I work hard maybe in the future. I'm still young."

Whether this new approach is the culmination of months planning, De Boer has reinvented Ajax, like Johan Cruyff in 1986, bringing their football up to date. Ajax can't play like they did 17 years ago, the complexion has changed, so a need to adapt but sticking to their principles some of which gradually abandoned over the last decade, until now resurrected by De Boer. The ease in which his players have started to play in his vision might be a result of the starting eleven containing between eight and ten academy graduates. His steadfastness to his ideals has won him many admirers.

Dragging Ajax to a point ahead of AZ, after Gertjan Verbeek's side held an eight point advantage, winning their last eight games scoring 27 goals and conceding just three – playing a brand of football evocative of his mentors, on top of that dealing with an injury plagued squad, has shown his man-management as well as tactical acumen in good light. The slight tactical tweaking by De Boer, instigated by his players on the pitch seamlessly, has allowed them to control games, scoring with sweeping moves, adhering to the club mantra: "Simple football is the most beautiful."

Against Den Haag for example, they attempted 909 passes, a figure grossly enhanced by the opposition going down to ten men midway through the first half. "We helped each other by making more triangles," Anita commented. The average since he moved into midfield, and the adoption of this new style, is 747 passes with 615 completed. Ball possession is 65%. Exceeding 51%, the magic number as far as Louis van Gaal was concerned.

Some might say tiki-taka, or tikkie-takkie voetbal, has arrived in Amsterdam, with slight justification, De Boer has been known to sought advice from Pep Guardiola. Analysing the training methods of Barcelona, in person as well as DVDs sent by his former teammate, to see what he can use within his own squad. It's easy to label them 'Barcelona-lite' or 'poor-mans Barça', but this isn't De Boer's aim, even if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and a compliment of sorts, what is – returning his club to the only way of playing he knows.

What tends to be forgotten in the discourse is how both Guardiola and De Boer are only following the blueprint Cruyff mapped out in the 1990s. Barcelona is more or less a modern reference for De Boer. Much of his identity, it must be noted, been greatly shaped by Van Gaal as well as Cruyff. It then comes as no surprise many see him as a strong candidate to fill the void Guardiola will leave when he decides to step down. But, becoming the 'Sir Alex Ferguson of Ajax' is one dream. "Would I like to remain with Ajax for the next 10 years? That would be great," De Boer told Voetbal International last October. "Even if Barcelona were to approach me tomorrow, I would not go. I'm not finished here."

He doesn't have a seasoned squad at his disposal, nevertheless he's a manager in the perfect environment – a former Ajax youth team coach working with familiar faces – what he's done is further evidence, clear and concise instructions coupled with the right training – following the Michels model – attaining this level isn't beyond them. In the last month or so, his players look fitter, covering more ground, as well circulating the ball at a more rapid rate, there's a comfortable equilibrium in transition between attack and defence.

There was even a brief moment, against NEC, as De Boer's side were adjusting, the shape of the side took on (the fabled) 1-3-3-3 formation with Vertonghen (libero) and a defensive three of Van Rhijn, Alderweireld and Anita in front. An accident but this brought back nostalgic memories. "We must continue to look at ourselves. There is so much room for improvement," De Boer contemplated.

Jari Litmanen, in attendance during the NEC game, noted a "difference in quality" from the side he saw lose to Manchester United. It helped with the game being less pressurised De Boer noting "against lesser sides mistakes aren't easily punished." However he's all too aware this season there's been a few exceptions to this rule.

This new approach has allowed club captain Vertonghen to play his natrual game, building from the back; starting, continuing and on the odd occasion finishing the attack. To some Ajax's best attacker, the quintessential ball-playing centre-half, in the mould reminiscent of predecessors Velibor Vasović, Ruud Krol and Ronald Koeman. His goal against Den Haag was a perfect illustration: intercepted the ball in his own half, played a one-two with Ismaïl Aissati, before he knew it, in the opposition penalty box, dragged the ball onto his right foot and curled past the keeper. The strike took him to seven league goals, the most by an Ajax defender since Frank de Boer in 1994/95.

He's even showed the wherewithal to play as a 'number four' (deep-lying creator) against RKC Waalwijk when De Boer switched to three defenders in the second half. A role model is closer to home in the shape of his coach. "I've learned a lot from him. Analysing situations during a game and building attacks. He stands for the old Ajax style, daring football."

Christian Eriksen, for much of the season restricted, is playing with more vigour as a classical 'number eight' (incisive playmaker), playing in between the lines, occasionally supporting Siem de Jong, the false No9, as a deep-lying forward.

Against PSV, where Anita was at his irresistible best, De Boer couldn't hold back his pleasure after the 2-0 win. "For 94 minutes we had them by the throat," he enthused in his post-match interview. "Vurnon was excellent again. We know that he's at his best in midfield." Once more, the number tells a story. A few months ago De Boer was bemoaning his side lackadaisical ending to games, not being able to continue constant pressure on the opposition for the duration. He finally got his wish.

Before the PSV game he compiled and showed a motivational video featuring Michael Jordan, wild animals feasting and their title victory last season. These were examples of 'success' and it resonated into his players. "It's not something I usually do," he explained to De Telegraaf. "The only time was before the championship game with FC Twente."

"The video worked," thumbs up from Ismaïl Aissati who opened the scoring. Vertonghen added he saw the fear in the PSV player's eyes. "They were terrified," the Belgian defender began. "I found us to be very strong. The difference wasn't so much in quality but intent. We always play to our own strengths and never felt in trouble."

If they keep up this new scintillating and relentless style, with half-a-dozen games left, including trips to Heerenveen and Twente, De Boer could very well follow his managerial "role model" Van Gaal in winning back-to-back championships. A thought never envisaged when he walked into the job. Then again not many expected him to get Ajax playing like they currently are which could end up as his biggest triumph.

stevenmac26	dinsdag 17 april 2012 @ 12:48
	AFCA Johan Cruijff, the Legend De wederopstanding van Ajax
Sala-adin	dinsdag 17 april 2012 @ 12:48
	3 seizoenen achter elkaar weer CL
Jojoortje	dinsdag 17 april 2012 @ 12:49
	Wie gaan er waarschijnlijk weg na dit seizoen?
stevenmac26	dinsdag 17 april 2012 @ 12:49
	quote: Op dinsdag 17 april 2012 12:49 schreef Jojoortje het volgende: Wie gaan er waarschijnlijk weg na dit seizoen? vd Wiel en Vertonghen
Jojoortje	dinsdag 17 april 2012 @ 12:50
	quote: Op dinsdag 17 april 2012 12:49 schreef stevenmac26 het volgende: [..] vd Wiel en Vertonghen Meer niet?
Luco	dinsdag 17 april 2012 @ 12:50
	Sulejmani?
stevenmac26	dinsdag 17 april 2012 @ 12:50
	quote: Op dinsdag 17 april 2012 12:50 schreef Jojoortje het volgende: [..] Meer niet? hoop het niet eigelijk
Sala-adin	dinsdag 17 april 2012 @ 12:50
	Lodeiro en Issi ook
stevenmac26	dinsdag 17 april 2012 @ 12:50
	quote: Op dinsdag 17 april 2012 12:50 schreef Luco het volgende: Sulejmani? Nee die blijft nog een jaartje denk ik
stevenmac26	dinsdag 17 april 2012 @ 12:51
	quote: Op dinsdag 17 april 2012 12:50 schreef Sala-adin het volgende: Lodeiro en Issi ook Issi mag ook nog wel blijven van mij, is de laatste paar weken goed op dreef
Jojoortje	dinsdag 17 april 2012 @ 12:51
	quote: Op dinsdag 17 april 2012 12:50 schreef stevenmac26 het volgende: [..] hoop het niet eigelijk Vertonghen is al erg genoeg.
stevenmac26	dinsdag 17 april 2012 @ 12:52
	quote: Op dinsdag 17 april 2012 12:51 schreef Jojoortje het volgende: [..] Vertonghen is al erg genoeg. Ja vd Wiel zullen we niet echt missen denk ik Vertonghen is een moeilijke idd
Burrito	dinsdag 17 april 2012 @ 12:53
	Vertonghen is de ruggegraat van dit team. Er moet een goede, ervaren vervanger voor hem komen (Aldeweireld nog niet zo´n nivo)
stevenmac26	dinsdag 17 april 2012 @ 12:54
	quote: Op dinsdag 17 april 2012 12:53 schreef Burrito het volgende: Vertonghen is de ruggegraat van dit team. Er moet een goede, ervaren vervanger voor hem komen (Aldeweireld nog niet zo´n nivo) Chivu terug halen
Burrito	dinsdag 17 april 2012 @ 12:55
	Ik hoorde dat hij naar Lisbon ging. Eigenlijk dacht ik dat dat al helemaal rond was
stevenmac26	dinsdag 17 april 2012 @ 12:55
	quote: Op dinsdag 17 april 2012 12:55 schreef Burrito het volgende: Ik hoorde dat hij naar Lisbon ging. Eigenlijk dacht ik dat dat al helemaal rond was Ja ik heb gewoon valse hoop dat ie terug komt Of Heitinga, zou ook mooi zijn
J2T	dinsdag 17 april 2012 @ 12:56
	Ik hoop zo dat Sulejmani weggaat na dit seizoen. Wat een zaadspeler is dat. Snap nog steeds niet waarom hij zo populair is bij de meeste Ajacieden.
Burrito	dinsdag 17 april 2012 @ 12:56
	Of Vermaelen Maar die staan lekker in de PL te ballen
Sala-adin	dinsdag 17 april 2012 @ 12:56
	quote: Het is nog altijd niet duidelijk waar de toekomst van Ismaïl Aissati ligt. De middenvelder van Ajax beschikt over een aflopend contract en heeft reeds laten weten dat hij een avontuur in de Primera División wel ziet zitten. Een gebrek aan zelfvertrouwen heeft hij in ieder geval niet: "Ik weet van mezelf dat ik fantastisch goed kan voetballen. Dat vertrouwen heb ik altijd gehouden, wat andere mensen ook van me vinden", zegt Aissati in NUsport. De 23-jarige middenvelder annex aanvaller werd aan het begin van dit seizoen nog uit de selectie verwijderd, maar vocht zich terug en was belangrijk in de topwedstrijden tegen PSV en sc Heerenveen. "Ik begreep best dat de trainer een keuze moest maken", zegt Aissati over het begin van dit seizoen. "Maar laat het een les zijn voor andere jonge voetballers die het moeilijk hebben. Als ik in een tweede elftal zit, kun je twee dingen doen: je kop laten hangen of keihard knokken om terug te komen. Ik koos voor het laatste." Door zijn goede spel van de laatste weken komt er ongetwijfeld wel wat belangstelling voor Aissati, maar een langer verblijf bij Ajax wil de Utrechter ook niet uitsluiten. Frank de Boer heeft al laten weten dat hij de technicus graag voor zijn selectie wil behouden. "Ik heb van Ajax niks meer gehoord, dus ik sta open voor alles. Maar eerst kampioen worden", aldus Aissati, die sinds 2008 bij Ajax onder contract staat.
stevenmac26	dinsdag 17 april 2012 @ 12:57
	quote: Op dinsdag 17 april 2012 12:56 schreef Burrito het volgende: Of Vermaelen Maar die staan lekker in de PL te ballen gelukkig mogen we gewoon dagdromen