JUVENTUS FC 1 – 2 AFC AJAX: Some Infinities Are Greater Than Others & Allegri’s Misconceptions Of Mourinho’s Lessons
By Darian Wilken
Ajax came in to the match confidently thinking they had a good chance to enter the semi-finals of the champions league for the first time since the 1996/1997 season. The first tie was a narrow 1-1 draw, although some of the stats didn’t show it as clearly. Ajax lead the tie in Possession (61%-39%), Shots (19-7), Shots on Target (6-1), Passes (606, 382), Pass Accuracy (85%-75%) and even the number of Corners (4-3). However, as Michael Caley’s (@Caley_graphics) Expected Game model shows both teams created similar level quality of chances. Eleven of Ajax’ shots were limited by the Old Lady’s defence to outside the box and even those inside the box had immense defensive pressure. Juventus created probably the best chance of the game (being Ronaldo’s header) but Ajax created more chances.
Build up mainly started from the second phase (higher up the field) and Szczesny preferred to use a direct build up from most of his goal kicks. Juventus started the game very aggressively and high pressed Ajax from kick off. Juventus had a particularly unique way of inverting Ronaldo as a second striker without losing a left winger.
When Ronaldo came into a central position, Matuidi would take a position in the left half space so that if the ball came onto the left side, he would be able to then take a wide position. However, if the ball was to change quickly, then Alex Sandro would be the aggressive Left winger. It’s interesting to see the unique eco-system that has been created to allow Ronaldo to take a forward position.
Ajax lined up in a 1 – 4 – 3 – 3:
Mazraoui was substituted early in the 10th minute for Daley Sinkgraven after a challenge with Paulo Dybala ended with him planting his right foot into an awkward position. This meant Ajax would be without both their first and second choice fullbacks as Nicolas Tagliafico missed the game through suspension.
Andre Onana had trouble early on trying to play through the high press of Juventus and this nearly lead to a goal when a pass back to the goalkeeper was pressed by the onrushing Emre Can in the 4th minute, trying to get the ball out of his feet to play the ball long he delayed too long and kicked it straight into the opposition player, luckily the ball rebounded for a goal kick.
Ajax’ shape is very fluid, and they are at their best in two situations:
When the ball is given to their wide players on the counter attack. Their dribbling and aggressive combination play is very effective. – As shown through the multiple chances created on the counter attack.
When they play their style of fluid vertical combination play the key to this being positional rotations and free movements. – As shown through the first goal by Donny van der Beek.
Allegri’s Lessons from Mourinho
During a lecture at the University of Lisbon in June 2018, Jose Mourinho explained to postgraduate students the methods he used to defeat Ajax Amsterdam 2-0 in the 2017 UEFA Europa League Final
Mourinho let his side give up 69 per cent of possession in the final and wanted to give Ajax the ball to play out from the back but ensured their young centre-half Matthijs de Ligt was given less time on the ball than the less technically accomplished Davinson Sanchez.
I think Massimiliano Allegri started the game vs Ajax in a very interesting and effective manner. I thought the team was set up brilliantly, especially out of possession. It was quite clear to see how the aggressive high press was set onto the young Ajax defenders to force them into making errors in the build-up phase. The pressing trap on the left side (Ajax right) was particularly effective. Allegri set up a simple trap to lure Ajax into directing their build up through the right side.
Ronaldo sets up on the inside of De Ligt. (This means that De Ligt was given less opportunity to bring the ball out just as Mourinho had done previously). But was still encouraged to receive.
It opens the passing lane to Veltman.
The Right Back now believes he is open due to Ronaldo’s inside position.
2. As the ball travels to the open right back –
Dybala attaches to Frenkie De Jong stopping the pass to the pivot – which would allow Ajax to escape the press and change the point of attack
Pjanic attaches to Schone high up the pitch vacating the midfield
Ronaldo bends his negative press preventing the pass back to the CB’s/GK
Blaise Matuidi aggressively presses the player on the ball – His mobility gives him an ability to press from midfield into the wide area easily
Alex Sandro blocks the passing lane to Ziyech/forward pass
Throughout the first half Juventus suffocated Ajax with their high press and pressing traps. This limited Ajax and forced them to try to play long passes to escape the press which was ineffective as they tried to play long into Dusan Tadic (Not able to hold the ball up against Rugani or Bonucci). Or to try to play long to Ziyech/Neres who couldn’t take up high positions. Another important factor to the success of Juventus high press was the fouling from their midfield/defenders, Alex Sandro inverting into midfield when Matuidi took a wide position helped them to have players close by if the ball was lost. Whenever Ajax did manage to play out of a Juventus press/counter press then one of the second wave players would simply foul the man on the ball to stop Ajax escaping and counter attacking. The repercussion from this was that Ajax were now given time to build up possession higher up the pitch.
"In the first phase of construction, we never played from our midfield powerhouses because [Ajax] were too dangerous if they catch balls high.
"They did not win a single ball in our midfield like that. If the ball is not there, what will they press?"
This is a key area I believe Allegri got the game wrong. Coach Erik ten Hag pressed Juventus aggressively especially in the second half. This forced mistakes from the Juve players notably from right back Mattia de Sciglio who was later substituted. Ajax front four pressed and hurried Juventus into key mistakes and then broke as quick as they had started to create chances in the final third.
“Life, too, is like that. You live it forward but understand it backward.” - Abraham Varghese, Cutting Stone
Some Infinities Are Greater Than Others – John Green
I end with saying that some Superiorities are greater than others.
Juventus quite clearly were able to have more numbers behind the ball in most of the Ajax attacking situations (Numerical Superiority) and one could easily argue that Juventus should possess better individuals than their Dutch counterparts (Qualitative Superiority), Juventus have a net transfer spend of £-137.25m compared to Ajax’ meagre £-29.79m.
At halftime the ten Hag changed Ajax to a double pivot in midfield which allowed van de Beek to enter the attacking third more freely with the front four. It also pushed the fullbacks high and wider and the wingers narrower into the half spaces.
Ajax’s complex eco-system of rotational movement was able to overcome the numerical and qualitative disadvantage on numerous occasions and this time they created chances of much higher quality.
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