‘Ravaged the carcass’: How $248m blunder sent Euro giant spiralling out of control
“Blow after blow after blow”, sighed the Ajax supporters’ association on its website, after Sunday’s “painful” 5-2 defeat to rivals PSV Eindhoven condemned the four-time European Champions to a historic bottom place in the Dutch top flight.
So, how has the Dutch giant that produced the likes of Johan Cruyff, Marco Van Basten and Dennis Bergkamp, stooped so low and can they salvage anything from their worst-ever season so far?
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HOW BAD IS IT?
Historically bad. Ajax have just five points from eight Eredivisie games, losing their last five straight matches. A 4-0 home “Klassieker” defeat to Feyenoord, interrupted after crowd violence from Ajax fans, was a particular low point.
Ajax are also struggling in Europe, without a win in the group stage of the Europa League. A toothless 2-0 loss against European debutants Brighton midweek did little to dispel the gloom — Ajax had one shot on target and one third of possession.
The Dutch media are not mincing their words.
The Algemeen Dagblad said: “This is news in Niger and Botswana. Ajax’s league position. Eighteenth. And last. Not after a couple of games in August. But at the end of October.”
“As a snapshot in time, it’s so unique we’ll still be talking about it in 30 years. If Andere Tijden Sport (a historical sports show) still exists in 2053, they’ll devote an episode to it.”
THE TRANSFER
Read on foxsports.com.au
