paroolSep 6, 2026, 05:19

At Ajax-PSV all roads lead (back) to Cruyff

Ajax and PSV played a high-intensity match defined by attacking football that mirrored the tactical principles of Johan Cruyff. Although Ajax showed improved quality and tactical ingenuity, PSV ultimately demonstrated superior consistency and a more sustainable long-term structure to win the game.

The recent Ajax-PSV match highlighted a shift in tactical philosophy as both teams prioritized attacking, possession-based football reminiscent of Johan Cruyff’s ideals. While the game was a closely contested battle, PSV ultimately secured the win by capitalizing on specific details. Ajax manager Míchel implemented clever tactical maneuvers, utilizing striker Tolu Arokodare as an effective target man to exploit spaces behind the PSV defense. Despite these promising signs and high-quality play from newcomers, the second half saw a decline in performance after tactical substitutions, particularly with the introduction of Marcos Leonardo and Kasper Dolberg.

While Ajax has clearly reduced the gap with the reigning champions through significant investment and new signings, the match underscored that PSV remains more consistent and structurally sound. With technical director Jordi Cruyff pushing for immediate success to secure Champions League football, the long-term sustainability of Ajax’s current squad-building approach remains a point of concern compared to the more established project in Eindhoven.

Culture

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Based on reporting by parool. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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