Four matches, four defeats: Ajax is at the bottom of the table in Europe

The ambition hangs in blue letters in one of the management offices at the De Toekomst training complex. Ajax must eventually become a " Champions League-winning club ." It's a goal formulated as a kind of exclamation point behind the new course the club embarked on just two years ago, at a time when Ajax was experiencing one of the deepest sporting crises in its history.

It's a bit of a show-off, football director Marijn Beuker said last summer in an interview with the club's channels. More of a thought to get all the hundreds of employees on the same page than a real goal. What the goal is, after two seasons without participating in Europe's biggest club tournament, was formulated by technical director Alex Kroes shortly afterward. "Very simple: get to the Champions League as quickly as possible. Period."

A little over a year later, Ajax is back at the highest level. After a season of hard work under their previous manager, Francesco Farioli, Ajax secured one of those coveted 36 Champions League spots. But Ajax is still far from a contender for victory, or even an outsider, as is painfully clear after four rounds. After Wednesday, Ajax is languishing at the bottom of the table with zero points, having scored just one goal and conceded fourteen.

The previous defeats came as no surprise, against opponents like Inter, Chelsea, and Olympique de Marseille. But the manner in which they were defeated was at times less than promising: the 4-0 defeat in Marseille was mainly because the French team lost their momentum after a while. Away at Chelsea, Ajax were once again powerless: 5-1, after an early red card.

The fourth round, Wednesday evening's home game against Turkish side Galatasaray, should have changed that. "We've had the tough teams now," said coach John Heitinga on Tuesday, ahead of the match. "We want nothing more than to get rid of that dreadful clean sheet. […] If we want to get points, these are the matches."

Uncertain opening phase

Yet Ajax didn't open the game looking for a victory in their own Johan Cruijff Arena. Their style of play bears little resemblance to the confident, attacking football Heitinga promised upon his arrival this summer. The home side allowed Galatasaray to dominate the game, retreating deep into their own half. And when Ajax intercepted the ball, they often lost it again within two touches.

It seemed only a matter of time before something went wrong. After fifteen minutes, top striker Osimhen intercepted a cross from the air, controlled it again, and then fired it at goal, while being briefly marked by the Ajax defenders. Three minutes later, the same Osimhen headed low into the right corner. In both cases, goalkeeper Remco Pasveer made excellent saves to prevent the goal.

Only after half an hour did the home crowd begin to be gently spoiled. Ajax managed to keep possession longer, patiently building up play towards the opposition goal. First, winger Mika Godts freed himself, and later midfielder Oscar Gloukh did too, but they hesitated, only to eventually pass the ball to a teammate who wasn't in a good position. Ultimately, it was Jorthy Mokio who tried his luck, rather unconvincingly, from the second line.

This moment ushered in Ajax's best phase. Galatasaray ceased their blistering pressure from the opening stages, became more sloppy in their buildup, and tried more long balls, to no avail. But with the few chances Ajax thus created, the home side was sloppy. Gloukh fired yards wide, and several crosses from right-back Anton Gaaei, often completely free, missed their target by a wide margin.

Streaking flute concerto

Just as the match seemed headed for a grim draw, after just under an hour, Leroy Sané received the ball on the right. The German, signed by Galatasaray this summer, curled the ball towards the far post. Ajax defender Josip Šutalo marked poorly, allowing Osimhen to slip easily out from behind. The attacker dived and headed the ball past goalkeeper Pasveer.

Five minutes later, things went wrong again. A cross from Baris Alper Yilmaz from the left, again aimed at Osimhen. Defender Youri Baas kneed the ball onto his arm, resulting in a penalty, the referee decided. Osimhen scored. And ten minutes later again, again from a penalty, this time after defender Gerald Alders kneed his hand.

Heitinga watches the match with a grim expression. The realization sinks in that this European match, too, is going nowhere. Ajax does create a few good chances, but is sloppy in its finishing. Many spectators have already lost sight of the fact that striker Wout Weghorst nearly scores twice late in the match. Ajax plays out the match in front of half-empty stands. Those who are still here start a shrill chorus of whistles just before eleven o'clock.

Ajax still has four European matches ahead of them, against opponents weaker than Chelsea or Inter, but they're certainly not easy. They still face Villarreal CF, who have had a mediocre start to their European campaign but are currently third in the Spanish league. And FK Qarabag, surprisingly on 7 points after four rounds of Champions League matches. These are the last chances to prevent a European spot earned with so much fire and zeal from being meekly and joylessly surrendered.