Ajax is a leader for six minutes, but then news comes from Rotterdam

The moment that the song is on Sunday in the Johan Cruijff Arena, Francesco Farioli drops down the knees. The Eredivisie has been decided a few minutes earlier, to the disadvantage of Ajax, and while the players are sung, the trainer of the Amsterdam club bends their heads deep between the knees. He sits in such a way between his staff, for what seems to be eternity at that time.

It did not work, that 37th national title, that realization has now descended. After the final signal of the match against FC Twente, the selection of Ajax gathered around the center line. Some players stare in an endless distance, others offer comfort. Faroli embraces them one by one. But when he faces the hard core a little later, the Italian can no longer hide his feelings. When he sets up, his cheeks and tears sparkle his cheeks.

Exactly six minutes it seemed to happen this Sunday. The first period of hope lasted barely ten seconds, after an opening goal by captain Jordan Henderson, the second considerably longer, after an equalizer in Rotterdam, where competitor PSV played against Sparta at the same time. Ajax did what it had to do against FC Twente, namely winning (2-0). But because PSV eventually did, it was in vain.

Fighting spirit is back

It is a suitable lock of a competition full of unexpected twists. At a time when Ajax seemed, after four matches of point loss, including that unprecedented thump last Wednesday against FC Groningen, where the Faroli team lost the leading position in the ninth minute of injury time. It seemed unthinkable that Ajax would be recovered in four days, and yet the fighting spirit was back on Sunday.

Of course Groningen-out was a disappointment, Fararoli said Sunday before the game. But it was still possible, he had held up his players. Gunker things had happened this season. And most importantly, on the last day of play, she still had a chance on the title, something that nobody in Amsterdam had taken into account ten months ago, after one of the weakest seasons in club history.

Faith is there on Sunday, it turns out immediately. Ajax plays much more aggressively than in previous weeks, looking for the goal faster, and holds opponents more defensively faster. Especially through the left flank there is a lot of threat, partly because this time Faroli opts for three attacking players: midfielder Kenneth Taylor is now in the vanguard, Youri Reign in midfield and Owen Wijndal in the defense.

FC Twente has great difficulty with that, gives away many opportunities. Such as after 27 minutes, when the visitors give away a free ball near the corner flag. With his right leg, Reign the ball to the first post. The small Twente midfielder Michal Sadilek chooses not to jump, counts on an intervention by goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton. He hesitates, after which Henderson dives in between and heads.

Wrong in the football app

The party soon stops, when spectators on their phones get the message that PSV has also scored, almost simultaneously. They constantly change, between football in front of them and the messages from Rotterdam on their screens. Just before half-time, the stadium suddenly ignites in cheers when a football app reports that Sparta has scored the equalizer. It turns out to be a mistake. Shortly after the break it follows that message again, now it is correct.

Nevertheless, the hoped slider of PSV is not forthcoming. In the 57th minute the leader takes the lead again, and a more fifteen minute later the decision also falls. As shortly thereafter, Wout Weghorst shoots the 2-0 in the Arena, that news has already reached the players on the field. Weghorst barely cheers, squeezes his lips on top of each other and looks beyond at the air.

The applause is no less after the final signal has sounded. For minutes, the selection of Ajax is sung by the public in the Arena. More than the grief for something that was not possible, the pride seems to dominate, how quickly Ajax is back to the Dutch top. When Faroli is asked a little later, he will be full again. « How this team was celebrated says everything. The players have the faith return here. »

To share

Mail the editors