« No stress, » says Farioli in the break, Ajax still collapses under pressure

While the red torches are already being lit around the Johan Cruijff Arena, Francesco Farioli is disconnected on the turf. On Sunday afternoon it is just after 3 p.m., more than an hour and a half for the home game against NEC, and in thought the head coach of Ajax strolls a tour. With the gaze constantly on the grass, just before his black shoes.

He must have been given it, the news that came from Rotterdam for half an hour earlier. There, closest competitor PSV will play a crucial away match against Feyenoord earlier in the afternoon, the number three in the ranking. The result in De Kuip determines what this afternoon in Amsterdam is at stake: loses PSV, then Ajax is at NEC’s champion with a win.

It seems to be a carefree afternoon. Already after five minutes the fans in Ajax’s supporters see on television on television how Igor Paixão Feyenoord gives the lead with a seesaw. Five minutes later, Givairo Read makes the 2-0. Outside the stadium, where the championships of Ajax are already for sale, the crowd bursts in cheers and the fireworks are inflamed. Would it already happen this afternoon?

Faroli looks cool, concentrated in the midst of that joy and tension. He barely talks to the board members who buckle over the field with him only looks up when the first tufts of fans in the stands are chanting his name. He waves, and then the eyes go back to the grass. As if he does not want to be tempted to go along with the expectations of the public.

Because the danger on an afternoon like this, he knows, is that players mainly pay attention to what is happening seventy kilometers away. That they are already with their heads and neglect their own competition. And that fear becomes truth, it turns out the afternoon gradually. Ajax loses it after the break, even suffers a shocking defeat (0-3), while PSV wins in injury time. The difference between the two clubs is therefore only one point, with two more games to play.

No fear

He had warned them, in the run -up to the 32nd round. Against everyone who had asked him, Farioli had reminded how difficult Ajax had against NEC the early December. His team then won 2-1, but no Dutch opponent had given away so many opportunities this season. From switches, but also from open game.

So he ordered his players to approach the match with « the establishment of European meetings, » Fararian said Friday. As an ordinary game, without emotions, without pressure, without fear. A confrontation in which Ajax had to prove itself after two league matches of point loss against FC Utrecht (4-0) and Sparta (1-1).

Faroli therefore opts for the certainty of experience, it appears when the setups become known on Sunday afternoon. For players who know what it’s like to play and decide duels in this phase of competition. Remko Pasveer, who returned from injury, routinier Davy Klaassen in midfield, the thirty -year -old Italian mercenary Daniele Rugani centrally in the back.

It is already clear that it will not be the champion match. After a weak first half, PSV in Rotterdam surprisingly reversed the game. At least three days they still have to wait, the fans of Ajax, until the away match at FC Groningen. At least NEC is extracted.

Yet Ajax Mat starts the match, almost as if it is not the big favorite for the national title. NEC lets the home team make the game and the team of Farioli is difficult to deal with that, creates little. In the first half, only a shot from Spits Wout Weghorst, who plays instead of the injured Brobbey, and a backward header by Kenneth Taylor are really threatening. NEC goalkeeper Robin Roefs can bring twice with an excellent reflex. The performance is so petty that the stands sound carefully at the rest signal.

Rapid switch

In the dressing room, Faroli says he will stay calm (« no stress« ), He says afterwards. And not to panic because they have not yet scored. If that message arrives, she will evaporate fifteen minutes after the break.

NEC is regularly imminent from the rapid switch, just like in Nijmegen. This is already apparent in the first half, when midfielder Kodai Sano plays under the pressure of three Ajax players and it is completely open at the home team in the back. This is also how the opening goal falls: Taylor loses a duel in midfield, winger son Hansen then gets the ball, is barely tackled, and shoots from twenty -five meters.

The shock after that goal makes way for dismay when eight minutes later also falls the 0-2, this time not from the switch, but from an attack that can build NEC unhindered from reverse. The first bet is still turned by Pasveer, in the resit, Brayann Pereira can shoot inside. Also the 3-0, by Sami Ouaissa, falls after weak defending of Ajax.

Ajax created a handful of big opportunities in the final phase last week against Sparta, now the team looks paralyzed. So much so that the leader gives the impression two games before the end hardly believe in the title anymore.

Farioli refused to talk about a championship afterwards. « But things can quickly change in football, » he said, also in a positive sense. How will he take care of that? « I have to think about that. First go home, eat, maybe a glass of wine. But we have to be very good to turn it around. »

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