Ajax Vs Besiktas

In pursuit of adding another European title to their distinguished history, Ajax kick off their 2024-25 UEFA Europa League campaign with a challenging encounter against Turkish heavyweights Besiktas at the Johan Cruijff Arena on Thursday night. This pivotal clash marks the beginning of Ajax’s journey in the tournament’s league phase, while Besiktas seek to make their mark in continental football this season. The match promises to be a test of both clubs’ resilience and tactical prowess.

Despite enduring their lowest league finish in over two decades during the 2023-24 Eredivisie campaign, Ajax still secured a fifth-place finish, which was enough to guarantee their place in the Europa League qualifying rounds. The Dutch giants had to work hard over the summer to earn their spot in the group stage of the revamped competition, now featuring a 36-team format. Their qualification process saw them overcome several difficult opponents.

In the second qualifying round, Ajax faced Serbian underdogs Vojvodina. While not an established European powerhouse, Vojvodina offered some resistance before ultimately succumbing to Ajax’s superior quality. Following this victory, Ajax faced Greek club Panathinaikos in a more challenging two-legged affair. The Greek side, known for their passionate fan base and tactical discipline, pushed Ajax but were unable to prevent the Dutch side from advancing. The final hurdle came against Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok, a team that has shown great ambition in recent years. Despite a spirited effort from the Polish outfit, Ajax’s experience and quality proved too much, and they secured their place in the Europa League’s league phase.

Since resuming domestic action after the September international break, Ajax have managed to collect four points from two Eredivisie fixtures. They started strongly with a resounding 5-0 victory over Fortuna Sittard in Amsterdam. However, their momentum was slightly halted by a 1-1 draw against Go Ahead Eagles last weekend. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, Ajax were unable to find the winner and had to settle for a point.

One of the key concerns for Ajax heading into the new season has been the form of their star striker, Brian Brobbey. The young forward was one of the standout performers for Ajax last season, netting 22 goals across all competitions, including three in the Europa League. However, Brobbey has struggled to replicate that form so far this season, managing just one goal in seven appearances. His lack of clinical finishing in the early stages of the 2024-25 campaign has been a point of concern for head coach Francesco Farioli, who will be hoping the Dutch international can rediscover his scoring touch soon.

In addition to Brobbey’s slow start, Ajax have also had to contend with the departure of two key attacking players over the summer. Steven Bergwijn, who was a vital creative force for the team, left the club, while promising winger Carlos Forbs also sought new pastures. These exits left a significant gap in Ajax’s wide positions, and the club moved quickly to bolster their ranks during the transfer window.

One of the standout signings was Bertrand Traore, the former Aston Villa and Chelsea forward. Traore, who joins Ajax on a two-year deal after a spell at Villarreal, is no stranger to the Dutch club, having played for them during a loan spell earlier in his career. The Burkina Faso international brings experience, pace, and creativity to Ajax’s frontline, and his versatility means he can operate on either wing or through the middle. His arrival is seen as a key addition to a squad that is looking to challenge domestically and in Europe this season.

Besiktas, under the guidance of head coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst, enter Thursday’s clash with a strong sense of momentum. The former Dutch international, who won the UEFA Champions League as a player with Barcelona in 2005, has ambitions of securing his first major European title as a manager. He came close in 2022, when his Rangers side reached the Europa League final but were beaten by Eintracht Frankfurt in a closely contested match. Now at the helm of one of Turkey’s biggest clubs, van Bronckhorst is looking to lead Besiktas to continental glory.

Besiktas’ path to the Europa League began with success in domestic competition. Although they finished a disappointing sixth in the 2023-24 Turkish Super Lig, missing out on a top-four finish, they salvaged their season by lifting their 11th Turkish Cup. This triumph earned them a place in the Europa League playoff round, where they faced Swiss club Lugano. The Black Eagles proved too strong for their Swiss counterparts, advancing to the group stage with a comfortable aggregate victory.

Over the summer, Besiktas made several high-profile signings in an effort to strengthen their squad for both domestic and European competitions. The standout arrival was veteran Italian striker Ciro Immobile, who joined the Turkish club after an eight-year spell at Lazio. Immobile’s signing was seen as a major coup for Besiktas, as the 34-year-old remains one of Europe’s most prolific forwards. He scored four goals in eight Champions League appearances during the 2023-24 season and will be a key figure in Besiktas’ attack this year.

Besiktas began their competitive season in emphatic fashion by defeating their fierce rivals Galatasaray 5-0 in the Turkish Super Cup. This comprehensive victory sent a strong message to the rest of the league and marked the beginning of an unbeaten run that now stands at eight games across all competitions. Besiktas have been solid at both ends of the pitch during this streak, with their defense conceding just three goals in that time.

Despite their excellent form, van Bronckhorst’s side will face a stern test in Amsterdam. Ajax have historically been a difficult opponent for the Black Eagles, with the Dutch side winning both of their meetings during the 2021-22 Champions League group stage. In fact, Ajax went on to win all six of their group matches that season, finishing top of a group that included Borussia Dortmund and Sporting Lisbon. Besiktas will need to produce one of their best performances of the season if they are to come away with a positive result on Thursday night.

The match between Ajax and Besiktas is expected to be a tactical battle between two managers with contrasting styles. Francesco Farioli, Ajax’s Italian head coach, favors a possession-based approach that focuses on quick, fluid passing and high pressing. His team is built around controlling the midfield and creating overloads in the wide areas to exploit opposition defenses. Farioli will likely instruct his full-backs to push high up the pitch to support the wingers, with the aim of stretching Besiktas’ backline and creating space for Brobbey and Traore to exploit.

On the other hand, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Besiktas side is known for its disciplined and organized defensive structure. The Black Eagles are comfortable playing on the counterattack, with Immobile providing a focal point up front and the pace of their wingers allowing them to break quickly. Van Bronckhorst is likely to set his team up in a 4-3-3 formation, with a focus on maintaining a compact shape and hitting Ajax on the break when opportunities arise.

For Ajax, the midfield trio of Kenneth Taylor, Benjamin Tahirovic, and Silvano Vos will be crucial in dictating the tempo of the game. Taylor, in particular, has emerged as one of the brightest young talents in Dutch football and will be tasked with controlling the flow of possession. Meanwhile, Brobbey will be looking to rediscover his goal-scoring form, with Traore and Francisco Conceicao providing the creative spark on the flanks.

For Besiktas, much will depend on Immobile’s ability to hold up the ball and bring his teammates into play. The Italian striker’s experience and composure in front of goal will be key to Besiktas’ chances of scoring in Amsterdam. In midfield, the dynamic duo of Amir Hadziahmetovic and Gedson Fernandes will be responsible for breaking up Ajax’s attacks and launching counters.

While it is still early in the Europa League campaign, this match carries significant importance for both teams. For Ajax, a victory at home would provide a major boost as they seek to build momentum in the competition. With tough fixtures against other European clubs looming, starting the group stage with three points would put them in a strong position to advance to the knockout rounds.

For Besiktas, an away result in Amsterdam would be a statement of intent. Although they are unbeaten in their last eight matches, a win or even a draw against Ajax would show that they are capable of competing with Europe’s elite. Moreover, it would give them confidence as they navigate through a challenging Europa League group stage.

In what promises to be an exciting encounter, both teams will be eager to assert their dominance on the European stage and set the tone for the rest of their campaign. The rich history of both clubs, combined with their ambitions for the future, makes this a match not to be missed.