Groningen Vs Ajax

Ajax will make the trip north to the Euroborg on Wednesday, seeking to steady their footing in a title race that has suddenly become precariously tight. After a disheartening defeat last weekend, the Amsterdam giants must now summon composure, resolve, and attacking flair in their penultimate match of the Eredivisie campaign. Standing in their way is a Groningen side that, despite recent inconsistencies, has shown enough bite and home resilience to complicate matters for even the strongest of visitors.

With just two rounds of fixtures remaining, Ajax cling to a narrow lead at the top of the Eredivisie table. Their advantage is now down to a single point following last weekend's dramatic shake-up of results. That slim margin leaves little room for error, especially considering the surging form of PSV Eindhoven, who dramatically snatched a late victory over Feyenoord to ramp up the pressure on the league leaders. This title race, once seemingly leaning toward the capital, is now wide open—and Ajax know it.

Last weekend's home defeat to NEC Nijmegen raised serious concerns about Ajax’s form, mental state, and attacking effectiveness. The 1-0 result was not only surprising in its outcome but also historically significant: it marked the first time Ajax had ever lost to NEC at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in the Eredivisie. While Ajax dominated the match statistically—with 65% possession and 22 attempts at goal—the numbers tell a misleading story. Just four of those shots were on target, and without the influence of injured strikers Brian Brobbey and Oliver Edvardsen, there was a distinct lack of cutting edge in the final third. Possession proved sterile, creativity felt stifled, and the sense of urgency waned as the match progressed.

That loss extended Ajax’s winless run to three consecutive games, their longest such spell since February 2024. Even more worryingly, the defensive solidity that had defined their resurgence since December has suddenly crumbled. In these past three matches, Francesco Farioli’s men have conceded eight goals—more than they had allowed across their previous fifteen league outings combined. Whether it’s tactical fatigue, individual lapses, or the psychological weight of expectation, something is no longer clicking.

This downward slide could not come at a worse time, especially with a historically tricky away trip to Groningen on the horizon. And while Ajax have enjoyed dominance in this fixture recently—winning each of their last six meetings with Trots van het Noorden, including a comfortable 3-1 win at home earlier this season—recent form suggests this trip may not be as straightforward as past results imply.

For their part, Groningen have plenty to play for. Promoted back into the top flight this season, they’ve exceeded expectations by maintaining a strong position in the middle of the table. With 38 points on the board and two matches remaining, Dick Lukkien’s side still harbors faint hopes of sneaking into the European playoff places. For a team that had to claw its way back into the Eredivisie just a year ago, the opportunity to compete on the continental stage again would be a dream ending to a campaign filled with progress and grit.

That said, Groningen enter this clash smarting from a heavy 3-0 loss to AZ Alkmaar over the weekend—a match that brought their momentum to a screeching halt. The loss exposed lingering vulnerabilities that have plagued them throughout the season. It was their fourth defeat in six outings, and tellingly, in each of those losses, they’ve conceded at least three goals. Since the March international break, they’ve also failed to register a single clean sheet. The defensive unit, which looked more organized earlier in the season, has struggled with cohesion and concentration during the run-in.

Still, despite those lapses, Groningen’s home record gives them cause for optimism. The Euroborg has become something of a fortress in recent months. They’ve lost just once in their last eleven league matches on home soil—a narrow defeat against PSV. Their performances in Groningen have often carried more intensity and purpose, with the fans providing a noticeable lift. Ajax, under mounting pressure and without the full services of their frontline, may find this trip trickier than their recent record against Groningen might suggest.

Manager Dick Lukkien will be looking to reignite the fire in his team’s attack, which, until last week, had shown impressive form. Prior to the defeat against AZ, Groningen had racked up an eye-catching ten goals in two matches, dismantling RKC Waalwijk 5-2 and blowing past Excelsior 5-0. In both games, their pressing was sharp, transitions were fast, and finishing was ruthless. If they can rediscover even a fraction of that attacking verve against Ajax, they could very well tilt the balance in what’s shaping up to be one of the season’s most crucial fixtures.

Leandro Bacuna, one of Groningen’s experienced figures, will be key in that regard. The former Premier League midfielder brings both composure and drive to the middle of the park. His ability to dictate tempo, link play, and find gaps in transition could be essential in unsettling Ajax’s back line. He’ll need help, of course, particularly from younger attacking players like Romano Postema and Thijmen Blokzijl, who have shown flashes of quality this season but will now be tested on one of the biggest stages.

Meanwhile, Francesco Farioli has some difficult selection decisions to make. Injuries to Brobbey and Edvardsen have significantly hampered Ajax’s attacking depth. Without a natural center forward, Farioli has tried several configurations in recent weeks, none of which have yielded consistent results. Davy Klaassen has been pushed into more advanced positions at times, while Steven Bergwijn has taken on more of the creative burden—but neither approach has led to goals. With limited options off the bench, Farioli may need to rely on youth or make tactical tweaks to unlock Groningen’s defense.

Defensively, Ajax’s back line will also need to tighten up. Jorrel Hato and Josip Šutalo, who had been part of the league’s most consistent defensive pairing earlier this year, have looked increasingly stretched in recent weeks. Miscommunications and positional lapses have crept in, and goalkeeper Diant Ramaj has been forced into more action than he was accustomed to during Ajax’s more stable months.

If Ajax are to leave the Euroborg with three points—and keep the title within their control—they must rediscover their identity. That means sharper movement in attack, better decision-making in the final third, and a renewed sense of urgency. Above all, they must embrace the pressure that comes with leading the league and prove that their recent stumbles were temporary, not terminal.

Psychologically, Wednesday’s clash is as much a test of nerve as it is of skill. Ajax have been here before, navigating tight finishes in title races. But with the weight of expectation, the memory of recent failures, and the looming presence of a relentless PSV, the stakes are higher than ever. Every pass, every duel, every decision will be magnified.

For Groningen, the pressure is of a different nature. They’re the underdogs, free from the suffocating weight of title expectations but driven by the chance to disrupt the elite and potentially claim a spot in Europe. A positive result against Ajax would not only boost their standing but also send a message that their return to the Eredivisie is about more than just survival—it’s about ambition.

As the match approaches, all eyes will be on the Euroborg, where two teams with very different goals will collide. For Ajax, it’s about preservation of a legacy and pursuit of a crown. For Groningen, it’s about seizing an opportunity and making a statement. In the fading light of the season, this could well be the night that decides where the title ends up—and where the story of two vastly different campaigns takes its final turn.