Tactical Analysis: Juventus survive Ajax onslaught

Cristiano Ronaldo's header was evened out early in the second half to end the game in a stalemate.

It was a scintillating display of bright and optimistic football from one side while the opposition had to cater to scrappy efforts and half-chances to keep one foot in the game. When Ajax faced Juventus, fans and pundits alike were expecting a dominant Juventus against a fighting Ajax.

Instead, what they got was a young, dominant Ajax side, against a weary-looking Juventus outfit that was barely holding on. In a thrilling encounter, both sides shared the spoils, after David Neres’ unstoppable shot in the start of the second half, cancelled out Cristiano Ronaldo’s opener towards the end of the first half.

The Dutch side started the game with a 4-2-3-1 formation. Frenkie De Jong and Lasse Schone played a crucial role as midfield pivots with the former standing out for his matured display when facing against older and more experienced peers. De Jong finished with an amazing 91% passing accuracy. If there was one aspect of Ajax game that rattled Juventus, it was the young side’s constant pressure.

Outstanding. Again. ????????91% passing accuracy ????17 balls recovered #UCL pic.twitter.com/h5LfidLfgl

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 10, 2019

The Front four consisting of Tadic, van de Beek, David Neres and Ziyech were constantly on the toes of the Juventus backline preventing them from building up play from the back, a crucial part of the Old Lady’s tactics. The constant pressure prevented Juventus from exerting control over the game and the youthful side took over the reins. They dominated on the ball, creating chances with slick passing moves, with the away side having to resort mostly to counters to create meaningful attacks.

However, Juventus’ defenders particularly Daniele Rugani and Leonardo Bonucci did a good job of keeping all the threats away from the box, with Ajax having to resort to shots mostly from outside the box. The shots from Ziyech threatened Szczesny on-and-off but the former Arsenal shot-stopper proved to be an adept challenge for the Ajax midfielder.

The Amsterdam-based side pressurized the Old Lady in waves, attacking every loose ball and stray touch from the opposition and it was from such a similar ploy that their goal came. David Neres forced Joao Cancelo to take a big touch from a long ball and pounced on the loose ball. He then used his skill and awareness to cut inside and curl the ball past Szczesny.

Post Match Analysis: Ajax 1-1 Juventus

Juventus looked far from the team that boasts a commanding 20-point lead in the Serie A. The Italian side were pegged back by the vibrant and intense Dutch side, with the energy displayed by Ajax preventing the Bianconeri from creating any proper chances. Federico Bernadeschi’s pace in the counter seemed to be the only real problem for Ajax during the game, with the midfield trio of Bentancur, Pjanic and Matuidi outmatched in the center of the park.

The Bosnian especially was disappointing failing to display any real creative spark. The likes of Mandzukic and Cristiano Ronaldo were kept in check by Mathias de Ligt and Daley Blind with the former putting up a praise-worthy display. However, the threat on the counter is something, the young Ajax side needs to take care off, especially during the second leg in Turin.

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The opener was a result of quick movement from the away side, with Joao Cancelo finding his Portuguese counterpart in a pocket of space, with a peach of a cross. Cristiano Ronaldo’s thumping header was Juventus’ only shot on target during the whole game. Allegri’s tendency to change the game with proper substitutions came to the help of Juventus.

The Italian send in Douglas Costa as another pace outlet while Dybala was sent on to exert control in the midfield. Both these changes started tilting the match in the away side’s favour, with Douglas Costa’s rasping shot striking the woodwork.  However, it was too little too late. A surprise exclusion from the substitutes that were brought on was Moise Kean, whose current form could have made a vital difference to the Bianconeri.

???? Elastico from @douglascosta! ????#UCL @juventusfcen pic.twitter.com/ZUYCa6rghK

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 10, 2019

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Juventus would be the happier of the two sides, with a crucial away goal to take back to Turin. Ajax have no one but themselves to blame after failing to capitalize on the large number of chances they had. However, they have a lot of positives to take back from today, especially their dominance against a seasoned side. They will be looking to display the same dominance and possibly eke out a crucial victory in Turin. Juventus cannot take the home tie lightly despite having the away goal as a safety measure.