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  • Writer's pictureDylan Buesnel

Ajax U-19 Opposition Analysis

Updated: Oct 6, 2020

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Firstly, I'd like to thank Henrik Jensen (Midtjylland manager) for allowing me to get onboard and letting me publicly showcase the work. My role was to look at the upcoming opposition and analyse the key areas to focus on in the build-up for their upcoming match. Below I have broken down the analysis with my tailor-made visuals, videos and text to give Midtjylland U-19 the biggest advantage to beat Ajax U-19 in the UEFA Youth Cup quarter-final.


FYI this is published after the match has taken place but made before the match.

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Overview


Below is an overview of Ajax U-19 in the UEFA Youth Cup this season and some of the key topics we will cover throughout.

Key findings include:

  • Press high in the final third

  • GK zone is targeted on corners

  • Use central and the left-hand side more frequently for attacks

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Corners


Overview for the key attacking corners taken by Ajax U-19.

There were two main routines that Ajax-U19 setup for attacking corners:

  • Corner A: short corner

  • Corner B: GK zone with a back post run


Corner A

The key themes from 'Corner A' were the use of the first short man to deliver the ball into the area allowing double movements for the players inside the box. They also provided the first ball by missing the close pass and playing it further into the next player supporting the short pass, this created a new angle to cross into the box and try catch the teams pushing out - which results in more space behind the lines. In the last clip it shows Lille U-19 having two players to prevent Ajax U-19 going short by keeping two players short, however, they leave the back post unmarked and it nearly costs them a goal - if players go short they need others to cover the possible cross into the space.

Corner B

The key themes for 'Corner B' were the closest player to the corner taker will make a run to the back post, this frees up space at the near post to attack or the runner can lose his marker and get a free header at the back post. If we do zonal marking it is important to communicate effectively to pass over players - this is the main movement that we will have to deal with.


Defending corners

When defending corners Ajax normally opt for a man marking strategy. They cope well off corners when the players are spread across the box or even packing the GK zone but their weaknesses was shown against Chelsea U-19 when they performed the 'love train'. This created huge amounts of space to take advantage off, plus, the Ajax U-19 players lost track of their markers because the Chelsea U-19 players had the run on them.


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In possession


Below are the key points on Ajax-U19 in possession, looking at their goal kicks/playing out from the back, finding pockets of space and the problems they faced against a low/mid block.


Playing out from the back

When Ajax play out from the back off goal kicks they setup by having both the centre-backs split in the box and then the full-backs provide the width, the centre-midfielders stay central to pick up the ball and try progress it out. When two players pressed they found this harder, compared to just one attacker pressing as this was easier to get past. Below we can see the setup that they use when they play out the back from a goal kick.


Ajax goal kicks when playing the short pass

Vertical passes/finding pockets of space

Ajax U-19 retain high possession against their opponents as they will recycle the ball, however, if the pass arises into a pocket of space then they have the ability to quickly find the player and break through on goal. It can turn from a few recycled passes backwards/sideways then all of sudden they will break the lines and be through on goal. Another key point was their third man runs, inside tight spaces they effectively play fast one touch passes to get in behind - the last clips in the video above demonstrate this.


Problems vs. a low/mid block

Ajax U-19 faced problems when they came up against Atletico Madrid U-19 defensive low/mid block. Atletico U-19 set up with two banks of four and they often left two up front to shuttle to block any passing lanes or to press on poor touches/in a pressing trap. Atletico U-19 performed well as their compactness forced the long ball by Ajax U-19 and Atletico U-19 could easily deal with this pass. Once Atletico regained possession they were explosive straight away and caught Ajax U-19 out of position. The last clip ties it all together well as Atletico U-19 have a compact midfield and defence and this forces Ajax U-19 to play the long ball, the goalkeeper retrieves the ball and distributes the ball early where Ajax U-19 have pushed forward in their recent attack.


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Out of possession


Below are the key points on Ajax-U19 out of possession, looking at their shape and how to expoilt their setup.


Shape out of possession

Ajax are very aggressive when they look to reagin possession, especially, after they lose the ball. It is the same mentality that Pep has with the 8 second rule - if you cant win it back you foul, this is why they are aggressive in their press. One of the central midfielders will play as the number six and screen across the back four. The other two centre-midfielders will look to press and squeeze up to condense the space for the opponent.


Using half-space and stretching the play

As we saw above Ajax-U19 like to squeeze the pitch and make it hard to play through them, the defence will sit up high, pressing all the way up with the midfield. To combat this it will be important to maximise the space and stretch them as much as possible, this will result in gaps/holes to open up for players to use.


Problems vs. low/mid blocks

Atletico Madrid U-19 were very compact as they had two tight banks of four - this made it very hard for Ajax U-19 to play between the lines as Atletico U-19 reduced the space. This resulted Ajax U-19 to play the long ball and this could be easily dealt with by Atletico U-19. Once possession was regained they broke quickly and hit the channels were the vacted space was located, this is shown in the last clip


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Prevention


What can Midtjylland-U19 do to combat Ajax-U19 strengths and expose weaknesses?


During possession


The key areas that would be beneficial for Midtjylland-U19 during possession could be:

  • Positive play during attacking transitions

  • Lofted balls into the flanks to beat the press

  • Playing more direct balls, to stretch the and stop them from squeezing the pitch

Positive play during attacking transitions

In the transition from defence to attack this is where Midtjylland U-19 can hurt Ajax U-19. When the ball is won back, we should look to hit them straight away on the break. It will help catch out the defence who aren't in shape due to their press and there is rarely cover from midfield as they are the main integrators. It is crucial to leave a pair up front because if it is just one player it will be hard to hold up play and this will allow Ajax U-19 to recover and make a tackle. The pair for Midtjylland U-19 can link up to quickly break in behind the press.


Lofted balls into the flanks to beat the press

Ajax U-19 high press is hard to play through. It results in some vacated space behind the press on the flanks/channels due to them condensing the pitch size. By playing this lofted pass it can provide lower risk balls of losing possession. It may not be your ideal style of play but it will play into Ajax U-19 favour by letting them press. You can draw them in then look to beat the press by playing over it.


Playing more direct balls, to stretch the and stop them from squeezing the pitch

The speed and power of Midtjylland U-19 players will come into factor. Truthfully, Ajax U-19 are one of the best U-19 teams on the ball, it will be hard to beat them at their own game. By playing longer balls it'll stretch the pitch and create gaps for us to exploit. It isn't always your go to but the pace will hurt them in behind.

Out of possession


The key areas that would be beneficial for Midtjylland-U19 during possession could be:

  • Mid/low block

  • Compact 4-4-2 or 4-3-1-2 shape 'dependant on players available'

  • Leaving two players up to attack quickly and effectively

The most success has come when the teams have used a CDM to cover the space in-between the lines. Bayern (4-3-1-2), Chelsea (4-3-3) and Atletico (4-1-4-1) all used a number six in some form and it paid off. Additionally, leaving two upfront gives an option to counter quickly and catch them off guard. I suggest the 4-3-1-2 as the preferred option as this was also used in your game against AGF and Onyedika was deployed as a CDM and he provided good cover which will be crucial for this match. More so, having a CAM allows disruption for their deep lying playmakers - someone like Heiselberg could cause problems by targeting Llansana and not allowing them to progress the ball.


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Final thoughts

A altered style of play may be best to get a result against Ajax U-19. Once the ball is recovered it is important to transition quickly whilst the Ajax U-19 players have pressed high up the field. In possession, it will be crucial to stretch Ajax U-19 to create gaps which can be exploited. Versatility will be key to play over or around their press to transition the ball through the thirds.


Thank you for reading, let me know what you think on Twitter and if you would like any work for your club or work get in contact via Twitter @DylanBuesnel or by email dbuesnel1998@hotmail.co.uk

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