Ajax Amsterdam enter Tuesday’s Champions League meeting with Benfica desperate for a result that can steady a season rapidly descending into one of the most troubling in the club’s modern history.
Both Ajax and Benfica, two clubs with illustrious European pedigrees, have endured dismal continental campaigns. Each has lost all four group-stage fixtures, leaving them joint bottom of the new 36-team format and in urgent need of a breakthrough.
The crisis extends far beyond Europe. Domestically, Ajax arrive at the Johan Cruyff Arena still reeling from Saturday’s shock home defeat to Excelsior Rotterdam — the first in their history — which has left them sixth in the Eredivisie and a daunting 14 points adrift of leaders PSV Eindhoven.
Their recent home form is equally alarming. Ajax have taken just one point from their last three league matches in Amsterdam, their leanest three-game return at home since 1975. Saturday’s loss also marked their 14th defeat of the calendar year, a tally surpassed only in 1964, when the club suffered 17 losses.
Interim manager Fred Grim, who replaced John Heitinga following his dismissal earlier this month, emphasised the psychological challenge currently gripping the squad.
“Much of this is about confidence. When results go your way, everything seems to flow,” Grim said on Monday. “We’re searching for belief, and you rebuild that by winning matches. The stakes are high — we want to erase that dreadful zero from our points column.”
Despite Ajax’s bleak position, Grim rejected the notion that progression to the knockout stages is already out of reach. He urged supporters to rally behind the team: “Everything is still possible. We desperately need the fans. Hopefully we can produce a classic Champions League night.”
The club has confirmed Grim will remain in charge at least until the winter break. As part of a broader restructuring, Ajax plan to appoint a new technical director before naming a permanent head coach. Dutch media reported on Monday that the club has opened discussions with Jordi Cruyff for the role.
