Ezeli beat his rivalsFormer Super League coach Farioli takes Ajax to the top

Francesco Farioli, whom we know from the Super League, rebuilt the Dutch team Ajax in a short time. The 35-year-old Italian coach, who was transferred from Nice with great expectations at the beginning of the season, made Ajax, who had a hard time in the past, a strong championship candidate. Although Farioli was transferred with a transfer fee of only 1.25 million Euros, his contribution to the team was widely resonated in the Netherlands
Ajax made a name for itself with two critical victories last week. First, he beat Feyenoord with a score of 2-0 away, then defeated the league leader and the last champion PSV 3-2, gaining a great morale. With these wins, Ajax rose to second place in Eredivisie and reduced the point difference with PSV to five. Moreover, Ajax lacks a match.
Farioli gave Ajax a new discipline, especially in terms of defense. While the team’s defensive structure became much more robust than last season, the defensive tactics that Farioli applied in Nice in the past also had an effect on Ajax. Across the league, Ajax conceded only 9 goals in 19 matches. Although Farioli sets the team’s main pattern as 4-3-3, it has a more defensive stance by turning the system into 5-4-1 when it needs it. Thanks to this flexibility, Ajax can remain resistant in defense against tough opponents and give less position.

Using the one-on-one marking tactics in defense, Farioli is inspired by successful European teams such as Atalanta. In the midfield, he constantly tries to gain an advantage, he puts pressure on the opponent. Thanks to this style of playing, the Ajax squad, which consists of young talents, both gives confidence in the defense and moves more courageously in attack.
Farioli achieves success by using the existing players in the best way without making too big changes in the squad. In addition, it also offers significant opportunities to young talents. 18-year-old left-back Jorrel Hato, 19-year-old winger Mika Godts and 21-year-old midfielder Kian Fitz-Jim stand out as Ajax’s remarkable young stars this season.

Ajax added only experienced names to its squad by avoiding large expenses in transfers this season. Experienced players such as Wout Weghorst (32), Daniele Rugani (30), Bertrand Traoré (29) and Davy Klaassen (31) provided confidence and balance to the squad. In addition to these experienced names, Farioli has created a stable structure by preferring to work with the players in the squad last season.