As of the 63rd minute at Stamford Bridge in the early morning of November 6, Chelsea had lost more to themselves. The Blues conceded in the second minute due to lack of concentration. In the 3 goals conceded after that, the home team players counter-attacked twice. Ajax or 1, Chelsea are worth 10 and are behind 4-1.
However, in just 11 minutes from 63 to 74, the situation completely changed. In those short 11 minutes, Chelsea scored 3 goals while Ajax was chased by 2 people in just 2 minutes. If the home team's strikers had been sharper, perhaps Chelsea's goal would not have stopped at 3.
Chelsea is brave, that is something everyone recognizes because not many teams in this world can score 3 goals when behind 1-4. However, that comes with the inexperience and "not in the cards" of Ajax players.
It is a lesson in concentration and courage in decisive moments. Last season, they also led Tottenham by 2 goals in the second leg of the semi-finals but then lost 3 goals quickly and were eliminated. This season, seemingly holding a ticket to the round of 16, Erik ten Hag and his students have lost the opportunity.
Youth brings endless inspirations on the pitch. Ajax stars, although no longer with De Jong and De Ligt, still maintained their principles and efforts in each match. That is why even though they are no longer pillars, they are still playing well and can overwhelm Chelsea away.
However, youth is also accompanied by a lack of experience and especially concentration in times when the most "cold head" is needed. When they were 2-3, Ajax had a bad 2 minutes when receiving 2 consecutive red cards. Daley Blind and Joel Veltman left the pitch for various reasons, but that was not as important as playing for the win.
Why did an experienced player like Blind still make mistakes or why did Veltman see his teammate being chased but still put himself in the same situation just 1 minute later?
Those questions were answered by coach Ten Hag with a bewildered face on the pitch. The defeat was too quick and only luck kept Ajax from collapsing.
It took Ajax many years to return to the position of a team that attracted attention in the Champions League. However, over and over again, that attention is mostly regrets about the few matches they are standing at the door to heaven.
The current pressure is huge when the Dutch representative has the same 7 points after 4 rounds as Valencia and Chelsea. With just one more stumble, everyone will fall to the ground like De Jong and De Ligt fell to Tottenham last season.
It is true that Ajax is a team with a long tradition in the highest playground in Europe with 3 championships in the past. However, that is the title of the seniors who came before. The current young players do not have a leader on the field, especially the defense to ensure balance.
There is still a chance to decide for himself, there is no other way, Ajax must seize it. 2 wins in the remaining 2 matches is the ultimate goal. Otherwise, a big run would have been like last season.
And then, with only young players left, Erik ten Hag could lose any match with similar situations.
