Ajax’s Bold Francesco Farioli Pressing Tactics Vs Feyenoord & Will They Work Vs PSV?

Ajaxs 0-2 away victory over Feyenoord marked a strong statement under manager Francesco Farioli, showcasing disciplined, well-organised tactics, as we will see in this match analysis.

In this tactical analysis and scout report, we’ll break down Ajax’s tactical approach, emphasising Farioli’s key strategic choices.

Then, we shift to a pre-match analysis of Ajax’s upcoming clash with PSV Eindhoven, considering how Ajax’s tactics may evolve.

Post-Match Analysis: Feyenoord Vs Ajax (0-2)

One of the more intriguing aspects of Francesco Farioli’s formation was his choice to field Wout Weghorst and Chuba Akpom together, forming an unconventional partnership.

Although Wout Weghorsts style of play is more traditionally a target man, his role was adapted to disrupt Feyenoord’s build-up by targeting their central defenders.

The move was risky, as it made Ajax’s press reliant on 1v1 engagements across the pitch, demanding high levels of commitment, fitness, and positional awareness.

By pressing Feyenoord’s centre-backs, Weghorst and Akpom limited Feyenoord’s ability to build from the back, forcing them to rely on long balls.

This setup meant that Ajax had to stay compact to minimise gaps between midfield and defence, a task managed well in the early stages as they established control.

Brian Priskes Feyenoord struggled to break through Ajax’s high-pressing setup, failing to create significant chances in the first half due to Ajax’s suffocating press.

High-Intensity Man-Marking

Francesco Farioli’s tactical plan was clear: a high-intensity, man-marking system aimed to close down Feyenoord’s central playmakers and prevent them from dictating the tempo.

Davy Klaassen and Kenneth Taylor marked Feyenoord’s midfielders Quinten Timber and Hwang In-beom, while Mika Godts shadowed Feyenoord’s right-back, closing off the pass options.

The intent was to restrict Feyenoord’s players from receiving passes between the lines, forcing them into areas where Ajax’s compact defensive shape could effectively double down.

Francesco Fariolis coaching style resulted in a disruptive and restrictive game for Feyenoord, with only limited moments when they managed to break through Ajax’s press.

Although this required Ajax players to be fully alert to Feyenoord’s off-the-ball movement, their disciplined marking throughout the game was central to stifling Feyenoord’s flow.

Ajax’s setup allowed them to transition quickly from defence to attack and vice versa.

With players like Taylor and Godts anticipating Feyenoord’s moves, Ajax could effectively recover the ball, ensuring a seamless transition back into the offence.

This readiness in transitional moments was essential for maintaining their defensive shape and counteracting Feyenoord’s attacks.

Feyenoord’s Man-Marking Weaknesses

Ajax’s first goal, scored by Kenneth Taylor, was a product of quick, intelligent play that exploited Feyenoord’s vulnerabilities.

From the outset, Ajax aimed to use Feyenoord’s man-marking tendencies against them.

They achieved this by moving their forwards and attacking midfielders to draw Feyenoord’s defenders and midfielders out of position, creating pockets of space behind them.

In the build-up, Wout Weghorst moved wider, drawing Feyenoord’s defender, Gernot Trauner, out of his position.

Similarly, Godts pushed into the midfield, dragging a defender out of position and thus creating a massive gap in Feyenoord’s central defence.

Feyenoord’s right-back fai