UEFA Champions League 2019/20: Ajax vs Chelsea – tactical analysis

The third game week of the 2019/20 season of the UEFA Champions League saw the top two teams in Group E battle it out at the Johan Cruyff Arena. Last seasons surprise semifinalists, Ajax, welcomed last seasons Europa League winners, Chelsea, for a fantastic showdown. Both managers have been hailed for their attractive playstyles and their ability to use homegrown and academy talent. In the end, Chelsea came on top with a 0-1 victory that sealed their place at the top of the group for now. This tactical analysis will use analysis to look at the tactics both teams employed and how Chelsea came on top in a very tight affair.

Lineups

Ajax currently sit top of the Eredivisie and have been unbeaten so far in all competitions. It is fair to say that despite losing both Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong, Erik ten Hag has still been able to get the most out of a very talented Ajax side. Last years semi-finalists lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. André Onana started in goal with a back four in front of him that consisted of Sergiño Dest, Joël Veltman, Daley Blind, and Nicolás Tagliafico. The double-pivot in midfield consisted of Edson Álvarez and Lisandro Martínez, with Hakim Ziyech, Donny van de Beek, and Quincy Promes situated in front of them. Dušan Tadić led the line as a lone striker up top. Ten Hags lineup changed significantly from the weekend against newly promoted RKC Waalwijk. He had played a 4-3-3 and had Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Noussair Mazraoui start. RKC Waalwijk were promoted to the Eredivisie this season, and currently, sit bottom of the table. It was clear that Ten Hag was resting critical players for this matchup against Chelsea.

Frank Lampard named a relatively unsurprising starting XI for his third Champions League match as manager. His most-used formation in his managerial career so far has been a 4-2-3-1 (or some variation of it), however lately he has been using the 4-3-3 with this Chelsea side. Kepa Arrizabalagas efforts saw him keep a clean sheet with the help of a back four consisting of César Azpilicueta, Kurt Zouma, Fikayo Tomori, and Marcos Alonso. With NGolo Kanté still regaining fitness from injury, Jorginho started in midfield, alongside Mason Mount and Mateo Kovačić. The starting front three contained a mix of youth and experience with Willian, Tammy Abraham and Callum Hudson-Odoi, as Lampard looked to get his second win as a manager in the Champions League. The one change that was made from the weekend win against Newcastle was Mateo Kovačić coming in for Ross Barkley, who suffered an injury at St. James Park

First H

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