Europa League Preview: Ajax Seeks Strong Home Comeback, Besiktas Aims for Breakthrough in Good Form

On September 27 at 3:00, the first round of the 2024/25 Europa League season sees Ajax hosting Besiktas.

Last season, Ajax experienced a historic downturn, achieving their lowest league ranking since the new millennium. After great effort, Ajax managed to secure a spot in the Europa League qualifying rounds as the fifth-placed team in the Eredivisie. Ajax’s new season kicked off in late July, and after going through three rounds of qualifiers, this Dutch powerhouse finally became one of the 36 teams participating in the reformed Europa League.

Since the international break in September, Ajax has achieved one win and one draw in two Eredivisie matches, first defeating Fortuna Sittard 5-0 at home, then drawing 1-1 away against De Graafschap. Ajax needs to pay particular attention to improving the form of its frontline players. Local number 9, Brian Brobbey, who scored 22 goals for the team last season, has yet to regain his scoring touch, netting only once in seven appearances. It appears that the summer departures of Steven Bergwijn, Jota Conceição, Giorgi Mikautadze, and Forbes have significantly impacted Ajax.

Besiktas is coached by Giovanni van Bronckhorst, a 49-year-old Dutch coach with a glorious playing career. Since taking up coaching, he has also demonstrated considerable expertise in the Europa League – during the 2021/22 season, van Bronckhorst led Rangers to the Europa League final, where they finished runners-up to Frankfurt.

Despite finishing sixth in the Turkish Super Lig last season, Besiktas secured qualification for the Europa League group stage by winning the Turkish Cup for the eleventh time. “The Black Eagles” eliminated Lugano from Switzerland with an aggregate score of 8-4 over two legs, advancing smoothly.

Since their 5-0 victory over Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Cup on August 4, Besiktas has remained unbeaten across all competitions, winning six and drawing two out of eight games played this season. Ciro Immobile, who joined from Lazio in the summer transfer window, has quickly become van Bronckhorst’s most trusted striker. The 34-year-old Italian forward has played all eight matches, scoring eight goals, showcasing impressive form.

In terms of personnel, Ajax will be without their frontline mainstay, Quincy Promes. Injuries in midfield and defense are more serious, with midfielder Davy Pröpper, center-back Edson Álvarez, and left-back Nicolas Tagliafico all sidelined. Besiktas’ injury list is also primarily defensive, with center-back Domenico Ujfaluši out until November due to a ligament injury.

While Besiktas currently appears to be in better form than Ajax, in head-to-head records, the two teams were drawn into the same group in the 2021/22 Champions League, where Ajax completed a double over Besiktas. How van Bronckhorst, who started his playing career at Feyenoord, will lead his team against Ajax is certainly worth watching.

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