Ajax’s already disappointing season took a drastic turn for the worse on Sunday after suffering a devastating 6-0 defeat against rivals Feyenoord, marking their largest-ever Eredivisie loss.
The highly anticipated clash between these two Dutch powerhouses, known as De Klassieker (The Classic), typically ignites fierce competition. However, Ajax’s struggles this season allowed Feyenoord to dominate the encounter with ease.
Feyenoord established a commanding 3-0 lead by halftime, courtesy of goals from Igor Paixão, Yankuba Minteh, and David Hancko.
Feyenoord (Credits: Eredivisie)
Their dominance continued in the second half, with three more goals in a nine-minute flurry, as Minteh and Paixão added to their tally alongside Quinten Timber’s strike.
Reflecting on the defeat, Ajax manager John van’t Schip expressed disappointment, stating, “It was just men against pupils today… We were trounced on all fronts… This was more than embarrassing. All of us. The staff and players.”
The result leaves Ajax languishing in sixth place with 45 points, a staggering 24 points adrift of second-placed Feyenoord. The loss marked their eighth defeat in the league this season.
Ajax AFC (Credits: Eredivisie)
Ajax, seeking redemption following their 4-0 loss to Feyenoord in the previous encounter, fielded a weakened lineup due to injuries to key players such as Jordan Henderson, Steven Berghuis, Diant Ramaj, and Brian Brobbey.
However, they proved no match for a dominant Feyenoord side, limiting Ajax to just one shot on target while unleashing 29 attempts of their own.
The defeat adds to a dismal week for Ajax, compounded by the suspension of chief executive Alex Kroes amid suspected insider dealing, just two weeks into his tenure.
