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Match Report: Only happy faces after Koeman's 4-0 ArenA debut

With Ronald Koeman and Ruud Krol on the Ajax bench for the first time, everyone in the ArenA, supporters and journalists alike, was looking for changes. Did the system change? Did Ajax play better than under Co Adriaanse? Did the team look 'happier' than under Koeman's strict predecessor? As expected, Ajax crushed Fortuna Sittard (4-0). The morning after, even a serious newspaper like de Volkskrant had noticed a 'Koeman effect': reportedly, it was as if a burden had just been lifted off the shoulders of the Ajacieden.

Amazing, how professional journalists can get carried away when a respected manager takes over from a much hated predecessor. On the second day of Koeman's assignment, after exactly one training session, this was of course not "his" Ajax yet. Ajax played numerous good games under Co Adriaanse. On many occasions they played better than against Fortuna, against stronger opponents. Many professional sports journalists seem to have forgotten about that overnight

Ajax vs Fortuna Sittard was 'just' a really good and enjoyable game, thanks to a fresh, determined Ajax team, playing with the swagger the Amsterdam crowd wants to see. The players have to prove themselves to the new coach and gave it their very best shot. Was that the 'Koeman effect'? Even that would be a somewhat simplistic conclusion: the team worked hard, but not as hard as last week, in Co Adriaanse's last 45 minutes an an Ajax coach, against FC Twente.

The only thing Koeman really changed in his first game, was the midfield formation. Adriaanse's 4-3-3 formations usually had a defensive central midfielder. Koeman returned to the traditional Ajax system with a true, offensive 'number ten' in the tradition of Dennis Bergkamp and Jari Litmanen, sometimes referred to in the Ajax language as a 'shadow striker'. The result was the return of Richard Knopper in the Ajax starting line-up, for the first time since August 19. Abubakari Yakubu returned in the line-up as well, on right midfield. The changes cost John O'Brien and Tomás Galásek their places in the team.

It worked well. Ajax' play was concentrated and full of flair. Fortuna Sittard only got one chance in the entire game: a Gerritsen shot was an easy prey for Fred Grim. Apart from that, it was one way traffic for 90 minutes, underscoring the fact that Ajax had a good day, but also the fact that Fortuna Sittard is probably the weakest team in the Eredivisie, that seems to be heading for relegation.

Ajax took the lead after Rafaël van der Vaart was brought down and André Bergdølmo proved (for the second time) to be the cool, reliable marksman Ajax was looking for (14). The delightful 2-0 followed after Van der Meyde, De Cler and Bergdølmo had come close to scoring. It was a goal in 'good old Ajax style': a perfect Rafaël van der Vaart pass launched Tim de Cler over the left flank. His superb sweeping cross was headed home by Nikos Machlas (28), who kept Zlatan on the bench and played a convincing first half.

It was remarkable that Ajax' best players of the day were two defenders who were hardly brought into trouble defensively: Johnny Heitinga and Tim de Cler were often unstoppable, penetrating the Fortuna defense through the center, or rushing along the sideline, delivering one good cross after the other. Early in the second half, De Cler decided not to give a cross, but fire on goal. He hit the ball perfectly. Goalkeeper Ruud Hesp had no chance as he heard De Cler's furious attempt hit the cross-bar of the far corner behind him. It was a breath-taking highlight of De Cler's excellent performance, for which he was rewarded with the 'Man Of The Match' title.

The hero of the second half, however, was to become Zlatan, who was brought on for Machlas after the break. The Swede returned from his long suspension as his team was in crisis and struggled for a few weeks. Fortuna Sittard was the perfect opponent for him to regain self-confidence.

Both of Zlatan's goals showed his amazing technical ability, letting the ball drop dead on his foot, swiftly rushing past two Fortuna defenders and firing home with a dry and low shot in the far corner (68). He added a second eleven minutes later, shooting a rebouncing De Cler attempt past Hesp while performing a 180 degree pirouette (79). He had almost scored a full hattrick, positioning well at the near post, but subtly lifting a Van der Meyde cross just over Hesp's goal.

Almost everyone did well in this game, including the two remaining substitutes. Tomás Galásek was so determined to make a good impression that he came close to committing a few pretty rough fouls. John O'Brien replaced Richard Knopper and did well, showing that he's not only a candidate for the right midfield position, but also a good stand-in at the 'number ten' position.

Ronald Koeman, about his first game as Ajax' head coach: "I thought the play was fresh. That's what I want to see. I have my thoughts about the team. Not everyone had self-confidence and I kept that in mind when putting the line-up together. Zlatan was not entirely ready for it, mentally. Machlas is dealing better with the situation. I'm glad Zlatan scored two goals to show what a great player he is. I think Knopper, along with Van der Vaart or Wamberto, is the best option behind the central striker. He has a good eye for situations.

"I think the balance in the team was not always there. Too many players want to rush forward when we have ball-possession, where that's not always the right thing to do. That's why our defence gave Fortuna too much space to play, but they never took advantage."

The atmosphere at the ArenA had turned grim, but the skies are clear again. Ajax is winning, playing well and finds itself back at the top of the Eredivisie table, altough Feyenoord still has a game in hand. Ronald Koeman and Ruud Krol can take their time, since there's no game this weekend and the next game is against a First Division side (RBC Roosendaal), for the Amstel Cup. A comfortable situation. (MP)

GOALS

• 14' 1-0 André Bergdølmo (penalty)
• 28' 2-0 Nikos Machlas
• 68' 3-0 Zlatan Ibrahimovic
• 79' 4-0 Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Referee: Van Hulten
Yellow card: Heitinga (Ajax)
Attendance: 31,502

Ajax line-up: Grim; Heitinga, Chivu, Bergdølmo, De Cler; Yakubu (76. Galásek), Knopper (64. O'Brien), Van der Vaart; Van der Meyde, Machlas (46. Zlatan), Wamberto.

Fortuna Sittard line-up: Hesp; Van der Hoeven, Dirkx, Volmer, Emeran; Akerboom (60. Hamming), Van Dieren, Haeldersmans; Gerritsen, Cramb (88. Gaaouiri), Landerl.

Related Links:

• Discussion: Ronald Koeman
• Discussion: Ajax' current form
• Ajax.nl: Match report (in Dutch) and photos