Ajax Amsterdam's Bad Record in the Champions League After Losing to Benfica

Ajax Amsterdam must swallow the bitter pill after being eliminated from the 2021-2022 Champions League. Ajax did not qualify because they lost 2-3 on aggregate to Benfica who became their opponents in the round of 16.

The defeat also extended their poor record in the Champions League knockout stages. How not, they haven't won at home in the knockout stages since 1996.

The details were four draws and five defeats. They also felt the same way when they faced Real Madrid in the last 16 of the 2018-2019 Champions League. At that time, they lost 1-2 in front of the public themselves.

Yes, the hopes of Erik ten Hag's troops to go as far as possible in this most prestigious event in Europe must also be lost. They lost 0-1 at the Johan Cruijff Arena, which made it 2-3 on aggregate.

"Ajax haven't won a home game in the knockout stages of the Champions League since 1996. Since then they have drawn four and lost five," wrote UEFA's official website after the match, Wednesday (16/3/2022).

Looking back at the results of the match, Ajax did not have a dangerous chance. Defeat became a natural thing for them, despite playing pressing throughout the round.

Sebastian Haller and his friends were always confused in the final third of the field. Speculation kicks from outside the penalty box was an option. Meeting the visitors' defense seemed to make them frustrated.

Also Read: Lack of Opportunities, Ajax vs Benfica Still A Goalless Draw in the First Half

This was also recognized by the coach, Erik ten Hag. But he was reluctant to make his foster children as scapegoats in the defeat. They are judged to be just unlucky and lack creativity.

"Our positional play was very good. We were very good on the ball. I give big compliments to my players. Maybe it's just the creativity that is lacking," said Erik ten Hag.

Benfica put seven to eight players in the defense. And Nicolas Otamendi and his friends were able to carry out their duties very well, making the home team bite their fingers.

The Eagles, Benfica's nickname, actually also lacked opportunities. In statistics, only four opportunities and one on target are recorded. Luckily, one on target turned into a goal through Darwin Nunez's 77th minute header.