Total football Erika ten Haga: The Dutch coach has created another devastating weapon

Two years ago, Erik ten Hag’s efforts were cut short by Lucas Moura’s goal in the Champions League semi-final. After two unsuccessful seasons, Ajax are grinding their teeth to qualify from the group. But its brilliant execution of total football could take it much further.

What is total football?

Total football is a style of football that was developed in the second half of the 20th century in the Netherlands. It was given its name by the national team of the Tulip Country at the 1974 World Cup, for which they qualified under the guidance of Czech coach František Fadrhonec.

However, the Oranjes were already led at the tournament by football genius Rinus Michels, whose team then lost to the home Germans 2-1 in the final. The equal match was decided by the legendary Gerd Müller with his last goal in the national jersey.

Total football is based on movement and freedom of the players. The key factor is the movement of the players and the constant rushes from any position, creating space for further rushes of their teammates.

The Dutch national team then added almost constant attacking. Virtually all players behind the ball were pouncing on the opponents with the ball, not only putting enormous pressure but also performing a first-class offside trap.

Total football by this year’s Ajax Amsterdam

Although the features of total football have been implemented into the game of most teams over time, the most striking similarity can be seen in Erik ten Hag’s current team -Ajax Amsterdam.

It was textbooked by his charges in the second round of the Champions League group stage, in which they defeated a completely toothless Besiktas by a 2: 0 ratio.

Ajax entered the match in the formation 4231 written on paper. However, in the case of total football, this is quite irrelevant. The formation only held up during the pressing, which was, however, more linked to the personal breakdown of the players than the pre-match positional plan.

But we are much more interested in playing with the ball at our feet. With it, Ajax mostly formed a 2-3-5 formation. The only players whose positions remained the same for most of the game, within reason, were Sébastian Haller as a top striker, Edson Alvárez as a defensive midfielder and Martinez at left-back.

The Turkish opponent played in a deep block, so the home team didn’t have to worry too much about pressing. The play was mostly handled by Martinéz Timber, who was supplied by his teammates with countless runs into open space.

In case the key person of the whole system – Daley Blind – indicated the need to participate in the midfield to maintain the width of the pitch, he also got involved. If Besiktas stuck out their horns, Timber assisted as well. Often, however, he used such opportunities to complete the midfield line, as was the custom of the stopper in the Dutch national team’s most successful years.

Daley Blind was key in coordinating his teammates on the field, in addition to his many roles during the game. For the Haga one in particular, he is indispensable due to his leadership and perfect understanding of Ajax’s game and system.

So what did the home team’s formation look like in the late stages of the build-up? Timber-Martinez was the most affected. In front of them the midfield trio of Blind (on paper a left back), Edson Álvares and Noussair Mazraoui (on paper a right back). Then, on the edge of the big box, the left-to-right line of Tadic – Gravenberch – Haller – Berghuis – Antony worked.

But now for another difficult role, which was played by Noussair Mazraoui. On his side, he had the left-footed Antony in front of him, who was happy to show his Brazilian skill in delivering a breakaway towards the centre of the pitch.

This offered the opportunity for overlapping and tandems on the right wing between this pair. In order to make this happen, he would often swap his position with one of the midfielders, Gravenberch or Berghuis, who operated in the gaps between the outstretched wingers and Haller on the tip.

Antony’s withdrawal to the centre of the pitch filled this space, so the player who was there at that moment withdrew and the right flank was occupied by Mazraoui.

Another type of rotation in his position occurred with the aforementioned withdrawal of Daley Blind in the midfield. He was often replaced by Gravenberch, and Mazraoui was pushed out by a lunging Timber. The attacking four (without the withdrawn Gravenberch) moved to the left to create space for Mazraoui (Tadic – Haller – Berghuis – Antony – Mazraoui).

Tadic then had a specific role on the left wing. He kept the width of the pitch to open up space for the runs of the often rotating Blind and Gravenberch. Thus, unlike his Brazilian teammate on the right side, he acted more like a classic winger across the foot, as evidenced by his high number of twelve centres, to Antony’s four.

Ajax’s chances this season

On the domestic scene, things are looking bright again for ten Hag’s charges. In the land of the tulips, the team from the capital currently has no competition, which is proven by a convincing 19 points from 7 matches and a score of 30::1.

After two wins, Ajax is also leading the Champions League group, but they are also up against six-point Borussia, with whom they will face off for the top spot after the first half of the group stage in an interesting match. With convincing performances, Ajax also brushed off the option of moving into the Europa League via the 3rd place finish that has befallen them in the last two seasons.

Having strengthened well, Ajax also have a squad capable of competing on two stages at the same time until the end of the season. With all positions doubled, if not tripled, this year, it could be looking for similar success to the 2018/19 season, which ended in a heartbreaking elimination in the semi-finals of the most prestigious football competition in the world – the Champions League.

Livesport, WhoScored