Ajax made a deep impression with the way Borussia Dortmund was defeated on Tuesday evening. The German top club was set aside 4-0 in a match in which the team from Amsterdam missed opportunities for more. Dortmund is being dealt with hard in the German media, while the newspapers and online media in the rest of Europe speak highly of Erik ten Hag’s team.
“What an embarrassment!”, writes BILD. “What a ruin! Dortmund visiting Ajax: 4-0! 4-0! 4-0! 4-0! The biggest defeat of the Black Yellows in all of Champions League history. The Dortmund players seemed numb.” Ajax was lord and master on its own field, also saw Sports1. “Dortmund was played dizzy. Ajax had BVB constantly in a grip. One-two punches, dream combinations; Dortmund couldn’t keep up with it all.” kicker Ajax praises the ‘excellent combination football’. “After the fan-induced fog was dispelled, Dortmund found themselves in distress. And it stayed that way”, the magazine refers to the enormous smoke development from the stands due to the lighting of torches by supporters.
Blind excels against Dortmund: ‘This is a piece of recognition’
The Guardian saw Ajax put on a ‘dominant show’ against Borussia Dortmund. “Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kopel had to make several saves to keep the score somewhat respectable halfway through.” Also the Daily Mail saw Ajax rule. “It was thought beforehand that these teams would be evenly matched, but nothing turned out to be less true. Borussia Dortmund was crippled by Ajax in a brutal display. Borussia Dortmund has been finished by Ajax.” “Dortmund was ridiculed several times by Ajax,” writes the Italian branch of Eurosport.
The Sun looked with special attention to English midfielder Jude Bellingham and Haaland. “They played the entire match, but were powerless and could not stop the ‘surprise rump’ of Ajax. An early own goal by Marco Reus and a bet by Daley Blind lifted the score to 2-0 in the first half. Antony curled the next goal and Sébastien Haller (ex-West Ham United) headed in his SIXTH goal in three Champions League games.”
In Spain, Ajax was also looked at with amazement. “Ajax overwhelms Dortmund and leaves Haaland undisturbed,” writes Mundo Deportivo. “Dortmund was at all times at the mercy of Ajax, which put top football on the mat by letting the ball go around at high speed and with maximum precision.” According to the Spanish sports newspaper, Dortmund was ‘powerless’ due to the mobility of the Ajax players. “Ajax, which only conceded three goals in all competitions this season, played a perfect game in every way.” Also marca hands out compliments to the Ten Hag team. “Ajax crushed Dortmund, which didn’t even get a chance to catch their breath.”
‘Ajax teaches Dortmund a lesson’, headlines L’Equipe. The French sports newspaper saw the team from Amsterdam ‘crush’ Dortmund. According to the reporter, the current Ajax looks like in the 2018/19 season, when the semi-finals of the Champions League were reached. “Donny van de Beek, Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt have since been replaced by Jurriën Timber, Ryan Gravenberch and Devyne Rensch. Even though he was not trained by Ajax, Antony turned out not to be a mismatch and signed for the third goal. In addition, there are veterans to guide these talents. Remko Pasveer, who prevented Erling Haaland from scoring three times, is the embodiment of that.”