Ajax and the Speed Problem Against Atalanta: When Runs Are No Longer a Weapon

In the match against Groningen, there was a moment in the 67th minute when Viktor Tsygankov received the ball on the right wing, facing the opposing defender. He cut inside but couldn't get past. People saw him try to accelerate, but his legs seemed to disobey. The stands fell silent for a few seconds, then a sigh spread. That's when I realized: Ajax were losing the weapon they thought they had. I go to the stadium not to witness victory, but to understand why people hug and cry. And in that moment, I saw the disappointment of a young player who had just arrived with high expectations, slowly showing on his face. In that moment, I understood that football is not just numbers, but human stories. Ajax enter the match against Atalanta in the Conference League no longer the dominant force in Dutch football they were a few years ago. They are still a big name, but have fallen a tier below their own standards. Participation in the Conference League instead of the Champions League or Europa League is the clearest evidence of the decline in results and financial power. In that context, the match against Atalanta is not only a professional challenge but also a test of tactical identity. Coach Míchel Sánchez is under pressure from Dutch public opinion. Experts like Ronald de Boer and Wim Kieft have repeatedly questioned Ajax's attacking ability, especially pace. De Boer said bluntly: "Ajax no longer have players who can create breakthroughs with speed. They play based on technique and cohesion, but lack penetration." He also stressed that Ajax's full-backs can push high to create width, but "they are hardly sprinting marvels either". In a room full of men talking tactics, I heard the sound of a dream breaking. The dream of a team once known for fiery attacking football, now struggling to find rhythm. The criticism targets not only Tsygankov but also the club's recruitment strategy. Ajax's problem is not a lack of good players. They have Tsygankov, a left-footed winger with exquisite technique. They have Marcos Leonardo, Gloukh, names highly rated for creativity. But all lack one important quality: pace. In modern football, pace is the ability to change rhythm, to create space in an instant. Ajax lack that. De Boer points out Ajax struggle in transition. When opponents lose the ball, Ajax cannot punish them with quick counter-attacks. This is a fatal weakness, because Atalanta, the upcoming opponent, play high pressing and tight man-marking. They will pressure Ajax's defence, forcing long balls and loss of control. And when chances arise, Atalanta will punish with lightning-fast attacks. Notably, Ajax had a solution for this problem: Simon Adingra. The Ivorian winger is a player with pace and dribbling ability. But Adingra is injured and unavailable. His absence leaves Ajax without the only outlet capable of making a difference in counter-attacks. Coach Sánchez is forced to use technical players, making Ajax predictable. Tsygankov is disappointing. De Boer admitted he was "surprised at Tsygankov's qualities", but negatively: "He doesn't have the pace I expected. He is a technical player, but to play on the wing for a big club, you need more." Kieft questioned his fitness: "It seems Tsygankov did not arrive in Amsterdam fully fit. He needs time, but Ajax don't have much time." Your hero is not immortal, that is the cruellest gift of this game. Tsygankov was a star at Dynamo Kyiv, praised as one of the best wingers in Eastern Europe. But at Ajax, he faces a harsher environment where every mistake is scrutinised. His bench start fuels speculation about his future. A transfer only makes sense when you see the fear in the player's eyes. And in Tsygankov's eyes, I see the fear of a man trying to prove he is worth the money Ajax spent. But that fear can be a double-edged sword: it can drive him or crush him. Ajax rely too much on full-backs pushing high. This is the only way to create width, but also a double-edged sword. When full-backs push high, space opens behind, and Atalanta with fast wingers will exploit it. De Boer warned: "Ajax played well against Groningen, but Atalanta are a different opponent. They won't give you time to build up." Ajax's problem is not just this match. It is identity and recruitment strategy. Why does a club once famous for pace-based attacking football buy technical players? The answer lies in Ajax's changed football philosophy. They want more possession, slower play, relying on cohesion. But possession is not enough to win without the ability to transition quickly. A counter-intuitive view: Criticism of Tsygankov may be premature. Kieft said he is not fully fit, which could explain his lack of pace. If so, the issue is not a lack of pace but not yet at optimal pace. In that case, the low evaluation may be a media mistake. However, even at full fitness, is he fast enough to play on the wing for a big club? That is the question Ajax must answer. Another issue is Steven Berghuis's return. Berghuis is experienced and capable of creating breakthroughs. When he returns, coach Sánchez must decide: keep faith in Tsygankov or switch to Berghuis? Kieft commented: "A fit Berghuis is of immeasurable value. He can make a difference immediately." This puts Tsygankov in a difficult position, as he must compete with himself and with an established player. Financially, Ajax face the risk of asset depreciation. They spent a significant sum to bring Tsygankov, but if he fails to perform, his value will drop. This is a lesson for small clubs: buying players who don't fit the tactical requirements leads to double loss: no results on the pitch and lost transfer value. Based on my experience following matches, I notice clubs like Ajax often make mistakes in defining player profiles. They are attracted to technically gifted players but forget physical attributes, especially pace. In the Eredivisie, where teams often play openly, pace may not be decisive. But in European competition, where opponents press high and mark tightly, pace becomes a survival weapon. If Ajax don't adjust soon, they could spiral into decline and struggle to compete again. The match against Atalanta is the real test. Atalanta are not Groningen. They are well-organised, press intensely and transition quickly. If Ajax cannot break through Atalanta's defence, they will struggle. If they lose, pressure will mount on coach Sánchez and the board. Prediction: Ajax will have more possession but struggle to create clear chances. Atalanta will score from a counter or set piece. The result could be a defeat for Ajax, but more important is what is revealed afterwards. This is a test of character for a club once an icon of attacking football. Football never owes you a happy ending. Ajax were once a force, but to return, they must face the truth: pace is an indispensable part of modern football. And if they cannot find it again, dreams will remain just dreams.