The great Ajax have won the European Cup four times, while Brighton are yet to play four games in Uefa competition, although on this night there was no question as to which side upheld the venerable Dutch tradition of passing football.
That was upwardly-mobile Brighton, winning their first game in European competition in the club’s history. Their recent form, one win in seven before this night, and four defeats, has not been distinguished but this was a fine performance for their first victory in Europa League Group B. On the touchline Roberto De Zerbi enjoyed this little piece of Brighton history delivered with the swagger of a team who liked the ball at their feet.
The same could not be said of Ajax who are at an all-time low in their own history, reduced to the kind of one-dimensional defensive performance that they have spent decades tutting at when opponents have adopted the same. Joao Pedro, the Brazilian striker, and then later Ansu Fati, on loan from Barcelona, scored the goals that made this a remarkably smooth win for Brighton. One struck post aside it was hard to recall anything of note from Ajax.
Watching Ajax sit deep trying to thwart a Brighton team with all the meaningful possession is a stark reminder of how the landscape of European football has been changed by the Premier League’s wealth. Even so – one has to spend it wisely, which Brighton have done. Ajax’s summer transfer recruitment under the now departed director of football Sven Mislintat has left a side, on this evidence, with few outstanding figures.
Not the Ajax of the club’s glorious distant past, or indeed its recent past – but instead a club in freefall without a win since the end of August. Since then have come six defeats in nine games including this one, as well as a manager sacked and a recruitment strategy under intense scrutiny.
Brighton finished the game having completed almost twice as many passes as their opponents, 736 to 374. This was also the first game this season they did not concede. “At the moment it’s important to change the mood,” De Zerbi said, “to start to win games and to play better.” “I’m answering your questions,” he said, “but I’m already thinking about Fulham [in the Premier League on Sunday].”
“I am very proud of what we achieved,” he added. “The first time we’ve won in Europe. Especially against Ajax, a very big club and a club which taught all of Europe how to play football. For us to win against that club playing football, what they taught us to do, it is a big evening for us. All the more because we came up from lower league football.”
Ajax let Brighton have the ball and went into a general retreat over the course of the first half inviting what felt like the inevitable. Under interim manager, the former player Hedwiges Maduro, Ajax started by trying to pass the ball out from the back. It was not long before they were more comfortable launching it in the direction of Brian Brobbey, their robust No 9.
Joao Pedro eventually scored after goalkeeper Diant Ramaj only just kept out the first shot from Kaori Mitoma. It was Lewis Dunk’s ball through a big gap in Ajax’s midfield that picked out Mitoma. Judging by De Zerbi’s reaction on the touchline he felt his team could be better. In previous European games against AEK Athens and Marseille, they had also faced defensive opposition and struggled but this time there never seemed to be any doubt.
Mitoma remains their sharpest edge - there was a breathtaking first touch to stun a long flat kick out to him from goalkeeper Jason Steele as Brighton tried to break out on one occasion. A lovely goal six minutes after half-time from Fati, and made by another Brighton prospect of some promise, the Ivorian international Simon Adingra, just 21. He spotted Fati’s run into the right channel. One touch from Fati to control the ball and another to poke it past Ramaj.
“They are very young,” De Zerbi said of his two goalscorers. “We have to help them but they have to help themselves. Working hard during the week, and working during the game. They are both incredible players.”
Next up in Europe for De Zerbi’s team is a trip to Amsterdam for the return game in two weeks’ time. Unless Ajax find a way to turn it around swiftly, that too looks very winnable for Brighton.
