Ajax and Benfica Clash in a Battle to End Their Champions League Struggles
So, let me walk you through this Ajax vs Benfica matchup, because the story behind it is honestly more dramatic than the scoreline itself. Both teams came into this Champions League clash without a single point, and that already set the tone for a tense, almost desperate contest. Neither side expected to find themselves at the very bottom of the league phase standings at this stage, but here they were—two giants stumbling through a rough European campaign, meeting in Amsterdam to try and steady the ship.
Ajax’s situation has been particularly chaotic. Under interim manager Fred Grim, the Dutch side has been dealing with heavy defeats, defensive collapses, and a lack of confidence that has shown in almost every match. Their Champions League campaign had been unraveling, especially after that disastrous 19-minute spell against Galatasaray where Victor Osimhen completed a hat-trick. Add earlier humiliations against Marseille, Chelsea, and Inter Milan, and Ajax suddenly found themselves with the worst defensive record in the entire competition. Fourteen goals conceded, only one scored—everything felt out of rhythm.
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And it wasn’t just Europe causing trouble. Ajax’s domestic form has been shaky as well, slipping outside the Eredivisie’s top four and dropping games even at home. The team still hasn’t settled with a permanent manager since Johnny Heitinga’s dismissal, and the uncertainty has been reflected on the pitch. Injuries haven’t helped either—key players like Wijndal, Berghuis, and Van den Boomen remained unavailable, forcing Grim to rely on young or out-of-form options.
Benfica, on the other hand, weren’t in as much turmoil but were still far from their usual standards. José Mourinho’s men had at least shown progress domestically, lifting the Supertaca and reaching cup semifinals, but their European form was just as worrying—six consecutive Champions League defeats. Mourinho had yet to see his team score in the tournament under his leadership, which is definitely not something you'd expect from a coach with his résumé. But even with the struggles, Benfica entered this clash with slightly better momentum than Ajax, especially after a cup win over Atletico Clube de Portugal.
And then came the live moment that shifted the mood early on: Samuel Dahl’s goal. Benfica took a corner, Richard RÃos forced a save, and Dahl smashed in the rebound to give the visitors a 1-0 lead within six minutes. From that point, Ajax were forced to chase the game—something that has not suited them at all this season. Benfica’s confidence grew, their shape tightened, and Mourinho’s tactical tweaks seemed to fall into place.
Both sides knew how important this match was, but it was Benfica who stepped forward with more belief, more structure, and more urgency. And realistically, that has been the story for both clubs this season—Ajax searching for stability, Benfica searching for identity. In the end, the prediction leaned slightly toward Benfica, and based on the flow of the match, it felt justified.
So that’s where things stand: two historic clubs trying to claw their way out of a difficult Champions League phase, with Benfica taking the first step and Ajax still desperately searching for answers.
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