In what turned out to be a day of ignominy for Ajax, the revered Dutch football club faced its largest defeat in the history of De Klassieker, succumbing to a staggering 6-0 loss against arch-rivals Feyenoord. This defeat not only etched a dark chapter in Ajax's storied rivalry with Feyenoord but also ranked as one of the joint-fifth heaviest losses the club has ever endured.
The match statistics further reveal the depth of Ajax's woes on the day, managing a solitary shot at goal in stark contrast to Feyenoord's overwhelming 30 attempts. Feyenoord's attacking prowess was on full display, with Igor Paixao and Yankuba Minteh each netting twice. They were well supported by David Hancko and Quinten Timber, who contributed a goal each to round off the scoring for Feyenoord.
The outcome of this historic encounter has significant implications for the Eredivisie standings, propelling Feyenoord into second place with 69 points from 29 games, while Ajax finds itself languishing in sixth position, having amassed 45 points from an equal number of matches. This monumental defeat surpasses the previous notable losses in De Klassieker history, including a 9-4 debacle in 1964 and a 6-1 defeat in 1960, highlighting the gravity of Ajax's setback. Interestingly, Ajax's most disheartening defeat remains a 9-1 thrashing by Dordrecht in 1913, underscoring the rarity of such heavy losses in the club's history.
Off-Pitch Struggles for Ajax
Compounding Ajax's on-field difficulties are troubles brewing off the pitch. Alex Kroes, the club's CEO, finds himself suspended amidst allegations of insider trading. This controversy casts a shadow over the club's management and could potentially distraction from the team's efforts to recalibrate and focus on future challenges.
Unprecedented Controversy in the Turkish Super Cup
In a move that shocked football enthusiasts worldwide, Fenerbahce made the extraordinary decision to leave the pitch just one minute into their Turkish Super Cup encounter against Galatasaray, effectively conceding the trophy. This drastic action was preceded by Fenerbahce's fielding of their Under-19 squad and was reportedly prompted by an unheeded request to postpone the match due to a scheduling conflict. Galatasaray's early goal seems to have been the catalyst for this unprecedented walk-off, leaving many to ponder the broader implications for Turkish football.
Thrills in Serie A
Elsewhere in Europe, the Italian Serie A continues to showcase its competitive edge with a series of closely contested matches. Juventus managed to edge past Fiorentina with a narrow 1-0 victory, courtesy of a goal from Federico Gatti. In a more high-scoring affair, Napoli triumphed 4-2 against Monza, with Victor Osimhen, Matteo Politano, Piotr Zielinski, and Giacomo Raspadori each finding the back of the net to secure the win. Meanwhile, Cagliari snatched a late victory over Atalanta, with Nicolas Viola scoring a decisive goal in the 88th minute to seal a 2-1 win.
Ligue 1 Highlights
The French Ligue 1 also delivered its share of footballing excitement, with Monaco securing a 1-0 win against Rennes thanks to a solitary goal from Maghnes Akliouche. In a goal-laden match, Brest emerged victorious in a thrilling 4-3 encounter against Metz. Meanwhile, the clash between Paris St Germain and Clermont ended in a 1-1 draw, underlining the unpredictable nature of the league and providing a fitting conclusion to a weekend replete with footballing drama across Europe.
