So near yet so far: PSV edges Ajax by a single point in a season of dramatic twists
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PSV Eindhoven | 34 | 28 | 3 | 3 | 92 | 22 | +70 | 87 |
| 2 | Ajax Amsterdam | 34 | 27 | 5 | 2 | 89 | 24 | +65 | 86 |
| 3 | Feyenoord Rotterdam | 34 | 23 | 5 | 6 | 78 | 31 | +47 | 74 |
| 4 | AZ Alkmaar | 34 | 19 | 6 | 9 | 67 | 41 | +26 | 63 |
| 5 | FC Utrecht | 34 | 17 | 9 | 8 | 57 | 39 | +18 | 60 |
In one of the most dramatic title races in Eredivisie history, PSV Eindhoven claimed the 2024-2025 championship by a single point over Ajax Amsterdam, completing a remarkable late-season comeback. Despite Ajax winning their final match against FC Twente 2-0, PSV's 3-1 victory over Sparta Rotterdam ensured they maintained their one-point advantage to lift the trophy. The painful conclusion for Ajax came after they had held a commanding nine-point lead with just five matches remaining—a collapse unprecedented in the modern era of Dutch football.
We did everything we could today. The team showed character by winning our match, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough. This is a painful lesson for us all about the importance of consistency throughout the entire season. Congratulations to PSV, but we'll be back stronger next season.
The disappointment is immense. We had the title in our hands, and we let it slip away. That's the most painful part. We've played some incredible football this season, dominating for long stretches. But in the end, championships are decided by the entire 34 matches, not just the first 29.
This is the beauty and cruelty of football. We have witnessed something truly historic in this title race. Credit to PSV for their relentless pursuit, but Ajax's collapse will be analyzed for years to come. No team in the modern era has lost such a significant lead with so few games remaining.
I'm so proud of my team for never giving up. When we were nine points behind with five games to go, many thought it was impossible. But we kept believing, kept fighting, and kept winning. Today was the perfect culmination of that fighting spirit. Ajax is a great team, but we showed extraordinary character to overtake them.
With a nine-point lead and only five matches remaining, Ajax appeared certain to claim the Eredivisie title. Yet a series of critical matches and moments led to a collapse of historic proportions.
The beginning of the collapse. After a 15-match unbeaten run, Ajax suffered a shocking 4-0 defeat to Utrecht. Francesco Farioli's men appeared disjointed and overwhelmed, with Utrecht capitalizing on uncharacteristic defensive errors. While concerning, few believed this single defeat would prove consequential with Ajax still holding a comfortable seven-point lead.
An opportunity to bounce back squandered. With PSV winning their match the previous day, Ajax needed a response but struggled to break down a resilient AZ side. Despite taking the lead through Brian Brobbey in the 54th minute, Ajax conceded a late equalizer in the 87th minute after failing to clear a routine corner. Meanwhile, PSV continued their winning run with a convincing 3-0 victory over Fortuna Sittard.
Alarm bells start ringing. What was once a commanding lead had now been reduced to just four points as Ajax suffered a second defeat in three matches. NEC, motivated by their push for European qualification, outplayed a nervous Ajax side that created few clear chances. PSV's 2-1 win against Feyenoord on the same day further intensified the pressure on Farioli's team.
The critical moment. Facing relegation-threatened Groningen at the Johan Cruyff Arena, Ajax had a perfect opportunity to reassert control of the title race. Leading 2-1 in the final minutes through goals from Kenneth Taylor and Chuba Akpom, disaster struck in the 90+9th minute when Groningen scored a dramatic equalizer with virtually the last kick of the match. The stadium fell silent as news filtered through that PSV had won their match against Willem II, moving to just one point behind Ajax with one match remaining.
The final act. Ajax did their part by defeating FC Twente 2-0, but it wasn't enough as PSV secured a 3-1 victory over Sparta Rotterdam to win the Eredivisie by a single point. The contrast in emotions was stark – despair in Amsterdam, jubilation in Eindhoven. PSV's consistency in the crucial final weeks of the season earned them a well-deserved title, while Ajax were left to reflect on how they had squandered such a commanding position.
Looking beyond the dramatic conclusion, Ajax's 2024-2025 campaign was statistically impressive, accumulating 86 points—a tally that would have won the Eredivisie in many previous seasons. The team scored 89 goals while conceding just 24, demonstrating an excellent balance between attacking flair and defensive solidity for much of the season.
Francesco Farioli's first full season as Ajax manager showcased his tactical acumen and ability to rebuild after several disappointing campaigns. The Italian coach implemented a more structured approach that balanced Ajax's traditional attacking philosophy with greater defensive stability.
For much of the season, Farioli's system worked brilliantly, with Ajax dominating possession while maintaining a solid defensive shape. The emergence of young talents like Jorrel Hato and Kristian Hlynsson alongside experienced players like Steven Bergwijn and Brian Brobbey created a balanced squad that appeared destined for glory.
However, the late-season collapse raised questions about the team's mental resilience and Farioli's ability to manage high-pressure situations. The tactical flexibility that served Ajax well for most of the season seemed to disappear in crucial matches, with the team appearing rigid and predictable when adaptability was most needed.
"Despite the painful conclusion, we've laid important foundations this season. Our project is just beginning, and I'm convinced we're on the right path. This experience, however difficult, will make us stronger."— Francesco Farioli, Ajax Manager
Ajax's late-season implosion represents a statistical anomaly in European football. According to data analysts, no team in the history of Europe's top six leagues (England, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Netherlands) has ever lost a nine-point lead with just five matches remaining.
Led the English Premier League by 12 points in January but ultimately finished 4 points behind Manchester United. However, Newcastle's collapse occurred over 15 matches, not 5.
Famously lost the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League in the final weeks of the season, but their league lead was only 5 points with 3 matches remaining.
Led La Liga by 8 points in March but lost 5 of their last 7 matches to finish 5 points behind Valencia. Their collapse occurred over a longer period than Ajax's.
Had a 7-point lead with 3 matches remaining but lost all three to allow AZ Alkmaar to win the Eredivisie by a single point—the closest historical parallel to Ajax's 2024-25 collapse.
Ajax's 2024-25 collapse therefore stands alone in modern European football history in terms of squandering such a substantial advantage with so few matches remaining. The psychological impact of this unprecedented failure will likely reverberate through the club for years to come.
Despite the disappointing conclusion, several Ajax players enjoyed exceptional individual seasons:
Emerged as one of Europe's most promising strikers with 24 goals in 32 Eredivisie appearances. His physicality, pace, and improved finishing made him Ajax's offensive centerpiece.
The captain led by example with 18 goals and 14 assists, demonstrating his evolution into a complete attacking player. His leadership qualities were evident throughout most of the campaign.
The 18-year-old defender's breakthrough season established him as one of Europe's most promising defensive talents. His composure, versatility, and technical ability drew comparisons to a young Daley Blind.
The academy graduate elevated his game under Farioli, becoming the team's midfield orchestrator with impressive vision and improved defensive awareness.
The psychological impact on Ajax's fanbase was profound. Having experienced the full emotional spectrum—from anticipation of a title celebration to the crushing disappointment of watching it slip away—supporters expressed a mixture of frustration, anger, and disbelief.
Particularly painful was the sense that this collapse was self-inflicted rather than the result of an extraordinary PSV campaign. While PSV's consistency in the season's final weeks was admirable, the focus remained on Ajax's unprecedented stumble with the finish line in sight.
— Johan, 58, Ajax season ticket holder since 1985I've supported Ajax for over 40 years and have never experienced anything like this. To lose such a commanding lead in so few games is inexplicable. The psychological damage from this collapse will take time to heal.
— Emma, 34, Ajax supporter from Amsterdam ZuidThe most frustrating part is that we were clearly the better team for 29 games. But championships aren't decided on who's better for most of the season—they're decided by who gets the most points after 34 games. PSV deserves credit for capitalizing on our collapse.
While the pain of this historic collapse will linger, Ajax must quickly regroup and prepare for the 2025-2026 season. Several key questions and challenges await the club in the aftermath of this traumatic conclusion.
Despite the late-season collapse, Francesco Farioli has received a vote of confidence from Ajax's board. Technical director Alex Kroes emphasized that the overall progress made this season outweighs the disappointing conclusion, with Farioli's contract running until 2027.
The Italian coach will need to demonstrate that he has learned from this experience and can strengthen the team's mental resilience while maintaining the tactical identity that served them well for much of the campaign.
The transfer window will be crucial for Ajax's hopes of bouncing back. Retaining key players like Brian Brobbey, Steven Bergwijn, and Jorrel Hato will be challenging after such a promising season, despite the painful ending.
European giants are already circling for Brobbey and Hato in particular, with bids exceeding €40 million expected for both. Ajax's ability to resist these approaches—or replace departing stars adequately—will significantly impact their title prospects next season.
Perhaps the greatest challenge facing Ajax is psychological rather than tactical or technical. Overcoming the mental scars of such a historic collapse will require careful management and potentially specialized psychological support.
Historical examples suggest that teams recovering from similar (though less extreme) collapses have often struggled in the following season, with the psychological hangover lingering longer than anticipated.
Ajax's second-place finish means they will enter the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League at the third qualifying round. Navigating these qualifying matches successfully will be crucial for both sporting prestige and financial health.
The additional matches present a challenge for pre-season preparation but also an opportunity for early competitive fixtures to help players move beyond the disappointment of the Eredivisie collapse.
Ajax finds itself at a critical juncture. This collapse will either break them or make them stronger. History shows that great teams often need to experience painful failure before achieving greatness. The key will be honest self-reflection without dwelling on the past.
Farioli has shown he can build a tactically sophisticated team that plays attractive football. Now he must prove he can develop mental resilience and game management in pressure situations. I believe this team has the potential to bounce back stronger, but only if they use this experience correctly.
The most important thing is to start next season with renewed energy and without the burden of what happened. Football has a wonderful way of offering redemption to those brave enough to keep pushing forward.
In the aftermath of Ajax's historic collapse, the club has implemented several initiatives to help the fanbase process their collective disappointment and maintain their passionate support heading into the new season.
Ajax has scheduled several open training sessions throughout the summer, inviting supporters to reconnect with the team and begin the healing process. These sessions will include opportunities for fans to interact with players and coaching staff.
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A series of moderated discussions between club representatives and supporter groups has been organized to address concerns, answer questions, and outline the vision for the 2025-2026 season. These sessions aim to maintain transparency and rebuild trust.
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Recognizing the unwavering support of season ticket holders despite the disappointment, Ajax has introduced enhanced benefits for the 2025-2026 season, including exclusive events, merchandise discounts, and priority access to European fixtures.
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A new section of the official Ajax app has been developed as a space for fans to share their experiences, connect with fellow supporters, and participate in interactive content focused on the upcoming season.
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