Ajax’s Struggles Continue: Oscar Gluch Benched in Loss to Benfica

Ajax Amsterdam’s troubles deepened as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Benfica in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night. This latest setback marked the fourth consecutive loss for the Dutch club across all competitions, raising serious concerns about their performance and prospects.

Performance Under Scrutiny

The match showcased Ajax’s ongoing decline, with local media labeling them as “the worst Dutch team in Champions League history.” The criticism was especially sharp from the AD newspaper, which highlighted the team’s failure as another failure in a troubling season. Similarly, De Telegraaf noted that Ajax’s performance was slightly improved from their previous loss to Excelsior, but this was framed as a low bar given their recent struggles.

Oscar Gluch’s Role

Israeli midfielder Oscar Gluch did not feature in the starting lineup against Benfica, despite having played a full 90 minutes in the last league match after receiving praise from interim coach Fred Grim. The absence of Gluch sparked discussion in the Dutch media, which continuously focuses on the young talent brought in during the summer transfer window. Commentary pointed out that Ajax was searching for their first point in the Champions League without their key signing.

Reason for Bench Warmer Status

Grim made five changes to the starting lineup, which included the decision to bench Gluch. The coach explained that his rationale was not due to Gluch’s poor performance in the previous match but rather a congested schedule and a desire to evaluate other players in the squad. This decision reflects the team’s struggle as they seek to revitalize their season amidst a turbulent run of form.

As Ajax navigates this challenging period, their next steps will be crucial in determining whether they can turn their fortunes around and salvage their campaign.