Europa League Playoff First Leg: Ajax in Rebuilding Phase, Saint-Gilloise Ready for Another Surprise?

The first leg of the Europa League playoffs continued in the early hours of August 25th, Beijing time, with some intriguing matchups setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting season in European football. Ajax, one of the most storied clubs in European football, finds itself in unfamiliar territory as it undergoes a significant rebuild. Meanwhile, Union Saint-Gilloise, a Belgian team that made waves in last year's Europa League, is looking to prove that their surprise run to the quarterfinals was no fluke.

Ajax vs. Ludogorets - A Fallen Giant in Transition?

Ajax, the traditional powerhouse of Dutch football, faces a challenging period after parting ways with almost all the key figures from their title-winning squad. Last season, they finished third in the Eredivisie, missing out on Champions League qualification for the first time in years. This summer has been a period of significant transition for the club. Key players like Jurrien Timber, Edson Alvarez, and Calvin Bassey have all departed for the Premier League, further thinning an already depleted squad. Even former manager Erik ten Hag left for Manchester United, which marked the beginning of a decline in Ajax’s performances.

Despite the downturn, Ajax has continued its policy of selling players, cashing in on talents that they could not offload last season. The sales have provided a substantial influx of funds, and Ajax has reinvested in a number of young players in their early 20s, looking to rebuild the squad around emerging talents. This strategy has left them with a net profit of around €35 million in this transfer window, but it also raises questions about the recent productivity of Ajax's famous youth academy, often referred to as "Europe's top talent factory." Instead of promoting homegrown players, Ajax appears to be purchasing young prospects from other clubs, which may suggest a temporary decline in their youth development pipeline.

In the new Eredivisie season, Ajax has only managed to secure four points from their first two matches, conceding three goals in the process. While these results are not disastrous, they do not inspire confidence that Ajax is poised to reclaim their domestic crown. The team still seems to be finding its feet under new management, and a lack of cohesion is evident in their play. The upcoming fixture against Ludogorets offers a stern test for the Dutch side as they seek to regain their footing on the European stage.

Ludogorets, the reigning champions of the Bulgarian league, are no strangers to European competition. Having won their domestic title for 12 consecutive seasons, they have also featured regularly in the Champions League. However, this season, they were knocked out in the second qualifying round by Slovenian side Olimpija Ljubljana, a disappointing result that forced them into the Europa League.

The Bulgarian champions managed to overcome Kazakhstan's titleholders, FC Astana, in the previous round to reach the playoff stage of the Europa League. Despite this success, Ludogorets has had an uncharacteristically poor start to their domestic season, losing two of their first five matches — a significant drop in form considering they only lost twice in the entire previous season. Given their current state, Ludogorets may struggle to compete against Ajax, a team that, despite its transitional period, boasts a wealth of European experience. A narrow 1-0 victory for Ajax seems likely, given their superior quality and pedigree in continental competition.

Union Saint-Gilloise vs. Lugano - Belgian Club Poised for Another Surprise?

Union Saint-Gilloise, the Belgian club that took the Europa League by storm last season, is set for another exciting European campaign. Despite their limited experience in continental competitions, they reached the quarterfinals in their debut season in the Europa League, defying expectations and establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with. Last season, they topped their group ahead of Bundesliga side Union Berlin and then defeated the same opponent 6-3 on aggregate in the Round of 16. Their fairy-tale run ended in the quarterfinals against Bayer Leverkusen, but not before they had captured the imagination of fans across Europe.

This season, Union Saint-Gilloise is keen to demonstrate that their success was not a one-off. The Belgian league has already kicked off, and the club has shown solid form, winning three of their first four matches. They are determined to use their home advantage in the first leg against Lugano to build a foundation for another deep run in Europe.

On the other hand, Lugano, a Swiss club, is also aiming to make an impact on the European stage. After finishing third in their domestic league last season, they earned another shot at European competition. This time, even if they lose in the Europa League playoffs, they will still qualify for the Europa Conference League group stage, which represents a significant improvement over their performance last season. In 2019, Lugano reached the Europa League group stage but finished as one of only four teams without a single win in the competition. This season, they are eager to avoid a similar fate and prove that they belong among Europe's elite.

Both the Belgian and Swiss leagues have played four rounds so far this season, and both clubs have recorded three wins and one loss, suggesting that they are in comparable form. However, based on last season's performance, Union Saint-Gilloise appears to be more accustomed to the demands of European football. Their players have experienced the pressure and intensity of these fixtures and will likely be better prepared for the challenges ahead. A 2-0 home victory for Union Saint-Gilloise is a realistic expectation, allowing them to seize the initiative in the tie.

Ajax’s Rebuilding Process and Potential Concerns

As Ajax continues its rebuilding process, several questions loom large. The club's decision to sell its key players and rely heavily on young, relatively untested talents has raised concerns among fans and pundits alike. While Ajax has a long history of successfully developing young players, recent results suggest that this might not be the case in the immediate future. The club's famed youth academy, which has produced legends like Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, and more recently Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong, seems to be going through a period of stagnation.

Instead of relying on homegrown talents, Ajax has turned to the transfer market to acquire promising players from other clubs. While this strategy may work in the short term, it deviates from the club's traditional philosophy of nurturing local talent and promoting them to the first team. Ajax fans are known for their patience when it comes to developing young players, but they will expect results sooner rather than later.

The new manager will need time to instill his philosophy and style of play, but in a club like Ajax, time is often a luxury that is in short supply. With expectations always high, particularly after a season where they failed to qualify for the Champions League, the pressure will be on to deliver both in the domestic league and in Europe.

Union Saint-Gilloise’s Aspirations for Continued Success

For Union Saint-Gilloise, this season represents another opportunity to showcase their talents on the European stage. After their remarkable run to the quarterfinals last year, there is a sense that the club is ready to take another step forward. Their success last season was built on a combination of tactical discipline, team cohesion, and a fearless approach to matches against supposedly stronger opponents.

Their journey last year showed that they are not overawed by the occasion and are capable of competing with established European clubs. If they can maintain that spirit and continue to improve, there is every reason to believe that Union Saint-Gilloise can once again be one of the surprise packages of this year's competition.

Lugano, meanwhile, will be hoping to write their own success story. Having struggled in their last appearance in the Europa League, they will be motivated to make amends this time around. While they may not have the same pedigree or recent European experience as their Belgian opponents, they will be looking to use their status as underdogs to their advantage.

As the first leg of the Europa League playoffs unfolds, much remains uncertain. Ajax's rebuilding project, Union Saint-Gilloise's desire to prove themselves once again, and Lugano's quest for redemption will all be storylines to watch. European competition always brings the unexpected, and this season promises to be no different.