Ajax Deliver Crushing Blow to PSV's Title Hopes with 2-0 Win

Ajax have dealt a significant blow to PSV's Eredivisie title hopes with a 2-0 victory in Eindhoven. 

Ajax have delivered a significant blow to PSV's title aspirations with a convincing 2-0 victory in Eindhoven. This win has enabled Ajax to tighten their grip on the Eredivisie, extending their lead over second-placed PSV to a substantial 9 points.

The highly anticipated match between Ajax and PSV was billed as the most crucial game of the Eredivisie season. With Ajax holding a 6-point lead prior to the match, PSV had the opportunity to reduce the gap to just 3 points with a win. However, Ajax's efficient performance has now put them firmly in control of the title race.

PSV faced significant challenges ahead of the match, with striker Lucas Perez ruled out due to a tuberculosis infection. This forced manager Ruud van Nistelrooy to rely on Luuk de Jong as his lone striker. Meanwhile, midfielder Ismael Saibari was handed his first start in three games, having previously been omitted from the squad due to disciplinary reasons. American starlet Malik Tillman made a welcome return to the bench after overcoming an ankle injury that had sidelined him for 2.5 months.

Ajax manager Francesco Farioli made several key decisions in his team selection, opting to start Lucas Rosa at right-back in the absence of the suspended Anton Gaaei. Davy Klaassen was preferred to Kian Fitz-Jim in midfield, while Steven Berghuis started on the right wing ahead of Bertrand Traore. These selections ultimately paid off, as Ajax secured a crucial victory that has significantly boosted their title prospects.

The match began with a cautious opening 15 minutes, during which both teams created only one scoring opportunity each. Ajax's Kenneth Taylor and PSV's Ismael Saibari both failed to capitalize on their chances, with efforts from inside the box that did not find the back of the net.

Ajax, under the guidance of manager Francesco Farioli, demonstrated a resolute defensive structure and adopted an opportunistic approach to their attacking play. They frequently opted for long balls forward, rarely maintaining possession for extended periods. As the match approached the half-hour mark, PSV applied pressure, but Ajax's defense held firm, denying the home team any clear-cut chances.

The deadlock was broken when Davy Klaassen scored the opening goal for Ajax, silencing the home crowd. Klaassen's effort, which came from a turn, was a surprise to many, and it marked his 82nd Eredivisie goal. This achievement cemented Klaassen's position as Ajax's second-highest goalscorer of the century, behind only Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who has scored 121 goals.

WIJ ZIJN AJAX! ❌❌❌ pic.twitter.com/zkyMFb9lqL

— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) March 30, 2025

PSV manager Peter Bosz made two substitutions at halftime, introducing Malik Tillman for his first Eredivisie minutes since January 11th, replacing Guus Til. Additionally, Tyrell Malacia came on for Mauro Junior at left-back, with Junior moving to midfield to fill in for Joey Veerman.

The second half began with PSV launching a fierce attack, forcing Ajax to adopt a defensive mindset. In the first 15 minutes of the half, PSV unleashed seven efforts on goal, but Ajax's defense held firm. However, against the run of play, Ajax scored their second goal. A long kick from goalkeeper Matheus Cunha was collected by substitute Bertrand Traore, who was given space to shoot from distance after evading Tyrell Malacia. Traore seized the opportunity, beating Walter Benitez with a low-driven effort to make it 2-0.

The goal deflated PSV's momentum, and they failed to mount significant pressure on Ajax in the final 20 minutes. Ajax, on the other hand, created a couple of chances to further extend their lead. When the final whistle blew, the entire Ajax bench erupted in celebration, marking a crucial 2-0 victory over PSV. The win has widened the gap between Ajax and PSV to 9 points, with just seven games remaining in the Eredivisie season.