Ajax remain one of the familiar reference points of Dutch football: founded in 1900, based at the Johan Cruijff Arena, and carrying a name Celtic supporters do not need introduced. This season finds them third in the Eredivisie, with a 28-man squad averaging 25 years of age and valued at around £152m by Transfermarkt.
Their league form has been mixed rather than erratic. Recent wins at PEC Zwolle, NAC Breda and Heracles Almelo sit alongside draws with Heerenveen and PSV, and a home defeat to FC Utrecht. They have been quick starters often enough, scoring inside the first 20 minutes in nine of 18 league matches, which gives a fair indication of how they try to impose themselves early.
At home, Ajax are averaging 1.9 goals scored and one conceded per match. Away from Amsterdam, the numbers are cleaner: two goals scored per game and none conceded across the sample provided. Oscar Gloukh leads their scoring with four, with Davy Klaassen next on two and Mohamed Abdalla, Steven Berghuis and Julian Brandt also on the scoresheet.
Their season has also included the third qualifying round of the Conference League. For Celtic supporters, Ajax should be viewed as a technically serious, established European opponent: not flawless, but still carrying enough attacking threat and institutional weight to demand proper attention.
