[2013-04-14] Christian Eriksen - PSV vs Ajax

Christian Eriksen's Ajax travelled to title challengers PSV on Sunday afternoon for a crucial match at the Philips Stadion. The Amsterdam club lay three points clear of their rivals, but a win for PSV would put them top with four games remaining. Alternatively, an Ajax win would see them almost certainly pick up their third consecutive Eredivisie title. Eriksen has recently said that he won't extend his contract, which only runs to 2014, so the Dane will be hoping to leave the club on a high.

Eriksen took up a central midfield position in a 4-3-3 formation. Beside him was captain Siem de Jong, with Christian Poulsen behind them as a holder. Fellow Danes Lasse Schöne and Viktor Fischer took up positions on the right and left wings respectively, while Kolbeinn Sigþórsson operated as the lone striker. Kevin Strootman and the evergreen Mark van Bommel were PSV's central midfielders in a 4-4-2 formation.

Eriksen proved to be the difference in an entertaining game, playing a vital part in all three of Ajax's goals (and one of PSV's). After a bright start by the home side, Ajax gradually came into the game, with Eriksen at the heart of a number of attacking moves. He played several one-twos with teammates; they usually involved simple passes and runs, but he still displayed a good appreciation of space, as well as an eagerness to take responsibility and bring the game forwards.



(Eriksen is the one putting in the cross above)

As mentioned, Eriksen was involved with all of Ajax's goals. For the first, he showed a nice turn of pace on the right wing before pulling the ball back for what eventually led to the opener. The second goal came from the left flank via another one-two, followed by a fine run and finish. For Ajax's third, the Dane played a good through ball for a quick counter attack (although PSV defender Erik Pieters should have done better).




Eriksen was allowed to roam forward because of disciplined performances by de Jong and Poulsen. While de Jong and Eriksen took it in turns to get forward, Poulsen put in a terrific defensive performance behind them, dropping so deep at times that he became a third central defender. PSV seemed to be aware of his importance coming into the game, as they spent the first 15 minutes trying, somewhat embarassingly, to get Poulsen an early yellow card. Eriksen himself was competent defensively, heading off the line from a corner in the first half and making a couple of interceptions in midfield.



Eriksen did have some poor moments in the game however. He was caught in possession on a few occasions, most notably for PSV's first equalizer. If he were to move to England next season, he could find himself in similar situations should he struggle to adapt to the frenetic pace of the English game.


But even in criticism there's praise: Eriksen sought the ball on those occasions he was caught, and he could have simply hoofed forward when pressured (of course for the PSV goal, he should have). Even after being at fault for PSV's goal, away in the biggest game of the season, he responded by putting his side ahead again, almost single-handedly. With numerous Premier League clubs reportedly interested in Eriksen, the mental toughness he displayed on Sunday will have impressed them as much as his technical skills.