{"id":1795,"date":"2017-08-11T16:44:19","date_gmt":"2017-08-11T15:44:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ajaxdaily.com\/?p=1795"},"modified":"2017-08-11T17:19:49","modified_gmt":"2017-08-11T16:19:49","slug":"preview-201718-eredivisie-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ajaxdaily.com\/2017\/preview-201718-eredivisie-season\/","title":{"rendered":"A preview of the 2017\/18 Eredivisie season"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last season\u2019s run to the Europa League final was thrilling for everyone involved with the club, from the players to the casual observer. Ajax had their long overdue moment in the spotlight, but fell just short of European glory \u2013 and at what cost? Before I get into it, I want to preface by saying I enjoyed that run as much as, if not more, than anyone. It was equal parts magical, thrilling, heart-wrenching and proud. I\u2019m still waiting for the Disney movie to be made. That being said, a shift in focus is needed this season. Following their defeat \u2013 to hell with the away goals rule \u2013 to Nice on away goals, Ajax will miss out on the Champions League for a third successive season. It\u2019s about time they made it back. Back to where they belong.<\/p>\n

The Eredivisie campaign took a back seat at multiple points last season, and while the reward greatly outweighed the risk at the time, it wound up costing Ajax dearly. A memorable 2016\/17 season ended without a trophy, while rivals Feyenoord returned to the summit of Dutch football for the first time since 1999, adding insult to injury. It has been three seasons since the Amsterdammers have topped the Eredivisie, following a string of four successive titles from 2011-2014, and the drought needs to end.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no sidestepping the fact that Ajax\u2019s campaign got off to a heart-breaking start this season with the tragic end of Abdelhak Nouri\u2019s once-promising career, of which the consequences stretch far greater than football. In fact, when discussing Nouri, football becomes irrelevant \u2013 a subtle distraction from the bitter reality. It is a tragedy that has and will continue to affect this club for the duration of the season and beyond. Nouri lived and breathed Ajax. An Amsterdammer through and through, Appie lived every waking moment for the logo on his shirt \u2013 and while his life-altering injury puts football into perspective, everyone who had the pleasure of making Nouri\u2019s acquaintance knows he would want nothing more than for Ajax to return to the top of Dutch football. Every season the title represents a crowning moment for the club and a place in the Champions League. Not this one. This title, which would be the 34th for the club \u2013 the same number dawned on Appie\u2019s jersey \u2013 represents the dedication of his footballing career.\u00a0 First place has never meant so much.<\/p>\n

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? A stirring applause for Nouri in the 34th minute of the game. #ajanic<\/a>#StayStrongAppie<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/T8LkQy6Na3<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 AjaxDaily (@ajaxdailydotcom) 2 augustus 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n