If you want the perfect example of how to carry out high pressing at the highest level, look no further than this piece of play from Ajax against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
The Amsterdam club were unlucky to lose against the holders on home soil, having conceded a late goal from Marco Asensio, but they made it incredibly tough for Santiago Solari's side and there's reason to believe they are not out of the Champions League tie just yet.
Erik ten Hag's side were in the faces of Real players early on, with one clip in particular in the ninth minute looking like an absolute masterclass in pressing.
You can argue that Ajax shouldn't be giving the ball away as cheaply and as often as they do, but their sheer will to win the wall back is quite remarkable.
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And while there's an aggression to it, it's not meaningless Sunday League chasing down either. They are hunting down Madrid in packs and intelligently closing off the spaces.
Ajax really are a pressing machine and they don't give the 13-time European champions any time or space to catch their breath, never mind getting the ball down and playing.
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Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are usually exude calmness on the ball but even they struggled to be press resistant here.
Unfortunately, it does seem as though it caught up with Ajax as they conceded a late goal but don't count them out in the return leg.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: amsterdam, Football News, FC Barcelona, Football, Ajax, Netherlands, Champions League, Real Madrid
