Five of the biggest title collapses in European football as Ajax implode | OneFootball

Ajax are on the verge of a nightmare title collapse after the Dutch side conceded a 99th-minute equaliser at Groningen on Wednesday night.

Francesco Farioli’s side had been cruising towards the Eredivisie title just weeks ago, with only six points required from their final five games. However, Ajax have since gone four without a win, allowing PSV Eindhoven to overtake them heading into the final weekend.

The title is now out of Ajax’s hands, with an in-form PSV favourites to defend their title. Following Ajax’s implosion, we’ve remembered five of the biggest title collapses in European football.

Five of the biggest title collapses in European football

Newcastle United – 1995/96 Premier League

Newcastle’s collapse during the 1995/96 season is perhaps the title race implosion most remembered in the Premier League.

The Magpies stormed ahead at the top of the division, leading at Christmas and extending that advantage to 12 points by mid-January. Kevin Keegan’s entertaining side looked capable of ending a 69-year wait for a top-flight crown, but an unforeseen downturn undid their dream.

Newcastle lost five out of eight games between late February and early April, including a 4-3 defeat at Liverpool in an all-time classic. The imagery of Keegan slumped over the Anfield advertising hoardings is iconic, after Stan Collymore crashed in a last-minute winner for Liverpool.

Manchester United overtook Newcastle and never looked back, as an increasingly animated Keegan delivered his unforgettable ‘I will love it if we beat them!’ rant in the run-in.

They didn’t, as Manchester United were crowned champions. Newcastle finished as runners-up again the following season, but have never since come as close.

Inter Milan – 2001/02 Serie A

Inter Milan’s star-studded side looked set to end their Scudetto drought in 2001/02, with a team that included Christian Vieri, Ronaldo and Clarence Seedorf taking charge of the title race.

Though Inter’s lead was never comfortable, the Nerazzurri hit the front in March and led heading into the final weekend.

A win would have secured a first Serie A title in 12 years, but Inter could not hold their nerve. Despite twice leading at Lazio, Hector Cuper’s side lost 4-2 in the capital. Wins for Juventus and AS Roma saw Inter end the campaign third.

Real Madrid – 2003/04 La Liga

Real Madrid’s Galactico side looked on course to defend their La Liga crown in 2003/04, as the Spanish giants galloped away from the chasing pack.

Carlos Queiroz’s side were eight points clear with just 12 games to go, inspired by the goals of Ronaldo Nazario and a magic midfield including Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and David Beckham.

However, a shock defeat in the Copa del Rey final to Real Zaragoza started a stunning slump. Real exited the Champions League to surprise package Monaco, with the club’s on-loan forward Fernando Morientes netting in both legs.

Things soon went from bad to worse. Los Blancos lost all FIVE of their final La Liga fixtures to end the season fourth, seven points behind champions Valencia. It’s the club’s lowest league finish of the 21st century.

AS Monaco – 2003/04 Ligue 1

AS Monaco looked set for a historic season in 2003/04, as the principality club led Ligue 1 and progressed impressively in Europe. Monaco took the lead in France in September and remained at the summit until mid-March.

However, a memorable Champions League run scuppered their domestic hopes. Alongside wins over Real Madrid and Chelsea in Europe came inconsistent league form. Struggling to deal with the demands of both competitions, Monaco won just three of their last eight league games to end the season third, behind Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain.

To make matters worse, Dider Deschamps’ side were thrashed 3-0 by Porto in the Champions League final.

Manchester United – 2011/12 Premier League

The 2011/12 title race in the Premier League is defined by one moment, as Sergio Aguero’s last-gasp winner snatched the crown for Manchester City.

Aguero’s goal and that final-day drama has somewhat consigned Manchester United’s collapse to forgotten status. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side were defending champions and looked set to defend their crown heading into the run-in.

The Red Devils were eight points clear at the top with just six games to go, before a shock defeat at Wigan and a chaotic 4-4 draw with Everton allowed City back into the race.

In late April, the title rivals went head-to-head and Vincent Kompany’s winner took City top of the table on goal difference. City flirted with their own collapse against QPR on the final day, but Aguero’s golden goal sealed the club’s first Premier League crown.

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