Ajax won three consecutive European Cups from 1971 to 1973.
The Amsterdam club began the run by beating Panathinaikos 2–0 in the 1971 final at Wembley. Ajax retained the trophy in 1972 by defeating Inter Milan 2–0 in Rotterdam, with Johan Cruyff scoring both goals. In the 1973 final, Ajax beat Juventus 1–0 in Belgrade, Johnny Rep scoring the only goal after four minutes.
The three victories established Ajax as the dominant European team of the early 1970s. Their success was closely associated with “Total Football,” a fluid style in which players exchanged positions and defended collectively. Rinus Michels coached the 1971 winners, while Stefan Kovács led the team for the 1972 and 1973 triumphs.
The wording can cause confusion because Bayern Munich also won three consecutive European Cups, but that run came later, from 1974 through 1976. Ajax’s 1973 victory was the third in the 1971–73 sequence.