Edson Álvarez has no intention of changing his sometimes worked-up behavior during important matches. Protecting his fellow players is a top priority for the Mexican.
“I have learned to recognize situations and to know how far I can go,” the controller tells in an extensive interview with the General Journal. “I don’t care that people sometimes think I deserve red. They can talk, but they don’t feel the fire on the field behind the TV.”
Álvarez explains: “When Kudus, Stevie or Kenneth get kicked over and over again, it feels like they’re on family. Then I stand up and say: This is Ajax. A little more respect please. Sometimes I thought I was the only one, but now we are fighting together again and we are on the right track.”
In the run-up to the Classic, which is refereed by Danny Makkelie, Álvarez hands out a compliment. “I like the referees here,” he says. “I don’t know them by name, but when I see them before the game, I know who I can talk to and who is more difficult. I can’t be soft. (…) I’m just fierce. That’s part of my game The Classic is therefore the perfect race for me.”
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