Football NOS•today, 00:42
It was exactly one year ago Saturday that Ajax was last in the Premier League. Last week the Amsterdammers were consecutively Feyenoord (0-2) and PSV (3-2) the leader and now Ajax is in second place with respect, five points behind the leader PSV with one less game played.
Ajax’s resurgence this season is remarkable compared to last year’s dire situation. In Football Studio former head coach Guus Hiddink, former footballers Pierre van Hooijdonk and Rafael van der Vaart and NOS reporter Jeroen Stekelenburg name what they consider to be the most important factors behind the revival .
‘Even Berghuis is rejoicing in bed’
“We were very deep,” said former Ajax player Van der Vaart. “There’s a team now that’s not easy to beat.”
Coach Francesco Farioli deserves praise for this, Hiddink says: “He gave the team a lot of energy. It’s not that pretty, it’s not that pretty, they don’t have control, but they play with a lot of intensity. “
“Until last week, Farioli received a lot of criticism, including from former players,” said Van Hooijdonk. “If you look at where Ajax is, compared to this time last year. Just the result. That’s very good, isn’t it? Even last week. But there was no hosanna mood yet.”
Look below for the comments about Ajax, another summary of Ajax-PSV and the comments on the PSV match.
Farioli’s substitution policy, with one game regularly featuring a completely different team than the other, was one of the points of criticism until recently. In addition to physical arguments, giving players a break, another argument also plays a role, notes Stekelenburg.
“Farioli is also about keeping players involved,” he said. “Mika Godts starts on the bench on Saturday, but he knows he’s part of the project, part of Farioli’s plan.”
“Coaches often say that every player is important, but Farioli shows that everyone is getting minutes,” Van der Vaart said. the bench when a goal is scored. Even Steven Berghuis cheers.”
‘The ease with which Klaassen has won at Ajax is amazing’
Davy Klaassen made it 1-1 on Saturday, scoring his fifth goal in eight Premier League games this season. Klaassen was not a planned signing in mid-September, the transfer was only completed after the transfer deadline.
“It was a fluke, but it’s vital,” says Van Hooijdonk. “Klaassen is a player – and I have been thinking for years – that creates goals, scores goals, has a lot of poison. He is a team player. .”
‘The ease with which Klaassen has won at Ajax is amazing’
“He is a good leader,” Hiddink said. “You saw that too on Saturday when he intervened in confusion.”
“Henderson is vital for Ajax in the best games”
It is experienced players like Klaassen who, according to Van Hooijdonk, play an important role in the resurrection of Ajax. Jordan Henderson, who is 34, is also among them. The Englishman was one of the standouts for the Amsterdam team on Saturday.
“It has become a driving force,” says Van Hooijdonk.
“Henderson really comes into his own in the main games,” Van der Vaart said. “Then it’s really important. You need it then. In games against lesser opponents, of course not. He has to think about it against a team like RKC. He can’t do that.”
Van Hooijdonk compares Henderson’s role at Ajax to Marten de Roon’s role at Oranje before: “In games where you have a lot of the ball, you shouldn’t send it into him. That also applies to Henderson. It was really good on Saturday. “
“Henderson is vital for Ajax in the best games”
2024-11-03 23:42:00
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