Wim Kieft does not have a good word for the Ajax players who let themselves go completely in the final phase and after the end of 1. FC Union Berlin – Ajax (3-1). Several players lost their heads and confronted opponents. Steven Bergwijn, Édson Álvarez and Mohammed Kudus, among others, had to be removed by bystanders. Kieft mentions it Veronica ‘ridiculous’. John Heitinga refused to condemn the actions of his players immediately afterwards.
Kieft gets vicarious embarrassment when he sees the images. “Isn’t this totally ridiculous behavior from Ajax? Stop it man. Álvarez too man. They all lose their heads. This is not a face, is it? I have something like that, they played such a match themselves. In the second half it was the same every time. Every time they tried to play Tadic. He had to hold him so they could connect. With Lucca brought in you would think they were going to play a bit from the flank with long balls.”
Kees Jansma, who, like Kieft, is a guest analyst at the European evening, also calls it ‘sad’. “We already said at half-time that they hardly created any chances in a game and a half,” said Jansma. “I’m not a fan of Union Berlin’s game, but they really play to their potential. Effective. It’s no coincidence. What Ajax puts in return is zero. They conceded three shitty goals.”
Trainer John Heitinga refused to condemn the disturbances. Deep in injury time, the worked-up Álvarez saw twice yellow and therefore red in a short time. “I have seen a combative team,” says Heitinga about the skirmishes. “During the game and afterwards. You also have to be a big loser. We congratulated Union. Maybe there was a little irritation. We went down a road that we have to continue. We have to take this one, but I’m sure we’re stronger here come out.”
Kenneth Taylor was ashamed of the altercation. “I honestly didn’t know what was going on and walked over to take fellow players away,” he said The Telegraph from the midfielder’s mouth. “I don’t think anyone likes to lose, but in the end we just have to be big guys and not let ourselves be influenced like that. But sometimes it’s difficult. This sometimes happens in football. But it’s true that we have to control ourselves better. This European season was not worthy of Ajax.”
