John Heitinga lashes out at ESPN in the interview before the match. “I guess you understand why I’m standing here? Because there are contractual obligations with ESPN.” The trainer reacts irritated to an article that the channel wrote last week to the effect that from the start there was little support within Ajax for Heitinga’s return as head coach. “I resent an article that contains so many untruths. It creates chaos,” the coach grumbles.
Reporter Cristian Willaert defends himself by saying that ESPN has spoken to 22 people within Ajax and that they have told things as they are written down. Heitinga reacts annoyed and curt: “Let’s focus on the match.”