Although Ryan Gravenberch, Lisandro Martínez, Antony, Remko Pasveer and Perr Schuurs are no longer in action this season, some players are returning top fit in Ajax’s match selection. The team from Amsterdam can already become champions on Sunday, although it depends on the result at Feyenoord – PSV.
In recent weeks, Noussair Mazraoui, Devyne Rensch, Edson Álvarez and Steven Berghuis have been struggling with physical complaints. “That makes us flexible. We have outside players at our disposal again. Are we going to play in a 4-4-2 formation again? We’ll see on Sunday.” Ten Hag finds it frustrating that his selection is struggling with many more injuries this season than in previous seasons. “I can’t find the explanation. Many injuries have arisen in matches, where the players are going to the max. From Benfica it has been a bit against us.”
Ajax can crown itself champion of the Eredivisie next Sunday. For that, the team from Amsterdam must beat AZ themselves and hope that PSV forfeits points on a visit to Feyenoord. Ten Hag did not want to concern himself too much with a what if scenario. “We are in control and we have to make sure that we win everything ourselves.”
According to the trainer, Mohamed Ihattaren is still on the right track. ,,He still has to get a lot fitter, then he will be a candidate for the first eleven. He has incredibly good and beautiful qualities that can contribute to Ajax’s game. But he needs rhythm to be able to take the next steps.”
Ten Hag is entering his final phase as Ajax’s trainer. In eight days, he and his team complete the last three matches in the Eredivisie, after which he leaves for Manchester United. Ten Hag did not want to say much about that again. “These are questions for the future. I am now fully focused on the important phase we are in with Ajax.” Perhaps his current and future club will meet again soon, at the negotiating table. ,,Do I want to bring players? I won’t say anything about that, but the fact is that I have good players at Ajax. Maybe it will help them too”, he concluded with a wink.
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