Ajax wants to continue upwards against NEC (possibly without Sutalo): ‘We are now aiming for fifth place’ | Dutch football

..The coming days will show whether he is fit enough,” said John van ‘t Schip on the Ajax website. In the absence of Sutalo, the trainer deployed Devyne Rensch next to Jorrel Hato as a central defender and he liked that. “Rensch showed against Marseille, just like against Vitesse, that he is very good at the center back. Together with Hato, he brings football into our game. It is hoped that he can further develop himself in this regard and remain fit.”

Ajax lost 4-3 at Marseille and is therefore eliminated from the Europa League. The Amsterdam team still has the prospect of a sequel in the Conference League. “I look back on a team that was very good in the match. We came back from behind several times, so the resilience and fighting spirit were there,” said Van ‘t Schip, who complimented attacker Brian Brobbey. “Brian kept the entire defense of Marseille busy and scored two good goals. He just played a good game.”

Under Van ‘t Schip, Ajax achieved 10 points from four competition matches and therefore rose to eighth place. “We want to join the top 4. We are now focusing on fifth place,” said the trainer. Ajax will play the remainder of the away match against RKC on Wednesday, where the Amsterdam team will defend a 3-2 lead from the 85th minute. Before the winter break, Van ‘t Schip’s team will compete against Sparta Rotterdam and PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie.