The selection of the number 6 of the premier league is not in balance without an experienced controlling midfielder and with wing defenders who cannot demonstrate that they have the level they aspire to in Amsterdam. Yet Grim thinks that Ajax can play better than it has shown. “Our ceiling is definitely higher,” he said. “A lot of it also has to do with confidence. When things go well, everything seems to go by itself. Now you see players thinking. The ball should not go back or to the side, but forward. Our occupation in front of the goal also has to be better if you want to score.”
Rosa is fit again, Berghuis cannot be deployed
The match against Benfica comes too early for Steven Berghuis. He has been sidelined for almost six weeks with a groin injury. Lucas Rosa is fit and Anton Gaaei is also training fully again. Grim did not want to reveal his line-up for the match against Benfica, but it appears that he will change his basic formation for the match against Excelsior in a few positions.
Grim also appealed to Ajax supporters, who whistled loudly at their team during the match against Excelsior. “We really need our fans,” he said. “I hope we can make it an old-fashioned Champions League evening. That is certainly what we are going for.”