That is a big difference from a while ago when there were many absentees. Looking at Ajax, coach Francesco Farioli uses a system where he allows many players to rest every week and thus protects them. Martens: “The many matches certainly influence the physical condition of the players, but you have to be prepared for that. And due to the necessary injuries, we have also had to rotate. This gives other players a chance, such as Kees Smit for example.”
Smith
This 18-year-old Smit is the most talked about player in Alkmaar lately. Largely because of his unique football qualities, but also because the talent from Heiloo overslept once and received a red card. “These have been turbulent weeks for him and I talk to him about that.”