In less than two weeks, Ajax will start preparing for the new football season under the leadership of the new trainer Maurice Steijn. At that first meeting on Thursday 29 June, the internationals are missing, because they are still on vacation. The first friendly match is scheduled for Tuesday, July 18 against Shakhtar Donetsk.
It is not yet clear where that match will be played. The intention is that this happens at an amateur club. The Ukrainian opponent played twice against Feyenoord in the Europa League last season: the ‘home game’, played in Poland because of the war, ended in 1-1. In Rotterdam, the later national champion beat Shakhtar 7-1.
Training camp
Four days after the encounter with Shakhtar, Ajax practices in Brussels against Anderlecht. Barely two months ago, the Belgians were eliminated by AZ after penalties in the quarterfinals of the Conference League. Subsequently, Steijn and his new club will go on a training camp to Germany from 24 to 29 July. That training camp will be concluded with a practice match at FC Augsburg, the number thirteen in the Bundesliga.
Open day
There will be another friendly match against a German club on August 6, after which the open day at Ajax is scheduled for Tuesday, August 8. There is a presentation of the new selection and staff and an open training in the Johan Cruijff Arena. Admission is free on the open day.
The premier league starts the weekend of August 11-13.