Ajax already conceded two goals in the previous two competition matches, with SC Cambuur and RKC Waalwijk, “Because of all those goals against, a lot of energy goes out of our team”, said Ten Hag. “But in the end I have to compliment them again. They lost to Benfica on Tuesday. That hurt a lot. Then you can start against Feyenoord. But then you still correct it.”
“First I brought Klaassen before Álvarez”, Ten Hag explained the turnaround. “We then started to play with three defenders and I let an extra striker come on the field with Brobbey. In the last half hour we wiped out Feyenoord. I think we deserved to win.”
Ten Hag was critical of some of Ajax’s supporters, who did not support the team during difficult moments in the first half. André Onana, in particular, was constantly being yelled at. Supporters are disappointed that the goalkeeper from Cameroon is leaving on a free transfer at the end of the season after a long doping suspension. Fans also chanted the name of substitute Nicolás Tagliafico when Daley Blind made a mistake. “After the break, we got the fans back,” said Ten Hag. “But it’s also nice if the supporters give an impulse when things don’t go well and the game seems dead. In the second half you saw what that support can do to our team.”
Ten Hag hopes that Álvarez and Martínez return soon
Ten Hag does not know whether he can call on Edson Álvarez, Lisandro Martínez and Nicolás Tagliafico during the next match against FC Groningen. “It’s going to be very tight again,” he said. “Especially for Álvarez.”
Ajax will play at FC Groningen on April 2. Álvarez has a home game against Mexico against El Salvador scheduled for March 31. Martínez and Tagliafico will play with Argentina against Ecuador on March 30.
Antony has been suspended for the away match against FC Groningen.