Grim was asked on Thursday immediately after Heitinga’s dismissal if he wanted to coach the first team temporarily. “John was very loved by the players. I did not see his dismissal coming. But I am a boy of the club and Ajax also has to move on. That is why I first called John and then said yes.”
Wout Weghorst angry with referee Danny Makkelie after disallowed Ajax goal: ‘A very questionable level’
Grim had two days to properly prepare Ajax for the match against FC Utrecht. “Still, I think we were well prepared,” he said. “We wanted to stay out of personal duels, because we are not physically stronger than Utrecht. I see us taking the lead with a nice goal,” he said, referring to a disallowed goal by Wout Weghorst.
Fred Grim about disallowed goal
“Utrecht and especially Dani de Wit played on the edge, but I like that. But if we go into a game hard, a goal is disallowed. I thought that was a questionable moment.”
It did not escape Grim’s attention that FC Utrecht also scored against Ajax after standard situations. “We may not have many tall players in our squad,” he said. “But even if you are smaller, you can prevent someone from heading the ball. This team has broken down many times before. It is frustrating, that is clear. We have to work hard on this and that has been happening for weeks. That is what we stand for, but it will take time.”
Ajax also lost at FC Utrecht after John Heitinga’s dismissal
Trainer Jans sees that training in standard situations pays off
FC Utrecht defeated Ajax (2-1) through two well-executed standard situations. Matisse Didden and Sébastien Haller scored after a well-taken corner kick and free kick from Souffian El Karouani, the in-form left back at the club from the Cathedral City.
Ajax has been vulnerable at corners and free kicks all season. That was not lost on experienced trainer Ron Jans of FC Utrecht. “We have a very good taker with Souffian and strong leaders,” he beamed after the fanatical fans of Bunnikside had sung loudly to him. “And we train a lot on it. This will help you win matches and ultimately help you play better football.”
FC Utrecht recovered from a series of poor matches last week, with victories over NEC and Ajax and a hard-fought draw against strong Porto in the Europa League. “We consulted a lot with the staff about what we could improve and have changed a number of things,” said Jans. “The most important thing as a trainer is that you see that the boys believe in each other again. They fought for each other again. I saw a team on the field.”
Haller finally scores again for FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie
After FC Utrecht’s victory over Ajax (2-1), Sébastien Haller walked through the catacombs of De Galgenwaard with a broad smile. “I finally scored again,” he said. “It’s about time.”
Haller celebrated his first goal in the Eredivisie since April 25. That’s a long period for a striker of his caliber. “I have been waiting for this goal for a long time,” he said. “Still, I decided not to cheer. I had a nice period at Ajax. Hopefully I will score again soon, then you will see how happy I am with goals.”
Haller thinks it is a shame that Ajax is currently experiencing so many problems. After the game, he reported to the visitors’ locker room and gave his shirt to Mika Godts.
He has found his way to the top with FC Utrecht in the past week after a series of poor results. Utrecht also won against NEC last week and drew against FC Porto in the Europa League on Thursday. “We have continued to work very hard and then you can see that it will naturally come to our attention.”