The best prospects ahead of De Klassieker Ajax – Feyenoord are in Rotterdam, but coach Maurice Steijn believes that Ajax can draw confidence from the 3-3 draw against Olympique Marseille in the Europa League. At the press conference today he countered the negativity about his team’s chances: “Feyenoord is the champion, but we are Ajax.”
Ajax is experiencing its worst start to the season in 59 years. With five points from four games, the Amsterdam team is in twelfth place in the Premier League. Feyenoord also did not get off to a strong start, but the national champion has clearly found their way up in the last few matches and manages to find the goal remarkably easily. The Rotterdam team has already scored nineteen goals in the Premier League and started the Champions League on Tuesday with a 2-0 win over Celtic.
Ajax started the group stage against Olympique Marseille, which was also in sporting crisis, with a 3-3 draw. Steijn: “We play at home on Sunday and got a lot of spirit from yesterday’s match. I know we are twelfth, but we are still Ajax. We could have beaten Olympique Marseille, which is also an excellent team. You come 2-0 ahead and that gives a good feeling heading into Sunday. I have a lot of confidence in these men.”
Points of improvement
However, Steijn certainly sees areas for improvement. “I saw us do a lot well against Marseille on the ball, with nice attacks and good goals. Against Feyenoord we have to play at a higher ball tempo and we also want to see a portion of bravado.” If it turns out during the match that three points are not possible, the trainer can live with that. “If you’re not able to break them, you may have to settle for a draw.”
Text continues below the photo.
Steijn has a fit selection, apart from the long-injured Rulli and Kaplan. Silvano Vos, who made his European debut yesterday and was sent off with two yellow cards in the final phase, can also be deployed.
The sick Trauner was absent from training at Feyenoord today. Ivanusec, who dropped out on Tuesday, will not be present due to an ankle injury. Gimenez returns (he was suspended against Celtic), while Ueda also seems to have recovered from his muscle injury.
The Classic Ajax – Feyenoord starts on Sunday at 2:30 PM and can be followed via our live blog.