The people of Amsterdam have carefully regained the upward trend in recent times. While AZ has recently been described as quite dull by analysts.
Yet the Ajax players in Wormerland are cautious. “0-1 is enough,” says the local greengrocer. The Amsterdam self-confidence and swagger are nowhere to be found. “In recent years that has mellowed out,” says the man in his shop. But a win must be possible, the Ajax fans think.
The AZ supporters say that they have confidence in it, despite the disappointing game. “This match stands alone,” says a supporter who is already wearing a scarf from the Alkmaar club.
Why is Wormerland a borderline case?
Last year the KNVB mapped out where all Eredivisie season ticket holders live. There appeared to be 92 season ticket holders from Ajax and 82 from AZ living in Wormerland. After Den Helder, that is the closest together in North Holland.
The fact that there are approximately the same number of Ajax and AZ supporters living in the municipality does not surprise most people on the street. “I come here to the local football club, where you also see a lot of AZ supporters,” says an Ajax fan. “AZ supporters hate Ajax more, but I don’t hate AZ.”
“I get enough AZ supporters in my store, but also enough Ajax players,” the greengrocer outlines. “They’re still friendly and that’s the most important thing.”
“It’s just a game. ‘The most important side issue’, Johan Cruijff once said,” says the AZ supporter. “Let everyone be for the club he or she cares about.”