Ibrahim Afellay is very pleased with Edson Álvarez. The former midfielder mentions a moment from the match between Ajax and AZ (2-0), where the Mexican prevented a goal from the Alkmaarders with a tackle after a dangerous cross by Owen Wijndal. Afellay says in the program Studio Football of the NOS that in this way adds a lot to the game of Ajax.
“The moment of the match belonged to Álvarez, where he prevents a goal”, Afellay points out at a moment from the 40th minute of the match between Ajax and AZ. “The over-my-mentality. I mean: AZ was in the game and here he prevents a goal. That boy does not distinguish himself in the footballing part, but he adds so much to Ajax’s game in this way. Closing so many holes. Written off so often, that’s correct. ”
“That’s also because you talk as a fancier”, Theo Janssen adds. “If you look at the game of Ajax, you see the beautiful position play. When he comes to the ball, you sometimes think: pff, he slows it down a bit. He does so many things well without a ball that you take it for granted. So I understand that the trainer is setting it up. However, as a fancier you prefer to see someone there who can bring something extra to the ball. ”
Erik ten Hag was afterwards by the NOS asked about Álvarez’s deliberate tackle. “That is going for your life, those Latinos have that”, answered the Ajax coach. “They bring that to the team: wanting to win a game at all costs. But that has to be done in a pure way, this is a great sliding. They are also learning moments for our young players. They take that with them, they benefit from it. You don’t always see the way they fight for it in Dutch football. ”
“At Ajax there are more men than at AZ. You praise them for the footballing part, we enjoy that too. But they are not as mature as Ajax. You see them going on and over in the second half, they can transfer. At AZ it is just too frivolous ”, Afellay continues after seeing the interview with Ten Hag. “That’s because of the Latinos, as Ten Hag says,” says Pierre van Hooijdonk. “Look, I thought AZ was the better team in the first half playing football. They also got the better chances. Previously Ajax was always a kind of prima donna on the field, they had nothing else to throw in the fight. Now, partly because of those guys, a kind of character trait is coming loose and Ajax is going to throw in the towel. ”