Remko Pasveer looks back with mixed feelings on his Champions League debut on behalf of Ajax against Sporting Portugal. Erik ten Hag’s team impressed last Wednesday by beating the Portuguese champion 1-5. Pasveer, however, did not look good with the only goal against. The goalkeeper concedes Ajax TV of his mistake, in which he was out of position.
For Pasveer, the big win in the Champions League felt very doubly. “I think I prepared the 2-0, which really gives us a boost as a team.” He aims at a long ball towards Antony, who then enabled Sébastien Haller to score. The goalkeeper had discussed the high pressure of the Portuguese with Antony before the match and knew that there was space behind the opponent’s defence. “I said to Antony, ‘Go and walk.’ It all worked out well. A fantastic assumption from him and Haller was then able to slide in.”
Sporting Portugal’s goal against Ajax can be seen from minute 1:24.
The 37-year-old goalkeeper does blame himself for Paulinho’s goal. “I made a mistake myself at the 2-1, really a bale moment. I was doubting whether I could intercept the ball or not. I eventually went back to my goal, then I was completely out of position and Lisandro Martinez hit the ball too.” Pasveer says he did not lose sleep over his mistake. “Fortunately, I have been around for a long time and something like this just happens once. It should of course not happen, but luckily it remains without negative results.”
The goalkeeper then saw how Ajax still managed to achieve a large and comfortable victory. “It is important to immediately have the focus back on the game. Then you are happy that the team was sharp. Making five goals in the Champions League, that does not happen very often.” Ajax will resume the group stage next Tuesday with a home match against Besiktas, but will first play competition matches against Fortuna Sittard (Tuesday, away) and FC Groningen (home).
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