Hedwiges Maduro is impressed by the eagerness of the Ajax substitutes during the duel with Fortuna Sittard (0-5 victory). The analyst and former international saw that Mohammed Kudus and Nicolás Tagliafico made the difference in terms of energy on the side of the team from Amsterdam. Both substitutes took a goal on behalf of Ajax after the break.
“It’s super handsome”, Maduro reacts in the studio of ESPN as presenter Milan van Dongen states that the base eleven and the bench of Ajax now seem to reinforce each other. “Kudus and Tagliafico come in and make the difference, especially in terms of energy. It’s not for nothing that they both score. It’s great to keep that dynamism going. There has been a phase when Ajax slowed down at 0-3, but now they just continue. Compliments.”
“We can say every time how bad all opponents are, but we are going to have these matches even more often and then you can better see what Ajax is doing well”, analyzes fellow analyst Arnold Bruggink afterwards. “They really went down a bit in the beginning of the second half. After the changes they just kept going. I think that’s admirable, that those players stay focused.”
“The experience and the fun remain. You also have to stay motivated to complete these matches yourself. There are also times when they look at the goal difference,” Bruggink continues. A home match against FC Groningen awaits Ajax next Saturday. Bruggink concludes: “I am curious about Groningen, who are generally good at defending.”