Rafael van der Vaart enjoyed the game of Ajax against Besiktas (2-0) on Tuesday evening, he said after the game. Ziggo Sports. The former midfielder and analyst saw a number of stars in the team of trainer Erik ten Hag, including Ryan Gravenberch. However, Van der Vaart would like to see that the midfielder never again takes care of a standard situation in the future. “He shouldn’t do that anymore,” said Van der Vaart with a laugh.
“The first half was fantastic”, said Van der Vaart. Ajax dominated in the first company and could blame itself that the score was not further expanded before half time. “Those fans, goosebumps. I think people experienced it differently at home, but here in the stadium it was great. You can be very critical, but it is the Champions League. It also had 5-1 or 6- 1 can be.” Van der Vaart is referring, among other things, to the disallowed goal by Kenan Karaman, who was called back. “That’s in the game of Ajax, they always give away opportunities.”
At Ajax, Sébastien Haller made history by becoming the first player ever to score five times in his first two matches in the Champions League. No one has ever managed to do that in the biggest European club tournament. “He headed them all on the keeper,” said Van der Vaart. “He should have aimed him at the corner sometimes. Especially the last one, you just have to drop it on your head, you don’t have to nod it. Then you win 3-0, you have made two and you play a world game But I’m not a head specialist, let that be clear.”
Finally, presenter Bas van Veenendaal asked Van der Vaart who he thought was the best man on the side of Ajax. “I thought Gravenberch played very well. He rules, is big, strong, calm on the ball. In principle, he has everything. Haller was also good, but if you make a goal and an assist, Steven Berghuis is certainly part of that. This is really fantastic work by Ten Hag.” Yet Van der Vaart also had a point of criticism of Gravenberch. “The only thing he shouldn’t do is take corners and free kicks. I don’t know who made that up? He shouldn’t do that. He doesn’t have that natural kick.”