Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 9:06 PM• Martin van Mourik

Rafael van der Vaart is not pleased with Ajax’s performance in the first half of the play-off match with Ludogorets for a place in the group stage of the Europa League. The analyst sees halfway through that the team from Amsterdam drops a lot of stitches, especially in the pressure. It would be good for Maurice Steijn’s team if Steven Berghuis, who has been struggling with illness in recent days, takes the field, says Van der Vaart in front of the camera of Ziggo Sport. Davy Klaassen could also add a lot.

With a 0-0 score, Ajax left the field after the half-time signal under a loud whistle from the Johan Cruijff ArenA. “It is very disappointing,” concludes Van der Vaart. “It is very weak and Ajax is bad with the ball, but the team is also bad without the ball. There’s very little in it and there’s hardly been a chance. The keeper has had nothing to do. It is very mediocre, and you can see that in Maurice Steijn: he occasionally comes out of the dugout screaming.”

Van der Vaart particularly notes that the pressure goes wrong with the Amsterdammers. “It is not the trainer’s fault, because I know Hedwiges Maduro and he thinks that is important. We saw last week that you get balls that no one expects when Berghuis participates. Moreover, he also ensures peace on the ball. In addition, you also have Klaassen, who puts pressure one hundred percent. Everyone loves him because he always wants to go forward.”