Ajax started on Sunday with great conviction in the Eredivisie against NEC (5-0 win), yet Ruud Gullit is not completely convinced of the team from Amsterdam. The former football player looks in his column for The Telegraph back on the Johan Cruijff Scale, in which Ajax showed itself vulnerable against PSV, especially in the counterattack (0-4 loss). “Ajax had clearly not taken the fresh wind in Eindhoven into account,” says Gullit.
“The idea was alive in Amsterdam to continue on the chosen path,” continues Gullit. “The wake-up call therefore came at the right time. You can’t just run forward against PSV. Internationally you sign your death sentence, because in the switch you will be slaughtered with one or two counters,” refers the former international to the two early goals of PSV striker Noni Madueke in the Johan Cruijff ArenA.
“Ajax shows itself rather hard-learned in that regard”, Gullit’s harsh judgment is. “It has gone wrong in the Champions League and the Europa League in recent seasons. Yet I saw Daley Blind on the left winger again in the second minute against PSV last week. Then you may not be asking for problems against NEC, but against a team. of level you get them around your ears.”
Gullit therefore has some advice for Ajax coach Erik ten Hag. “First make sure that you have the match under control. Do not be tempted not to perform your tasks in all your enthusiasm. PSV has done that very well so far. That team plays task consciously and from the control they strike, such as against Galatasaray and FC Midtjylland. Also nice to see, I like the game of FC Utrecht. That team plays with flair and a lot of self-confidence. It gives the idea of: hey, something fun can arise here.”
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