Ajax opened the season Sunday afternoon with a 0-1 victory over Sparta Rotterdam. A goal from Antony, who made his official debut, gave the Amsterdammers a victory, after Nicolàs Tagliafico already got a red card after half an hour. Mario Been describes the attacker from São Paulo as a bright spot in an otherwise ‘very mediocre’ Ajax.

Been proposes at the request of The Telegraph his team of the week together and chooses Feyenoord closing post Justin Bijlow in the goal. “I see him as the best Dutch goalkeeper in the Eredivisie,” says Been. The defence of his team consists of Glenn Bijl (FC Emmen), Riechedly Bazoer (Vitesse), Pawel Bochniewicz (sc Heerenveen) and Jayden Oosterwolde (FC Twente). The midfield consists of Joey Veerman (sc Heerenveen), Pablo Rosario (PSV) and Antony (Ajax).

“In a very mediocre Ajax – especially after the red card for Nico Tagliafico – he was the one who was threatening and decisive. We are going to enjoy him a lot this season”, concludes the analyst after Ajax’s narrow victory at Het Kasteel. In the front line, Been has reserved a place for Steven Berghuis. Feyenoord’s captain scored two goals of great value in the 0-2 game with PEC Zwolle. “Berghuis was crucial to Feyenoord again with two goals. He can create something and he can easily make his own goals.

“This makes him of tremendous value to the team. If he were to leave, that would make a fifty per cent difference to Feyenoord’s threat. Steven really is an important pawn,’ notes Been. His attack consists of Silvester van der Water (Heracles Almelo) and Georgios Giakoumakis, who scored three goals in the 3-5 win at VVV-Venlo with FC Emmen. “When you manage to score three goals when you enter the Eredivisie, that’s great. If you do that in the service of VVV-Venlo, in a difficult away match at FC Emmen, then that’s even better.