Steven Berghuis will kick off on Thursday during the duel with Ludogorets, Ajax coach Maurice Steijn announced at the press conference on Wednesday. The technician did not come to official minutes this season due to a suspension, but can be used in the Europa League. In addition, Steijn revealed that acquisition Anton Gaaei will not be in the base.
When asked from the press room whether Steijn Berghuis ‘deems it ready for a basic place’, the coach from The Hague is crystal clear. “Yes, I think so.” Steijn also gives a short and powerful answer to the question whether he will play. “Yes.” Berghuis had to miss the first two Eredivisie matches of the season due to a suspension and also has to miss the duel with Fortuna Sittard at the beginning of September for the same reason. After the duel with FC Twente last season, Berghuis was suspended for three games, one of which was conditional, for hitting a Twente supporter.
Berghuis also received his fifth yellow card of the season in the duel with the Tukkers, as a result of which he was eventually suspended for three league games. The suspension does not apply in Europe, so Berghuis will make his first official minutes of the season in Bulgaria. The question is still in which position the attacker annex midfielder will be drawn up. The multi-purpose Apeldoorner can play centrally in midfield, on 10 and as a right winger.
Anton Gaei
Ajax recently welcomed Gaaei to the club and the Danish defender, unlike Chuba Akpom and Josip Sutalo, is eligible to play. “He makes a good impression. He has only been there for a short time, so he is also in the match selection”, Steijn praises. “He will not start, but he has shown that he is a good player.” Gaaei’s backup role will most likely mean that Devyne Rensch will keep his place at right back.