Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at 07:09• Mart Oude Nijeweeme • Last update: 07:09

Ajax and Vitesse are both looking for rehabilitation on Wednesday evening when both teams compete against each other in the Johan Cruijff ArenA. The team from Amsterdam lost painfully to PSV last weekend and cannot afford another misstep in the battle for the title. Phillip Cocu’s team was painted in-house by Sparta Rotterdam (0-4). The Vitesse trainer sees a serious opportunity to leave the number two in the Eredivisie with a result.

Based on the number of loss points, Ajax still performs the best of all clubs in the Netherlands, but is certainly not convincing this season. Elimination in the Champions League and loss of points against Go Ahead Eagles and AZ, among others, have put things on edge. More and more people are shouting for Schreuder’s departure. “It is remarkable for a team that is fully in the race for the title,” says Cocu in conversation with The Telegraph. “There is a certain form of unrest. Although I wonder whether Alfred Schreuder will be very upset by that. He is a stable coach, who is working with his team.”

According to Cocu, his team is motivated up to the bid to leave Ajax with a result. Once again because last weekend they lost to Sparta in a shocking way. “Of course they (Ajax, ed.) want to become champions and then a defeat against PSV does not help. Then there is more pressure. But you also know that it will be very difficult for us if Ajax has a good day. however, they also had lesser days, such as against Go Ahead or RKC Waalwijk. Then you may have a chance if you are optimally concentrated and sharp.”

Cocu does not want to compare the situation of Ajax with that of Vitesse. The Arnhem team has been searching all season, lost trainer Thomas Letsch and are one point above the relegation line. Ajax can regain the lead on Wednesday evening. With a victory over Vitesse, PSV is put on one point. “Ajax will be annoyed after the defeat against PSV. They play to be at the top of the rankings. Of course the result against PSV was not good and if you looked at the match it was not like Ajax”, but their situation is of course very different from that ours,” concludes Cocu.