Daley Blind does not take the comments about Ajax in talk shows seriously. A week ago Pierre van Hooijdonk added Studio Football that Ajax is able to reach the Champions League final, but Sunday’s 0-1 defeat against FC Utrecht depressed the mood in Amsterdam this weekend. Blind makes it clear in an interview afterwards that he attaches little value to what analysts say about his team.
Was blinded after the game by the NOS asked whether it does anything to Ajax that the outside world is praising the game and the performance. “We don’t take you so seriously,” he replied. “After PSV (0-4 defeat in the Johan Cruijff Scale, ed.) we couldn’t do anything anymore; after that we were suddenly the favorite and we were the best. The trainer also said recently: there is nothing in between. one or the other. I think we have also been in the Champions League final since last week, so, as I said, we don’t take it so seriously.”
Bee #Ajax take them #StudioFootball not serious.
“It’s always easier and more fun if you don’t set the bar too high.” pic.twitter.com/CaXSVNHpvF
— NOS Football (@NOS Football) October 3, 2021
Blind refers to statements Ten Hag made on Monday prior to the Champions League match with Besiktas (2-0). The trainer called the prediction about a final spot for Ajax in the billion-dollar ball ‘pure opportunism’, without mentioning Van Hooijdonk by name. Ten Hag used almost the same words as Blind did on Sunday. “Until about four weeks ago, after the Johan Cruijff Scale, we couldn’t do anything about it. Now we are going for the Champions League final? There is still a lot in between,” the coach indicated.
It seems that Blind is referring to the media in general and not specifically to Studio Voetbal. “I do not believe that we had already started broadcasting when the Supercup was played”, Van Hooijdonk reacts somewhat cynically. “That then goes elsewhere. It’s always easier and more fun not to set the bar too high yourself, because then it’s good quickly. But when you have such a selection, and have shown such good football this season, it is best to set the bar a little higher. Some find that rather difficult, because then you will be paid quickly.”