“The best match is out”, Ajax coach Erik ten Hag wailed on Thursday after the elimination against AS Roma in the Europa League. Not for the first time Ajax has the feeling that it has been undeservedly eliminated in a European context, Joep Schreuder noted on Friday. It happened earlier after matches against Getafe, Atalanta and Tottenham Hotspur, the journalist of the NOS during the press conference prior to the final of the TOTO KNVB Cup. However, Ten Hag does not see that pattern, he indicated.
“You cite all matches that were eventually lost. But we were also equal to Juventus, to Real Madrid, to Lille OSC, to Young Boys,” countered Ten Hag. “So I don’t see that pattern. In matches at that level, where it is very close to each other, details play a role, a leading role. In these two matches (against Roma, ed.) It has not fallen our way. But if you’ve come this far, play good football and are in the last eight in Europe, then you just do well. Then the team deserves a compliment, especially for the way in which that has been achieved. We have shown ourselves to Europe and that You get respect in Europe, you can feel it. “
Not only the club is more appreciated in Europe, but also individual players. For example, Ryan Gravenberch has obtained a new status, Ten Hag notes. The youth exponent is known as a great talent and is regularly discussed in a positive way in the foreign press, although his shape has given little reason to do so in recent weeks. On Thursday Gravenberch played below par in the Stadio Olimpico. He was little on the ball, slowing the game if he did or was unhappy in his actions. In the player report of Football zone he was judged with a 3. Ten Hag is convinced that his midfielder will regain his good form.
Two Ajax players are head and shoulders above the rest
Ryan Gravenberch got the lowest mark of all Ajax players.
“I have conversations with my players and then the question arises of how they feel. You have to guide them,” admits Ten Hag. “You can see that statuses are changing. Ryan was still a talent at the beginning of this season and yesterday he got man cover in the quarter finals of the Europa League against Roma. Then you see that his status has changed, that they are getting to know him. That is a nice development. and he has to find an answer to that again. He’s got it in him. He’s going to find those answers. I’m convinced of that. “