Ajax will play a European match without Dusan Tadic on Wednesday evening for the first time since 2018. The captain is struggling with minor back problems, which means that other players have to take on the leadership role. Erik ten Hag does not immediately expect that from Steven Berghuis, who was captain at Feyenoord last year. “Not yet, because our hierarchy is a bit different. Tadic, Daley Blind, Davy Klaassen and Nicolás Tagliafico, those are the pioneers with us,” said Ten Hag opposite Ziggo Sports.
Tadic’s loss will be felt. “We have more leaders, but he is the undisputed leader,” says Ten Hag. “But others have to stand up and we have enough leaders. I certainly expect that from Daley Blind, for example. And Berghuis was of course already the captain at Feyenoord last season, that certainly says something. He certainly has that experience. He has only been there for a short time. but that is actually quite some time since the summer. He has found his role in it at Ajax.”
Ten Hag only changes his team in two places: Perr Schuurs and David Neres join the team for Jurriën Timber and Tadic. “I just want to stay in the rhythm,” explains the coach. “We won’t be playing again for five days. Then it’s nice to stay in that rhythm, the players also like that.” Ten Hag confirms that Timber is not playing because the defender is on edge. In addition, Timber has minor complaints.
Tagliafico was disappointed again on Wednesday. “I want to keep the team intact as much as possible,” Ten Hag explains. I am also very curious how we will do against Sporting, which I think is a very good team. They can really reach a very high level. If you then make a lot of changes, this will be at the expense of automatisms. On the other hand, you want to see as many players as possible at work, but you have to choose something.”
Wednesday evening it was announced that Marc Overmars will extend his contract with Ajax until mid-2026. “I think a good thing for Ajax”, Ten Hag responds. “Ajax is working on something beautiful and Marc plays a very important role in that. His most important role is in putting together the selection, in close collaboration with the scouting team and with me, and he is also a very important sounding board for me.”