Valentijn Driessen expects after the 1-5 against Sporting Portugal that Ajax does not have to worry about wintering in the Champions League. When Sébastien Haller, who scored four goals in Lisbon on Wednesday evening, continues in this way, the football chief of The Telegraph to survive the group stage. In his analysis, Driessen extensively discusses Haller’s performance in the billion-dollar ball. He notes that the Ivorian international has suppressed all discussions about his qualities with his quartet of goals.
In the past two seasons, Ajax failed to qualify for the eighth finals of the Champions League. In the 2019/20 season, third place turned out to be the highest achievable in a group with Chelsea, Valencia and Lille OSC, while last season Liverpool and Atalanta overwintered at the expense of Ajax. “But now that Sporting Portugal has been magnificently swept by Haller & co in Lisbon, there are no more excuses for Erik ten Hag’s team. Ajax cannot settle for less than wintering in the Champions League,” Driessen writes in his analysis.
What is happening here ?? Pasveer and Antony’s long ball turns on the moped ?? The Brazilian goes to Haller and within 10 minutes he makes his second of the evening, 2-0 ??#ZiggoSport #UCL #SCPAJA pic.twitter.com/o7nYNAwf7u
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) September 15, 2021
According to Driessen, nobody needs to worry about whether Ajax will succeed in reaching the next round. “At least, if Sebastièn Haller remains as sharp as in Portugal with four (!) goals in his Champions League debut and Antony remains as elusive as in Lisbon,” said Driessen. “With his quartet of goals, the Ivorian striker immediately suppressed all discussions around him. He would fall short for the Champions League level. Haller is cool in front of goal, but not as complete as everyone would like to see from an Ajax striker. Such a person should be able to do more than just print.”
Driessen emphasizes that Haller was regularly criticized. He points to the duel for the Johan Cruijff Scale against PSV, when the Amsterdam public applauded when the striker was replaced prematurely. Driessen further notes that Haller’s starting position in Portugal was not undisputed; some suggested posting Dusan Tadic in rush hour. “Ten Hag replied that Tadic is still an option for him for the striker position. But according to the trainer, Ajax could not do without Haller in the attack against Sporting. Well seen from De Tukker, who has always kept faith in Ajax’s record purchase.”
After Haller was banned from European football with Ajax last season because he was accidentally not registered, he scored four times on Wednesday in his European debut for the team from Amsterdam. “Three times the Ivorian international was attentive and was in the right place to tap the ball in against Sporting. On his fourth goal he did so after a good assumption. Who is still complaining about his lack of speed, his limited footballing qualities or lack of technique?” Man of the Match.
“For a moment no one doubts Haller as Ajax striker. Whether in the Eredivisie or in the Champions League. With four goals, the attacker has immediately collected the necessary credit. Also at the back. As long as it lasts. With his type of play, Haller will have to keep scoring. Otherwise, the discussion will just explode. Those four hits should not be an incident.” On Saturday evening Ajax will come into action again; SC Cambuur will visit in the Eredivisie. Erik ten Hag’s team will return to the Champions League in two weeks. The home game against Besiktas is scheduled for Tuesday 28 September.