Hedwiges Maduro is moderately satisfied with Ajax’s performance. On Sunday afternoon, the team from Amsterdam went to rest with a 1-2 lead in Eindhoven, but PSV eventually put things in order in the second half: 5-2. Ajax’s interim coach draws confidence from the play shown in the first act.
“I stand here with mixed feelings,” Maduro says in front of the camera afterwards ESPN. “I enjoyed the first half, in which we created many chances to visit the number one in the competition. We actually should have gone into halftime with a bigger margin.”
“In the end we played a bad second half and fatigue also played tricks on us. We gave away those goals far too easily in the opening phase of the first half.” Yet Maduro sees some positive points that provide guidance for the near future.
“We have taken steps today with the ball, especially in the build-up. We dared to play through it and skip lines. That went very well a number of times and we created the necessary opportunities. Of course, these attacks give hope for the future.”
“With Saibari and Til, PSV got ‘runners’ in the team in the second half, and we have actually had difficulty with that all season,” Maduro continues. “We already knew that it would be difficult against players who run deep between the backs and centre-backs.”
“Ultimately you just notice that we lack confidence in the selection. We are playing well and we are walking towards the dressing room with a good feeling. Yet the margin is only one goal. Then you know that PSV is coming and we were also unlucky with the goals we conceded.”
Maduro expects that Ajax needs a good match to turn the tide. “I think we just need a result for once, because we can do it. We have now shown that against a top team and I know that we can also show it against other teams.”
“You will eventually get points again and then the spirit will come naturally,” concludes the interim coach.
“That position won’t stay that way. We are behind games, so the picture is distorted. We continue on that first half. If we do that, we will gain points and rise again in the rankings.”