Kenneth Perez and Ronald de Boer are pleased with Ryan Gravenberch’s performance in the match between Ajax and Vitesse (5-0). The nineteen-year-old midfielder had a lesser match against FC Twente (1-1) a week ago and was taken off the field prematurely by trainer Erik ten Hag. Perez calls it ‘ridiculous’ that Gravenberch was not allowed or did not want to appear in front of the camera after the duel in Enschede, but believes that he has now given a good response.
The analysts are in the program This was the Weekend by ESPN faced with statements from Ten Hag after the duel with Vitesse. “If we don’t win, there will be criticism everywhere,” said Ten Hag. “I don’t think it’s nonsense, because everyone sees it. I know the reason and if I’m going to name it, it’s excuses. We have to continuously achieve a high level, but we are not yet to the point where we can get there. There are several reasons for this, but those are no excuses. We must deliver.
“He wanted to talk about content again, while last week I thought it was very good that he did not mention that,” Perez reacts after hearing the interview with Ten Hag. “After PSV, he said that Ajax was not ready yet. I thought it was very strong that he didn’t use that as an excuse after Twente and now he does that a bit. I don’t think that’s necessary. You are Ajax, you have by far the most money and the widest selection. You can switch to your heart’s content, it doesn’t make you any less. I think the players gave a very good answer against Vitesse and in particular Gravenberch.”
“It is ridiculous that he was not allowed or did not want to come in front of the camera last week (after the duel with FC Twente, ed.), the Danish analyst continues. “It was a lesser game: so what? I have someone next to me (Ronald de Boer, ed.) who always came in front of the camera with his brother, whether it was shit or not. Today Gravenberch was good, eager and scored a lucky goal. This was the Gravenberch with the focus, which shows how good it is.”
“I understood his frustration at that moment, because he had played well in two matches”, Ronald de Boer adds. “He was comfortable in it and had the feeling: why am I being taken out? There were so many bad ones. He was in a good flow. Of course you can play badly, but I understood his frustration. After that, he responded well.” Perez agrees: “He looked back at the game and saw room for improvement.”
“Yes, it does feel like taking revenge. Last week was just not good and it’s nice to finish things like this this week. I was disappointed last week, because it just didn’t go well. I was sloppy on the ball and not bright”, Gravenberch himself responds in conversation with ESPN. “Sometimes it’s difficult to reverse your form in one go, but today it felt like I just had to flip a switch. Of course I’m a bit behind conditionally.”
Gravenberch later joined after the European Championship that he played with the the Dutch squad during Ajax’s preparation for the new season. “You have to join the group and that is difficult. But in the end that should not be an excuse,” says the midfielder. He watched the match against FC Twente. “I looked at what I can do better and I have seen that, yes. Today it could be a bit better, though. I still had some sloppy moments, but all in all I am satisfied.”