Maurice Steijn makes only one change to his starting line-up against AEK Athens on Thursday evening compared to the Eredivisie match with RKC Waalwijk last weekend. Silvano Vos, who is suspended, will be replaced by Benjamin Tahirovic. Furthermore, Ajax’s starting eleven remains unchanged, the coach revealed on Wednesday at the press conference in the run-up to the Europa League match.
Two weeks ago, Vos came on against Olympique Marseille (3-3). In injury time of that match he received his second yellow card, which meant he had to leave the field and was suspended for the match against AEK.
Vos, who was in the starting line-up against RKC, will be replaced by Tahirovic against AEK, Steijn indicated. When he was asked a little later whether that was the only change he was making, he responded: “For tomorrow? Yes, you can say that.”
This means that Gastón Ávila will start again in the center, and Jorrel Hato as left back. Against RKC, Steijn thought it went ‘reasonably well’. “Although I also think that it is not yet good enough and that we need to be better and more stable. We cannot be uncertain with every cross and counter-attack and we must radiate more.”
Ultimately, Steijn’s goal is to get a solid defense. “I think we give away too many chances and concede goals. I think the rest is fair. Now you can start building a permanent formation. It is no longer the intention to mix up so much.”
According to the coach, AEK and Ajax are equal. “AEK is a good and experienced team. Tactically they are doing well. I think it says it all when you win away at Brighton. We will have to be motivated to the core to achieve a good result. It is a nice challenge to see where we stand.”
AEK and Ajax kick off in the Greek capital on Thursday evening at 6:45 PM. AEK won the first game, 2-3 at Brighton, and is at the top of Group B. Ajax is in shared second place after the draw against Marseille.
Presumed Ajax line-up: Gorter; Rensch, Sutalo, Ávila, Hato; Berghuis, Tahirovic, Taylor; Forbs, Brobbey, Bergwijn.