Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 08:10• Yanick Vos

Devyne Rensch has been allowed to call himself the Dutch-international since last Tuesday. National coach Louis van Gaal let the eighteen-year-old Ajax bench seat make his debut in the World Cup qualifier against Turkey (6-1 win). Twenty minutes before the end, the multifunctional defender came in. Just before the end of the game, he listened to his debut with an assist on Donyell Malen.

“The debut for the big the Dutch, no one can take that away from me,” Rensch says in conversation with Ajax TV. During the interview, the talent thinks back to the moment when he was told that he was going to make his debut. “Danny Blind said to me at one point that I could warm up. Then I thought it might be in there after all. After two minutes he already said I would come in. Then my heart started to beat a little faster Then you realize that you are really going to make your debut.”

Rensch experienced the evening of his dreams in the Johan Cruijff ArenA. “My debut, a victory and that also in the Johan Cruijff Arena. My day couldn’t be better,” said the Ajax player, who addressed his teammates in the dressing room after the victory. “I said I am very proud that I was allowed to debut and that I got to experience it with these guys. They’re cool guys. I thanked them all. They welcomed me with open arms, I felt right at home.”

Rensch worked with Van Gaal for the first time in his early career. “That he can be your trainer at the big the Dutch and that he lets you make your debut, that’s great. I think it’s a very good trainer,” said Rensch. “I think everyone had to get used to him, because he was new to many. But I think he’s a really good trainer. He’s always honest, that’s the most important thing.”

Rensch returned to Ajax this week in preparation for the match against PEC Zwolle. Because Nicolás Tagliafico did not return from international obligations until late, Rensch is expected to start in Zwolle as left back. It is a stroke of luck for the defender, who has to settle for a role as a substitute for the time being. “My start was not too good this season. I have not had a good preparation due to injuries, but luckily I am fit now. Hopefully I can make minutes again soon.”