Ajax faces the first group match in the Europa League on Thursday evening. In its own Johan Cruijff ArenA, coach Maurice Steijn’s team benefits from a good result against Olympique Marseille. The experiment with two defensive-minded midfielders did not work out well against FC Twente, causing Steijn to fall back on Kenneth Taylor next to Benjamin Tahirovic.
The choice for Sivert Mannsverk turned out very badly against FC Twente, Steijn also saw. “Because of FC Twente’s deep running, we consciously opted for two controlling midfielders. But perhaps those midfielders (Tahirovic and Mannsverk, ed.) were not ready for that at that moment. We can and do blame ourselves for that,” he said. the Ajax coach keeps his hand in his own bosom.
No changes are expected in the rear compared to the match in the Grolsch Veste. This means that Jay Gorter defends the goal and Devyne Rensch, Josip Sutalo, Jorrel Hato and Borna Sosa form the last line. Taylor and Tahirovic are supported in midfield by Steven Berghuis. The Dutch international also started in the 10 position against FC Twente.
‘Ready to play’
Sosa, who became the subject of discussion this week, was briefly taken aside by Steijn. “Of course he also had a few things, but he is ready to play. We think he is a great player and that is what matters. Yes, it seems to me that such reports reach such a player. Although he seems calm. Borna is also an experienced professional and a Croatian international. He has trained well and will start.”
The place that matters most at Ajax is the right wing position. Where Chuba Akpom started in the right front against Twente, that honor has now been given to Carlos Forbs. Brian Brobbey is the striker, Steven Bergwijn starts from the left. The match between Ajax and Marseille starts at 9 p.m. and can be seen live at ESPN.
Presumed Ajax line-up: Gorter; Rensch, Sutalo, Hato, Sosa; Taylor, Tahirovic, Berghuis; Forbs, Brobbey, Bergwijn.