Mohamed Ihattaren made his debut in Ajax’s first on Sunday evening. The attacker and midfielder came into the field for Steven Berghuis in the cup final against PSV five minutes before the end, but was unable to make the difference. After the game, Erik ten Hag was asked questions about Ihattaren’s short substitute during the press conference. The Ajax trainer denies that the introduction of his pupil served as a provocation towards PSV.
It was already announced on Saturday that Ihattaren would be in the match selection for the first time during the cup final. The Juventus mercenary has only participated in the promise team until now, but has now also been able to make his debut with the A-selection. Ten Hag allowed the attacking midfielder five minutes. When asked whether the introduction of Ihattaren was intended as a provocation towards his former employer PSV, Ten Hag reacted slightly piqued. “Are you crazy, that is to win the match”, said the Ajax trainer during the press conference.
Ten Hag tried to turn the game around by introducing Ihattaren. “The idea was to win the match,” the coach continues. “Otherwise I would not have taken him in. Antony is gone, Zakaria Labyad is gone. We have no alternative on the right side. And you know that Mo, and we have also seen that in training and at Jong Ajax, with one can do something unparalleled at the moment. He can create something out of nothing and be decisive.” Ihattaren showed his class in Jong Ajax’s league match against TOP Oss, among other things, when he was good for a goal and an assist.
Ihattaren failed to do the latter this time. PSV successfully defended the 2-1 lead and seized the TOTO KNVB Cup for the tenth time in club history. The Eindhoven team also managed to beat Ajax in the final for the first time. Three times before, both teams faced each other in the final and in all cases the team from Amsterdam ran away with the pinecone. PSV had to bow twice to Ajax in competition this season.