Erik ten Hag acknowledges that Ajax has not had an easy draw in the Champions League. His team was linked to Liverpool, Atalanta and FC Midtjylland during the draw in Geneva on Thursday. “You can never control it, but it could have been easier. That’s for sure”, Ten Hag agrees at an additional press conference. Still, he looks forward to the start of the new Champions League season.

The trainer speaks of a ‘very beautiful and challenging draw’. “We are not running away from it,” he emphasizes. “We want to play at this level. We look forward to these strong opponents. They are very tough teams. Atalanta is the quarter-finals of last season, the revelation of the Champions League.” Ten Hag notes that on Wednesday evening Lazio won 1-4 against Lazio in Serie A. “It is a ‘pressing machine’. We have gained experience with that style in recent weeks. It is a style that Dutch teams often have difficulty with . ”

“We experienced that against Eintracht Frankfurt (2-1 victory in the preparation, ed.) And against Vitesse (2-1 victory on Saturday), but this team is even better. Liverpool is the ‘gegenpress machine’: a direct style. It is a top team with top players. You always want to play such a poster. It is wonderful to experience “, continues Ten Hag. “It is gratifying to play against all three opponents. They are all teams with a specific playing style. You look forward to that.” He summarizes Group D of the Champions League in English. “I would say: clashes of style. “

Ten Hag also admits that after the draw he could not escape the thought that Ajax – Liverpool should have been the final of the Champions League in 2019. However, Ajax stranded in the semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur. “That went through my mind for a while, yes. That was actually my first thought”, said the trainer, who, however, has dealt with the painful elimination. “I’ve gotten over it for a long time now. You can’t keep busy with it. It’s great to play against Liverpool. Against the club, but also against this team.”