Ryan Gravenberch is looking forward to the start of the Champions League. On Wednesday evening, Ajax will visit Sporting Portugal, the champion of last season in the Primeira Liga. In conversation with Ajax TV the midfielder says that the draw has resulted in a ‘nice group’: in addition to Sporting, Ajax also meets Borussia Dortmund and Besiktas in the group stage. “On paper it could have been worse,” he agrees.
“These are also good teams, but I think the next round is feasible. If we are just at our best, it is feasible,” says Gravenberch. According to the youth exponent, Wednesday’s opponent has a ‘good team’. “They play with five defenders, so that’s different for us. But we’re going to analyze them well and see what we can put against it. It will be a difficult game, I think.” Sporting are playing with three centre-backs and two emerging backs this season, a system that can also be explained as 3-4-3.
In the interview, Gravenberch also looks back on his first Champions League game, last season at home against Liverpool (0-1 defeat). He was impressed by the ambiance surrounding the billion-dollar ball. “Unfortunately, the fans were not there at the time. But you notice that it is different. I felt a bit tense. I didn’t know exactly how or what yet, and Liverpool have good players,” he says. “The best players play in the Champions League. It is also good for your own development to play in this tournament.”
Gravenberch was named U21 Player of the Year for last season in the Eredivisie last week. The award was presented by his mother Aretha, who addressed her son under the watchful eye of the family. The ceremony impressed Gravenberch. “I did not expect my family to be there at all. The fact that my mother gave me the prize makes it extra beautiful. She gave a very nice speech, in which she said really nice things. to give.”
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