Arne Slot gave a press conference on Friday afternoon in the run-up to the Classic. The Feyenoord trainer indicates that he is looking forward to the Eredivisie match with Ajax. Although Slot only praises the team from Amsterdam, he says that he will not see his team as an underdog next Sunday.
“This is perhaps the best Ajax I have ever had to play against with my team”, says Slot. “They play good, beautiful and attacking football. Ajax will arrive here motivated. But we are also motivated to the bone to achieve a good result. Ajax also has weak spots and we will try to make use of that. They may win their matches more easily. But I really think we’re selling ourselves short when we say we’re the underdog. We also have good players. Moreover, we have been able to prepare for this game for seventeen rounds.”
Slot also discusses the status of Gernot Trauner, who did not come out of the lost cup match with FC Twente (2-1, after extra time) unscathed. The mainstay in the Rotterdam defense is still doubtful for a meeting with the arch-rival, although Slot indicates that he is willing to take ‘risks’ to have the Austrian there. “But not if he can be out for five weeks later,” the trainer adds.
For Steven Berghuis it will be a special meeting with his old employer. Last summer he made the sensitive transfer from Ajax to Feyenoord. “I hope he plays. He plays really well at Ajax. That’s no surprise either. Every Feyenoord supporter knows how good he is,” said Slot. Berghuis will in any case not face a full Kuip, as the match will be completed without an audience.
Finally, the Feyenoord coach was asked about his suitability as successor to Erik ten Hag. Slot declined to comment on the rumours. “Whether I am an ideal Ajax trainer? I can’t imagine that at the moment. And certainly not two days before the Classic.”