Erik ten Hag refuses to admit that Jurriën Timber was infected with the corona virus prior to the international match period. The Ajax defender was forced to sign out with national coach Erwin van der Looi for the group matches at the European Championship on behalf of the Dutch Juniors. During the press conference on Wednesday in the run-up to the Europa League meeting with AS Roma on Thursday evening, Ajax watcher Mike Verweij asked on behalf of The Telegraph for clarification.
“Why are you always so frenetic when it comes to corona?” Verweij explains to Ten Hag during the press moment. “If players want to indicate this themselves, then can’t they?”, Verweij adds. “If they want to indicate this themselves, they can do so,” said Ten Hag. “We will not report that. I do not know if Jurriën has had corona, those are your conclusions. I do not know if you can look in the medical files of those players?”
Timber, who also joined the press conference on Wednesday afternoon, will be continued afterwards NOSreporter Joep Schreuder asked about his physical condition. “I am fit again. What do I feel when I am sick? I don’t feel well then. Then I stay at home, away from the group. I played again on Sunday, so I feel good again.” According to According to Voetbal International the nineteen-year-old center defender and right back was indeed tested positive for the corona virus. Timber had to miss the duels with PEC Zwolle, Young Boys and ADO Den Haag.
On Thursday evening, the defender will in all probability, together with Lisandro Martínez, form the heart of the Ajax defense. Daley Blind is missing due to a serious ankle injury. Timber previously played in the center with Blind, but says she can also form a great couple with Martínez. “It doesn’t change how we want to play. It makes no difference.” Ten Hag is not worried about this either. “I don’t think that makes much difference. The tasks remain the same. I think Jurriën is complementary to both players.”
The right foot will most likely be faced with Edin Dzeko, who fills in the striker position at Roma. “I’m looking forward to the match”, says Timber. “For years I was very sympathetic when Ajax played European again. I experienced those matches in front of television as a real supporter. Now I might be facing Dzeko. That is quite special. As a little boy I often saw him play football at Manchester City. ”