Dusan Tadic has never planned to give up his status as Ajax’s first penalty taker, says Sébastien Haller with a laugh after the match against RKC Waalwijk (3-2 win). Due to consecutive missed penalties against Heracles Almelo (3-0 win) and FC Twente (5-0) a discussion arose last month about a changing of the guard, but Tadic was ‘just’ behind the ball again on Sunday when Ajax received a late penalty. .
Over his entire career, serving clubs and his country, Tadic scored 65 of his 79 penalties (82.3%). Haller was accurate 26 of the 27 times (96.3%). At the press conference after the game, Haller is Football zone asked if there was a discussion about who should take the penalty against RKC. “You can’t talk to Tadic,” he laughs. “We joke about this every day. I have to find a way to take penalties.”
Haller can forget penalties at Ajax: ‘No chance with Tadic’
“I have to corrupt him,” Haller winks, who scored twice himself against RKC. “He’s a good penalty taker. He’s unfortunately missed two penalties, but everyone in the dressing room knows he’s a real winner. He’s not one to give up after two missed penalties. He’s at the top of the list, he’s the captain and he is an important player. This is the choice. I am very happy with his winning goal today. He deserves it and it is good for his confidence.”
Tadic has long been known as a specialist: in November 2020 he was still referred to as ‘penalty kick king’ in an article on the club website, but that status has been somewhat diminished. He missed three of his last five penalties: the captain of Ajax was not on April 8, 2021 (against AS Roma in the Europa League), on February 6 (against Heracles in the Eredivisie) and February 13 (against FC Twente in the Eredivisie). successful. Against RKC, he scored for the first time from eleven meters since December 19 against Feyenoord in the Eredivisie.