Erik ten Hag, the head coach of Ajax Amsterdam, has expressed his frustration with the Premier League’s decision to schedule their upcoming Europa League clash against Everton as an early kick-off. The Dutch side is set to travel to Goodison Park on Thursday for the first leg of their last-16 tie, but Ten Hag believes that the scheduling puts his team at a disadvantage. In the following article, we’ll explore the reasons behind Ten Hag’s frustration and how it could impact Ajax’s chances of progressing in the competition.
Manchester United secured a 2-0 win against Everton on Saturday, but it came at a cost with star striker Marcus Rashford limping off due to groin discomfort. Erik ten Hag, United’s manager, criticised the Premier League for scheduling the game as an early Saturday kick-off, adding to an already avoidable fixture congestion. The club had played two other games in the space of six days, adding to the workload of the players, who have already played in 49 games this season, with 16 more to come in the Europa League, FA Cup, and league competitions. Rashford himself has already played in 52 matches this season for club and country. After the match, Ten Hag told reporters: “You run the risk that players can’t recover that quickly. All the science and research tells you the players need a certain period to recover. If it is one game after another, it accumulates.” United have also had to cope with injuries sustained by other first-team players, including Paul Pogba, Harry Maguire, and Phil Jones. Rashford will undergo a scan to determine the extent of his injury.
In conclusion, Ten Hag’s frustration with the early kick-off for Ajax’s game against Everton is certainly understandable. With a short turnaround time from their previous match, the Dutch side will have to quickly adapt to the early kick-off time and adjust their preparations accordingly. It’s no surprise that the Ajax coach has voiced his concerns over the scheduling decision, and it remains to be seen how his team will perform come match day. One thing is for certain – with both sides eager to secure a victory, this promises to be an exciting encounter for football fans to watch.
