Erik ten Hag is pleased with the way in which Ajax managed to beat FC Midtjylland 3-1 on Wednesday in the group stage of the Champions League. The trainer sees that his team is getting better every week.
“Our form is rising. The goal against is a blemish, that was not necessary. But this was the Ajax as I like it and this was an excellent victory”, Ten Hag told after the match in the Johan Cruijff ArenA. Ziggo Sport.
“We put pressure on them and forced them to take the long ball. They couldn’t manage to put us under pressure”, continued Ten Hag, who thought that Ajax should have scored earlier. “We had to pull the trigger, but in half time we said it would come naturally. We had to stay calm.”
Ajax now has seven points after four matches and is at least certain of European wintering. The team from Amsterdam is still fully in the race for the next round of the Champions League with Liverpool (nine points) and Atalanta (also seven points). Atalanta won 0-2 at Liverpool on Wednesday.
“In the end that doesn’t matter much. We have to beat Atalanta to continue,” said Ten Hag about the result at Anfield. “Becoming group winner? We do not look at that. We are going for a result against Liverpool. The most important thing is that we have taken a step. It is good that we winter, because that was of course a goal.” Ten Hag also announced that Daley Blind was replaced purely as a precaution.
Gravenberch: ‘First goal immediately important’
Ryan Gravenberch couldn’t be happier. The midfielder shot the opening goal very nicely shortly after the break. “It is my first Champions League goal of the season, and a beautiful and important one right away. I saw him hit from the bottom of the bar,” said a visibly proud Gravenberch. Ziggo Sport.
After Gravenberch’s 1-0, Ajax also quickly came to 2-0 via Noussair Mazraoui, but the team from Amsterdam did not have their sights set in the first half. “We missed a lot of chances, but once we got this one it was easier. I think we played well, except for the odds.”
“I hear that Atalanta has won. That’s a shame, but it doesn’t matter. Then we just have to show that we too can win from Liverpool,” concluded Gravenberch.
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