Ajax coach Erik ten Hag thinks it is unjust that Edson Álvarez got red on Saturday evening in the home game (2-1 win) against Vitesse. The Mexican was sent off the field in the Johan Cruijff ArenA immediately before half time, because he had stood on Loïs Openda’s leg.
“I didn’t understand when it happened,” Ten Hag looked opposite FOX Sports back to the incident in the extra time of the first half. “Why was this a red card?”
The trainer then saw the moment again and maintained the position that Álvarez should not have gotten a red card. While Openda was on the ground, the midfielder stepped on his leg, but according to Ten Hag, that did not happen on purpose.
“It’s a game where Álvarez goes for the ball. This is definitely not a red card, it has nothing to do with foul play.”
It was already the second red card of this season for Ajax, after Nicolás Tagliafico was sent away against Sparta in the first round of play. “But that was not red either. It was ridiculous for both Nico and Edson,” said Ten Hag.
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Edson Álvarez leaves the field. (Photo: Pro Shots)
‘Victory Ajax was well deserved’
The moment Álvarez got red, Ajax led 1-0 against Vitesse. Ten Hag was of course happy that his team then took the three points, although he thought that was right.
“I think it was well deserved. We didn’t start well, Vitesse was brave. But when it became an open match, we had the qualities to strike. Except for the initial phase, it was excellent.”
Because of the victory, Ajax is still without a loss of points after three games and, together with sc Heerenveen, it is in the lead in the Eredivisie. If PSV wins at Heracles Almelo on Sunday, the Eindhoven club will also score nine points.
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