Erik ten Hag was very satisfied with Ajax’s performance on Sunday. An away game against FC Utrecht is said to be a traditionally difficult game for the team from Amsterdam, but the leader of the Eredivisie had no problems in the (empty) Galgenwaard this time: 0-3.
“I have seen an excellent Ajax, we had complete dominance in the match”, Ten Hag said FOX Sports. “We were on the ball very well and accelerated and scored at the right moments.”
Ajax had 68 percent of the ball possession in Utrecht, came to nineteen shots on goal against only five for the home team and had eight corners against zero for FC Utrecht. Davy Klaassen, Dusan Tadic (penalty kick) and Quincy Promes also translated the predominance in the last half hour into the score.
“Of course it makes me happy that FC Utrecht could never take over control of the match”, said Ten Hag. “You saw that they were very eager and sharp, but they often did not enter the duels.”
Utrecht, which was led by interim trainer René Hake after the sudden departure of John van den Brom to KRC Genk, only became dangerous twice via Gyrano Kerk. “Utrecht has a very dangerous team and a very good vanguard. Then you can hardly avoid two such moments”, said Ten Hag. “But in general we have defended very well, also in the transition.”
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Erik ten Hag (right) remains the leader with Ajax. (Photo: Pro Shots)
‘I go my own way’
Five days after the Champions League game with FC Midtjylland (1-2 victory), Ten Hag again made some changes to his starting line-up. Promes, Lisandro Martínez and Jurgen Ekkelenkamp started on the bench and Lassina Traoré, Klaassen and Zakaria Labyad were allowed to start. For Labyad that was his first starting place since the beginning of October.
“I’m doing it as I think is right”, said the Ajax coach about his rotation system. “People are allowed to have their opinion about that, but I still go my own way. You need a wide selection in today’s top football and then you have to use that. I look at what I need per match.”
Due to the international break, Ajax will only play the next competition match in two weeks. Heracles Almelo will visit the Johan Cruijff ArenA on Sunday 22 November.
View the results, the program and the position of the Eredivisie
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