Andy van der Meijde does not understand that John Heitinga started with Edson Álvarez against FC Emmen last week. The defender annex midfielder of Ajax receives his tenth yellow card of the season and is therefore suspended for the meeting with PSV that is scheduled for this Sunday.
Heitinga should not have taken any risks with Álvarez, says Van der Meijde. “I just thought that was a bad choice,” said the former attacker in the General Journal. Van der Meijde does not care that Heitinga needs the Mexican every game, according to his own words. “That’s all right, but come on. At home against Emmen, what kind of confidence do you have in your team. With all due respect to Emmen, but the night before such a pot we just went drinking in our time. I think that’s nonsense .”
Article continues under video
Alvaréz will be replaced by Calvin Bassey on Sunday, Heitinga said at the press conference towards the Eredivisie topper on Friday. “He is just good defensively, but less on the ball. And you know from PSV that they are dangerous in the air. You saw that during the Johan Cruijff Scale. And let’s be honest, it is also fragile in the back positions. Hato I can still see the crosses coming out, but on the right, with Sanchez, it’s not great either. It’s just a difficult thing. I fear for the worst.”
Ajax is committed to finishing the season (at least) in second place. If that is not possible, no Champions League football will be played in Amsterdam next season. “Ajax’s program is more difficult. As a result, they can also use a buffer by winning against PSV. But that has traditionally been a difficult away match. Ajax has to be great without having a great selection. finish third. That would be a shame and then the supporters would not be happy. I think rightly so, because that should never happen to Ajax, and certainly not after the successes of recent years. “
