Friday, 25 August 2023 at 09:27 • Mart Oude Nijeweeme • Last update: 10:16
Days after Ajax’s resounding victory over Ludogorets (4-1), the morning newspapers reflect on the performance of the team from Amsterdam in the play-offs of the Europa League. Mohammed Kudus claimed a star role with a hat trick and Jay Gorter also showed his best side. The return in the Johan Cruijff ArenA seems to be a formality due to the difference in strength, the Dutch journal also saw.
According to Algemeen Dagblad, Kudus has ‘saved the best for last’. “Especially the player for whom it was tense all day whether he would participate at all, Ajax in Bulgaria almost pushed into the group stage of the Europa League,” writes Johan Inan. “Kudus’ performance looked like a parting gift to the club that brought him from Denmark three years ago. It was as if the imperturbable Ghanaian was aware that this was very well going to be his last match for Ajax.”
Also in the Volkskrant all credits go to the Ghanaian taste maker. “If Kudus says goodbye to Ajax, the duel with Ludogorets will be a farewell in style,” writes Willem Vissers. “One evening in late summer, Ludogorets from Bulgaria offered Ajax an extra practice match, even though it was officially about the play-offs for the Europa League. Ajax won at a glorified walking pace and with little revealing figures. As if Ludogorets had rolled out the red carpet for the highly honored guests from Amsterdam.”
Vissers also saw that attracting a number of newcomers seems to be paying off. “Devyne Rensch and Owen Wijndal feel the competition from the now attracted competitors, Anton Gaaei and Gaston Avila. They defended concentrated until half-time and were involved in goals. Steven Berghuis, suspended in the competition, was allowed to make fine passes on the number 10- position. Kenneth Taylor proved that he is a midfielder with overview and a sense of responsibility.”
‘Smart move’
Mike Verweij also compliments Maurice Steijn for his starting line-up. “It was partly forced by Steijn – because Josip Sutalo, Gaston Avila and Chuba Akpom are not yet entitled to play – a smart move to fall back on certainties,” he writes in De Telegraaf. “Of the eleven Ajax players who kicked off, nine players were also on the Amsterdam payroll last season and Jakov Medic and Benjamin Tahirovic were the only newcomers.”
Kenneth Taylor can also count on nice words from Verweij. “With a wonderful assist in Kudus’ 0-2, the strong playing Taylor took revenge for his reserve role against Excelsior”, the club watcher continues. Taylor eventually participated for half an hour against Excelsior. “Just as ‘revenge’ against the staggeringly weak Ludogorets was the magic word anyway with the fresh-hearted, effective, but still vulnerable Ajax in the heart of the defense.”
2023-08-25 21:55:00
#Ajax #coach #praised #Telegraaf
