NOS Football•
Ajax will go into the Classic against Feyenoord on Sunday without Josip Sutalo. The Croatian defender is not in the selection, while Kenneth Taylor is also a big question mark.
In Taylor’s case, “there are still opportunities,” interim coach Fred Grim said at a news conference. It was already known that Wout Weghorst would miss the rest of the calendar year. Ajax also misses Youri Baas due to a suspension.
Ajax has won the last three matches under Grim, against FC Groningen, Fortuna Sittard and in midweek in the Champions League against Qarabag.
That last victory in particular gave hope in Amsterdam. “I’ve talked a lot about ‘experience of success’ and you see how important that is when you’re in a bad period,” Grim said. “The group then interacts differently, there is cooperation and joy. Just look at how that goal was celebrated in Qarabag.”
The Ajax players went together to the away section after Anton Gaaei’s goal. Substitute Don-Angelo Konadu even jumped in:
Yet there was still plenty to criticize about Ajax’s play in Azerbaijan. “We play in a different way, so that takes time. We are working hard on that. Due to the busy match schedule, we can only make few training minutes, but we get the most out of it.”
Teenagers
On Wednesday, three teenagers played with Jorthy Mokio, Aaron Bouwman and Sean Steur. The latter made his starting debut. “I am extremely satisfied with what he has delivered. Of course we look at age, also towards the Classic, but quality is the most important.”
Ajax without Sutalo against Feyenoord, but Taylor “still has a chance”
Another teenager, Rayane Bounida, was passed over against Qarabag because he had overslept. “We have now discussed that and that chapter is closed,” Grim said.
Ajax punished its own fanatical supporters after the misconduct against FC Groningen. As a result, the Amsterdam team plays in front of an empty first ring in the South Stand. “That is a loss, but there are still 45,000 people who can support us.”
