Ajax dropped crucial points in the Eredivisie on Saturday after being held to a 2-2 draw by Excelsior at the Johan Cruijff ArenA, prompting pointed criticism from Dutch football icon Willem van Hanegem over the team’s composure and tactical choices.
Willem van Hanegem Questions Youri Baas’s Temperament
Writing in his column for the Algemeen Dagblad, Van Hanegem highlighted the performance of Ajax defender Youri Baas, noting that the player has cut an erratic figure during the current campaign.
“Baas, who I think has been acting a bit wound up this season, kicks Yegoian in the face, and it’s a mystery to me that they didn’t see a penalty in that in Zeist,” Van Hanegem wrote, referencing the KNVB headquarters. He added that a similar high challenge earlier this season cost AZ player Joey Veerman a straight red card, whereas the incident involving Baas went unpunished by the match officials.
Missed Chances and Excelsior’s Resilient Display
Despite dominating large stretches of possession and creating a flurry of scoring opportunities, Ajax found themselves trailing in the second half after Excelsior forward Aymen Sliti struck to put the visitors ahead. Van Hanegem praised Excelsior goalkeeper Stijn van Gassel for a stellar display between the posts that frustrated the Amsterdam attack.
“Ajax had enough chances to win, but let’s not exaggerate their overall play,” Van Hanegem noted. “After an hour they were simply trailing at home against Excelsior and ultimately they are two precious points short.” While acknowledging that Ajax held the upper hand across the ninety minutes, he stressed that the Kralingers earned their share of the spoils through defensive grit.
Tactical Debate Surrounding Tolu Arokodare
The veteran analyst also questioned the lineup decisions made by the Ajax technical staff regarding forward Tolu Arokodare. Van Hanegem argued that deploying the powerful striker from the opening whistle could have helped the hosts put the game out of reach much earlier, especially given the impending three-week break in domestic league action.
“I think Ajax could have finished off Excelsior quickly with Tolu Arokodare in the starting lineup,” Van Hanegem stated. “There are now three weeks without league matches, why not start with your best striker? If he wasn’t completely fresh, they could have tried it from the start anyway, right?”
Standings and Next Fixtures
The draw leaves Ajax searching for consistency as they look to reestablish themselves at the summit of the Eredivisie. With the international break providing a window for tactical adjustments, manager and staff face mounting pressure to correct defensive lapses and maximize squad rotation before domestic play resumes.
Ajax returns to Eredivisie action following the international window to face their next league opponent, where supporters will look for a sharper display in front of goal and stricter discipline at the back.
