Heitinga opts for the same basic eleven at Ajax as last week

Feb 05, 2023 at 11:01Update: 5 minutes ago

Ajax will face SC Cambuur at 12.15 with the same eleven basic players as last week against Excelsior (1-4 win). Ajax coach John Heitinga thus breaks with the policy of his predecessor Alfred Schreuder, who made frequent changes to his starting line-up.

Keeper Gerónimo Rulli is assisted by Devyne Rensch, Jurriën Timber, Edson Álvarez and Owen Wijndal. Defenders Calvin Bassey and Jorge Sánchez – still frequent basic players in the first half of the season – are once again on the bench.

Kenneth Taylor plays a controlling role in midfield, with Davy Klaassen and Steven Berghuis just in front of him. The attacking trio consists of Mohammed Kudus, Dusan Tadic and Steven Bergwijn.

Heitinga’s predecessor Schreuder made changes to his starting eleven every week, but his successor wants to get rid of that. “The most important thing is to create stability. We want to play in fixed compositions more often. It is up to the players to earn a place,” said the trainer at the press conference prior to the game.

Navarone Foor makes his debut as a basic player at Cambuur. Bjørn Johnsen and Mimoun Mahi, two other winter acquisitions, start on the bench at the low flyer.

Cambuur-Ajax is led by Martin van den Kerkhof. Charles Schaap and Richard Brondijk act as assistant referees and Luuk Timmer is the fourth official. Edwin van de Graaf is the VAR during the match and receives help from Don Frijn.

With 37 points, Ajax is in fourth place, five points behind leader Feyenoord. The team from Rotterdam will face PSV at 2.30 pm, which has 38 points and is therefore third.

The basic line-up of Ajax against SC Cambuur. Photo: NU.nl