Read Time 1 Minute, 39 Second

Ajax could lose both the Champions League and their lead in the Eredivisie in just a few days time if they don’t turn things around quickly. AZ is waiting for the Amsterdammers on Sunday and with only three points difference between the two clubs, this can be seen as a crucial game. Erik ten Hag and Donny van de Beek know they have to switch from the disappointment of losing against Valencia to focus on the Eredivisie.



Donny van de Beek spoke with Voetbal International about the match against Valencia and the coming match against AZ: “Everybody is devastated about the elimination. Before the match against Valencia, we were leading the group and now we’re third. It’s a huge blow for us. I think we deserved more if you look at the whole group stage. Friday is our next training session and then it’s up to us to focus on the important game against AZ. We are having a really good season till yesterday, it would be really stupid if we throw that away in such a short period.”



Ajax-manager Erik ten Hag agrees with the midfielder and sees similarities with the disappointment Ajax had to deal with when they lost against Tottenham Hotspur last May he says against Het Parool: “Against Spurs, we missed the Champions League final just seconds before the end of the game and a few days later we had to play FC Utrecht what turned out to be a decisive match in the Eredivisie. The situation is slightly different but I’m confident we will rise up again on Sunday. I’ll always say that you have 24 hours to be disappointed and after that, you have to be ready for the next game”.



Coming Sunday Ajax and AZ will face each other at 16:45 local time in Alkmaar. At the moment Ajax is leading in the Eredivisie with 41 points out of 16 games. AZ is second with 38 points.

6 1