Steven Berghuis Will Be absent from Ajax’s Champions League Campaign Opener Against Internazionale on Wednesday. Coach John Heitinga Says The Forward is not fit Enough to Play.
The 33-Year-Old Berghuis was absent from Ajax’s Group Training Session on Tuesday. Heitinga confirmmed that the veteran is struggling with muscle problems. “Steven is not Fit Enough to play. I would have liked to have him with us, but he won, make it for this match,” the coach said at the press conference.
Berghuis was Still A Starter for Ajax in the Won League Match Against PEC Zwolle (3-1) on Saturday. It remains to be seen Whether the Forward Will Be Fit in Time for the Top Match Against PSV on Sunday. He will be replaced by Oliver Edvardsen or Raúl Moro Against Inter, Heitinga Said.
The Coach is Curious About the Confrontation with Inter. “We will see where ajax stands Tomorrow. It is a tough opponent. We would have preferred to meet inter later. But you notice in the group of players that everyone is happy that they can play on the highest stage again.”
Heitinga acknowled that inter is the clear favorite. “But the Champions League is a Wonderful Stage to Prove the Opposite. Everyone Who is at this press conference probably thinks that we have no chance. We have to show that we can participate. Hopefully we will provide a surprise.”
Klaassen: ‘Ajax is a team in construction’
Ajax Captain Davy Klaassen Played for Inter in the 2023/2024 Season and Knows How Well the Italian Team Can Play Football. “It is a team that has gogether for a long time. The players are well attuned to each other and have a lot of certainties. That is what makes them so strong. It is one of the best teams in the world.”
The 32-year-old Midfielder finds it diffress to say Whether the Current Ajax is Further Than Last Year. “It is Always Difficult with a New Staff and New Players. Then you are a team in Construction,” Said Klaassen, Who Admitted that Ajax has not yet reached a top level this season.
“If we play against inter like we did against fc Volendam (1-1, ed.), It will be difficult. It already looked better in the first half Against pec on Saturday. I am a positive person, but also realistic. We are not where we want to be yet.”
The match between Ajax and inters on Wednesday at 9:00 pm in the Johan Cruijff Arena. The match will be led by English referee Michael Oliver.