Valentijn Driessen fires back at “the Anderlecht of the Netherlands” after a statement about PSV’s “last title”
1 min readYes, he really said it. And he meant it too. Ajax coach Garcia recently said that this would be the last title for PSV for the time being. In 2027, Ajax will be champions. That’s how the Spanish coach views the next season.
But, the coach of the Amsterdammers also said this week that Ajax could win the Conference League next season. Is men already qualified for this tournament then? No, but anyway..In short, there are plenty of statements in Amsterdam, but the performances are definitely not there.
Then Valentijn Driessen often takes the opportunity to settle accounts for once, as is also the case this time. The reporter from De Telegraaf therefore goes after Ajax, the policy, and the coach of the Amsterdam team.
'The biggest club in the country has made a mess nationally and internationally and is doing it more structurally than incidentally. Ajax is well on its way to becoming the Anderlecht of the Netherlands. A once-great club in decline, no more than a mid-table club with the occasional standout upward performance', begins Driessen his column in the morning newspaper.
'Ajax has made a fool of itself in every way this season, both sportingly and administratively,' continues Driessen. After that, he turns his sights on García, who is, just like the entire club, called 'a joke'. The reporter points to the Spaniard's statements after the match against FC Utrecht, when he 'served everything and everyone up and exonerated himself'. 'Five days later, Jordi Cruijff's confidant announced that Ajax will be champions in 2027, only to do nothing the very next day after incomprehensible personnel and tactical decisions against Heerenveen.'
Driessen cannot imagine the coach staying on. 'Garcia is already a disaster for Ajax and you don't want to think about him having anything left to say at the club next season. He has nothing to do with his players and the players have nothing to do with Garcia.' The former FC Barcelona player performs even worse than his predecessors John Heitinga and Fred Grim, and De Telegraaf journalist suspects that the players will at least not run harder for him in the play-offs. 'Even not after they removed the knife he planted in their backs.'
Driessen even suggests a fourth coach this season. 'It’s more likely that Ajax will be absent next season from one of the three European competitions. A complete humiliation for Ajax and the Ajax brand. Something that will certainly be felt financially,' said Valentijn Driessen, who in no way takes Garcia's remarks about PSV’s for-now latest league title seriously.
Comments20
Idk, feels like this is still the same problem every season. Too many touches in the box, no ruthlessness. When Lozano gets space though, its pure chaos in a good way 😅
The biggest difference today was how quickly they attacked after winning it back. I noticed it most when Til or whoever dropped into that pocket, the line couldnt step up safely ⚽
Wie zo snel 2-0 willen forceren, maar dan verdedig je ook als een kampioen. Anders is het vrij simpel, 1 counter en je bent wakker... 🧠⚽
Beetje jammer dat we aanvallend voorspelbaar werden, vooral richting de zestien. Als X in dat interview gelijk had over geduld, dan moet het ook echt zichtbaar zijn in de laatste 25 meter. Anders gaat het op energie, en dat is geen plan.
"PSV showed bravery" yeah ok but bravery without control is just panic football 💀. They should manage the game better after taking the lead.
"PSV Inside" really has the debate spot on. Imo the biggest issue is the midfield spacing when the opponent drops into a 4-4-2, it leaves us too exposed wide. 👀
"PSV Inside" zei pressing als sleutel, maar ik vond het vandaag vooral chaos in de omschakeling 🤡. Zonder goede afspraken op de rug van de backs worden die counters meteen gevaarlijk. Volgende wedstrijd dit strakker.
That tactical tweak with the winger cutting inside looked good, especially when it dragged their fullback out. Still, PSV got punished a couple times on the transition, so the defensive organization needs a bit more edge 👀.
Burned some chances tbh, but the intensity was there 🔥. I just dont get the timing of the substitutions, you can feel when the legs go.
If PSV really want to press like that, the midfield has to stay connected. Right now Sangare and Veerman are covering too much and it leaves the half-spaces empty, imo. Need that one runner to pin their fullback...
Eens dat de keeper clean reddingen had, maar ik wil meer 1e bal-kwaliteit van onze verdedigers. Als je dat niet doet, blijft het steeds gokken op tweede duels. Kijk, voetbal is ook timing, en die was niet altijd peak.
Tbh i think the midfield balance is the real question, Veerman alone is not enough against stronger pressing teams. Bring more cover or let Sangare start doing the dirty work, otherwise it gets messy. 👀
Tbh de keuze voor die wissel lijkt logisch, maar het tempo viel daarna een beetje terug. Voorin hebben we wel kansen, maar het is minder gevaarlijk als er geen overlap komt aan de zijkant. We moeten sneller naar de tweede bal.
🔥 "PSV Inside" praat over pressing, maar ik zie nog steeds momenten dat we net te laat duiken. Dan krijgt de tegenstander 2 passen en staan we meteen achter de bal. Dat wordt pijnlijk tegen ploegen die tempo maken.
Nog geen echte controle in de opbouw, want we blijven te vaak aan de linkerkant "hangen". Als Tillman niet vrijloopt, loopt het midden leeg. Imo moet Lozano of Bakayoko vaker tussen de linies zakken.
"We have to be brave in the build-up" is true, but bravery without control is just panic. If PSV lose the ball centrally once, the whole plan collapses.💀
🔥🔥🔥 Another match where Pepi should be getting more touches in the box. Stop playing him like a winger, make him a finisher.
If PSV are going with that high press again, then they need to win second balls, otherwise it turns into chaos in transition. Tbh I want to see Gakpo/Bergwijn type movement between the lines, not just running at defenders.
Zonder Dumfries in possession we are a bit more predictable, imo. I want to see more quick switches to the right side, thats where the space is.
If PSV go with that high press again, i just hope it doesnt leave gaps for counter attacks. Tillman and Veerman will have to be on it defensively too, not just in transition.