Heitinga: Ajax Must Build Consistency Against Heracles

Ajax Coach Heitinga on Heracles Match: “you have to take steps”

Ajax manager John Heitinga reflects on the team's recent performance and previews the upcoming match against Heracles Almelo.

Ajax manager John Heitinga believes his team needs to take significant steps forward after securing a 2-2 draw against Go Ahead Eagles. The match saw Ajax take an early lead with Davy Klaassen scoring within three minutes. Kenneth Taylor had a chance to double the lead, but Go Ahead Eagles fought back with goals from Melle Meulensteen and Evert Linthorst, putting Ajax behind.

In the dying seconds of the first half, Youri Baas equalized, salvaging a point for Ajax and ending the half at 2-2. Reflecting on the game, Heitinga noted the unpredictable nature of football when a team scores first, saying, “You score that first goal and then it's up and down.” Heitinga's assessment highlights the need for his team to build consistency and momentum in their gameplay.

“It was better that we took a step forward in terms of organisation. But you can also see that we don't always manage to keep up the pressure. When things were going well, we were dangerous in transition at times.”

Ajax dominated the second half, showcasing superior ball control and defensive solidity, which significantly limited Go Ahead Eagles' scoring opportunities. According to the match statistics, Ajax had 52% possession, 10 shots on target, and 19 total shots, demonstrating their increased intensity in the second half.

“You want to step out earlier and higher,” Ajax's coach noted, reflecting on the team's performance. “That went a bit better in the second half. In the first half, they had more possession than I had hoped.” This tactical adjustment seemed to pay off, as Ajax's control over the game increased after the break.

20 minutes left on the clock!

Lucas Rosa & Kian Fitz-Jim in, Anton Gaaei & Davy Klaassen out.#gaeaja pic.twitter.com/kV3jOX5b7R

— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) August 17, 2025

Prior to conceding the goal, Ajax had played well from the back, creating promising attacking opportunities. ”Before they scored that goal, we played well from the back and created chances,” the coach added. However, there are still several areas that require improvement, as the coach acknowledged, "But there are a number of things we need to work on". With several key players contributing to the team's attacking prowess, including top scorers Oliver Edvardsen and Davy Klaassen, Ajax will look to build on this performance.

Gloukh's Ajax Debut Delayed Again

Ajax manager John Heitinga has left many fans questioning his decision-making after benching Oscar Gloukh, the team's €15 million summer signing, for the second consecutive match. Despite Ajax struggling with creativity in their season opener against Telstar, which ended in a 2-0 win, Heitinga decided to start Gloukh in the next match against Go Ahead Eagles. However, Gloukh was substituted in at halftime, reportedly due to the team's lack of creativity on the field.

Gloukh, a 21-year-old Israeli midfielder, has been a highly anticipated signing for Ajax. With a market value of €20 million, he brings significant talent and experience, having played 21 times for Israel and over 100 times for Red Bull Salzburg. His skills as an attacking midfielder could be a game-changer for Ajax, but Heitinga's cautious approach raises questions about the team's strategy.

“You want some more creativity. I wanted to get Steven Berghuis into the '10' position to get him more involved in the game. He was a bit isolated. That had to do with Go Ahead Eagles' style of play.”

Ajax's coach reflected on their recent performance, saying, “After the substitutions, we got into it a bit better and then got the ball a bit more. You have to take steps, and we've been working at it for five or six weeks now.” This assessment comes as Ajax prepares to face Heracles Almelo at the Johan Cruyff ArenA on Sunday, August 24th, in their next Eredivisie match.

Ajax currently ranks 6th, while Heracles Almelo holds the 15th position. Fans can catch the match live at the Johan Cruyff ArenA or through various online streaming platforms. The team's upcoming fixtures include a home game against PEC Zwolle on September 13th.