Ajax Insights: Central defensive duo shine in Velsen-Zuid

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Four different goalscorers stole the headlines in Sunday's away match against Telstar. Davy Klaassen, Steven Berghuis, Tolu and Marcos Leonardo all found the net. However, two Ajax players quietly impressed at the back. In this edition of Ajax Insights, we take a closer look at the statistics of our central defensive duo: Aaron Bouwman (19) and Dies Janse (20).

Date: 31.08.2026

Photographer: AFC Ajax

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The young centre-back pairing both came through the Ajax Academy and, against Telstar, started alongside each other in defence for the first time. It also marked the first time since 3 December 2023 that Ajax began a VriendenLoterij Eredivisie match with two centre-backs under the age of 21. On that occasion, the duo consisted of Devyne Rensch (20) and Jorrel Hato (17).


Ajax kept a clean sheet in Velsen-Zuid thanks to two defenders who more than held their own. Both players stood out not only defensively but also in possession. Dies Janse won all of his aerial duels and recorded four clearances. No Ajax player on the pitch made more defensive clearances than the 20-year-old defender. Bouwman also made his presence felt. Over the course of ninety minutes, he regained possession 12 times, more than any of his teammates.

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The defender was equally impressive on the ball. Bouwman registered an outstanding pass completion rate, with 98.9 per cent of his passes finding a teammate. He also recorded exactly 100 touches throughout the match.

His defensive partner Janse also produced excellent numbers in possession. With a pass completion rate of 93.8 per cent, only Bouwman and Davy Klaassen recorded a higher percentage among Ajax's starting eleven.

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