Francesco Faroili was honest after defeat in Alkmaar (2-0). "AZ deserved to win. We had trouble creating chances. Unfortunately we also hit the post, and we had an opportunity with Kristian Hlynsson, but we lacked force in the six-yard box. I thought we weren't hard enough on defence, and we weren't aggressive enough on the attack."
The next match is away at SC Heerenveen, Sunday in Friesland. "We need to keep working hard and focus on the next match. That's football, the focus has to be on what's coming up."
Finally, the manager was asked about the situation around Devyne Rensch. "I hope he stays."
Ajax was unable to come back against AZ. After the league defeat in December, Ajax got the short end of the stick once again in the Dutch Cup. It ended up 2-0 in Alkmaar.
On Monday. Francesco Farioli was looking ahead to Tuesday evening's cup match against AZ. Bearing in mind the recent league match and the Alkmaar team's current form, he knows what to expect from his team. “We know their strengths and we know where we need to do better.”
Ajax have started 2025 with a victory. At the Johan Cruijff ArenA, RKC were beaten 2-1. At half-time Ajax lead 2-0 through goals from Steven Berghuis and Kenneth Taylor. In the closing stages, RKC reduced the arrears to 2-1, but it didn't go further.