One pressing question for the coach: how many times did he rewatch the match with his daughter? "I sent a video to Menno Geelen of her watching the game with a little flag the day after the match. I watched the game a few more times myself and the highlights three or four times with my daughter," he laughs.
Staying grounded
Farioli reflects on a strong week. "It was a good weekend, that’s true. But for me, the most important thing was how the players returned. We had some good training sessions, and the spirit is good. There's no time for distractions or getting carried away. We have to stay grounded and work even harder than before."
During the match against PSV, Youri Baas suffered an injury and will miss the next game. "It’s not too serious, but he won’t be available against NAC. We’ll do everything to have him ready for the upcoming matches. For now, he has to work hard off the pitch so he can help the team in the final phase of the season."
Youri Regeer will also miss the NAC match. "We have to wait and see how he progresses in training." However, Farioli believes Weghorst will be available on Sunday. "There’s a good chance he’ll be part of the squad."
Facing NAC at home
Looking ahead to Sunday’s opponent, Farioli says: "I’ve studied them carefully. We know how painful it was in Breda, losing in the final moments. NAC is performing well with different styles of play—sometimes very aggressive, other times they sit back. They know exactly what they want, so it will be a challenge. For us, it’s crucial to step onto the pitch with a fresh body and a sharp mind for this important game."
Finally, Farioli was asked about the campaign launched on Friday morning, in which Ajax and Ziggo introduced social conduct guidelines to combat online hate. "The message is important because we live in a world where people on social media often go a step or two too far. It's essential to raise awareness. Just because someone is behind a laptop or phone doesn’t mean they can say whatever they want. It’s good that we are continuing our previous efforts and supporting the club in this initiative."
