When asked about the physical condition of his squad, Farioli said: "Unfortunately, Edvardsen has sustained an injury. It’s not long-term, but his season is over. Brobbey twisted his ankle two days ago and followed an individual programme today. We're hopeful he can be ready for Sunday."
Matchday 32 could, under ideal circumstances, be decisive for Ajax. If PSV lose to Feyenoord and Ajax beat NEC later in the day, the club could secure their 37th league title. But Farioli is not getting ahead of himself. “We’re still in a fight. We’re close, but not there yet. That’s why we need to focus on the work still to be done, starting with the match against NEC.”
Farioli repeatedly stressed the importance of focusing solely on their own performance. “We can play the ‘what if’ game, but it’s pointless. We shouldn’t waste energy thinking about what happens in Rotterdam — we have no control over that. What we can control is what happens from 16:45 onwards in the Johan Cruijff ArenA. We must make sure we show the best version of ourselves.”
As the pressure builds, keeping a cool head is crucial. “The mental side of the game is always important, but even more so in these final matches. It’s vital we manage our emotions well — panic or fear won’t help us. The role of the stadium can be significant. Feeling the support of our fans can push us forward. Let’s hope for the atmosphere of a big European night.”
Asked whether Wout Weghorst might start up front against NEC, Farioli responded: “Wout is always well-prepared. He’s definitely an option.”
The Italian coach also defended Brobbey, who has recently often been replaced in the second half by Weghorst. “It’s a tactic we’ve used frequently this season. Brobbey has always been valuable to us. While it hasn’t been his most prolific season in terms of goals, his contribution to our overall play has been very important. We’re fortunate to have two strikers of this calibre. Their combination has helped get us to where we are now.”
