AZ – Ajax was also on the schedule halfway through January, then in the cup. Grim took the painful cup elimination (6-0) into his preparations for Sunday. "That match was discussed afterwards, already back then. And now, in the week leading up to Sunday, it’s of course also about that game. We conceded an early goal and after that we were dominant on the ball for half an hour. We created few chances, but we also weren’t in danger. After that, the goals we conceded came quickly and then there was that red card. Sunday will be a different match again. But it’s clear that the game plan needed to be executed better."
Revenge
Whether there are feelings of revenge within the group seemed logical to Grim. "If you lose 6-0, it seems logical to me that something is living within the squad. I do use it, yes, but if you’re an athlete, you naturally have that. I don’t need to add extra pressure. That match is very much on this group’s mind."
The coach was then asked about the difference between Ajax’s first and second halves in recent matches. "After that cup match against AZ, we’ve played a number of good matches, but we’ve also mixed them with a poor second half. That is our point of improvement. We’re working hard on turning that around, and we’re also involving the group itself in that."
'That’s where the crux lies'
"We need to keep playing the way we start every time, that’s where the crux lies," Grim continued. "Against Go Ahead Eagles and Excelsior we score two goals, but we fail to kill the match off and make it easier for ourselves. Then it comes down to making the right choices and being businesslike. I’ve said that before and discussed it with the group."
During the last transfer window, Maarten Paes, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Maher Carrizo were brought in. "Paes and Carrizo are not yet eligible to play, so they won’t be involved on Sunday. Zinchenko is still a wait and see.” Grim is pleased with the experience Zinchenko brings. “We desperately need that. Is he a leader type? You can be a leader through the way you play football and by bringing calm on the pitch. There are different types of leaders. He knows what he wants, knows what he stands for and he’s overflowing with ambition."
'The club went all out'
Grim would have liked to bring in an extra player for the ‘number six’ position, but it didn’t happen. "There were a few that were close. But it has to work financially and be responsible. The club went all out to bring in a six. The urgency was there, but unfortunately it didn’t work out. Then as a coach you can sit back and feel sorry for yourself, but it’s about the players who are here, and then I look at Youri Regeer."
"He is making steps and continues to develop in that position," Grim continued. "The way he fills the role, I’m not unhappy with. I’ve also spoken to him and expressed my appreciation, also mentally. I think Youri has shown that he is growing in that role and needs to keep making steps. But he has handled that brilliantly."
Fitness
Heading into Sunday, there are still a few doubts, although Grim did not want to mention names. "The stomach flu has disappeared. But a number of lads have lost some weight. They need a few more days to get back to their normal weight." Whether Berghuis will be involved again on Sunday remains uncertain. "He is making nice steps forward. With his injury, it’s part of the process that it fluctuates. But he was on the bench against Excelsior and that’s a sign things are going well. He’s doing well now and we’re holding on to that."
Together, Grim wants to work towards a strong end to the season. "The confidence is there and I feel we are building something. Where things go wrong, we have to work on it. We are all working on that and that gives me confidence in a good outcome."
