On the day that the Dutch weather institute (KNMI) issued a red weather warning due to extreme heat, Ajax's first training session on the pitch was scheduled in Amsterdam. As the sun bathed the freshly cut training surface in bright sunshine, the Ajax players made their way outside. Dressed in the new dark and light blue training kit, they stepped onto the pitch.
Speech and rondos
Once the players and the entire coaching staff had gathered on the pitch, Míchel Sánchez brought the group together. A speech lasting a few minutes signalled the start of his first training session on the field as Ajax head coach. The players completed a lap of the pitch before assembling in the centre circle. There, they stretched their muscles before moving towards the side of the pitch, where the warm-up continued. Their body temperatures had undoubtedly already risen, with the mercury reaching around thirty degrees even in the morning.
Under the watchful eye of the ground staff, who had once again prepared an immaculate playing surface, the group moved on to rondos. Standing in the full sun did not seem to bother them. The players' enthusiasm visibly and audibly increased. The reason was simple: the ball was introduced. "First running, then the ball," the Ajax players had said on Thursday. According to the squad, the most enjoyable part had begun. Despite the high temperatures, the ball moved swiftly from foot to foot.
Míchel joins the rondo
Míchel Sánchez enthusiastically joined in with the rondo himself. The former Rayo Vallecano crowd favourite showed his quality, comfortably using both his left and right foot. Even so, he could not avoid ending up in the middle on one occasion. The head coach stayed close to the action throughout the exercise and regularly handed out compliments to his players. On the adjacent pitch, the goalkeepers were working separately with goalkeeping coach Juan Carlos Balaguer Zamora.
Staying hydrated
After the rondos, the group had a brief opportunity to recharge. While Míchel’s assistants set up the next exercise, the head coach chatted with, among others, Davy Klaassen and Steven Berghuis. There was little time to rest. "Alive, alive", one of his assistants shouted as the next drill got under way.
As the exercise progressed, the tempo increased. Míchel moved energetically among his players, closely following the ball. The passing drill flowed smoothly, much to the satisfaction of the coaching staff. "Perfect! Perfect!" echoed across the sweltering training pitch.
High intensity
The bibs then came out for a possession exercise with two wall players in the middle and two on each flank. The goalkeepers also joined in. The Ajax players completed two energetic sessions, played at a high tempo and with great intensity. Whenever the pace dipped, the assistants quickly injected fresh energy.
The group was then given a moment to cool down. In the only patch of shade, beside the dugouts, the players were handed ice-cold towels and water. As the temperature continued to climb, so did the intensity of the session. A large-scale passing drill followed.
Sweat poured from the players' faces and, during the final exercise, the tempo increased once more. Long distances with and without the ball, dribbling, short and long passing, and constant movement were all part of the drill. The assistants maintained their energy throughout. "Good energy, guys," assistant coach Alberto Garrido Martinez called across the training ground. With those final encouraging words, the first session on the pitch came to an end. The new season is under way: Ajax have officially begun.
