Fred Grim and Kasper Dolberg looked ahead to the upcoming encounter with Olympiakos on Tuesday afternoon. The Amsterdammers need a victory and favourable results from rivals to reach the play-off round of Europe’s premier club competition.
"We have of course watched Olympiakos a number of times. That team plays very directly,” Grim analysed the upcoming opponent. “They play forward, attacking, and often use long balls from the back. They often want to deliver an early cross. We need to take that away from them, that’s a challenge. Winning duels and tight marking are also important. Olympiakos are a team that need few chances to score goals. It’s up to us to make things difficult for them. We also need to be more businesslike and shut up shop when we can."
Self-confidence
Asked what lessons Ajax have learned in recent weeks, Grim pointed to the self-confidence among his players. "It is hugely important for us to continue this good feeling after winning matches. That’s how we will approach the match against Olympiakos on Wednesday as well." Support from the home fans will also be important, the experienced club man Grim knows. "We have the advantage of playing in our own familiar stadium, with plenty of atmosphere."
"We have recorded a number of fine victories. Away at Villarreal and against FC Volendam. Especially those European wins give us a boost. We want to build on that."
Development
Dolberg shared his coach’s analysis. He too is experiencing a positive flow, strengthened by good results. "We are developing and have a good group of players," the Danish striker said. "But there is room for improvement. The feeling is that it can really go our way tomorrow. I feel good in my position. And I also give my opinion when necessary. There is a lot of mutual respect between the players."
The Ajax players on the pitch will pay little attention to intermediate scores on other grounds during the European clash. Dolberg: "I’m just focused on the match. I can’t do anything about the other games anyway. We have to win."
Grim backs up his striker: "We want to impose ourselves on the match and take three points. We also don’t have the squad to bring on a few substitutes and then rely on scoring a number of goals."
Fitness
In the home match against FC Volendam (a 2–0 win), Wout Weghorst made his return. That development naturally pleases the coach. "Slowly, players are coming back. Wout has played minutes and Steven Berghuis is also making progress step by step. We look at it day by day. Steven is making progress. A downside is that Itakura is injured. He did not wake up feeling very good this morning."
Grim then once again briefly and clearly formulates and emphasises the mission for Wednesday, in the sold-out Johan Cruijff ArenA: "We simply want to win tomorrow."
