René van der Gijp criticizes Berghuis after Ajax defeat
René van der Gijp could not hide his frustration with Steven Berghuis after Ajax’s defeat to PSV. On Vandaag Inside, the analyst went in hard on the experienced forward, whose glaring miss at 1-1 became a turning point in Amsterdam’s 1-3 loss.
Van der Gijp had one moment in mind: the 30th minute, Berghuis free in front of goal, his favoured left foot ready – and the ball dragged wide.
“What disappointed me so much. That can happen, I know. Anything can happen. That Berghuis didn't put that ball away. That disappoints me. With such a good strike with his left foot,” Van der Gijp said, clearly stunned that a player of Berghuis’s technique failed to convert from such a position.
He pushed the point even harder, stressing how routine the finish should have been for the Ajax winger.
“I think if he takes 20 penalties, he scores all 20. And this one you put wide, man. Come on, man!” he added, his disbelief matching the mood of many Ajax supporters.
That miss loomed large over the rest of the evening. Ajax never recovered, PSV grew in confidence, and the visitors pulled away. A superb strike from recent signing Lutsharel Geertruida helped seal a statement 1-3 win in the capital, underlining the gap in ruthlessness between the two sides.
Driessen turns fire on Míchel
While Van der Gijp aimed at Berghuis, Valentijn Driessen saved his sharpest criticism for Ajax coach Míchel. On the same show, De Telegraaf’s football editor dissected the Spaniard’s decisions and found little he agreed with.
Top of his list: the handling of Tolu Arokodare and Abdellah Ouazane.
“The very best player he has, Ouazane, wasn't in the team. And he forms a very good partnership with that Brandt. And he takes Tolu off, even though he was playing quite well. And then Míchel has a stroke of genius with two strikers who haven't touched a ball all year,” Driessen said, pointing directly at substitutes Kasper Dolberg and Marcos Leonardo.
For Driessen, the choices on the touchline were as damaging as the miss in front of goal. Where PSV’s changes brought control and a killer edge, Ajax’s switches only deepened the sense of confusion.
Right-back call under the microscope
Driessen then moved to another sore spot: the right-back position. He could not understand why Gaaei started there against Van Bommel.
“And then Gaaei, who can't defend, plays at right-back against Van Bommel. And then he has another defender on the bench. What are you supposed to do with these kinds of coaches?” he asked, leaving the question hanging.
One squandered chance. A string of disputed decisions. A 1-3 home defeat to a direct rival. For Ajax, the margin for error is shrinking fast – on the pitch and in the dugout.
