Kraay questions Ajax urgency and Ter Stegen’s approach against PSV
The ESPN analyst criticised Ajax for playing without sufficient speed while trailing 2-1, highlighting the goalkeeper’s patient distribution during a passive second-half spell.
Hans Kraay Jr has questioned Ajax’s lack of urgency during the second half of their Eredivisie meeting with PSV in Amsterdam. Speaking on ESPN programme Goedemorgen Eredivisie, the analyst focused particularly on Marc ter Stegen’s approach while the home side were trailing 2-1.
PSV took an early lead through Ricardo Pepi before Tolu Arokodare equalised for Ajax with a finish into the far corner. Lutsharel Geertruida restored PSV’s advantage in first-half stoppage time, scoring with a volley to send the visitors into the interval ahead.
According to Kraay, Ajax then spent a ten-minute period between the 70th and 80th minutes without carrying the ball beyond their own half. He argued that the team played as if it were protecting a comfortable lead rather than chasing an equaliser, and suggested Ajax should occasionally have played forward earlier to contest the second ball closer to PSV’s goal.
Kraay used footage of Ter Stegen holding possession well outside his penalty area before choosing a short pass to a defender. While welcoming the goalkeeper’s presence at Ajax, he told ESPN he found the lack of haste “really unbelievable”. Kraay said the sequence left him wondering whether Ter Stegen appreciated that Ajax were behind, with PSV appearing to have the game under control during that phase.
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