Rulli made a good save on a header from Morten Thorsby, but was also passed once by the former player of sc Heerenveen. However, the video referee ruled that the Norwegian had made hands. “We might have gotten away with that,” Heitinga said. “But hands are hands and I immediately saw Dusan Tadic protest. He was quick.”
Union Berlin is a tough team that can counter excellently. Ajax seemed so afraid of a quick counter-attack that it frequently played the ball wide and backwards in the first half. “I don’t think it was fear,” Heitinga said. “But we were too careful. The ball should end up behind their back line much more often.”
Too static
Partly for this reason, he already opted for Brian Brobbey at halftime, according to the Ajax coach. “After that it went a little better. But too many players with us were not in shape. That is why we could not make the difference. It was much too static. That should really be better next week. This is not new. in the first half also far too little. And I don’t think Union will play differently next week. That’s how they’ve been playing football all season. And with success, they are second in the Bundesliga for a reason.”
