Van der Meijde questions Ajax tactics after late draw with FC Twente
Former Ajax forward Andy van der Meijde has criticised head coach Míchel Sánchez’s team selections, arguing that several players are being used in roles that do not suit their strengths. His comments followed Ajax’s dramatic 2-2 draw away to FC Twente, where a late penalty denied the visitors a valuable Eredivisie victory.
Van der Meijde’s main concern is the use of Davy Klaassen as a makeshift right winger. With Steven Berghuis among the players unavailable through injury, Sánchez has pushed Klaassen higher up the pitch. The choice brought a positive result in Ajax’s 5-2 win over FC Groningen, but Van der Meijde believes the approach was less convincing against Twente.
Van der Meijde wants Klaassen back in midfield
Speaking on Voetbaltijd on 1Twente, Van der Meijde said Klaassen should be deployed centrally rather than asked to provide width from the right. He acknowledged the midfielder’s importance to Ajax but questioned whether the position makes effective use of his qualities.
“He has always been important, but don’t play him as a right winger,” Van der Meijde argued. He suggested that Klaassen would be better suited to a midfield role, potentially operating behind the striker, where he could contribute through his movement, experience and ability to arrive in attacking areas.
The debate points to a familiar challenge for coaches: how to cover for injured players without weakening the balance of the team. Klaassen can offer energy and an eye for goal, but a wide role also demands pace, one-on-one ability and the capacity to track opposing full-backs. Van der Meijde believes those defensive demands are a particular problem, saying Klaassen can no longer cope with them effectively.
Ajax’s win over Groningen may have made the experiment look successful, but one result does not necessarily settle the question. Against a stronger opponent, the same arrangement can create different problems—especially if the makeshift winger is required to defend deep and help contain a dangerous flank.
Young centre-backs also draw criticism
Klaassen’s position was not the only selection that concerned Van der Meijde. He also questioned Sánchez’s defensive setup for the trip to FC Twente, where Ajax started young centre-backs Bouwman and Janse, with Baas positioned in front of them.
Van der Meijde felt the combination carried unnecessary risk against a leading domestic rival. He noted that Baas had limited experience in that role and argued that Ajax needed a more established presence to help organise the defence. In his view, Daley Blind should have started instead.
Blind eventually came on during the closing stages, when Ajax were trying to protect a 2-1 lead. His late introduction, however, could not prevent the visitors from conceding in stoppage time. The episode has added to questions about whether Sánchez’s starting selection gave Ajax the right mix of experience and defensive stability for a demanding away fixture.
There is a wider balancing act behind that decision. Giving young defenders minutes can help their development and may be necessary when injuries or squad availability limit the options. But matches against strong opponents leave little room for hesitation or miscommunication. An experienced defender can offer leadership and help younger teammates manage pressure, particularly in the final minutes of a close game.
Late penalty costs Ajax two points
Ajax appeared set to leave Enschede with all three points after taking a 2-1 lead into the closing stages. Deep into stoppage time, however, Lucas Rosa pulled Ramiz Zerrouki’s shirt inside the penalty area. The referee awarded FC Twente a spot-kick, and Wout Weghorst converted to make it 2-2.
The late equaliser changed the mood around an otherwise competitive contest. For Ajax, it meant losing the chance to claim a significant away win; for Twente, it was a reward for continuing to press until the final whistle. The incident also underlined how quickly a promising result can unravel when a team is defending a narrow advantage under pressure.
Although the penalty was decisive, the outcome will invite discussion about more than the final challenge. Ajax’s formation, the protection offered to the defence and the timing of substitutions are all likely to be examined. Van der Meijde’s criticism reflects a broader question for the coaching staff: whether the side’s personnel are being deployed in a way that gives them the best chance to control matches.
What comes next for Ajax?
Ajax will resume their Eredivisie campaign after the international break with a home match against ADO Den Haag. That fixture offers Sánchez an opportunity to adjust his selection and give the team a steadier performance before attention turns to the high-profile clash with Feyenoord, one of Dutch football’s most fiercely contested rivalries.
The upcoming schedule makes the tactical debate especially relevant. Ajax will need to manage injuries, maintain defensive organisation and find the right balance between experienced players and emerging talent. If Berghuis remains unavailable, Sánchez must decide whether Klaassen stays on the right or returns to a more central role—and whether the defensive combination used against Twente is the best option for the matches ahead.
Any football prediction for Ajax’s next run of fixtures depends on how quickly the team responds to the late setback. Their attacking quality can make them dangerous, but consistency will be crucial if they are to turn promising performances into points. Van der Meijde’s remarks may be blunt, yet they highlight a practical issue: strong players are most effective when their roles match what they do best.
