Friday 19 September 2014

AJAX Resist PSG Pressure

by Sanu Akingbola






Ajax manager Frank de boer has admitted that the Eredivisie champions showed Paris Saint-Germain too much respect in the opening 45 minutes of their Champions League encounter at the Amsterdam ArenA on Wednesday.

Lasse Schone struck a 74th-minute equaliser, cancelling out Edinson Cavani's first-half goal as Ajax earned a point in their Group F opener.

De Boer was pleased with his team's approach in the second half on Wednesday, however, and said it was exactly what they needed to produce against top-quality opposition.

"In the first half we didn't play freely enough to do anything against PSG," De Boer said at a press conference.

"They didn't have many chances but they were more threatening than us. After the big chance we gave away at the start of the second half I think we threw off our fear.

"[Half-time substitute Niki] Zimling brought some calmness to the team and we got closer to the opponents' goal. Then you know that you can have some small chances.

"We showed in the second half that we can play good football. In the second half my team threw off their fear and that's what you need to do against such teams. Everyone played well in the second half and we can be happy with a point."

De Boer then went on to praise goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen and defender Joel Veltman for their performances.

"I have to give my goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen a lot of praise for denying them a second goal," he said.

"I was also pleased with Joel Veltman, who was on Zlatan Ibrahimovic and prevented PSG from passing the ball to him. "However, we cannot make mistakes at this level and we have to cut those
out.

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