Míchel Sánchez: focus remains on Ajax despite opening win

Ajax opened their Eredivisie campaign with a 0-2 victory at PEC Zwolle on Sunday afternoon, securing the first three points of the new season. Yet head coach Míchel Sánchez voiced clear dissatisfaction with his team’s performance.

The Dutch side struggled in the opening half before two late goals sealed the win, with new signing Julian Brandt converting his first Ajax goal to decide the match.

Ajax left Zwolle with all three points after a difficult first 45 minutes. After the club’s first competitive match of the season, Sánchez and Eredivisie debutant Julian Brandt addressed the media in a post-match press conference.

Sánchez described his team’s display as below expectations despite the victory. The Spanish coach stressed that the performance did not meet the standards required to compete at the highest level.

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Brandt, who joined from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer transfer window, scored both goals for Ajax. His first strike came in the 78th minute, before he added a second in stoppage time to confirm the result.

The visitors had limited clear chances in the first half, managing only two shots on target before the interval. Ajax’s lack of cutting edge in attack was a recurring theme throughout the opening period.

Sánchez acknowledged the team’s shortcomings but welcomed the three points as a starting point. He insisted that the focus must now shift to improving the quality of performance in training and upcoming matches.

Brandt, who made his competitive debut for Ajax, called the experience a positive one despite the narrow win. He highlighted the importance of contributing to the team’s success from the outset.

The result leaves Ajax top of the Eredivisie after matchday one, though Sánchez made clear that the standings are secondary to the process of building a stronger collective performance.