Berghuis Miss Stuns Van der Gijp in Ajax Defeat to PSV
René van der Gijp could hardly believe what he had seen from Steven Berghuis in Ajax’s top-of-the-table clash with PSV. On Vandaag Inside, the former international laid his disappointment bare after the Ajax forward squandered a huge chance with the score locked at 1-1.
The moment came on the half-hour mark. Berghuis, on his favoured left foot and from close range, dragged his effort wide. For Van der Gijp, that was exactly the kind of situation where the experienced attacker should be ruthless.
“What disappointed me so much. That can happen, I know. Anything can happen. That Berghuis didn't put that ball away. That disappoints me. With such a good strike with his left foot,” Van der Gijp said, still baffled by the miss.
He went even stronger as he tried to frame how unlikely he found it.
“I think if he takes 20 penalties, he scores all 20. And this one you put wide, man. Come on, man!” the analyst exclaimed, the frustration over Berghuis’s wastefulness clearly audible.
That miss grew heavier as the evening wore on. Ajax never recovered, and PSV took full advantage. The visitors pulled clear to win 1-3 in Amsterdam, their victory underlined by a stunning goal from recent signing Lutsharel Geertruida, who added further shine to an already impressive start at his new club.
Driessen slams Míchel’s choices
While Van der Gijp zoomed in on Berghuis, Valentijn Driessen turned his fire on Ajax coach Míchel. The De Telegraaf football editor could not understand several of the Spaniard’s key decisions against PSV.
His first gripe: the treatment of Tolu Arokodare.
According to Driessen, the striker should never have been withdrawn after just an hour, especially given his performance. “The very best player he has, Ouazane, wasn't in the team. And he forms a very good partnership with that Brandt. And he takes Tolu off, even though he was playing quite well,” Driessen argued.
Then came his disbelief at the attacking changes. Míchel turned to Kasper Dolberg and Marcos Leonardo, two forwards who have barely featured.
“And then Míchel has a stroke of genius with two strikers who haven't touched a ball all year,” Driessen said, lacing the word “genius” with clear sarcasm as he questioned the logic behind the substitutions.
The criticism did not stop there. Driessen also highlighted the choice at right-back, where Gaaei started up against Van Bommel.
“And then Gaaei, who can't defend, plays at right-back against Van Bommel. And then he has another defender on the bench. What are you supposed to do with these kinds of coaches?” he asked, leaving the question hanging.
Between Berghuis’s miss, PSV’s clinical edge and a series of contentious decisions from the Ajax dugout, the panel painted a picture of a club that let a crucial night slip away — and handed a direct rival a major boost.
