Excelsior Coach Criticizes ajax’s Lack of Pressure in Recent Match
Table of Contents
Primary Keyword: Ajax vs. Excelsior
secondary Keywords: Ruben den Uil, Eredivisie, Kasper Dolberg, Noah Naujoks, Dutch Football, Ajax performance, Excelsior victory
Excelsior coach Ruben den Uil publicly criticized Ajax’s performance following his team’s recent victory over the Amsterdam club, stating they showed a surprising lack of pressure and urgency during the match. This assessment came during a November 30, 2025 appearance on the ESPN talk show Good Morning Eredivisie. Interestingly, Den Uil indicated his team found a subsequent match against NAC Breda more challenging then their win against Ajax.
Excelsior’s Victory Over Ajax
On November 23, 2025, Excelsior secured a 2-1 victory against Ajax at the Johan Cruijff ArenA. https://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=594491 Noah Naujoks scored both goals for Excelsior, while Kasper dolberg netted the lone goal for Ajax.
The result marked a significant upset, given the ancient disparity in performance between the two clubs. Ajax, traditionally a dominant force in Dutch football, has been facing increasing scrutiny for inconsistent results in the 2025-2026 Eredivisie season.
Den Uil’s Critique of Ajax’s Playstyle
Den Uil’s comments focused on Ajax’s apparent lack of intensity. He noted, “Ajax last week put little or no pressure on our goalkeeper. But they do not ensure that they can play a match everywhere. They do not put any pressure and they are not in a hurry.” This suggests a perceived passivity from Ajax players, allowing Excelsior to control possession and dictate the tempo of the game.
This lack of pressure allowed Excelsior to build attacks and ultimately secure the win.Den Uil’s players themselves reportedly found the match against NAC Breda, played on November 30th, more difficult, indicating that NAC presented a more robust challenge. He concluded, “My players indicated that they had a more difficult time against NAC on Saturday than against Ajax last week. NAC simply managed it better.”
Expert reactions to Den Uil’s Statements
Football journalists Sjoerd Mossou and Hans Kraaij Jr. echoed the sentiment that Den Uil’s comments were especially damning for Ajax. Mossou described it as “a unique way of playing in a bad way,” while Kraaij Jr. acknowledged the statements were “quite painful” for the Amsterdam club. https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/ruben-den-uil-ajax-zette-nauwelijks-druk-op-onze-keeper
Context: Ajax’s Recent Form
Ajax has experienced a period of instability in recent seasons. While historically one of the most successful clubs in the Netherlands, winning the Eredivisie 36 times, they have struggled to replicate their past dominance. The club has undergone several managerial changes and faced challenges in retaining key players. This recent criticism from a rival coach adds to the pressure on Ajax to improve their performance and regain their competitive edge. https://www.ajax.nl/nieuws/ajax-verliest-van-excelsior-2-1/
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