Ajax prepare to face NEC at home on Saturday evening in the Eredivisie restart, with coach Míchel Sánchez forced into significant tactical adjustments due to a mounting injury list. The Amsterdam side take the field at 21:00 with multiple first-team players sidelined, creating opportunities for squad depth to be tested in a crucial fixture.
Míchel has confirmed that Anton Gaaei, Caio Henrique, Daley Blind, Steven Berghuis and Kasper Dolberg remain unavailable through injury. This cascading absence has reshaped the midfield and attack, forcing the Spanish manager to deploy Sofyan Amrabat in his second consecutive starting appearance. Davy Klaassen, typically a midfield cornerstone, drops to the bench in favour of a three-man engine room pairing Amrabat with Jorthy Mokio and Julian Brandt.
Tactical Reshuffles and Squad Rotation
Marc ter Stegen continues between the posts, with Lucas Rosa at right-back and Owen Wijndal on the left flank completing the defensive spine. Thilo Kehrer and Youri Baas anchor the centre-back partnership. Berghuis's injury opens the door for Viktor Tsygankov on the right wing, while Oscar Gloukh operates from the left. Tolu Arokodare leads the line through the middle, returning to the focal point role in attack.
The injury crisis has inadvertently handed opportunities to emerging talent. Simon Adingra and Yves Bissouma could make their debuts on the evening, Míchel revealed at his pre-match press briefing. Aaron Bouwman has recovered from injury and rejoins the available squad, providing additional midfield cover on the bench.
The Road Ahead
Victory is essential for Ajax to maintain title contention and stay level with the Eredivisie's leading challengers. Beyond Saturday's domestic test, the fixture serves as a final audition before Thursday's Europa Conference League encounter with Hajduk Split—a competition where European pedigree could prove decisive this season. With Klaassen and Berghuis returning from the treatment table, their reinstatement will provide tactical flexibility when the congested fixture schedule intensifies.
