Ajax holds a firmer squad balance this season under incoming tactical adjustments and a revamped roster, according to captain Davy Klaassen. The Amsterdam club sits second in the Eredivisie standings with 21 points from ten matches, trailing league leaders Feyenoord by just three points following a sequence of three consecutive victories across all competitions.

Klaassen addressed the team’s current trajectory in an interview with ESPN, pointing directly to technical director Jordi Cruijff and new locker-room personalities as catalysts for stability. The 33-year-old midfielder noted that while occasional performances like the narrow 1-2 win against Sparta Rotterdam leave room for improvement, the underlying team structure has progressed significantly since the previous campaign. “Als ik het vergelijk met vorig jaar, is de balans gewoon beter”, says the captain, who notes that the team has displayed high energy and aggressive forward pressing in recent weeks.

Tactical Adaptations and Squad Depth

Head coach Míchel Sánchez integrated eleven new signings during the summer transfer window, backed by a 36.4 million euro investment overseen by Cruijff. The recruitment drive leaned heavily on established experience, bringing in players such as goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, defender Daley Blind, lateral Caio Henrique, defender Thilo Kehrer, and midfielder Yves Bissouma, alongside substantial additions including Julian Brandt, Sofyan Amrabat, and Marcos Leonardo.

Klaassen praised the impact of Ter Stegen, stating that the goalkeeper directly wins points for the team and makes difficult saves look effortless. Amid the squad adjustments, Amsterdam has felt the absence of a traditional winger following the departure of Mika Godts to Paris Saint-Germain. This issue is compounded by the fitness struggles of Sunderland loanee Simon Adingra, who has been sidelined and managed only a brief substitute appearance against NEC. Míchel addressed concerns over wide play by emphasizing that depth relies on willingness and timing rather than sheer speed, a requirement that Klaassen notes the coach demands through constant movement.

Klaassen himself adapted to an unconventional role under the Spanish manager, starting recent matches against FC Groningen and Atalanta Bergamo as a functional right winger. The captain explained that this role provides an extra man in midfield while leaving fewer players on the flank, and it naturally funnels him into more dangerous attacking spaces. Klaassen already matched his entire scoring output from last season by netting eight goals across all competitions.

Overcoming the AZ Fixture Burden

The squad’s title ambitions face a direct test on Saturday evening at 21:00 local time (UTC+1) when AZ Alkmaar visits the Johan Cruijff ArenA. Lee-Roy Echteld’s side occupies fifth place in the Eredivisie with 20 points from ten games, trailing Ajax by a single point. Historical fixtures present a persistent hurdle for the Amsterdammers, who have failed to secure a league victory against the Alkmaar club in their last eleven encounters, a run featuring seven defeats and four draws.

Klaassen defended the routine, suggesting it may stem from Spanish customs where lineups are revealed shortly before matches, contrasting with the Dutch habit of knowing teams a day in advance. Whether the captain starts on the flank, in central midfield, or on the bench remains entirely undisclosed ahead of the weekend clash.