Ajax manager Marcel Keizer spoke in his press conference after the 3-2 defeat in Trondheim to Rosenborg in which last year’s Europa League finalist was eliminated in the playoff round.
- By James Rowe
- Follow James on Twitter
Keizer stated that the squad is disappointed after the shock Europa League exit, but they must now concentrate on winning the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup.
He said, ”I thought we started fully motivated tonight. We gave the ball away and Rosenborg could counter to go 1-0 up.
”We managed to turn it around in the second half going 2-1 up and then hitting the post soon afterwards.
”After Rosenborg equalized we did everything we could to put it right and go through to the Europa League group phase. My players did everything they could but it was not enough.
”In the changing room it is really quiet due to the disappointment. I came here tonight expecting us to turn the tie around.
”We must have more of a killer instinct in future games and improve our finishing. I was hoping that we would score a third goal and that did not come. So I took Kasper Dolberg off to close out the game and shore up our position to get us over the line. If I had not had done and we still conceded a goal. We would have been criticized for continuing to attack.
”The press often speak of a crisis after a result like tonight but the fact remains that it is a bad result in which we do not go through to the Europa League group phase.
“Now we must fully focus on the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup.”
Follow
