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There was a bit of a surprise in yesterday’s Ajax lineup; Instead of the expected Sergino Dest, Erik Ten Hag chose for Noussair Mazraoui on the right wingback position. For the Moroccan defender, it was the second match in a row that he was part of the starting eleven after also starting in last weekend game against PEC Zwolle. In London, 21-year old Mazraoui was one of the better players on the pitch.
So far, Mazraoui hasn’t played much this year. After a foot injury at the start of the season and with Sergino Dest as a solid replacement, it was a tough time for him he said to Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad. ‘And it was getting tougher and tougher. This game was my second ninety minutes this year I think.’ Although it was his second match so far, he can look back at a good performance. ‘I can understand that some people had doubts about me, but I never questioned my qualities and always believed in myself. I am glad that I had the chance to show myself tonight.’
Just like most of his teammates, Mazraoui questions the decisions of the referees. “What a match, so much has happened”, begins the wingback. ‘If the referee had blown his whistle for the first foul on Blind, then Blind was still on the pitch and Veltman wouldn’t get his second yellow card for the handball.’ Despite those cards, Mazraoui is proud of the mentality the team showed. ‘It was a tough fight for us with nine against eleven, but I’m glad that we stood our ground against them and that the match ended in 4-4 after all.”
Do you need a recap of yesterdays bizarre game? Read the full match report here.