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Ajax struggles with fitness: players broken after a match with SC
Teams 18 August 2026

Ajax struggles with fitness: players broken after a match with SC

After Ajax's draw against SC Heerenveen, Arnold Bruggink is concerned about the physical condition of the Amsterdam team. According to the analyst, several players looked exhausted and there was a lack of leadership and initiative in the second half.

Ajax struggles with fitness: players devastated after duel with SC

According to Vi.

Background

Youri Regeer, a young player from Ajax, is faced with the pressure to perform in a team that is not currently in top form. His development could be affected by the current situation, with the squad's physicality and lack of experienced leaders on the pitch posing a challenge. It is crucial for Regeer to improve his game and adapt to the demands of Eredivisie football.

Why this matters

Ajax's physical condition is a major concern, especially given the high expectations of the club in the Eredivisie. The lack of fitness and leadership can negatively affect the team's performance, especially in a competitive environment where every match is crucial. This could also have consequences for the development of young players such as Youri Regeer, who have to prove themselves in this challenging situation.

Key points

  • Ajax struggles with fitness: players devastated after duel with SC.
  • After Ajax's draw against SC Heerenveen, Arnold Bruggink is concerned about the physical condition of the Amsterdam team.
  • Concerns about Ajax's fitness: 'They just couldn't do it anymore'.

Ajax has once again dropped points against SC Heerenveen and the talk of the day is not only the result, but especially the remarkably poor physical condition of the team. Arnold Bruggink, who followed the game as an analyst, was visibly surprised at how quickly the Amsterdam team got through it.

Ajax started the match in the Abe Lenstra Stadium strongly and put the Frisians under heavy pressure in the first twenty minutes. However, things quickly got bad and the team seemed to be physically draining. "Youri Regeer was completely through it. But it was also visible in the back positions, especially Caio Henrique on the left. At a certain point you just didn't see players walking anymore. The audience also responded to that," said Bruggink at ESPN.

According to Bruggink, it was also striking that there were no real leaders on the field after the break who could give the team direction. "Ajax had no personalities on the field in the second half who could pull this team somewhere. That, combined with the lack of running ability and the slowness of several players, meant that the initiative was completely lacking." It was only after the introduction of substitutes Oliver Edvardsen and Tolu Arokodare that there was any further action, because they were able to make some progress.

Image

According to Bruggink, Brandt was the player par excellence that Ajax should have taken by the hand, but he too was unable to do so this time. The team was simply unable to attack, run or apply pressure. This physical malaise worries Bruggink. "Ajax should have the advantage, because they are already on a competitive rhythm due to recent matches in Europe. But I definitely don't see that happening again. They simply couldn't do it anymore."

The moment around Youri Regeer was particularly striking when he regularly indicated that he wanted to be substituted. "The image you give to your opponent is that you are completeyou're up. Everyone saw that he could no longer do it, and as an opponent you smell your chance."

With this draw, Ajax remains stuck in the sub-top of the Eredivisie and concerns about the physical condition continue. The pressure is growing on trainer Míchel Sánchez to get things in order not only tactically, but also physically for the busy months ahead.

What's happening now

Ajax will have to regroup and improve the physical condition of the players to perform better in the next matches. The return of players capable of leading the team, such as Brandt, is essential. In addition, the use of substitutes such as Oliver Edvardsen and Tolu Arokodare can play an important role in the team's recovery in the upcoming Eredivisie matches.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened during the match between Ajax and SC Heerenveen?

Ajax once again dropped points against SC Heerenveen and had to deal with a noticeably poor physical condition of the players.

Who confirmed the poor fitness of the Ajax players?

Arnold Bruggink, analyst at ESPN, confirmed the poor fitness of the Ajax players during the match.

Why is Ajax's fitness now a problem?

Ajax's fitness is now an issue as players such as Youri Regeer and Caio Henrique were visibly exhausted, leading to a lack of initiative in the second half.

What changes were there in the second half of the match?

There were no real leaders on the field in the second half, but the input of substitutes Oliver Edvardsen and Tolu Arokodare provided some action.

What are Arnold Bruggink's concerns about Ajax?

Bruggink is concerned about Ajax's physical malaise, even though they have recently played matches in Europe and should be up to match rhythm.

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