Ajax boss Heitinga admits 'extra pressure' on De Klassieker | OneFootball

Ajax head coach John Heitinga admits there is “extra pressure” when his side face Feyenoord this weekend.

Sunday’s meeting at the Johan Cruijff ArenA could see the reigning Eredivisie champions leapfrogging their arch-rivals on goal difference with a win in the top-of-the-table clash.

Heitinga is well-versed on De Klassieker after seven years in the Amsterdam club’s ranks during the early to mid-2000s and believes his players need no extra motivation ahead of this weekend’s latest showdown.

“You can feel it when you walk through the city, when you walk on De Toekomst,” said Heitinga.

“This match brings extra pressure. The only thing we can do is prepare ourselves as best as possible. The training days belong to the coaches, but the match days belong to the players.

“We have to look very closely at Feyenoord and how we can get a grip on them.

“I came here in the 90s. It’s in my blood and runs through my veins. You just have to win these kinds of games.

“I don’t have to motivate the boys for a Feyenoord-Ajax or an Ajax-Feyenoord. The great thing is that it is now about the lead.”

Ajax have bridged a seven-point gap with Feyenoord since Heitinga was installed as Alfred Schreuder’s temporary replacement in late January.