Erik ten Hag: Ajax 'lacked energy' in shock defeat to Go Ahead Eagles | OneFootball

Ajax manager Erik ten Hag criticised his side’s attitude after they fell to a 2-1 defeat at Go Ahead Eagles on Sunday.

First-half goals from Iñigo Córdoba and Philippe Rommens put the hosts in control at De Adelaarshorst, and a 64th-minute header from Steven Berghuis didn’t spark the necessary comeback for the league leaders.

“You see that the opponent wanted it badly and you have to do the same,” ten Hag said afterwards, per club media.

“That means that you have to bring energy. And if we also don’t perform well on the right side of the pitch…”

Ten Hag was unhappy with Ajax’s failure to commit to attack, which left Sébastien Haller isolated at times.

“We had far too few players in the box. Only Davy Klaassen was there, but other players also had to be there. We also had to switch the ball more.”

Despite the setback, ten Hag called on his side to recover quickly as they continue to fight on three fronts.

“We have to pull ourselves together and keep going,” he said.

“This happens once in a season, but this attitude doesn’t work.”

The defeat allowed PSV to close to within two points of Ajax at the top of the Eredivisie.