Erik ten Hag not content with half measures from 5️⃣-star Ajax | OneFootball

Ajax manager Erik ten Hag had reason to trot out the ‘game of two halves’ adage after his side opened their Eredivisie title defence with a comfortable win over NEC on Saturday.

Goals from Sébastian Haller, Noussair Mazraoui, Bart van Rooij (OG), and Dušan Tadić (2) had the hosts in total control by the 39th minute at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

“I think everyone enjoyed the first half,” Ten Hag told ESPN (via Voetbal International).

“The players, the coach and the fans. Their response was clear. They were enthusiastic and embraced the game. We also showed great football. The players created a lot of chances and eventually scored five great goals.”

Perhaps understandably, Ajax eased off after that and didn’t bother the scoreboard again. But such an attitude is not one ten Hag is keen to promote.

“The pace went down a lot. The concentration was gone. You could also see that in that opportunity that Ryan [Gravenberch] missed. That should be equal 6-0, then the swing is right back in.

“But hey, they’re not robots. But you can’t accept it either.”

Next up for the Amsterdam side is a trip to face Twente next Sunday.