Ajax Coach Míchel Backs Jofre Torrents After Costly Error Against Hajduk Split
Ajax coach Míchel Sánchez has defended Jofre Torrents after the young Spaniard made a costly mistake in his side’s 2–1 defeat to Hajduk Split on Thursday evening. While Torrents’ misplaced pass helped set up the winning goal, Míchel said the defender’s overall performance was not poor and stressed that Ajax continue to have confidence in him.
The result will frustrate Ajax, who showed signs of improvement after falling behind in Split but could not turn their second-half response into a positive result. For supporters assessing the team’s form, the match offered both encouragement and a reminder of how quickly a single error can shape a football contest.
How Hajduk Split Took Control of the Match
Ajax fell behind in the 37th minute, when Abdoulie Sanyang finished off a well-worked Hajduk Split move. The goal gave the home side a deserved advantage after a first half in which Ajax struggled to prevent Hajduk from building dangerous attacks.
Ajax returned with greater purpose after the break and began to create more opportunities. Their improved play produced an equaliser when Thilo Kehrer delivered a cross that Davy Klaassen met with a superb finish. The goal made it 1–1 and appeared to give the visitors a chance to take control of the match.
That momentum did not last long. Just two minutes after Ajax levelled, Torrents played a poor pass that allowed Hajduk to regain possession and launch an attack. Marin Soticek took advantage, scoring the goal that restored the hosts’ lead and ultimately decided the game.
Míchel: “He Did Not Play Badly”
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Míchel acknowledged Torrents’ responsibility for the decisive mistake but rejected the idea that the defender had delivered a bad performance overall.
“He is a professional Ajax player. We have confidence in him. He made a mistake for the second goal we conceded, but he did not play badly,” the coach said.
The comments suggest Míchel wants to separate one damaging moment from the player’s broader contribution. That distinction matters for a young footballer still adapting to the expectations and pressure of playing for a major club. A misplaced pass can have an immediate impact on the scoreline, but a coach’s public backing may help prevent one error from defining a player’s confidence or standing within the squad.
A Learning Moment for Ajax and Torrents
For Ajax, the defeat highlights a familiar challenge: turning promising spells into consistent results. The team’s second-half improvement and Klaassen’s equaliser showed that Ajax could respond after going behind. However, conceding again so quickly exposed the importance of composure, communication and decision-making when a match is finely balanced.
Torrents’ mistake will naturally attract attention because it came so soon after Ajax had fought their way back into the contest. Yet the incident also offers a clear learning opportunity. Defenders are often asked to play out from the back, but when opponents press aggressively, the safest option may sometimes be to keep possession simple rather than force a risky pass through a crowded area.
Ajax will need to assess the match as a team rather than placing the entire burden on one player. The opening goal came from a well-executed Hajduk move, while the winning goal followed a turnover. Both moments point to areas the coaching staff can address: limiting the opposition’s attacking opportunities and managing possession more carefully under pressure.
Torrents’ Transfer Background
Torrents joined Ajax on a free transfer from FC Barcelona last summer. Although Ajax did not pay a traditional transfer fee, the agreement includes financial conditions that could benefit Barcelona in the future. The Spanish club may receive up to approximately €5.5 million through performance-related bonuses if specific targets are achieved.
Barcelona are also entitled to 50 per cent of any proceeds if Ajax sell Torrents. Such clauses are common in modern football transfers, particularly when clubs want to retain a financial interest in a young player’s future development. They can give the selling club a share of a potential resale while allowing the buying team to bring in a player without paying a large fee upfront.
The terms also underline why Torrents’ progress will be watched closely. His development at Ajax could have sporting significance for the club and financial implications for Barcelona, depending on how his career and any future transfer unfold.
What Comes Next for Ajax?
Ajax will now look to respond in their upcoming fixtures, with attention turning to the team’s ability to build on its better passages of play while correcting the defensive and possession errors that proved costly in Split. Míchel’s prediction for Torrents’ development is not a guarantee of immediate selection or flawless performances, but his public support indicates that the coach is prepared to give the Spaniard room to learn.
For Ajax fans, the most important question is how the team reacts. A narrow defeat can become a turning point if players use it to improve their decision-making and maintain belief. Klaassen’s finish and the team’s stronger second half provide positives; the quick concession after the equaliser remains the key warning.
Torrents will be judged over a longer period, not solely on one misplaced pass. If he responds with greater composure and consistency, Thursday’s mistake may ultimately become a useful step in his development. For now, Míchel has made his position clear: the error was costly, but Ajax still trust their player.
