Ajax’s Young Defenders Impress in 5-2 Win Over Groningen
Ajax’s convincing 5-2 victory over FC Groningen offered more than an entertaining scoreline. It also gave two young central defenders a chance to make an impression—and football pundit Karim El Ahmadi believes both Dies Janse and Aaron Bouwman took it.
Coach Míchel Sánchez selected Janse, 20, and Bouwman, 19, in the heart of Ajax’s defence for Sunday’s Eredivisie match. The decision drew attention before kick-off, but the pair responded with composed performances as Ajax secured a valuable away win. For El Ahmadi, Janse in particular looked remarkably comfortable in a role that can demand experience, communication and quick decisions under pressure.
El Ahmadi praises Janse and Bouwman
Speaking on ESPN’s Dit Was Het Weekend, El Ahmadi said both defenders played well and highlighted how naturally Janse seemed to fit into the team. He suggested the young centre-back looked as if he had been part of Ajax’s starting line-up for years, rather than making a notable appearance alongside another inexperienced defender.
That kind of ease is especially encouraging for Ajax. Central defence is a position where players must coordinate their movements, judge when to step forward and maintain a clear line with the rest of the back four. A confident performance from a young player can help the entire team defend with greater assurance—and Janse appeared to bring that calmness to the match.
El Ahmadi also praised Bouwman’s composure. While the pair are still developing, he saw signs that they can handle the responsibility of playing together at senior level. Their performance was not simply about individual defending: the way the team moves and keeps its shape can make a significant difference to how comfortable centre-backs look.
Why defensive spacing matters
El Ahmadi noted that defenders often benefit when the team plays closer together. Compact positioning can reduce the space opponents have to exploit, make it easier for teammates to provide cover and help a defensive line respond as a unit. For young centre-backs, that structure matters. It gives them clearer options when deciding whether to challenge an attacker, hold their position or pass an opponent on to a teammate.
Communication may also have helped the Ajax pair. El Ahmadi pointed out that both players speak Dutch, which can make it easier to exchange instructions and respond quickly during a match. Clear communication is only one part of successful defending, but in a demanding position, a shared language can support quicker coordination—particularly when players are still building their understanding of one another.
The performance gives Ajax supporters a positive talking point as the club balances the need for immediate results with the development of younger talent. One strong match does not settle questions about who should start in future games, but it does give Sánchez more options and provides the defenders with useful experience. Their next challenge will be to reproduce that composure against different opponents and under different kinds of pressure.
Marcos Leonardo faces criticism after the win
El Ahmadi was much less impressed with Ajax forward Marcos Leonardo, who started in attack. He acknowledged the striker’s work rate but argued that effort alone was not enough, particularly in a match Ajax won by a three-goal margin. In his view, the Brazilian’s first touch and basic technique were major concerns.
A striker’s contribution is often judged by goals, but the role involves more than finishing. Forwards must control difficult passes, protect the ball with defenders close by and help their team move up the pitch. A poor first touch can end an attack before a shooting opportunity develops, while a slow decision can allow defenders time to recover. Those details can be especially noticeable when a team creates promising situations.
El Ahmadi’s criticism therefore focused on the gap between Leonardo’s effort and the quality of his technical execution. He suggested that the forward worked hard throughout the match, but questioned whether that should be viewed as enough when Ajax were performing well collectively and scoring freely.
Perez questions the striker’s impact
Kenneth Perez shared the criticism, pointing to moments when Leonardo lost possession and took too long to act. Perez referred to a turnover shortly before Groningen scored and also highlighted an early opportunity in which he felt the striker needed to control the ball more effectively and finish his move sooner.
Perez’s wider concern was that Leonardo has yet to demonstrate a standout quality that justifies the expectations surrounding him. The pundit questioned whether the forward had shown enough to match the reported transfer fee of around €20 million, arguing that a player signed for such a sum would normally be expected to offer a clear strength—whether through finishing, movement, hold-up play or technical ability.
That assessment reflects the scrutiny that comes with a high-profile signing. A transfer fee does not guarantee immediate success, and attackers often need time to adapt to a new team, league and tactical system. Still, consistent performances are essential if a striker is to win the confidence of supporters and secure a regular place in the starting line-up.
What the result means for Ajax
Ajax’s 5-2 win over Groningen gives the club reasons for both optimism and reflection. Janse and Bouwman strengthened their case for more opportunities, while the comments about Leonardo underline the pressure on the forward to turn hard work into a more convincing attacking contribution.
For fans considering the next football prediction, the match offers useful context rather than a guarantee of what comes next. Ajax’s young defenders showed promise, but their progress will need to be tested over time, while Leonardo’s response to criticism could shape the team’s attacking options. Ajax now face upcoming fixtures in the Conference League and Eredivisie, where maintaining defensive organisation—and improving efficiency in front of goal—will be key.
If Janse and Bouwman continue to build their partnership, they could become important options for Sánchez. And if Leonardo can sharpen his first touch and make quicker decisions, he may yet answer his critics. Sunday’s result was a strong team victory, but it also revealed individual performances that could influence Ajax’s selection decisions in the weeks ahead.
