Owen Wijndal Reveals How Míchel Sánchez Keeps Ajax Guessing Before Kick-Off
Ajax left-back Owen Wijndal has offered a glimpse into an unusual part of the club’s matchday routine after the team’s 5-2 victory away to FC Groningen. In comments to ESPN, the defender explained that head coach Míchel Sánchez waits until only a few hours before kick-off to announce his starting lineup—a policy that keeps players alert and leaves even their own teammates trying to predict who will start.
While many coaches confirm their selections well in advance, Sánchez takes a different approach. Ajax’s players reportedly learn the starting XI around three or four hours before a match. Until then, there is no official confirmation of who has made the team, encouraging the squad to remain ready for the possibility of being called upon.
Ajax Players Try to Predict the Starting Lineup
Wijndal admitted that the uncertainty has become a topic of conversation among the players. Some teammates try to work out Sánchez’s likely choices before the announcement, turning the lineup reveal into an informal guessing game.
“No, I have to be honest…” Wijndal said with a laugh when asked about the routine by ESPN reporter Cristian Willaert. “Sometimes a few of us in the team try to guess the starting XI.”
Willaert appeared surprised that players were attempting to forecast their coach’s selection. Wijndal confirmed that they do, but added that their predictions are rarely accurate. “Yes, of course, that does happen a bit within the team. But we actually always get it wrong,” he said.
The light-hearted exchange points to a more serious feature of Ajax’s preparation. If players cannot be certain of their role until matchday, they must maintain their focus throughout the week and prepare as though they could be selected. That can help create competition for places, while also ensuring substitutes are ready to contribute when needed.
A Different Approach to Team Selection
Wijndal contrasted Sánchez’s method with the routines used by previous Ajax coaches. In the past, players often had a clearer idea of the lineup before matchday. Training sessions could also offer clues: the bibs worn during practice, for example, might indicate who was expected to start.
“With the previous coaches, we always heard the starting XI beforehand, or you could get an idea from the bibs in training,” Wijndal explained. “This coach does it differently: he reveals the starting XI three or four hours before the match.”
That late announcement removes some of the certainty players may otherwise gain from training. Instead of assuming they know their place, squad members have to stay engaged until Sánchez makes his decision official. The approach may also limit how far in advance players can settle into a specific match role, keeping the entire group involved in the build-up.
Why Míchel Sánchez Waits Until Matchday
Wijndal understands the reasoning behind his coach’s decision. Sánchez believes that delaying the lineup announcement can keep potential starters focused for longer, rather than allowing players to relax once they know they have been selected—or lose concentration if they expect to begin on the bench.
“I think he wants everyone to stay sharp,” Wijndal said. “You don’t know any earlier, so you have to stay sharp. I think it’s good for the team.”
There is a practical benefit to that mindset. Football matches can change quickly, and coaches often need substitutes to make an immediate impact. Players who have remained mentally prepared may find it easier to adapt when called on, whether the team needs fresh energy, defensive cover or a change in attacking approach.
The method also adds an element of unpredictability to Ajax’s internal preparation. Players may study the opposition and consider possible tactical plans, but they cannot be completely certain which teammates will be alongside them until the final hours before kick-off. That can encourage greater flexibility across the squad.
Ajax’s 5-2 Win Provides the Backdrop
Wijndal shared the details after Ajax’s 5-2 win over FC Groningen, a high-scoring result that gave the discussion extra context. The result highlighted the attacking side of the contest, while the defender’s comments shifted attention to the routines that take place before the team even steps onto the pitch.
A matchday lineup is more than a list of names: it reflects the coach’s tactical priorities, the condition of the squad and the demands of the opposition. For supporters, a late announcement can make team news more intriguing. For players, it means the preparation period remains open for longer, with selection still to be decided.
Wijndal’s remarks do not suggest that the team is unhappy with the policy. On the contrary, he described the approach as beneficial and appeared to take the failed lineup predictions in good humour. The players may enjoy trying to work out Sánchez’s choices, but the coach’s decisions remain difficult to anticipate.
What the Routine Could Mean for Ajax’s Next Matches
Ajax’s schedule includes upcoming fixtures in the UEFA Conference League and the Eredivisie, making squad management an important part of the weeks ahead. With matches in different competitions, Sánchez may need to balance freshness, form and tactical fit when choosing his starting team.
For fans looking ahead to each fixture, any prediction about Ajax’s lineup should be treated cautiously. Previous selections and training clues may offer hints, but Sánchez’s late announcement means speculation is unlikely to provide a definitive answer. Wijndal’s account suggests that even the players themselves are not confident in their forecasts.
Ultimately, the coach’s approach is designed to keep the full squad switched on. Whether it gives Ajax a decisive competitive edge is difficult to measure from one match alone, but Wijndal’s endorsement indicates that the players understand the intention behind it. As Ajax continue their football campaign, the late lineup reveal will remain one of the small but distinctive features of Sánchez’s matchday routine.
