Bassey: 'It was a struggle just to keep playing'

Bassey Union 1280
Bassey Union 1280

Ajax often kept possession against FC Union Berlin, but simply failed to create many opportunities. The Germans organised their positions well and this presented John Heitinga's team with some difficulty. Defender Calvin Bassey said as much afterwards. "We were too wide, especially in the first half."

Date: 16.02.2023

Photographer: AFC Ajax

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"In the second half, we came together better. That's how we play, with short, quick set pieces.Anyhow, FC Union Berlin is a great team, they're fighters. We struggled to play through them." Bassey would have preferred to face a team that plays forward more. "It's easier when teams push forward, but when they fall back so much it's difficult to play football. Then you really have to work hard to find the gaps for each other."

The defender himself had some great clashes with former Ajax player Sheraldo Becker during the match. "Physically I'm very strong. It's how I try to use my strengths. Then when I get possession, I pass it to Kenneth Taylor, for instance, so he can take care of the build-up."

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