Van der Gijp Stunned by Berghuis Miss in Ajax's Defeat to PSV

On *Vandaag Inside*, René van der Gijp could barely believe what he had seen from Steven Berghuis in Ajax’s top-of-the-table clash with PSV.

The moment that stuck with him: the 30th minute in Amsterdam, score locked at 1-1, Berghuis bearing down on goal – and dragging his effort wide from close range.

“What disappointed me so much. That can happen, I know. Anything can happen. That Berghuis didn't put that ball away. That disappoints me. With such a good strike with his left foot,” Van der Gijp said, still baffled by how the Ajax forward failed to convert.

For Van der Gijp, this was the kind of chance Berghuis finishes in his sleep.

“I think if he takes 20 penalties, he scores all 20. And this one you put wide, man. Come on, man!” the analyst snapped, his frustration mirroring that of many Ajax supporters after the 1-3 home defeat.

That miss grew heavier as the night went on. Ajax never recovered, PSV took control, and a brilliant strike from recent signing Lutsharel Geertruida helped the visitors pull away and leave Amsterdam with a statement win.

Driessen tears into Míchel’s choices

If Van der Gijp zoomed in on Berghuis, Valentijn Driessen widened the lens and went straight for coach Míchel.

The *De Telegraaf* football editor could not understand why Tolu Arokodare was withdrawn after just an hour, especially given the Nigerian’s display up to that point.

“The very best player he has, Ouazane, wasn't in the team. And he forms a very good partnership with that Brandt. And he takes Tolu off, even though he was playing quite well. And then Míchel has a stroke of genius with two strikers who haven't touched a ball all year,” Driessen said, pointedly referencing substitutes Kasper Dolberg and Marcos Leonardo.

For Driessen, the selection missteps started well before the substitutions. Leaving Abdellah Ouazane out of the starting XI against PSV, in his eyes, stripped Ajax of their sharpest option and broke up a strong understanding with Brandt.

The criticism didn’t stop there.

Right-back call under the microscope

Driessen also highlighted the decision to start Gaaei at right-back against Van Bommel, questioning both the match-up and the logic behind it.

“And then Gaaei, who can't defend, plays at right-back against Van Bommel. And then he has another defender on the bench. What are you supposed to do with these kinds of coaches?” he asked, exasperated.

One glaring miss from Berghuis. A raft of contentious calls from the dugout. A 1-3 defeat at home to a direct rival.

Ajax now have to live with all of it – and work out how many more nights like this they can afford in a title race that will not wait for them.