Ajax’s Alfred Schreuder explains decision to play Devyne Rensch at centre-back

Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder explained his team selection decision to play one of his full-backs as part of a central defensive duo in their draw to NEC Nijmegen including Devyne Rensch, Voetbal International reports.

Rensch was widely expected to start in his usual left-back position for the Amsterdam club but the side lined up with Calvin Bassey in defence with the 19-year-old in the central defence role.

The teenager partnered with Jurrien Timber at the Goffertstadion in a move that surprised many fans ahead of the match but Schreuder justified his reasons as to why he made them and that both of them left a positive impression on the head coach.

He said: “Devyne played a lot in the centre in his youth, also with Jurriën. You can see that they are attuned to each other, they made a good impression on me. So I thought it was the best solution against a team with one striker.”

Ajax missed the opportunity to return to winning ways and to cut Feyenoord’s lead at the top of the Eredivisie by just a point and capitalise on PSV Eindhoven’s disappointing display on Saturday against Sparta Rotterdam too.

The reigning league champions are now on a four match winless run despite Davy Klaassen giving the Amsterdam club the lead in the first half against NEC before Landry Dimata secured the equaliser early in the second-half.

GBeNeFN | Tom Phillips

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