Michel defends ter Stegen after wax-statue comparison

After Ajax’s 1-1 draw against NEC Nijmegen, Michel defended ter Stegen, who was compared to a wax statue at the post-match press conference. The 34-year-old German goalkeeper joined Ajax on loan from Barcelone during the summer transfer window. He has started almost all of the team’s matches in the Dutch league this season.

The comparison referred to the time ter Stegen spent with the ball at his feet, apparently without moving. Some viewed this as a factor in slowing the game and making chances harder to create. The draw also brought frustration from some supporters over Ajax’s attempts to build from the back: the team kept the ball for long spells without moving quickly towards the opposing goal. In recent times, the slow build-up and distribution have also drawn criticism of the team, despite its coach’s confidence in the goalkeeper.

Michel rejected the journalist’s description: « I do not agree with you describing him as a statue ». He argued that having the ball at his feet when the goalkeeper is the free player does not automatically make him responsible for a lack of attacking options.

The Ajax coach said the response should come from the team as a whole, rather than singling out one player. « We should have played differently in those situations, relied on short passes and made the opponent move more, in order to create a numerical advantage and spaces behind their defence, » he said. He also stressed the need to improve the team’s movement and speed of passing ahead of its next matches.