Ajax manager John Heitinga has explained that his team’s 5–1 defeat to Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League was mainly due to playing with 10 men for most of the match.
Speaking after the heavy loss at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night, Heitinga said Ajax’s game plan was working well before Kenneth Taylor’s early red card changed everything.
“The game plan was working, and it was difficult for them to break our lines. We even had one good offensive moment with Mika Godts,” Heitinga told reporters. “Then the red card happened, and I think they scored two goals from the penalty spot, and two others were deflected. I cannot blame the players; they worked really hard.”
Chelsea, managed by Enzo Maresca, made 10 changes to the team that beat Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, but still dominated the match.
Marc Guiu opened the scoring for the Blues, before Moises Caicedo doubled the lead. Wout Weghorst pulled one back for Ajax, but Enzo Fernandez and Estevao Willian both scored from the penalty spot before half-time.
Tyrique George added Chelsea’s fifth goal after the break to complete the rout.
Heitinga admitted that Chelsea were one of the strongest sides in the competition, saying, “They are one of the better teams in the Champions League. We just have to learn from this and move forward.”