Van Basten stimulates Sulejmani

Monday 12 January 2009

The most striking image during the training week of Ajax in Portugal was Marco van Basten leading an individual fitness training for Miralem Sulejmani.

Armed with whistle and stopwatch he guided a series of 400 meter runs of a player who had interrupted training with some minor discomforts earlier that day.

It was a signal.

Sulejmani was signed as a player to make a difference during games.

"But what we see now is that he's gone when the intensity is raised. Sulejmani will have to invest in himself to indeed be a decisive player," Van Basten said after the friendly against VfB Stuttgart.

In the game Ajax lost 3-2 Sulejmani was substituted on Saturday after 60 low-grade minutes.

Van Basten used the training week in the Algarve to stimulate other players as well.

In every line there will be a player - if all went well - who should feel incited for the restart of the league this coming weekend.

With away games to NEC Nijmegen en FC Groningen it's a tough start for the Amsterdammers.

Besides warnings issued Van Basten also complimented some players.

In goal Maarten Stekelenburg and Kenneth Vermeer are expected to bring out the best in each other now that staff knows that there is little difference between the two goal keepers.

Young defender Toby Alderweireld was praised for a great training week that followed the decision to add him to the A-squad.

Alderweireld is 19, blessed with a great pass and the next talent that is about to make his break through via Ajax' branch Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen.

Van Basten even hinted at the youngster starting against NEC when the foot injury of Jan Vertonghen doesn't heal in time.

And in the center of defense Oleguer he will up for a challenge if Ajax manage to land Rob Wielaert.

In midfield Gabri is expected to influence the entire team and not just do his own thing.

The fact that the Spaniard still only speaks Spanish after 3 years is no excuse.

Up front Van Basten wants Ajax to be less dependent on the form of the day of his unpredictable forwards.

The friendly against Stuttgart what work is to be done.

Against the static defense of the Germans especially Sulejmani fell short connecting to Cvitanich and Suarez.

In the role of the number 10 the Serb fail to add depth to the offense.

By only moving wide and towards the ball he made buildup more difficult whereas he is expected to create space for himself and his fellow forwards.

"What is strange is that he can play that way," Van Basten said.

Siem de Jong can decide himself about his future at Ajax.

He agreed with the club's management that his opinion counts in whether he wants to stay at Ajax or go elsewhere on loan.

"I prefer to finish the season at Ajax," De Jong said.

"Before the winter break I did play 11 games. When I get to the same number in the second half of the season I shall be satisfied.

With De Jong in on for Sulejmani Ajax almost erased the 3-1 lead of the Germans, but disallowing Cvitanic' equalizer in the last minute was unjustified.

The Argentinean's first goal (3-2) was allowed to stand.

Luis Suarez scored Ajax' first.