Ter Stegen and Míchel reply: criticism of the Ajax keeper’s level

Ajax, coached by Míchel, has started the season unevenly: the team has two straight draws and sits fifth in the Eredivisie, 5 points behind Feyenoord. Amid the debate, Marc-André ter Stegen is at the center after a journalist likened him to a “wax statue” in a press appearance.

Míchel rejects the label

Míchel pushed back. “I don’t agree that he’s a wax statue in goal… when you have the ball at your feet and you’re the free man, it’s very difficult to create an advantage.”

Own-goal analysis

The coach also took responsibility for moments when Ter Stegen keeps the ball too long, explaining that the team should play differently—“play more in short passes,” create rival movement and open space behind the defense. The outlet Mundo Deportivo reports the comments from Míchel in that press conference.