Advice from the Sidelines: The Secret Behind Berghuis's Goal

The match against Telstar ended 4-0 in Ajax's favor, but the most notable detail wasn't on the scoreboard. Steven Berghuis, who scored 1 goal and provided 2 assists, revealed an interesting secret: his goal came from advice given by Daley Blind, who was watching from the stands due to injury. The situation unfolded like this: Berghuis received the ball on the right wing, and instead of going down the line as usual, he cut inside and finished with his right foot. It was a seemingly simple piece of play, but it was the result of a subtle observation from his experienced teammate. "They always think I'll go left," Berghuis shared. "Blind showed me that I need to change." This is a typical moment demonstrating the value of experienced players in the dressing room. Blind, despite not being able to play, still acts as a true assistant coach. He observes the match from a defender's perspective, understands how the opposition sets up their defense, and gives precise tactical advice to his teammate. Analyzing this moment further, I notice something interesting about Ajax's attacking structure. Berghuis, a right-footed right winger, tends to cross or go down the line. Cutting inside creates a new threat, forcing the opposition defense to make a difficult choice: track him or leave space in the central corridor. But the story doesn't stop at one moment of play. Berghuis also had kind words for new signing Tolu Arokodare, who is trying to rediscover his form after a difficult season at Wolfsburg. "He's full of energy, funny, and eager to prove himself," Berghuis said. This shows the positive atmosphere in Ajax's dressing room, where players support each other. However, as an investigative journalist, I always question the sustainability of individual tactics. Will Berghuis's cut-inside move work against stronger opponents in the Eredivisie or Champions League? This is a question that needs testing. Telstar is a lower-division team that lacks the quality to exploit the spaces Berghuis leaves when he vacates the right wing. Match data shows Berghuis had an efficient day: 1 goal, 2 assists, including a corner that led to a goal. But this is just one match. I need to examine more data on xG (expected goals), touches in the opposition box, and his off-ball movement to fully assess the impact of this change. Another notable point is the arrival of new signing Tsygankov from Dynamo Kyiv. Berghuis insists he's not worried about competition: "Good players are always welcome." This response shows a professional mentality, but also raises questions about how Ajax will rotate their squad when competing on multiple fronts. Blind, at 32, is in the final phase of his career. His injury is a significant loss, not just professionally but also mentally. The fact that he still actively gives tactical advice to teammates shows his influence extends far beyond the pitch. This is an intangible asset Ajax must cherish. Looking at the bigger picture, I see this as a positive story about cohesion and team spirit. But I also recognize that football never stands still. Opponents will study, will find ways to neutralize Berghuis's cut-inside move. Numbers don't lie, but the people who write financial reports do. Similarly, a tactic that works in one match doesn't guarantee it will work forever. I've been following Ajax for years, and I know that what makes them strong isn't just the stars on the pitch, but the culture of sharing knowledge and experience. Blind is doing that perfectly. The question is: will other young players learn to listen and apply advice the way Berghuis did? If so, Ajax won't just have a successful season—they'll build a generation of tactically intelligent players.