Ajax Aims for Immediate Response Against Fortuna Sittard

Ajax head to Fortuna Sittard with a point to prove and a team sheet that underlines the urgency. The 3-1 loss to PSV still stings; this lineup makes it clear Míchel expects an immediate response in the VriendenLoterij Eredivisie.

Two debutants walk straight into the starting XI. The message is blunt: reputations can wait, intensity cannot.

Marc ter Stegen takes his place in goal for the trip to Sittard, tasked with steadying a back line that wobbled in Eindhoven. In front of him, Anton Gaaei starts on the right of a four-man defence, while Thilo Kehrer comes in for Aaron Bouwman, who is still recovering from last week’s heavy challenge by Ruben van Bommel. Youri Baas partners Kehrer in central defence, with Caio Henrique installed at left-back.

The reshuffle continues in midfield. Sofyan Amrabat, who only made his debut off the bench against PSV, is promoted straight into the starting XI. He anchors a trio completed by Jorthy Mokio and Julian Brandt against Danny Buijs’ Fortuna side. That shake-up pushes Davy Klaassen to the bench, at least for now.

Out wide, Steven Berghuis gets another opportunity to make the right flank his own, while Oliver Edvardsen starts on the left. Through the middle, Tolu Arokodare leads the line for the visitors from Amsterdam, carrying the weight of a team that needs goals and a performance to match.

Ajax have changed faces. Now they need to change the mood.