De Boer: Sunday´s match ´must win´

Ajax coach Frank de Boer says Sunday’s clash with Eredivisie Leaders AZ Alkmaar is crucial to their chances of defending the title.

The Dutch champions are five points behind AZ, with Sunday’s clash coming just three days after the teams meet in the KNVB Beker on Thursday.

And de Boer believes his side must pick up all three points against Gertjan Verbeek’s men this weekend if they are to defend their title.

“Our focus is on the league title,” de Boer told the club’s official website. “If we want to challenge for the league, then we must win.”

De Boer said he will not risk Gregory van der Wiel and Lorenzo Ebecilio in Thursday’s cup clash with both players nursing injuries, but the 41-year-old hopes the duo will be available for Sunday.

“I will not take any risks with them. Van der Wiel would have been able to play on Thursday, but we would prefer to wait and make sure he is fresh for Sunday – the league is more important for us,” he said.

Ajax host AZ at the Amsterdam ArenA on Thursday to conclude the KNVB Beker clash that was abandoned when AZ goalkeeper Esteban Alvarado was sent off after an altercation with a fan.