Míchel Sánchez Plans Ajax Attack Options After Dolberg Injury

Ajax coach Míchel Sánchez is preparing alternative attacking plans after Kasper Dolberg was ruled out for the rest of the season, with the Amsterdam club facing NEC without the Danish striker. The situation was reported by ajax1.nl on October 10, 2026, as Sánchez assessed available forwards and wing options.

According to ajax1.nl, Steven Berghuis was also unavailable because of calf problems, while Simon Adingra remained available for selection. Sánchez said Ajax needed more direct attacking actions despite controlling possession frequently.

"Simon has his own qualities, he is a versatile and fast player who plays very vertically. That is what we want from him, that he shows it. That he brings depth and takes on one-on-one situations," said Míchel Sánchez, Ajax coach.

The Ajax coach highlighted dribbling output as an area for improvement. He said the team ranked ninth in the competition for dribbles despite being among the most dominant sides in possession.

"We are one of the most dominant teams in the competition in terms of possession, but when it comes to the number of dribbles we are ninth. That shows we lack verticality to get into one-on-one situations, that is an area for improvement for us," said Míchel Sánchez, Ajax coach.

Sánchez also discussed Adingra's ability to operate in different attacking positions. Ajax have several options on both wings, including Edvardsen, Tsygankov, Berghuis, Gloukh and Ouazane, according to the coach.

"He can play on the left side and the right side. With Adingra and Edvardsen we have two players who can be used in both roles. On the right we also have Tsygankov and Berghuis, on the left we have Gloukh and Ouazane as options. So we have enough options for the next eight matches," said Míchel Sánchez, Ajax coach.

The coach said Ajax could also rely on players from Jong Ajax and existing senior forwards while Dolberg remains unavailable. He pointed to Diego Pugno as a young striker option who has been affected by injury.

"At Jong Ajax there is an Italian who scores goals. But we have not really been able to work with him yet, because he is also injured," said Míchel Sánchez, Ajax coach.

Ajax still have Tolu Arokodare and Marcos Leonardo as central attacking choices, while Sánchez considered using other players in a false striker role if needed.

"And we have the option to use Adingra or Tsygankov as a false striker, although it is not the most logical position for them. At the moment we naturally have two good options with Tolu Arokodare and Marcos Leonardo," said Míchel Sánchez, Ajax coach.