Roberto De Zerbi insisted “incredible” Ajax are still a threat and as he delivered his verdict on the Dutch giants amidst their turbulent season, writes Anujit Vijayakumar. 

The Albion head coach provided his insight into Ajax’s squad and their philosophy in light of their chaotic start to the campaign.

He said: “It is difficult to analyse Ajax because they are experiencing not a very good moment, but they are still Ajax.

"The history of Ajax is incredible and unbelievable, and we expect a lot from them.

“But we are Brighton and when we play in a good way, what we’re able to do, I think we have a chance to win the game.”

Speaking on what the magnitude of a potential victory over European royalty like Ajax would mean, De Zerbi stated: “We’re getting used to playing in the Europa League, we are getting used to playing three games per week and for Brighton, it’s new things, new habits. For Ajax, no.

"For Ajax, every year they play in European competition, every year they play three games per week in this period and for us it’s the first time.

“But anyway, in football, there are 22 players and one ball and if you are better, you can win regardless of with history or without history. It’s not the most important things.”

Former Ajax defender Joel Veltman shared his thought process on the prospect of facing his boyhood club.

Veltman said: “Yes I’ve played there since I was like 10 years old, so almost 18-19 years. Special, special game.

"I don’t know what I’ve felt last couple of days, but it’s sort of a special feeling when you play against your old club.

“Maybe the away game in Amsterdam at the Johan Cruyff Arena will be even more special, but specially for this one, to have a nice start against Ajax, my old club, again it’s special.”

The Dutchman also reflected on the similarities surrounding the expectations between Albion’s present European campaign and Ajax’s acclaimed 2016-17 season.

He added: “It’s quite similar. With Ajax we had to win every game, but now, sometimes, you can lose, when there’s a bit less crisis.

"But we want to win every game at the moment and since I’ve been here that’s always the case and that’s what I’ve really liked over here.

“It doesn’t matter if we play against Manchester City or whatever, we’re disappointed if we lose points and that’s quite similar with my Ajax period.”