Ajax–AZ fails to impress: 'This is really, really far off PSV–Feyenoord'

Analysts criticised the match quality, comparing it unfavourably to PSV–Feyenoord and highlighting Ajax's lack of intensity and pressing.

ESPN analysts Arnold Bruggink and Karim El Ahmadi were unimpressed by Ajax's performance against AZ, despite the match being competitive on the scoreboard.

Bruggink drew a stark contrast with PSV–Feyenoord from the previous round, saying: "If you put this next to PSV–Feyenoord, this is really, really far off. In terms of intensity, which is what modern football is about, in terms of sprints, going full throttle… this is nothing." He noted that Ajax–AZ ranked among the five worst matches in the Eredivisie for sprints, while PSV–Feyenoord was among the best.

El Ahmadi agreed the quality was poor, particularly in the final third. He singled out Youri Baas, Aaron Bouwman, Sofyan Amrabat and Marc ter Stegen as Ajax's best players—a comment he felt spoke volumes about the overall standard. He attributed the lack of intensity partly to Ajax's failure to apply consistent pressure, with only some players fully committed to pressing.