Getafe use De Jong as 'motivation' in Ajax Europa League triumph
The Dutchman made some comments that didn't go down well with the Madrid club
Getafe wrote a new chapter in the club's history on Thursday when they knocked former European champions and last season's Champions League semifinalists Ajax out of the Europa League.
Coach Jose Bordalas opted for a curious motivation technique ahead of the game in Amsterdam as the Madrid side reached the last 16 of the competition.
After the first leg at the Coliseum, which Getafe won 2-0, the Ajax players complained about some of their tactics. Right-back Dest said: "The referee fell into their trap, it's sad. Nothing like that has happened to me before."
Ajax captain Tadic went further: "They will keep on diving and asking for fouls in the second leg. They want to play 42 minutes instead of 90 and they will do these things."
But the most damning comments came from a former Ajax player, the now Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, the day after the first leg.
The Dutchman told Noos: "The game between Getafe and Ajax was painful. For me, it was especially frustrating. Getafe don't play to entertain the fans. I find it hard to watch their games."
The comments didn't sit well with the Getafe coach and he used them to 'motivate' his players on Thursday, with Voetbal revealing he pinned them on the whiteboard in the dressing room at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Topics with the letter
