Hajduk defeated Dutch side Ajax 2-1 in the first round of the Conference League at Poljud. Gonzalo Garcia’s side pressed the opponents from the start, transitioning quickly from defence to attack and creating problems for the favourites.
After the match, Hajduk coach Gonzalo Garcia addressed the players in the dressing room. 'I have no words to describe what you did tonight,' Garcia said. 'You showed character. You showed that we can compete equally with anyone. I am proud that we showed we are Hajduk.' He added: 'I love seeing all of you happy, because it shows who we want to be. Bloody hell, you are great boys!'
Garcia, however, warned the squad not to rest on their laurels. 'But it is October,' he said. 'We have new challenges ahead. This is just one match. In a few days we play against Varaždin, we must approach it in the same way. Forgive me, I am a pessimist. And in the next one I want to see the same.' He concluded: 'But today I enjoyed it, bloody hell, it was beautiful. I think no one can say anything bad about what you did. All that effort was incredible. And especially the character we showed. That is us!'
Following Garcia’s words, a song echoed through the dressing room, and the celebration continued. Hajduk shared a video of the speech coach Gonzalo Garcia gave to the players after the triumph.
The focus of criticism in Amsterdam fell on Ajax’s coach, Michel Sanchez. The Dutch media questioned Sanchez’s communication skills, with former Ajax players Frank de Boer and Toby Alderweeld analysing Sanchez’s performance on camera after the match.
Alderde questioned the language Sanchez was using to speak to his team, given that some players did not speak Spanish. 'I wonder how he communicates with his team at all. Does he speak to them in English or Spanish? Many players do not understand Spanish,' Alder said. He added: 'You have to convey your passion and knowledge. The team must be hanging on your every word.'
Frank de Boer, who won four consecutive Dutch titles, commented: 'We are already uncomfortable listening to this. If he speaks like that, you have the same problem here.' It was reported that Sanchez’s communication had already been a topic of discussion in the Netherlands. The journalist from Algemeen Dagblad expressed surprise at Ajax’s decision to appoint a coach who struggles with the English language. Sanchez admitted after the match that his team was not at the required level in the first half, but highlighted that they played better in the second half and had more possession. Gonzalo’s native language is Spanish, but he speaks English.
