The big question for John van't Schip and Roberto De Zerbi

That much became clear as soon as I logged on to public transport wifi here in Amsterdam on Tuesday morning.

And it was clear at both press conferences, especially the first, at the Johan Cruyff Arena yesterday.

Actually, disappointed isn’t the word for it.

What shocked them was the passive, cautious, back-foot approach Ajax adopted in the first half in Falmer.

That was the question I was asked via WhatsApp by a reporter in Amsterdam as soon as I logged on to the wifi on a bus heading to Leidseplein in town.

Were people in Brighton surprised by Ajax’s approach in that game?

That same tactical approach was mentioned early and more than once when current head coach John van’t Schip faced the media yesterday.

Questions were more general when Roberto De Zerbi sat in the same seat in late afternoon.

But both men agreed tonight’s game will be very different to what we saw in Falmer.

That news was greeted, it would seem, with glee by Albion fans.

They will be happy if Ajax come out and play like they did straight after half-time at the Amex, when they were picked apart by Billy Gilmour and Simon Adingra for Ansu Fati’s goal with the game suddenly more stretched.

But, as ever, it comes down to both the gameplan and how it is carried out.

“It will be good news for Brighton if Ajax come out to attack,” one ex-pro told me ahead of De Zerbi’s press conference.

Well, yes, one can see that theory.

But, as ever, it depends how well each team do their job.

What we have seen in Ajax’s two games under van’t Schip is that they have attacking power but can make awful mistakes at the back under little pressure.

If Ajax are going to attack – as expected – it will be both with and without the ball.

Their striker Brian Brobbey spoke about the quality of the press.

It is now or never, really, for Ajax in terms of the Europa League.

There appears to be a feeling in Holland that their priority must be the domestic league and securing European football for next season.

Van’t Schip denied that in his ‘presser’ and said all competitions were of equal importance.

During his Europa League press conference, he was asked about qualifying for Europe next season.

What position would Ajax need to be in at the midway point of the season, he was asked.

Van’t Schip was unable to give an answer to that one.

“In two games we have one from 18th to 11th,” he said.

“Obviously it will be harder from now on.”

This is a great chance for van’t Schip to really get momentum going if he can beat a Premier League side to back-up two league victories.

Van’t Schip was asked towards the end of his session whether Albion were favourites for this match.

He said they might be given the result at the Amex.

But he hoped by full-time we were all saying Ajax were favourites.

Which left the stage set for De Zerbi.

His take on the game being different was more based, from what he said, on the change of boss.

He had seen the 4-1 win over Heerenveen and said: “They won two games in a row in the Eredivisie.

“I think in terms of enthusiasm, courage, attitude, I think we find a different team.

“In terms of the style of play, I think it is clear what they want to do on the pitch.

“They have good players and I think it will be a totally different game.

“But we are able to play a good game as well.”

Albion trained under the closed arena roof last night as rain hammered down outside.

Among the group was Tom McGill, the young goalkeeper who, less than 24 hours earlier, had been playing for the under-21s at Forest Green in the EFL Trophy.

The attendance was about the same as last time van Hecke played there.

“When I came here with Heerenveen, it was during Covid, so there were no fans.” he said with a laugh when asked whether he had told his team-mates about the atmosphere.

So he wasn’t much help there.

But we know what Ajax will do – or try to.

The challenge has been issued and it will suit Albion IF they keep their composure, their shape and their precision.