Lucas Rosa (26) is keen to end Ajax’s losing run against AZ on Saturday. Drawing on eight points, he discusses charitable causes, manager Míchel Sánchez’s passion and Amsterdam. ‘We call the canal round the corner the “Canal of Gratitude”, because it’s such a lovely place to live.’ 1 If I hadn’t become a footballer, I’d be a paediatrician now “My father is a paediatrician in Taubaté, just like my grandfather. It’s a career path that certainly interests me, although as a little boy I wanted only one thing: to become a footballer.” “I used to play football in the street all the time. First in Ribeirão Preto and then in Taubaté, where we moved when I was five years old. And in Brazil, five-a-side football is also popular. I played that until I was thirteen. After that, I made the switch to outdoor football.” 2 Every footballer should donate 1 per cent of their salary to charity “That’s up to each individual, but I do it. Every month, I donate 1 per cent of my salary to Common Goal (a global charity). Through this, I support a social project in Brazil that aims to keep children on the right track through football. I’m also an ambassador for the Johan Cruyff Foundation in the Netherlands.” “I think it’s a lovely gesture. For us, 1 per cent makes hardly any difference, but for someone else it does. I try to encourage my team-mates to do the same.” 3 My big dream is to make my debut for the Seleção “Yes, although I also have an Italian passport thanks to my great-great-grandfather. I’d love nothing more than to play for Brazil, but if the Italian Football Federation gets in touch, I’ll have to give it serious thought.” “I’ve previously played international matches for Brazil’s Under-17s and Under-19s, alongside players such as Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo. As a child, I loved watching Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, but for my generation, Neymar is the best.” “It was great to see Mauro Júnior of PSV make his debut for Brazil during the last international break. We happened to be sitting next to each other on the flight from Brazil to the Netherlands this summer. I told him then: you deserve a call-up to the Seleção. It also reflects well on the Eredivisie. It shows that the league is taken seriously.” 4 My best match this year was against Atalanta Bergamo “Yes, I agree. We dominated as a team and I played well myself too. I think I’m showing the best version of myself under Míchel.” “He’s a passionate manager. Everyone can see that, because he really lets rip on the touchline. Sometimes it might be a bit much, but he always says it’s not meant personally. It’s because he loves football so much and demands the very best from everyone.” “There’s a big difference between this year and last year. You can see that on the pitch, in the way we play, and of course there are different players too. Míchel and (technical director) Jordi Cruijff have made it clear that we want to win the league. That’s the aim. Let’s go, I’d say.” 5 We are the favourites against AZ “We must believe that we can win every match. Even against AZ. But they’re a good side. Last year, they were better than us. We haven’t beaten them in our last eleven matches. It’s time to break that losing run.” “I always prepare meticulously for the match. I watch clips of my direct opponent – either on my own or with one of the assistant coaches. I want to know who I’m playing against and what their strengths are.” “AZ have a talented left winger (Ro-Zangelo Daal). Last year he didn’t play every game, but now he’s one of their most dangerous players. On the other wing is a Brazilian, Weslley Patati. We speak to each other sometimes.” 6 Marcos Leonardo is set to score plenty more goals for Ajax “Yes, nobody doubts that. He’s 23 and has already scored over a hundred goals in his career. It’s only a matter of time.” “When he doesn’t score, he gets upset, and sometimes even a bit angry. That was the case against Groningen and Atalanta. But he’s getting into better and better form. He’s important with his runs into space, applying pressure and holding onto the ball. The fact that we scored five times in Groningen was down to him too.” “Perhaps he also needs to settle into life in the Netherlands. It’s completely different from Saudi Arabia, where he played before. The league, the weather, the city, the people: everything is different. Everyone expects him to score goals. That puts pressure on him too. I think it’s mainly in his head, because in training he shows he’s a good finisher.” “We spend a lot of time together, even though he doesn’t speak English. During the international break, we went to Ibiza together. At the club, we’re usually with Caio Henrique and Oscar Gloukh.” 7 The most important quality for a defender is the ability to concentrate “Yes. Every mistake can be punished, so you always have to be fully focused. During my time at Juventus, I learnt a lot from Giorgio Chiellini. He wasn’t the fastest, but he was always well positioned. He wasn’t just an intelligent defender, but also an intelligent person.” “We’re still conceding too many goals against Ajax. We’re attack-minded and press high up the pitch, so it’s not surprising that we give away space. You see it often: attacking clubs like Barcelona and PSV also concede a lot of goals. But if you score five yourself and concede two, I think that’s okay.” 8 The tram is my favourite mode of transport “I think Amsterdam is a beautiful city. I live with my wife and young son in Amsterdam-Zuid. We regularly take the tram into the city centre. We get off at the Rokin to grab a bite to eat somewhere. It’s not practical to do that by car, and cycling is too dangerous. As a footballer, I have to look after my body, and accidents are always a risk. Walking is nice too.” “Just round the corner from our house is a canal we call the Dankbaarheidsgracht. Why? Whenever we walk past it, we feel grateful to live in a city like Amsterdam.” Steven Berghuis back in the squad Steven Berghuis is back in the Ajax squad for Saturday’s home match against AZ. Berghuis has been sidelined for the past six weeks with an injury. Daley Blind returned to Ajax last week. It seems unlikely that Blind and Berghuis will be in the starting line-up for the match against the Alkmaar-based club. Caio Henrique, Anton Gaaei and Oliver Edvardsen are still injured. Ajax are second in the Eredivisie, three points behind Feyenoord. AZ are one point behind Ajax. The club have failed to win any of their last three league matches. (ANP)   submitted by   /u/Roller95 [link]   [comments]