Ajax danger man Dolberg on the United final
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
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"It's hard to predict what's going to happen next but I'm sure it's going to be great," Ajax's 19-year-old striker Kasper Dolberg told UEFA.com as he looked forward to facing Manchester United.
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"I don't think the plan was for him to become a regular so quickly," said Ajax captain Davy Klaassen as he talked over striker Kasper Dolberg's first season in Amsterdam.
UEFA.com spoke to Dolberg, Ajax's six-goal UEFA Europa League top scorer aged 19, about his remarkable campaign ahead of Wednesday's UEFA Europa League final with Manchester United.
On moving from Silkeborg to Ajax last summer ...
Did I expect to be a success so quickly? No, I didn't. I thought I would be in the second team this season and maybe join the first team from time to time. To begin with, my goal was to make my debut and just play at the Amsterdam ArenA.
Ajax had contacted me and invited me for a trial, and then, after some time, I became an Ajax player. There are so many players here you've heard about and suddenly you hang around with them every day. I received a great welcome. It's a big club to come to, but it was nice that people welcomed me so well and everyone is so nice and friendly. That was very important.
On why Ajax have sparkled in the UEFA Europa League ...
There are many reasons. We have a good team with good players. We have played very well. The better the teams we've faced, the better we've played. I'm proud to be part of that. It's only my first year as a professional player, but it's the biggest thing I've ever experienced in club football.
On facing United in the final ...
They are a team with a lot of stars and many great players, but there have been times this season when they haven't performed that well. They have a lot of stars and a lot of fantastic players, but if they are not at their best, that doesn't matter.
We play to win. I don't think there is a reason for us to be afraid. We just have to go out there and do our best and we will see what happens. It would mean a lot for the club and the city to win it. You can really feel that; every time we play at home, it's something special. You can just feel all the support we get, not only at the stadium but all over the city. It's huge and it's been a great experience. It's hard to predict what's going to happen next, but I'm sure it's going to be great.