Eriksen and Boerrigter in raptures at Ajax

It was like the AFC Ajax of old against GNK Dinamo Zagreb. Four unanswered goals secured their biggest home UEFA Champions League win since defeating Ferencvárosi TC by the same 4-0 scoreline 16 years ago, and moved them three points ahead of Olympique Lyonnais in the race to secure second place behind Real Madrid CF in Group D. Derk Boerrigter spoke of the joy it gave him to play in such an attacking team while Josip Šimunić felt eliminated Dinamo had been "taught a football lesson".

Christian Eriksen, Ajax midfielder
To see a 4-0 scoreline on the screen is really important for us. It feels good [to be voted Player Rater Top Player]. I made assists for two goals, and I feel I'm on my way back to my top level. I think I made a lot of wrong passes in the middle of the pitch but in the last third of the pitch I made some good choices and happily this led to us scoring twice. This was an opportunity to show the world in the biggest competition that we can play football, and we took it.

Derk Boerrigter, Ajax forward
We played really well as a team and created plenty of chances. I thought Zagreb would be aggressive and put us under more pressure, but we managed to play our own game throughout and score some great goals. It was really enjoyable to be part of such a game. It makes you happy to be a forward playing in a team that attacks so much. As for the next match, I thought Lyon were good when we played them here, but we don't have to be scared of them in France [on 22 November].

Josip Šimunić, Dinamo Zagreb defender
We came here with big expectations. We wanted to get it right after our last match against Ajax in Zagreb, but we got taught a football lesson tonight. Respect for Ajax; a great team who played a great game. I think we'll get the DVD and watch it a few times because we have a lot to learn. Reaching the Champions League is an achievement in itself, but there's too big a difference between it and our league.

Ivan Kelava, Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper
It was a very difficult evening for me and my team, Ajax played an excellent game and deserved to win 4-0; we had no chance. I cannot speak about playing a good game and making good saves when you lose like that. They are good at creating chances and protecting the ball. One of my friends from the national team, Dejan Lovren, plays for Olympique Lyonnais, but I think they have no chance if Ajax play like this.