 Opponent Slavia Prague won both matches; with a 2–1 scoreline in Prague and 0–1 victory in Amsterdam.The failure to clinch a position in the Champions League group stage led to great criticism from both the supporters and the media, mainly directed at Henk ten Cate and the board of directors.A 1–0 victory over PSV for the Johan Cruyff Shield could not make up for the loss of a Champions League spot.