De Boer wants more from Ajax

The champions lost 1-0 at FC Groningen on Sunday courtesy of Leandro Bacuna's second-half penalty after Gregory van der Wiel had been dismissed for handling in the box. "We did better with 10 men than with 11 men," De Boer told the club's website. "That's something to think about. "I was surprised that we were playing more aggressively with 10 men, when we played with abandon. "It was as if something had to happen first on the field and only then would we respond. That must change." De Boer felt his players did not cope well with the Euroborg atmosphere. "You know when you are come to Groningen you will be met with a lot of enthusiasm from the players and the fans," he said. "We had trouble at first. "If you find this difficult, you must battle to win. "In the first half we were too timid. I think we should show more initiative, be aggressive." The defeat left Ajax fourth in the table, six points behind leaders AZ Alkmaar.