30 APR 2019; Tottenham - Ajax; CL Semifinal

[kezme44]

i hope the team takes this as a draw. the second half was very close and spurs could have scored with someone like son on the field. gotta have a strategy for game 2.

[Amol]

Our aim in the home game should be to score at least 2 goals. Spurs will have to come to Amsterdam to play football and that will open up spaces for us.

They did throw in the kitchen sink in the second half and couldn't score against us.

I do feel the team kind of turned off after the injury to Jan. They're still kids and have seen a horrible on field incident in the summer of 2017. Don't know how much it still affects them - but this might've rattled us more than it did Spurs.

[Amol]

After having a few hours to think about today's game, I still can't believe the position we're in after so many years of European heartbreak. We absolutely need to cherish each and every moment of this team for the next month and half.

Also, I'm very glad Poch had to show his hand about using a diamond in midfield. I'm sure we'll be better prepared to play against it next week.

[Orange14]

I just finished watching the match and Ajax really stood tall. I do hope Jan Vertonghen is all right as he took a really nasty bang in the head from Alderwiereld. Ajax were dominant for much of the first half but Spurs seemed to figure things out following half time. Ajax were a bit fortunate that all the Spurs headed balls were either soft or way off target as this was the only way back into the match for them. Part of the problem for Spurs was the really high line Ajax played on free kicks. Other than Ericksen, who wasn't particularly in good form, Spurs just are too weak in MF and Ajax were able to disrupt things with the press. It's a shame that Neres clanked his good chance off the post as the 2nd away goal would have really made it hard on Tottenham. The tie isn't over and Ajax have to continue playing their game next Wednesday.

Player Ratings:

Onana (7.5) - really had only one semi-difficult save as everything else was either off frame or soft
Tagliafico (6) - didn't have to lunge into the tackle that he received the YC for and was just OK
Blind (7.5) - really strong game given he can't jump and gives away some height to Spurs attackers
de Ligt (8) - another commanding performance
Veltman (7.5) - had one really needed header to prevent a free shot and did quite well on the ball
Schöne (6) - looked angry when he was subbed off but he was a liability at that point in the match
de Jong (6.5) - not much of a factor on the night but had a couple of good defensive interventions
van de Beek (8) - super goal and overall great play
Neres (7) - some good moves and a decent shot on goal
Tadic (7) - struggled to hold the ball up but had some nice interior passing
Ziyech (7) - quiet on offense but did some needed tracking back on defense
Mazraoui (6.5) - added some needed quickness to the MF coming on for the last 25 minutes
Huntelaar (NR) - on late for Ziyech and don't think he had a touch

Spurs get Son back next week from suspension and that should help their attack as he's much quicker than Llorente and provides a different type of problem for the Ajax defense. I don't think ten Hag is going to allow Ajax to deviate from their plan that got them here. The Cup final is this Sunday and I assume ten Hag puts the same 11 out on the pitch who have been starting. Spurs play Saturday against Bournemouth who are in the bottom half of the table but not worried about relegation. However, Tottenham are only two points ahead of Chelsea in third place. A win guarantees them 3rd or 4th place in the EPL as they are 4 points ahead of Arsenal with only two matches to play.

[SPL]

I too cannot believe where we are today ,just a home draw away from the CL final. Spurs will still make it tough for us.

Watching Ajax this season has been pure joy ,apart from the odd defeat, and living in soccer mad England and seeing all the positive press makes me feel very proud of my club.The world suddenly is talking about Ajax again and our kids and our beautiful football.Pure Magic.

Hugh praise to ETH ,who had many critics, but has got them playing according to our spiritual leader Johan Cruijff.


One question ,Tagliafico and Veltman picked up yellows, if they get 2nd ones next week do they miss the final?

[Arthur]

One question ,Tagliafico and Veltman picked up yellows, if they get 2nd ones next week do they miss the final?

Apparently not. The only way to be suspended for the final is to receive a red card during the semi finals.

[Orange14]

One question ,Tagliafico and Veltman picked up yellows, if they get 2nd ones next week do they miss the final?

Apparently not. The only way to be suspended for the final is to receive a red card during the semi finals.

That is correct. As per the CL regulations it takes three Yellow Cards for a suspension. they changed the rules to wipe out accumulated Yellow Cards after the quarter finals so that no player picking up a Yellow Card in the semi-finals would miss the finals. IIRC, Xabi Alonso picked up his third YC in the semis and missed the final match for Madrid back in 2013. In the 2012 between Chelsea and Bayern Munich, Branislav Ivanovic, Ramires, Raul Meireles, David Alaba, Holger Badstuber and Luis Gustavo were all suspended for the game. there have been other well known players who missed a CL final because of a YC picked up in the semifinal.

[SPL]

Thanks guys,was more worried about Tagliafico getting another yellow