Categories: World Soccer

Blow by blow: Ajax v Tottenham

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Donny van de Beek netted the only goal of the game for the Dutch giants in the first leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, leaving Spurs with an uphill battle if they are to reach their first Champions League final.

Only Ajax in 1996 have lost at home in the first leg of a Champions League semi-final and gone on to qualify for the showpiece game but Tottenham have already overcome several obstacles to reach this point, including nearly being eliminated in the group stage.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men arrive in Amsterdam in a poor run of form, with the loss to Ajax adding to a sequence of four 1-0 defeats in their last five matches in all competitions.

They have also only won five of their last 20 away European matches, while Spurs are going up against an Ajax side who have only been beaten at home once all season as they chase a first Champions League final appearance in 23 years.

The four-time European champions warmed up for Wednesday’s return leg by completing what could be the first part of a historic treble, beating Willem II 4-0 at the weekend to claim the Dutch Cup for the first time since 2010.

Erik ten Hag’s young side has won rave reviews for their performances this season but for all their exciting football they have failed to win either home leg of their previous knockout ties against Real Madrid and Juventus.

 

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By Khaya Ndubane