Both Teams were in the Champions League season at the beginning rather than outsiders. And cheered at the end. Who is in the duel with Tottenham Hotspur against Ajax Amsterdam, not as the “Underdog”.
Ajax celebrates after the Triumph over Juventus
Let’s start with the British: For the Team of Tottenham Hotspur, it can be in this week, actually, only better. The players of Coach Mauricio Pochettino, however, a rather “used” the weekend is over. The table third parties have intervened on the island in the title battle in the Premier League, appeared in the light of the actual distance to the top unlikely, anyway. But you had to give, therefore, right in front of a home crowd for the first time in the new stadium in the London Derby against West Ham United-0:1 hit? You didn’t have to. Shit happens.
Reward for hard work
You will not have to think of something to bump their own Fans again in front of the head, when in the semi-final first leg of the Champions League (kick-off on Tuesday at 21 CEST, 20:45 clock in the DW live Ticker for this), these mostly young, mostly hungry squad of Ajax Amsterdam in the British capital have a look. The British should be warned. To shoot the first Real Madrid, Juventus Turin from the Royal class, which has entered the low countries the reputation to be this year’s favourite for the Champions League victory.
It would be for Ajax, after the previous dominance of the million-dollar Madrid-squad – the reward for persevering, thoughtful young work. And the reward for a commitment: Let the youth have the Power! Don’t let setbacks to impress! And believe in their own strength! In Amsterdam, and not only there, it is called the running-intensive game, the team “Totaal voetbal”.
Ajax coach Erik ten Hag (left) and his assistant Alfred Schreuder and Aron Winter
A Team Involved with the defensive player Matthijs de a 19-year-old (!) as the captain has. With coach Erik ten Hag, Mastermind of the current success, is not tired, the mix between the young guns and the Experienced in the Ajax Jersey. The strong role of the Serb Dusan Tadic (30 years old) played in a memorable 4:1 victory against Real at the Bernabeu-worthy stadium, underlines this strategy. However, the midfielder Frenkie de Jong (21 years old), Donny van de Beek (21) or the striker Kasper doll mountain (21), and David Neres (22) form a Potential of the other top European clubs would like to have. De Jong will change according to the season for FC Barcelona. For 75 Million Euros! More Transfers are likely.
Ready for the big Coup
“Yes, Ajax is ready for the big Coup,” said Klaas-Jan Huntelaar of the world on Sunday. “If we continue our game as before, will fulfill this dream for sure,” said the 35-year-old former Schalke, who comes from Ajax, usually only as the Joker. Amsterdam-master goalkeeper Andre Onana said: “We have an advantage. We have something that works for us is the fact that we can have no pressure and nothing to lose.”
High-flyers Tottenham: the South Korean Heung-Min Son, for the first leg, however, locked
And the British? Against Borussia Dortmund had to order the end, nothing more, and also one of the title favourites Manchester City could have been ahead of the quarter-final matches, probably not dream, at the end beaten to go from field to. In the absence of the injured British national hero, Harry Kane, especially the South Korean Heung-min Son, it was for the Spurs as a guarantee for success it was last updated.
Injured, suspended or struck
But the South Koreans is locked after the third yellow card in the competition for the first leg. And that was not enough, the midfielder Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko. “We are a very competitive Team, if we are at full strength,” said Pochettino, in a kind of Forward defense.
It is likely to be a hot dance on the High Road in the North-East of London. But both Teams know well from experience, will be Settled at the end. “It ain’t over til it’s over.”