No-one expected to Ajax to get this far. No-one planned for this club to conquer Europe again.
Winning back the Eredivise was their priority this season. The title they had not won since 2014, back when Frank de Boer was coach and the best players were Siem de Jong and Davy Klaassen. When they broke their wage structure last summer to sign Dusan Tadic and Daley Blind, it was to win the Dutch title back.
All Ajax wanted in the Champions League was to still be in it after Christmas. To reach the last-16 for the first time since 2006, a completely different era for the club.
Especially given that their Champions League campaign started in the second qualifying round against Sturm Graz. The first game of this campaign was on 25 July 2018 – 10 days after the World Cup final – and they had to beat Standard Liege and Dynamo Kiev before they could even reach the group stage.
No-one would have dreamed last summer that they would still be here on 8 May, about to play their 18th match in the competition, hoping to set up a 19th in Madrid on 1 June. Not even the men whose arrivals have helped to get Ajax here.
1/23 Player ratings: Spurs vs Ajax
We run the rule over the two teams after a tough night for Tottenham.
AFP
2/23 Hugo Lloris − 6
Was left utterly helpless for Ajax’s first goal, with his defence akimbo and Donny van de Beek breathing down his neck. Made a very smart stop to deny the same player just moments later.
Getty Images
3/23 Toby Alderweireld − 6
Struggled in the very early stages, as did every player in white. But improved after Jan Vertonghen’s nasty head injury, which forced Spurs to switch to playing four at the back.
REUTERS
4/23 Davinson Sanchez − 6
Like Toby Alderweireld, improved immeasurably after the tactical switch. Was kept busy in a nervy first-half, although did do very well to twice catch up with threatening Ajax counter-attacks.
Getty
5/23 Jan Vertonghen − 6
Bravely attempted to battle on after a nasty clash of heads with team-mate Toby Alderweireld left him looking like a considerably better groomed Terry Butcher. Wisely substituted himself and appeared to be in danger of collapsing on the touchline, although fortunately made a recovery in the Tottenham dressing room.
Getty Images
6/23 Kieran Trippier − 5
Tottenham’s three at the back system was designed to protect Kieran Trippier’s flaws, but he made an inauspicious start to this match, playing Donny van de Beek onside for Ajax’s opener. Didn’t get much better and overhit a number of passes in the second-half, which resulted in a chorus of groans.
Man City via Getty Images
7/23 Victor Wanyama − 5
What a player he was before his knee unfortunately crumbled to dust at the start of last season. In fairness he began to get a grip on the game after a painfully shaky start, but he remains a weakness.
Getty
8/23 Christian Eriksen − 6
A difficult night for the Dane, who was often caught in two minds over whether to remain alongside Victor Wanyama in Tottenham’s midfield or glide forward. Did get much better in the second-half, although he is capable of much, much more. Spurs will need him to step up in Amsterdam.
Getty Images
9/23 Dele − 6
Has been running on empty for at least a fortnight now. Like the vast majority of Tottenham’s players, improved after the tactical switch and had a good chance to equalise at the start of the second-half, instead wastefully heading over the bar. He deserves some time off, to be frank.
Getty Images
10/23 Danny Rose − 5
He just cannot resist diving in, can he? Woefully disorganised in the opening exchanges and could have been sent off for petulantly lashing out at Joel Veltman. Bombed forward well but not his greatest night.
Getty Images
11/23 Lucas Moura − 5
Barely noticed he was playing. Kept exceptionally quiet by Ajax’s kindergarteners at the back.
Getty
12/23 Fernando Llorente − 5
In many ways, the quintessential Fernando Llorente performance. Ugly, gutsy, clumsy, ever so slightly amusing and not especially that effective: tried hard but spurned one of Tottenham’s best chances when he headed wide under little pressure in the first-half.
AFP
13/23 Andre Onan − 6
Didn’t have an awful lot to do. Difficult to think of what to write really, so here are some stats: 2 clearances, 16 passes, 15 of which were long balls. Interesting! Also did his fair share of time-wasting, the rotter.
REUTERS
14/23 Joel Veltman − 6
Spent much of this match in a petty two-man war with Danny Rose. When he wasn’t pulling the full-back’s shirt or himself being dragged back he was effective going forward, combining nicely with the standout Donny van de Beek.
Getty Images
15/23 Daley Blind − 7
The veteran Dutchman enjoyed a successful return to England. Marking Fernando Llorente isn’t an especially onerous task but he did it well enough, and his pace helped him keep Lucas Moura equally quiet on the rare occasions Spurs were able to counter-attack.
AFP/Getty Images
16/23 Matthijs de Ligt − 7
Matthjis de Ligt is nineteen. Nineteen! The youngest ever player to captain his team in a Champions League semi-final was suitably composed this evening, keeping Fernando Llorente quiet and impressing with his silky smooth passing range.
AFP/Getty Images
17/23 Nicolas Tagliafico − 6
Booked for rashly diving in on Christian Eriksen when the rest of Ajax’s defence were well positioned. Solid apart from that.
Getty
18/23 Lasse Schone − 7
A wonderfully workmanlike performance in the middle of the two child geniuses either side of him. Three tackles. One clearance. One interception. He is the oil which keeps this impossibly slick Ajax team running so very smoothly.
REUTERS
19/23 Frenkie De Jong − 8
Hard to believe he is just 21-years-old, when he plays with all the languid composure of Xavi winding down his career at Al Saad in the Qatar Stars League. Everything comes so naturally to him. Had a field day against the statuesque Victor Wanyama: no player completed more passes.
Getty Images
20/23 Hakim Ziyech − 8
To describe his defence-bisecting through ball as merely an ‘assist’ does it a disservice. In reality it was as effective and aesthetically pleasing as a goal, putting it on a plate for Donny van de Beek to open the scoring.
Getty Images
21/23 Donny van de Beek − 8
Took his goal wonderfully well, holding the line and then waiting nervelessly for Hugo Lloris to make his move. Almost doubled Ajax’s advantage just a few moments later.
Action Images via Reuters
22/23 David Neres − 6
Gave Kieran Trippier a thoroughly uncomfortable evening, pinning the Englishman back for long periods and thoroughly ruining Mauricio Pochettino’s three at the back gameplan.
Getty Images
23/23 Dusan Tadic − 7
What on earth have Ajax done with the inconsistent maverick that so frustrated Southampton supporters for four seasons? Played his part in the opening goal and was an entertainingly buzzy presence throughout.
UEFA via Getty Images
1/23 Player ratings: Spurs vs Ajax
We run the rule over the two teams after a tough night for Tottenham.
AFP
2/23 Hugo Lloris − 6
Was left utterly helpless for Ajax’s first goal, with his defence akimbo and Donny van de Beek breathing down his neck. Made a very smart stop to deny the same player just moments later.
Getty Images
3/23 Toby Alderweireld − 6
Struggled in the very early stages, as did every player in white. But improved after Jan Vertonghen’s nasty head injury, which forced Spurs to switch to playing four at the back.
REUTERS
4/23 Davinson Sanchez − 6
Like Toby Alderweireld, improved immeasurably after the tactical switch. Was kept busy in a nervy first-half, although did do very well to twice catch up with threatening Ajax counter-attacks.
Getty
5/23 Jan Vertonghen − 6
Bravely attempted to battle on after a nasty clash of heads with team-mate Toby Alderweireld left him looking like a considerably better groomed Terry Butcher. Wisely substituted himself and appeared to be in danger of collapsing on the touchline, although fortunately made a recovery in the Tottenham dressing room.
Getty Images
6/23 Kieran Trippier − 5
Tottenham’s three at the back system was designed to protect Kieran Trippier’s flaws, but he made an inauspicious start to this match, playing Donny van de Beek onside for Ajax’s opener. Didn’t get much better and overhit a number of passes in the second-half, which resulted in a chorus of groans.
Man City via Getty Images
7/23 Victor Wanyama − 5
What a player he was before his knee unfortunately crumbled to dust at the start of last season. In fairness he began to get a grip on the game after a painfully shaky start, but he remains a weakness.
Getty
8/23 Christian Eriksen − 6
A difficult night for the Dane, who was often caught in two minds over whether to remain alongside Victor Wanyama in Tottenham’s midfield or glide forward. Did get much better in the second-half, although he is capable of much, much more. Spurs will need him to step up in Amsterdam.
Getty Images
9/23 Dele − 6
Has been running on empty for at least a fortnight now. Like the vast majority of Tottenham’s players, improved after the tactical switch and had a good chance to equalise at the start of the second-half, instead wastefully heading over the bar. He deserves some time off, to be frank.
Getty Images
10/23 Danny Rose − 5
He just cannot resist diving in, can he? Woefully disorganised in the opening exchanges and could have been sent off for petulantly lashing out at Joel Veltman. Bombed forward well but not his greatest night.
Getty Images
11/23 Lucas Moura − 5
Barely noticed he was playing. Kept exceptionally quiet by Ajax’s kindergarteners at the back.
Getty
12/23 Fernando Llorente − 5
In many ways, the quintessential Fernando Llorente performance. Ugly, gutsy, clumsy, ever so slightly amusing and not especially that effective: tried hard but spurned one of Tottenham’s best chances when he headed wide under little pressure in the first-half.
AFP
13/23 Andre Onan − 6
Didn’t have an awful lot to do. Difficult to think of what to write really, so here are some stats: 2 clearances, 16 passes, 15 of which were long balls. Interesting! Also did his fair share of time-wasting, the rotter.
REUTERS
14/23 Joel Veltman − 6
Spent much of this match in a petty two-man war with Danny Rose. When he wasn’t pulling the full-back’s shirt or himself being dragged back he was effective going forward, combining nicely with the standout Donny van de Beek.
Getty Images
15/23 Daley Blind − 7
The veteran Dutchman enjoyed a successful return to England. Marking Fernando Llorente isn’t an especially onerous task but he did it well enough, and his pace helped him keep Lucas Moura equally quiet on the rare occasions Spurs were able to counter-attack.
AFP/Getty Images
16/23 Matthijs de Ligt − 7
Matthjis de Ligt is nineteen. Nineteen! The youngest ever player to captain his team in a Champions League semi-final was suitably composed this evening, keeping Fernando Llorente quiet and impressing with his silky smooth passing range.
AFP/Getty Images
17/23 Nicolas Tagliafico − 6
Booked for rashly diving in on Christian Eriksen when the rest of Ajax’s defence were well positioned. Solid apart from that.
Getty
18/23 Lasse Schone − 7
A wonderfully workmanlike performance in the middle of the two child geniuses either side of him. Three tackles. One clearance. One interception. He is the oil which keeps this impossibly slick Ajax team running so very smoothly.
REUTERS
19/23 Frenkie De Jong − 8
Hard to believe he is just 21-years-old, when he plays with all the languid composure of Xavi winding down his career at Al Saad in the Qatar Stars League. Everything comes so naturally to him. Had a field day against the statuesque Victor Wanyama: no player completed more passes.
Getty Images
20/23 Hakim Ziyech − 8
To describe his defence-bisecting through ball as merely an ‘assist’ does it a disservice. In reality it was as effective and aesthetically pleasing as a goal, putting it on a plate for Donny van de Beek to open the scoring.
Getty Images
21/23 Donny van de Beek − 8
Took his goal wonderfully well, holding the line and then waiting nervelessly for Hugo Lloris to make his move. Almost doubled Ajax’s advantage just a few moments later.
Action Images via Reuters
22/23 David Neres − 6
Gave Kieran Trippier a thoroughly uncomfortable evening, pinning the Englishman back for long periods and thoroughly ruining Mauricio Pochettino’s three at the back gameplan.
Getty Images
23/23 Dusan Tadic − 7
What on earth have Ajax done with the inconsistent maverick that so frustrated Southampton supporters for four seasons? Played his part in the opening goal and was an entertainingly buzzy presence throughout.
UEFA via Getty Images
Not Blind, who said at his press conference at the Johan Cruyff Arena that “no-one would have predicted it would have turned out like this”, when asked about this run to the semi-finals. Not Tadic, who admitted in Tottenham last week that “nobody thought we would reach the semi-finals of the Champions League”.
Even Erik Ten Hag, the Ajax head coach, could not have foreseen this, but he did not want to dwell on it too much at his press conference. “I don’t live in the past, I live in the now, and that is important,” he said. “The only thing we focus on is tomorrow’s match. But you cannot expect at the start of the season to be sitting here in the semi-finals of the Champions League, that is true.”
And that is what makes Ajax’s achievement so great. If they get through tomorrow night then they would be the first team in the modern history of the Champions League to reach a final having started the competition so early: winning three knock-out rounds before even starting the group stage. Reach the final and this Ajax team will be immortal, regardless of who ends up lifting the cup at the Metropolitano three-and-a-half weeks from now.
Ten Hag knows how big this game is, and why he does not need to inject his players with any extra motivation for it. “Everyone knows what it is about,” he said. “It is the most important match for Ajax in this arena. We don’t need any external motivation.”
But there is an extra pressure on Ajax going into tomorrow night, and it is more than just the pressure of history. It is the pressure of expectation. For so much of this campaign they have been the underdogs, not expected to do anything against teams with far more money and resources than them. And it has allowed them to freely play their expressive enjoyable game. Like when they drew twice with Bayern in the group stage. Or thumped Real Madrid 4-1 at the Bernabeu. Or beat Juventus 2-1 in Turin in the quarters. The dynamic has played in their favour, allowing them to be David, gleefully taking down a series of Goliaths.
But this time is different. Because Ajax are favourites. They have a 1-0 win league to take back home. They are facing a Tottenham side struggling with fatigue and injuries, who have simply not been playing as well as them in recent months, who have taken 10 points from their last 11 league games and who have only held on to fourth place in the table because Arsenal and Manchester United are even worse.
So, for the first time since Sturm Graz 10 months ago, Ajax are expected to go through. If they do not it will be a failure, and a catastrophic one given the stakes. That puts an extra mental pressure on this team. Because it is harder to win when everyone expects you to.
Matthijs De Ligt admitted this last week when discussing the prospect of Ajax’s Dutch cup final against Willem II. “We’re the favourite, so I feel the pressure to win,” De Ligt said. “That’s much less the case when you’re the underdog. So I’m a bit more nervous. With this kind of game, I’m always extra focused.” As it happens, Ajax won 4-0, prompting wild celebrations in Amsterdam as the players returned with the cup.
Ajax will need to aim for the same emphatic attacking performance tomorrow. Ten Hag said they have to put the first-leg lead out of their minds. “We have to win the match,” he said. “We will play for that, and focus on that. We will play to our own strengths and with respect for our adversary. We have self-confidence, we are fit, we are eager, we are ready, we know what we are playing for.”
