Ajax host Tottenham Hotspur in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday night.
Donny van de Beek’s away goal is all that separates these two ahead of this reverse fixture leaving this one tantalisingly poised.
Tottenham welcome back Son Heung-min from suspension this time and will go in search of that all-important away goal from the get go.
Ajax are no pushovers, however, as both Real Madrid and Juventus will attest.
Here’s everything you need to know:
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
Prediction
Tottenham need to start well after doing the exact opposite a week ago. Ajax exploded out of the blocks then and could and perhaps should have put this one out of Spurs’ reach in that opening period.
But they did not and Spurs’ deficit is only the one goal. That will still be no easy task, however, especially against a side as impressive as the hosts have been in this tournament.
Expect Ajax to see plenty of the ball early on as they again bid to hit the ground running. How Spurs combat that first salvo could decide the outcome of the tie.
The return of Son Heung-min gives them much more threat than Fernando Llorente did last week going the other way and his energy should see Spurs recover the ball more efficiently and more often than they did then.
This won’t be easy and Ajax have seen off the likes of Real Madrid and Juventus already, but they’ve never done so as favourites. Maybe just maybe that weighs on them and Spurs find a way again. 1-2, Spurs progress on away goals.
What time is it and how can I watch it?
The game kicks off at 8pm at Johan Cruijff ArenA. The match will be broadcast on BT Sport 2 and BT Sport 4K UHD.
Subscribers can also stream the clash online via the BT Sport website.
Team news
Ajax have no new injury concerns and took the chance to rest a few key players in their cup final win over Willem II at the weekend.
Jan Vertonghen should be fit to return for the visitors after his nasty-looking head injury a week ago. He missed Saturday’s defeat at Bournemouth but should be good to go in Amsterdam.
Son Heung-min, who missed the first leg through suspension, is back and will be adequately rested after being sent off at the weekend.
The game is likely to come too soon for Harry Kane, however, with the England striker still recovering from an ankle knock picked up in the quarter-finals.
Predicted line-ups
Ajax: Onana, Mazrouai, De Ligt, Blind, Tagliafico, Schone, De Jong, Ziyech, Van de Beek, Neres, Tadic
Tottenham: Lloris, Tripper, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose, Wanyama, Sissoko, Eriksen, Alli, Lucas, Son
Odds
Ajax 23/20
Draw 11/4
Tottenham 12/5
(Odds via Betfair)
