TURIN • First Real Madrid, now Juventus.
What a story this Champions League campaign is turning into for Ajax, who produced another remarkable performance to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1997, courtesy of a player who was not even born then.
Matthijs de Ligt, Ajax's outstanding 19-year-old captain, ended Cristiano Ronaldo's hopes of a fourth successive Champions League title and a first for Juventus with a towering header in a 2-1 comeback win on Tuesday that completed a 3-2 aggregate quarter-final success.
With Manchester City or Tottenham waiting in their semi-final, de Ligt insisted his young team are a match for anyone and can emulate the 1995 team by winning their fifth European Cup.
"Can we can go on to win the competition? Well, we are in the semi-finals now. And we have eliminated two of the favourites in the last two rounds," he said.
"We don't know what we can achieve, but we are never satisfied. There's so much potential in this team, we are all still quite young and you see us grow every game."
Ajax fell behind to Ronaldo's header in the first half before Donny van de Beek's equaliser drew the tie level on aggregate, with de Ligt's winner just reward for a superb second-half display.
Young and dangerous
FRENKIE DE JONG, 21 MIDFIELDER
Possibly the most high profile of Ajax's youngsters, de Jong has transformed from being an aggressive centre-back to more of a deep-lying midfielder after Daley Blind returned to the club from Manchester United. The Dutch midfielder has already agreed to join Barcelona in the summer on a five-year deal worth €75 million (S$114.7 million).MATTHIJS DE LIGT, 19 DEFENDER
The Dutchman (main picture) may be just 19 years old but he is already captain. A beast in the centre of defence, he can dribble forward from the back, fire laser-guided passes with either foot and has a knack for heading in corners. He will command a fee in excess of £70 million (S$123.5 million).
DAVID NERES, 22 ATTACKER
Skilful and a good dribbler, the 22-year-old Brazilian is a tricky one for full-backs to contain. The forward is excellent at creating space for himself with a neat touch or flick before putting a dangerous cross into the box. Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal and United are now weighing up summer moves for the player.
That 4-1 second-leg win at Real last month seemed freakish as well as brilliant, but the scoreline here could have been similar.
Ajax's dynamic, incisive attacking football was simply too much for Juve to handle, especially in the second half when the visitors created chance after chance.
David Neres, Dusan Tadic and Hakim Ziyech wreaked havoc with their fluid movement and clever touches.
Frenkie de Jong and Lasse Schone controlled midfield and van de Beek was exceptional playing in between the lines.
Ajax coach Erik ten Hag said: "This team grows and grows. We know how to push boundaries every time. And, with Tottenham or Man City, there will be another challenge. We look forward to it."
Barcelona-bound midfielder de Jong believes the win in Turin should have been more emphatic.
"We dominated after the break and were well worth our victory. In fact, we probably should have won by more," said the 21-year-old, who will join the Catalans in the summer for €75 million (S$114.7 million) and is likely to be joined by fellow youth team graduate de Ligt.
Ajax have brought a breath of fresh air to Europe's top club competition, which has been in danger of going stale over the last decade as it has become dominated by a handful of big-money clubs.
Remarkably, Ajax are the first from outside England, Germany, Spain, Italy and France to reach the last four since fellow Dutch side PSV Eindhoven 14 years ago.
Once regarded as a major power in European football, Ajax have in the last 10 years become a feeder club, signing players at a young age, helping them mature and develop before selling them.
Even so, they have been able to build a young team that play exciting, fluid football.
"We are on the way back, the signs are there," said ten Hag. "We have incredible talents and it will get better and better."
THE GUARDIAN, REUTERS
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero will travel with the rest of their squad for their FA Cup semifinal against Brighton and Hove Albion having nearly recovered from a hamstring injury, manager Pep Guardiola said Friday.
Football: Man City's Aguero in frame to face Brighton in FA Cup
Liverpool's stunning victory over Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday was made possible by the belief manager Jurgen Klopp's has instilled in his squad, according to Jose
Jurgen Klopp mentality behind Liverpool's historic comeback
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has admitted sending someone to spy on Derby County in training - but insisted it was "not illegal". Derby called police on Thursday morning following reports
Football: Leeds manager Bielsa admits sending spy to Derby
MILAN: European football governing body UEFA said Friday that the correct anti-racism protocol had not been followed during the Italian league game between Inter Milan and Napoli midweek amid repeated abuse of Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United are not scared of playing the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona at the Camp Nou after drawing the Catalans on Friday. United were originally drawn to play at Barcelona in the first leg, which would have given them the
Solskjaer insists United don't fear Camp Nou test after
Newcastle took a huge step towards securing their Premier League survival as Ayoze Perez sealed a 1-0 win against Leicester on Friday. Rafael Benitez's side moved 10 points clear of the relegation zone thanks to Perez's first half header at the King Power Stadium. Newcastle's first away league win
Ayoze Perez heads Newcastle closer to safety in EPL
Boys & Girls Club of America Programs BGCA has had a long and proud partnership with the military. 460+ Military Youth Centers have benefited from this great partnership. All military youth centers worldwide are affiliated with BGCA. 530,000 + military youth served. Youth Programs offers the following BGCA clubs to JBSA Randolph youth.
Positive Youth Development | Youth.gov
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's instant impact as Manchester United interim manager continued in his first home game in charge as two goals from Paul Pogba helped his team secure a 3-1 win over Huddersfield.
Paul Pogba Strikes Twice as Man Utd Win on Ole Gunnar
Football: Champions League final may 'mess' with England's Nations League schedule, laments Southgate (REUTERS) - England's preparations for their Nations League semi-final against the Netherlands on June 6 could be thrown into disarray if two English Premier League teams reach the Champions League final, national team manager Gareth Southgate
Champions League final may 'mess' with England: Gareth
Son's late winner gives Tottenham edge over Man City CHILDS Champions League Quarter Final First Leg and favourites City beginning to turn the screw, Son sent the home fans inside the
Son's Late Winner Gives Tottenham Champions League Edge Over
Support your favourite team and join us for the Champions League Final live screening! Join us for the Champions League Final live screening and support your favourite team! Catch the match live on screen while enjoying free Prata and Teh Tarik!*
Where to watch the Champions League final - best bars and
FacebookTwitterFacebook MessengerPinterestEmail Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says he has forgiven Chelsea coach Marco Ianni for his celebration of Ross Barkley's late equaliser. As
Jose Mourinho's Manchester United Exit Fee Less than £16
JURGEN KLOPP has warned Liverpool's rivals: This is only the beginning. A staggering 500,000 fans lined the streets yesterday as the Reds paraded the Champions League trophy following their 2-0
Liverpool's win is brilliant culmination of Klopp's inclusive
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar