Match Threads Spurs vs Ajax - Match Thread - Semi-final 1st leg

[Bulletspur]

SPURS 0-1 AJAX
van der Beek​

Spurs: Lloris (c), Trippier (Foyth), Sanchez, Alderweireld, Vertonghen (Sissoko), Wanyama, Rose ((Davies), Eriksen, Dele, Lucas, Llorente.
Subs: Gazzaniga, Walker-Peters, Dier, Skipp.

Ajax:

Official Site Match Centre
Four changes to the team that started against West Ham at the weekend - Trippier for Foyth, Vertonghen for Davies, Wanyama for Dier and Llorente for the suspended Son.

Match: ___ Champions League Semi-final - 1st leg

When: ____ Tuesday April 30th 2019

Where: ____ Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Kick Off: ____ 8:00pm

Team Form: ___ Spurs -- WLLWL _____ Ajax _DWWWW ___ (All competitions)

We have won both of our previous meetings with Ajax in all competitions, winning both legs in the first round of the 1981-82 Cup Winners’ Cup (1-3 away, 3-0 at home).

They have won just one of their six previous Champions League meetings with English opposition (3-1 vs Man City in October 2012), with all three of their away games finishing as draws (twice vs Arsenal, once vs Man City).

We are looking to become the 40th different team to reach the final of the European Cup/ Champions League, and eighth different English side (already more than any other nation). The last team to reach the final for the first time were our London rivals Chelsea 2008. We are playing in our first European / Champions league semi-final since 1961-62, when we were eliminated by eventual winners Benfica.

After knocking out both Real Madrid and Juventus, Ajax became the first side in European Cup/Champions league history to progress from two different knockout rounds within the same campaign when failing to win their first leg at home.

Of sides to have appeared in at least five European Cup / Champions League semi-finals, only Benfica (7/8 – 85%), AC Milan (10/12 – 83.3%) and Liverpool (8/10 – 80%) have a higher progression rate to the final than Ajax (6/8 – 75%). The Dutch side are playing in their first Champions League semi-final since 1996-97, when they lost to Juventus.

We have won eight of our last ten Champions League home games (L2), including each of our last four in a row. We have also kept a clean sheet in each our last three.

Ajax have won their last three away games in the Champions League, as many as they had in their previous 231 on the road in the competition (w3 D11 L17). The average age of Ajax’s starting XI in the CL this season has been 24 years and 257 days – the youngest of any of the semi-finalists, and second youngest of all 32 teams to take part in the competition this season.

Son’s brace for us against Man City in our last game made him the highest Asian goal scorer in the Champions League history (12 goals). All four of his goals this season have come in the knock out stage.
Only Lionel Messi (13) has been directly involved in more Champions League goals this season than Ajax’s Dusan Tadic (9 – 6 goals 3 assists).

 

[Bulletspur]

Why am I nervous? This is the big one, one of the biggest in our history. The entire footballing world including its entire media without the distraction of Naymar, Mbappe, Messi, Ronaldo, Real Madrid Juventus, Barcelona, PSG, Aguero, Man City, Pep and the likes, will now be focused on our Lily whites to see how we perform in the biggest club cup competition in the world!

We therefore have to give a good showing and not embarrass ourselves. If we are to lose, we have to do so fighting with our heads held high and not succumb as we did against our most recent opponents West ham.

Some how I see this one as a draw in their favour as I think we will concede, but I hope not.

 

[panoma]

Hopefully we can keep a clean sheet tomorrow and deny Ajax room to counter in. They seem to do most of the damage away from home when the opposition are expected to lead the game.

 

[$hoguN]

Tomorrow’s game is about keeping it tight and not allowing Ajax to nick away goals. The problem is that for about 18 months now we seem to engage full clown mode at least twice a game and let the opposition in for ridiculously good chances.

I would feel much better for this game if we had Kane, Winks and Sissoko tbh. They are huge misses at this crucial point of the season.

 

[jolsnogross]

I'll be happy if the tie is still alive after this 1st leg. That may be overly negative, but we've not been fluid for a while now and you fear we might lose our heads against slick opposition. The one thing in our favor; our two best results in the later part of the season were home CL legs against Dortmund and City. Another one here would be great.

 

[TheHoddleWaddle]

With the injury and suspensions to key players we are significantly weaker.

I just want the lads to go out and put a proper shift in. As long as they do that, I'll have no complaints regardless of the result.

 

[GobbyJJ]

COYS

 

[shelfboy68]

Tomorrow’s game is about keeping it tight and not allowing Ajax to nick away goals. The problem is that for about 18 months now we seem to engage full clown mode at least twice a game and let the opposition in for ridiculously good chances.

I would feel much better for this game if we had Kane, Winks and Sissoko tbh. They are huge misses at this crucial point of the season.

Can't see us keeping a clean sheet we couldn't keep shitty hammers out.

 

[Seafordian Spurs]

Can't wait. Honestly, what have we got to lose? No one- no one - expected this team to be in a Champions League Semi Final this season (if any!).

Trust in Poch and enjoy, whatever it brings.

X

 

[worcestersauce]

Can't see us keeping a clean sheet we couldn't keep shitty hammers out.

Though we kept Manchester City out.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

Can't see us keeping a clean sheet we couldn't keep shitty hammers out.

We would have if we had a competitive line up and not played 7 defensive players. It was if we threw the game like we did against City.

 

[shelfboy68]

We would have if we had a competitive line up and not played 7 defensive players. It was if we threw the game like we did against City.

Think west ham wanted it more we did the same against them last year in the league cup 2-0 and fell apart we are quite charitable with our neighbors giving them something to cheer about

 

[degoose]

bit of a strange one really this game. Against Ajax i would have been very hopeful but due to the amount of injuries we have had and the lack of options on the bench to change a game if needed it now looks really tough. Son also not being available is a real blow. I'm not even sure what kind of team will line up. Vertonghen should be fit after having a break so i guess trips,toby,vertonghen and rose in defence. What is set up in front of that though i have no idea.

 

[shelfboy68]

Though we kept Manchester City out.

True although we did manage to let four almost five in but nevertheless we have a semi final at hand to try and negotiate so all the best team.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

I'm hopeful but not confident. I think we have players available who can score. However, biggest issue is that Ajax play with very strong combinations of WBs and attackers, and I don't quite see how we have the ability to defend against them. Think we must constantly bring the battle to our final third. Main blow to us is that Son is out, but let's just tie us over to the away leg and hope for the best.

 

[Shadydan]

True although we did manage to let four almost five in but nevertheless we have a semi final at hand to try and negotiate so all the best team.

Not in the 1st leg...

 

[Primativ]

Too many players out of form for me.

Alli is horrible at the moment and offers no goal threat.

Moura is far too hot and cold and can’t be relied upon for goals.

Llorente . Meh. Janssen, can’t score in a brothel.

I think only Eriksen will maybe come up with the goods..

Plus we have no midfield. Dier is woeful at the moment. Sissoko probably not fit and even if he does play, is hardly going to be in top condition.

Winks out. Wanyama looks a shadow of the player he was.

It’s gutting to go into such a big game with such a makeshift side but Levy and Poch asked for this when they signed no one for two windows straight.

So instead of being really excited for tomorrow, I’m actually feeling quite down about it. Maybe it’s just because we were so poor versus West Ham, but I have little belief the team we will put out has enough about it to hurt Ajax.

 

[Kiedis]

So what are we looking at?

Lloris; Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen; Trippier, Alli, Wanyama, Eriksen, Rose; Moura, Llorente?

 

[Mr Pink]

Poch and the players will be massively up for this. The physical aspect will be tough for Ajax if we're at it.

 

[EZSpur]

bit of a strange one really this game. Against Ajax i would have been very hopeful but due to the amount of injuries we have had and the lack of options on the bench to change a game if needed it now looks really tough. Son also not being available is a real blow. I'm not even sure what kind of team will line up. Vertonghen should be fit after having a break so i guess trips,toby,vertonghen and rose in defence. What is set up in front of that though i have no idea.

This is exactly what has been on my mind (and probably on a lot of other fans minds too) - the defence pretty much sorts itself out, and to some extent Eriksen, Dele and Moura upfront also picks itself - but it's the midfield that worries me.
If Moussa isn't fit then can Dier and Wanyama put a shift in - are they able to handle the Ajax counter.
And does Llorente start - if so, it only leaves Janssen as our main attacking sub.

Look! - I'm just anxious cos this game is MASSIVE! And i can'r wait for it.
I'm sure the players will be well up for this one, no matter who plays!!
COYS!!