SM
Thursday, March 28
Upcoming predictions and previews
SL
Champions League | Semi-Finals
Apr 30, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
A

0-1

 
FT(HT: 0-1)

Spurs vs. Ajax: How the two sides compare ahead of Champions League semi-finals

:Headline: Spurs vs. Ajax: How the two sides compare ahead of Champions League semi-finals: ID:356571: from db_amp
Spurs will face the Dutch side in the last four of the Champions League.

Tottenham will face Ajax in the semi-finals of the Champions League after beating Manchester City.

Here, Press Association Sport looks ahead to the clash with the Dutch side.
 

Key Players

Frenkie De Jong is a key cog for Ajax (Nick Potts/PA)

Ajax's youthful squad have delighted audiences on their thrilling run to the last four. Frenkie De Jong (21) is one of the jewels in the crown. The midfielder was linked with City earlier this season before Barcelona beat them to his signature in a £65million deal. Defender and captain Matthijs De Ligt (19) is another rising star of the Dutch game while winger David Neres (22), forward Kasper Dolberg (21), midfielder Donny Van De Beek (21) and goalkeeper Andre Onana (23) also have bright futures. Add to this the dangerous and more experienced players such as Hakim Ziyech, Dusan Tadic and Klaas Jan Huntelaar, and Ajax have a powerful unit.

Harry Kane will be missing for Spurs (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Tottenham's key players are no secret, even though the main one Harry Kane will be missing through injury. Son Heung-min has really stepped up in Kane's absence and is having a fine season while Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli make things tick going forward. Belgium pair Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld are the defensive kingpins.
 

Managers

Mauricio Pochettino is in uncharted territory, having never got this far in the Champions League, with the round of 16 his previous best run. The Argentinian has one of the best reputations in the game after turning Spurs into a major force in English football without the spending power of their rivals and he has received interest from Real Madrid and Manchester United. The big question mark over him remains his lack of trophies and he would love to put that right in the biggest competition of all.

Erik Ten Hag has guided his young Ajax side to the semi-finals (Nick Potts/PA)

Erik Ten Hag, 49, who had three spells at Twente during an unheralded playing career, had first-team coaching experience at Go Ahead Eagles and Utrecht before landing the Ajax job in December 2017. He led the Amsterdam club to second place in the Eredivisie last year and they are involved in a close title race with PSV Eindhoven this term.
 

Strengths and weaknesses

Tottenham's status as a Premier League powerhouse should mean they are favourites, despite Ajax's list of scalps already taken in previous rounds. When Spurs are at their best they can swamp teams with their high-pressing, high-intensity game. Their speed and quality in attack mean they are always dangerous going forward. However, they are not always at their best and often are accused of going missing in the big games, earning the nickname 'Spursy'. Defensively they are sometimes vulnerable, meaning their games are always entertaining.

Ajax boast some of the hottest young properties in the European game and the energy they provide has served them well in this campaign. They have also shown no fear in the face of some revered opposition and their confidence must be soaring. This will be a difficult result to predict but, in terms of tactics, Pochettino might just have the edge over Ten Hag.

amp_article__356571 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-04-18 07:44:22:
html db last update - 2021-03-11 02:19:57 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .