Tottenham\'s French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (center, foreground) celebrates victory with his teammates and supporters on May 8, 2019, at the end of the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final between Tottenham Hotspur and Ajax Amsterdam at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam. Tottenham fought back from three goals down on aggregate to stun Ajax 3-2 to advance to the final against Liverpool.
AMSTERDAM, THURSDAY – A day after the “miraculous” Liverpool at Anfield, another English team, Tottenham Hotspur, surprised the world by defeating Ajax Amsterdam in the semifinal of the Champions League on Thursday (9/5/2019) at dawn Indonesian time.Sky Sports likened the Spurs’ success in Amsterdam to the magic show of Harry Houdini, the famous illusionist. Like Houdini, the London-based team did what was almost impossible. In the blink of an eye, they escaped from “death” and crushed the haunting “iron bars” called Johan Cruyff Arena. Before the match kicked off, only a few people believed Spurs would defeat Ajax, which has recently impressed the world through its impressive and aggressive game, a la total football left by Johan Cruyff.
At its home base, Tottenham was defeated by Ajax 0-1 last week. They came to Amsterdam with a limp in the absence of striker Harry Kane due to injury.
Unsurprisingly, British media reported that Spurs would find its death in Amsterdam. The prediction seemed to be coming true, at least in the first half. Spurs were dictated to by Ajax’s young squad and was left 0-2 down in the first half. Yet, a miracle happened in the second half following a change of strategy by Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino.
The guest team counter attack and led the game through Lucas Moura, Spurs striker, at 90+6 or injury time. Spurs won 3-2 and qualified for the final against Liverpool in Madrid on June 1, thanks to the team’s aggressiveness during the away match. Tottenham became the first team this millennium to qualify for the Champions League final after losing the first match at home.
AFP/OLI SCARFF
Liverpool\'s Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum (center) celebrates with English midfielder Jordan Henderson (left) and English defender Trent Alexander-Arnold on May 7, 2019, after scoring their third goal during the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield in Liverpool, northwest England.
Ironically, the last team before Spurs to do the same was Ajax in 1996. That was Ajax’s last final in the competition. “All in black, Pochettino came dressed for a funeral but finished up at a fiesta. On the other hand, for Ajax, Moura’s goal will haunt them forever,” wrote Paul Hayward in The Telegraph.
The success of Spurs to overcome a three-goal deficit (including from the first match) could not be separated from the brilliant tactics and courage of Pochettino. After the halftime break, he played Fernando Llorente. The 1.9 meter tall striker was a trick to distract the concentration of the Ajax defenders led by Matthijs de Ligt.Ajax was worried about Llorente’s height. Ajax defenders De Ligt and Daley Blind focused more on Llorente, leaving Moura free to attack. Moura, who was dropped by Paris Saint-Germain after picking up the most expensive player, Neymar, scored three goals.
Nevertheless, Pochettino chose to appreciate the performance of his players rather than speak about his tactics. He likened his players to superheroes who fought against the impossible. He said mental strength played a more important role than technical details.
AFP/OLI SCARFF
Barcelona\'s Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez (center) reacts after Liverpool scored its third goal on May 7, 2019 during the second leg of the UEFA Champions league semi-final between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield in Liverpool, northwest England.
“Before, nobody believed we could do that. But we have faith,” said the Argentinian coach.
According to Spurs defender Danny Rose the team’s rise was inspired by Liverpool, the team that defeated Barcelona 4-0 in the previous semifinal match. “We watched
Liverpool the night before. It showed nothing is impossible before the match ends,” he said.
AFP/EMMANUEL DUNAND
Ajax Amsterdam players react after losing the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Tottenham on May 8, 2019 at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam. The Spurs fought back from three goals down on aggregate to stun Ajax 3-2 to advance to the final against Liverpool.
On the other hand, for Ajax, the match was an example of the two faces of soccer, namely beauty and cruelty. “It feels like a dream that became a nightmare. We were so close to the final. But [in the last seconds] there were goals. It’s unbelievable,” said De Ligt, who was down after the match. (AFP/REUTERS/JON)
