Ajax Amsterdam News

Liverpool defeated Ajax Amsterdam 1-0 away with a fortunate own goal in their Champions League group-stage opener on Wednesday. Ajax fullback Nicolas Tagliafico turned the ball into his own net in the 35th minute to ensure a winning start in Group D for the English champions. Liverpool, who won their sixth Champions League title in 2019, still proved value for their victory, dominating possession and counter attacking at pace.

Group H leaders Ajax travel to Stamford Bridge on November 5.

Ajax have managed to keep the bulk of last season`s team together, with Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong the only major departures, and fielded seven of the players who started the second leg of their dramatic semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur in May.

De Ligt, who captained his former club in their thrilling run to the Champions League semi-finals last season, said he did not feel any additional pressure after becoming one of the most expensive defenders in the world.

The midfielder was one of the heroes of Ajax’s unexpected progress to the Champions League semi-finals, where they were beaten by Tottenham Hotspur. 

One of the disappointments of the season has been the form of playmaker Paulo Dybala, who has struggled to adapt his role following Ronaldo`s arrival.

Van Persie`s 50 goals in 102 appearances make him the top goalscorer for the Netherlands national team and his club achievements include winning the FA Cup with Arsenal and the Premier League with Manchester United.

The result ended Ajax`s long, and barely plausible, ride through three preliminary rounds, starting in July, to the last four of the competition.

Tottenham`s Champions League campaign had looked all but over after they picked up one point from their first three group games.

Donny van de Beek`s well-taken 15th-minute goal put Ajax firmly in the driving seat against a disappointing Spurs side who face a tough task to turn around the semi-final in next week`s second leg in Amsterdam.

Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz spoke to the Spurs medical staff before allowing Vertonghen back onto the pitch, only for the 32-year-old Belgian to quickly go off again.

With forwards Harry Kane and Son Heung-min unavailable through injury and suspension respectively, Spurs were blunt in attack and they also lacked creativity in midfield as they slumped to their 18th defeat of the season in all competitions.

Such was Ajax`s domination in the early stages that they could already have virtually sealed a place in the final -- but they had to be content with Van de Beek`s 15th-minute goal.

The Turin club wrapped up an eighth successive league title last weekend but found themselves behind early on to a wonder-strike from Inter midfielder Radja Nainggolan.

Ajax will visit Tottenham Hotspur in Tuesday’s semi-final first leg and are chasing a domestic league and cup double.

Allegri said that Tuesday`s 2-1 home defeat by the Dutch side needed to be kept in perspective.

Ajax were due to play relegation-threatened De Graafschap on April 28, two days before the trip to Spurs, but the Dutch FA plan to rearrange all games in the penultimate round of fixtures.

Liverpool have been allocated 4,620 away tickets priced at 119 euros ($133.70) each for the first leg in Spain on May 1.

Spurs, who won the first leg 1-0, will play Ajax Amsterdam for a place in the final against Liverpool or Barcelona after one of the most remarkable matches in the competition`s history.

The 3-2 aggregate win ensured unlikely semi-final qualification for the Dutch club who have come all the way through the preliminary rounds of the competition.