London: It has been termed as the battle of underdogs, as Tottenham face off Ajax in the first leg of the Champions League semifinal on Tuesday. As for Ajax, they reached the last four of the competition by shocking Juventus with a 2-1 win in Turin, this first leg at Tottenham’s glittering new north London arena sees two of the UCL’s most entertaining sides pitted against each other in the last four. Tottenham have long since had a similar, if less prolific strategy.
Both of these teams have scored in every one of their Champions League knockout matches. Ajax haven’t reached a Champions League final since 1996. Lucas Moura, the Brazilian has been a good player for Tottenham this season and has continually stepped up when other key attacking players have been missing.
He will be expected to provide the main goal threat, due to the injury to Harry Kane and suspension of Son Heung-min. Although he hasn’t played a major role in the Champions League success, he has featured in the competition, scoring two goals.
Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping that the former PSG player can add to that total on Tuesday night to give the side something to defend in the Netherlands. During the previous round, the team’s narrow 1-0 win at home proved crucial as they were able to progress on away goals. They will likely need a similar result in the semi-final, as Ajax will be capable of scoring more than once at home.
The demand of a gruelling fixture list finally caught up with Mauricio Pochettino’s side at the weekend, as Spurs suffered their first defeat at their new stadium, losing 1-0 to West Ham on Saturday, and the Tottenham boss blamed his side’s ‘stress and fatigue’ for the defeat.
However, Spurs’ defensive ranks are likely to be bolstered by the return of Vertonghen to the fold. The Belgium international was rested for Saturday’s defeat to West Ham, but should return to face his former side in north London. Meanwhile, Ajax have their own injury problems in almost all areas of the pitch. Winger Hassane Bande continues to recover from fibula shaft fractures, whilst defensive midfielder Carel Eiting and right back Noussair Mazraoui continue to nurse knee and ankle injuries respectively.
If a defeat to West Ham heading into Tuesday’s encounter may have clouded Tottenham’s preparations with doubt, Spurs can take encouragement from the fact that they have beaten Ajax on each of the side’s previous meetings.
The two sides have met just twice previously, with both encounters coming in the 1981 European Cup and Winners’ Cup.
