Everything on... Ajax

On Wednesday night, we take to the field in Amsterdam as we look to overturn a first-leg deficit in our semi-final clash against Ajax and progress to the Champions League Final.

A week ago, we were unable to find a way past the Dutch side in the home leg of the last four tie as Donny van de Beek’s strike on 15 minutes gave our visitors the advantage in N17.

Here’s everything you need to know about our opponents as we look to turn the tables at the Johan Cruyff Arena...

Team news

Ajax manager Erik ten Hag expects to have almost all of his squad available for the second leg, with only forward David Neres regarded as a doubt for the game.

One to watch

Midfielder Frenkie de Jong was at the centre of every move Ajax made in their victory in north London last Tuesday. A controlling presence in midfield, De Jong came through the youth academy at Willem II before moving to Amsterdam in 2015.

And, despite only being a 21-year-old, the Dutch international has made nearly a century of appearances for Wednesday's hosts although, with a move to Barcelona already confirmed for this summer, it looks unlikely that the youngster will reach that milestone for his current side.

While on the international scene, since making his debut for the Netherlands in 2018, he has been an almost permanent fixture for his country, missing just a single game so far.

Ajax’s form

Our opponents ended their five-year spell without silverware over the weekend as they defeated Willem II 4-0 on Saturday in the KNVB Cup final.

Daley Blind opened the scoring for Ajax on 38 minutes before that was immediately doubled as, just 60 seconds later, Klass-Jan Huntelaar slotted in from close range.

The striker got his second of the game 22 minutes after the restart as he fired into an empty net and then, on 76 minutes, Rasmus Kristensen completed the victory, finishing off a fine team move with a strike from the edge of the box.

Previous meetings

30 April, 2019 – Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Ajax – UEFA Champions League semi-final, first leg
29 September, 1981 – Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Ajax – UEFA European Cup Winners’ Cup, first round, second leg
16 September, 1981 – Ajax 1-3 Tottenham Hotspur - UEFA European Cup Winners’ Cup, first round, first leg

Previous clash

A week ago on Tuesday, we stepped foot into our first ever UEFA Champions League semi-final but were unable to take the advantage on home turf as we suffered a 1-0 defeat to Ajax in north London.

On 15 minutes, Van de Beek was played in by Hakim Ziyech before placing the ball past Hugo Lloris to give our visitors the lead. In a game of few opportunities, Fernando Llorente had the chance to put us back on terms not long after but could not quite get his header on target before David Neres later came close to doubling the Dutch side's lead, hitting the upright in the second period.

Played for both

Making 61 appearances for us between 2005 and 2007, striker Mido also had two spells with Ajax, representing them between 2001 and 2003 before returning there in 2010.

Beginning his career with Egyptian side Zamalek, the forward moved on to Gent and then straight onto Ajax after just a single season in Belgium. He helped the Amsterdam outfit to the Eredivisie title and KNVB Cup in 2002 before, following moves to Celta Vigo, Marseille and Roma, the former Egypt international arrived in north London in 2005.

While at the Lane, he found himself in competition for a starting berth with Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe but still managed to score 19 goals in his time with us. Spells at Middlesbrough, Wigan, Zamalek and West Ham United followed before he returned to Ajax in 2010, claiming another Eredivisie title at the end of his single campaign back on the banks of the Amstel.

He retired from playing in June, 2013, after leaving Championship side Barnsley.

What they’re saying

Ajax boss Erik ten Hag spoke to members of the media in his press conference on Tuesday afternoon and highlighted the significance of his side’s away goal in the tie, but admitted that he still believes his team will need to win the second leg in order to progress to the final.

“Last week the away goal was important,” he explained. “We made that and won, and we have to finish it at home. That will demand something from our mindset.

“It will be 0-0, we'll have to play our own game in a full arena in a great atmosphere. That will help us, but we'll have to do it ourselves.

"We'll have to win the match. We'll play for that. We'll play to our own strengths and respect our adversity. Of course, we have to win. It's a new game to play.”