Seeing off both Real Madrid and Juventus on their way to a semi-final of the Champions League against Tottenham, Ajax Amsterdam have been the big surprise of this year’s competition.
Fielding a successful mix of experience and youth while sticking to their attacking philosophies, the Eredivisie side will now try and emulate the team of 1994-95 by lifting the trophy on June 1st.
However, before they do that, they will have to overcome Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs, who knocked out Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on away goals after a thrilling return leg at the Etihad.
After their past victories against two of Europe’s biggest teams, Hakim Ziyech, who has been instrumental to Ajax’s successes this season with 20 goals and 20 assists in 44 appearances in all competitions, believes it will be a very even matchup.
“They have a lot of experience, but if you look at our way of playing, we have a few advantages over them, so I think it’s 50-50. It’s hard to come to terms that we’re a step away from the final, but we can’t focus on that for now. Only on our semi-final”.
The Morocco international also went on to reveal that the toughest team they faced in the Champions League this season wasn’t Real Madrid or Juventus, but Benfica in the group stages, only managing a 1-1 draw away after a 1-0 win at home.
Tottenham will want to ensure that changes over the next few weeks.
