Probably the best and worst thing about being a Spur fan right now is I have no freaking idea what to expect. With expectation so ambivalent, it will be hard to be disappointed, and easy to be happy with most outcomes.
Ajax are no mugs, they played Real Madrid and Juventus off the pitch in previous rounds and if we don't take a disciplined approach, like we did against Dortmund and City, we will be thrashed. They are led by the excellent Frenkie de Jong in midfield, who is off to Barcelona this summer and with good reason. They play a 4-2-3-1, with Hakim Ziyech on the right and David Neres on the left, with former Saints man Dusan Tadic playing as a false 9 ahead of Donny van de Beek. Our ex-manger Martin Jol thinks we should sign Ziyech. They play a high press and attack in waves, which means if we move the ball quickly, we will get chances because their style does create opportunities for the opposition.
Lloris (c) Trippier Sanchez Toby Verts Wanyama Rose Eriksen Dele Lucas Llorente Gazza, Foyth, Walker-Peters, Davies, Dier, Skipp, Sissoko I'm heading off to the pub now, so you won't be hearing from me again during the match. oh, please, please, please, please …
Here are the teams! Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris, Trippier, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose, Wanyama, Eriksen, Dele, Lucas Moura, Llorente. Subs: Gazzaniga, Foyth, Walker-Peters, Davies, Dier, Skipp, Sissoko. Ajax: Onana, Veltman, de Ligt, van de Beek, Neres, Tadic, Blind, Schone, de Jong, Ziyech, Tagliafico. Subs: Varela, Sinkgraven, Huntelaar, Mazraoui, Magallan, Dolberg, de Wit. Looks like we are playing a back 3 with wingbacks.
This is only our second semi-final in this competition (1962) and our first European semi-final since 1984 (Uefa Cup).
Ajax are unbeaten away from home in the CL, 3 won, 2 drawn, 10 scored and 4 conceded. At home in the CL, we have won our last 4, with 7 scored and 1 conceded.
Giveaway by Sanchez results in an Ajax corner. Van de Beek hooks over from outside the area. An early warning, they will not give us time to dwell on the ball.
Dreadful defending, the back 4 are too slow to move out and Van de Beek could have had a cup of tea, cooked a tin of beans and walked his dog before slotting past Lloris.
We are getting destroyed, Rose gives away a free kick down by the corner flag. This tie could be over by HT if we don't wake up.