AMSTERDAM • Praises have flowed for the Ajax academy graduates, who have stayed true to the "total football" philosophy espoused by Johan Cruyff in their rousing run from the qualifiers to the final four of the Champions League.
However, after failing to end a 24-year European Cup drought on Wednesday, the reality dawned on coach Erik ten Hag and his players that his team will now inevitably be broken up in the summer.
The Dutch league leaders were undone 3-2 on the night by a Lucas Moura hat-trick, including his added-time goal that punched Tottenham's ticket to the final on away goals despite the tie ending 3-3.
This season, Ajax have been a butterfly team, here for one glorious summer, but whose wings are already beginning to disintegrate a little in the sunlight.
Yet ten Hag found consolation in their "fantastic" European campaign despite the heartbreaking nature of their semi-final exit.
He said: "Football can be very beautiful and it can be very cruel. We have had to experience that today. We were one second away from the final and for that, our team deserves a very big compliment. I'm very proud of my players."
Despite his pride, he rued the golden opportunity that slipped through their fingers, after goals from Matthijs de Ligt and Hakim Ziyech gave them a commanding 3-0 aggregate lead.
The Dutchman added: "If you're 2-0 up, you have to make sure you win and we failed to do that. In the first phase after half-time, we lost our grip on the game, they played a more opportunistic game.
"At 2-2, we dominated again and we created chances. It's very bitter that none of those went in and they scored a very fortunate goal in the last seconds, maybe even past what should have been the last second."
De Ligt heads a list of names that will likely be sold, including Ziyech, who hit the post; David Neres, who was injured during the warm-up; and Donny van de Beek, the first-leg match-winner. Frenkie de Jong has already agreed a blockbuster move to Barcelona.
While captain-defender de Ligt, 19, admitted he "did not know how to recover from this" and that it was "a dream that went bad", he told Dutch TV channel Veronica that Ajax were still going to fight for a domestic double.
The Dutch Cup winners lead the Eredivisie on goal difference from PSV Eindhoven with two matches left.
REUTERS, THE GUARDIAN
In total, he has won nine La Liga titles with the club, as well as four in the Champions League and six in the Copa del Rey. "Messi is a one-club man," Bartomeu added. "It's more than what he does on the pitch, his relationship with Barca will last forever. "I use the example of Pele, who was always at Santos. We want Messi to always be at
Josep Maria Bartomeu Wants to Keep Lionel Messi 'Forever' as
Premier League: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's winning run ends after Manchester United rescue draw against Burnley Wednesday, 30 January 2019 * Man United fought back with late goals in 2-2 draw with Burnley * Burnley keeper Tom Heaton frustrated United * Paul Pogba's penalty reduced the deficit
United late show rescues draw as Solskjaer's winning run ends
Jan Vertonghen celebrates a goal with his teammates.(Reuters) Defender Jan Vertonghen scored once and set up another goal for Son Heung-min as Tottenham Hotspur beat Borussia Dortmund 3-0 at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday to give them the clear edge following the first leg of their last 16 Champions League tie.
Champions League: Son Shines As Tottenham Beat Dortmund 3-0
Pep Guardiola claimed he still doesn't believe Manchester City can win the quadruple after his side reached the FA Cup final with a 1-0 win over Brighton on Saturday.
Guardiola coy over quadruple bid after City reach FA Cup final
A 400th Liga goal for Lionel Messi and a brace from Luis Suarezsaw Barcelona breeze past Eibar at Camp Nou on Saturday evening and the champions are now five points clear at the competition's halfway stage.
Lionel Messi notches Real Madrid LaLiga record - Sportstar
Edinson Cavani is a major doubt for Paris St Germain's Champions League clash with Manchester United after picking up a thigh injury in his team's 1-0 Ligue 1 win over Girondins de Bordeaux on Saturday. The Uruguay striker left the pitch on the stroke of halftime holding his thigh, soon after scoring with a penalty in the 42nd minute.
Cavani doubtful for Man United game, Latest Football News
Rice Scores First Hammers Goal to Defeat Arsenal - News18
Crystal Palace 1-3 Manchester United: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praises Romelu Lukaku impact. Forward Alexis Sanchez failed to impress in another lacklustre showing, but striker Lukaku scored two well
Lukaku inspires Man United to 3-1 win at Palace - Reuters
Football: Jose Mourinho says he lacked help in Manchester United job Related Story. Football: Where next for Jose Mourinho as Real Madrid have an itch to scratch? China and France are options.
Should Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho part ways?
Guardiola coy over quadruple bid after City reach FA Cup final City can win the quadruple after his side reached the FA Cup final with a 1-0 win over Brighton on Saturday. but City manager
Guardiola coy over quadruple bid after City reach FA Cup final
Rafael Benítez fumes after Wolves deny Newcastle with stoppage-time equaliser by Peter Lansley at Molineux 3 months ago Rafael Benítez must hate it when the fourth official holds up the board for added time against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Rafael Benítez fumes after Wolves deny Newcastle with
PSG coach Tuchel hits out at Neymar after fan attack French Cup final Thomas Tuchel on Monday blasted Neymar for hitting a fan who insulted Paris Saint-Germain players as they filed up to
PSG coach Tuchel hits out at Neymar after fan attack
0 comments:
Post a Comment