LONDON (AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE) - Ajax Amsterdam goalkeeper Andre Onana says that the flamboyant European dreamers aren't afraid of anyone as they prepare to continue their wild ride in the Champions League with the first leg of their semi-final at Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday (April 30).
Four-time European champions Ajax are hunting their first major continental triumph since Patrick Kluivert downed AC Milan in the 1995 final and have warmed hearts with a thrilling run to the last four that has recalled the glory days of Johan Cruyff and total football.
Next up are Spurs, who Ajax meet after dispatching reigning European champions Real Madrid and Juventus - tipped by many to win the Champions League this season after signing Cristiano Ronaldo - with thrilling displays that enchanted football fans across the continent.
"After beating Juventus and Real Madrid, you're not afraid of anyone," Onana said in an interview with Agence France-Presse.
"They (Spurs) are a very good team. They have very good players, especially on the counter where they can create problems for us. But it's up to us to handle these situations."
Cameroon international Onana has been a fixture between the sticks as the Dutch giants hunt a historic treble that Ajax have not completed since Cruyff's 1972 heyday, when they won the second of three consecutive European Cups and combined that with the Dutch Cup and league title.
They are also top of the Eredivisie, although level on points with PSV Eindhoven, and take on Willem II in May's domestic cup final.
Â
Â
Â
Asked by AFP if he expected Ajax to go so far in Europe, Onana said: "To be honest, no! It's my first season in the Champions League and, when we qualified for the group stage, it was already like 'wow'."
Ajax's continental campaign kicked off against Austrian side Sturm Graz way back in July, the first of three qualifying rounds they had to negotiate before making the groups.
"We said to ourselves, there are six matches, let's see if we can hang on to the Europa League!"
Instead, Ajax finished comfortably second in Group E, unbeaten and only two points behind eventual group winners Bayern Munich, and now have a realistic chance of joining the Bavarians on five European Cups after turning on the style in the knockout rounds.
"It's the philosophy of the club and it's important for us to stay true to it: control the game, keep possession... it's clear that fans have been enjoying watching it, and we have fun playing it," said Onana.
Ajax have extra motivation going into their clash at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as they know that this is the last chance for this group of players to shock everyone and snatch the biggest prize in football.
Star midfielder Frenkie de Jong will leave for Barcelona in the summer for an initial €75 million (S$114 million), while centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, who sent Juventus packing with a bullet header in the quarter finals, could follow his teammate to Catalonia.
After knocking out Real, coach Frank de Boer admitted that forwards Hakim Ziyech and David Neres and Onana would also all be targeted by Europe's biggest clubs come the end of the season.
And the stopper wants to sign off this era with the perfect parting gift after missing out on the Europa League to Manchester United in 2017.
"It's clear that this is our objective. Not just for the goal in and of itself, but for us, because after this season, there will be a lot of players who will leave," said Onana.
"It is important for us to do something big. If that means winning the treble, well that will be simply beautiful."
Champions League final may 'mess' with England: Gareth Southgate Description: Southgate's squad for this month's European Championship qualifiers has 13 players from the four clubs, including Spurs striker Harry Kane, Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and City winger Raheem Sterling.
Southgate frustrated by Champions League fixture 'mess
A woman has accused Brazil football star Neymar of raping her in Paris, according to a Sao Paulo police report seen by Reuters. Neymar's representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Brazil soccer star Neymar denies alleged rape in Paris
Soccer Football - Premier League - Leicester City v Cardiff City - King Power Stadium, Leicester, Britain - December 29, 2018 Cardiff City's Victor Camarasa scores their first goal Action Images vi
Football: Cardiff earn first away win with late Camarasa
Liverpool's Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah holds the trophy after winning the UEFA Champions League final football match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on June 1, 2019.
Champions League: Mohamed Salah lauds 'unbelievable
Gylfi Sigurdsson deepened Cardiff City's Premier League relegation fears with two well-taken goals in Everton's 3-0 victory in the Welsh capital on Tuesday. A first half low on quality was illuminated by one flowing move in the 41st minute which ended with Sigurdsson firing low into the corner after being picked out by Seamus Coleman.
Sigurdsson double helps Everton sink Cardiff
Believe. Get ready for Tottenham Hotspur's UEFA Champions League semi-final second against Ajax! Subscribe to Spurs TV on YouTube:
Solskjaer needs to be held accountable for Man United's slide (2:09) Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was praised for his early success at Man United, but the FC crew say he also deserves criticism for
As Solskjær soars, how many extra points does a manager
PARIS, June 7 (Reuters) - France got off to a perfect start in the women's World Cup as the hosts beat South Korea 4-0 in the opening game at the Parc des Princes on Friday. Eugenie Le Sommer and
Football: France make light work of South Korea in World Cup
Klopp hails 'best night' of his life after ending final hex. AFP June 2, 2019, 12:31 AM UTC. Jurgen Klopp has broken his cup final hex after winning the Champions League
Jurgen Klopp hails 'best night' of his life after ending
Football: Double injury blow for Spurs ahead of Liverpool clash Eric Dier sustains an injury during the Euro 2020 qualifier between England and the Czech Republic. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Double injury blow for Spurs ahead of Liverpool clash | SBS News
Man City title hopes hit by shock defeat at Newcastle The Saigon Times Daily Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts during the match at St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain January 29, 2019 - PHOTO: REUTERS
Man City title hopes hit by shock defeat at Newcastle - The
Football: Home United claim Community Shield in 5-4 shoot-out win over Albirex Niigata SINGAPORE -Home United have started the 2019 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season on a positive note after beating defending champions Albirex Niigata 5-4 on penalties in the Community Shield on Saturday (Feb 23) evening .
Home United clinch Community Shield after shoot-out victory
Lions hungry for victory. Coach Petar Segrt (second from right), in his first match in charge of the Maldives, will be looking to reverse a run of five losses to Singapore, who will be led by
Lions hungry to keep winning after earning rare victory - The
The victory saw Madrid climb to third place on 36 points, three ahead of Sevilla who have failed to win in their last four league outings, while Barcelona, who host Leganes on Sunday, are top with 43.
Madrid climb to third with vital win over Sevilla - Reuters
0 comments:
Post a Comment