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Image Source - UEFA Champions League Twitter Account |
Tottenham Hotspur FC vs AFC Ajax
RESULT— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 30, 2019
Ajax claim impressive first-leg victory at Tottenham
First-half Donny van de Beek goal secures away win
Who was the star man tonight?#UCL pic.twitter.com/2Wyj2NFw0g
If we had seen this matchup a few months back, then there would have been no doubt that Tottenham would have breezed through Ajax. But, considering Ajax’s form in the Champions League and the opponents that they have had to face in order to reach this position, it will be no surprise that they will beat Tottenham to reach the finals. Ajax was tasked with Bayern Munich in the group stages and Real Madrid and Juventus in the knockout stages. Going past all these teams is not a task for the faint-hearted. But they did so with aplomb. And for people saying that their wins have a factor of luck in them, they are oh so wrong! They clearly haven’t seen Ajax play against Juventus and Tottenham of recent. The coordination, the passes, the strategies implemented by them are world-class. All of this leaves a person wondering where they were in recent years. Let’s hope they don’t adopt their own ever long strategy of selling world-class players to big clubs with deep pockets.
What can be said of Tottenham! After a narrow win against favourites Manchester City, they were expected to win at least the first leg, because it was a home game for them. But it feels that Harry Kane’s absence matters a lot more to them than earlier thought. But Tottenham Hotspur can still make a comeback in the second leg. They have the quality and the star power to hold back Ajax and beat them at their own turf. This fight would probably be more exciting to watch because Tottenham is known to bounce back (ask any Manchester City fan!). One more record from the match – Matthijs de Ligt, the captain of AFC Ajax is the youngest ever captain in a Champions League Semi-Final.
FC Barcelona vs Liverpool FC
RESULT— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 1, 2019
Suárez & Messi inspire Barcelona at Camp Nou
Messi scores 600th Barça goal via stunning free-kick
Man of the match?#UCL pic.twitter.com/UyMVqLVL4N
Lionel Messi strikes again! This time it’s Liverpool who is the victim of this magical super(human?). A power-packed performance by Barcelona; along with inhuman feats by Messi were enough to take the game away from a spirited Liverpool side. Liverpool was by no means a team that should have been defeated by three goals. They played beautifully as well and also came very close to score goals. But as usual, it was the performance of a single man that proved to be the vital difference between them.
The highlight of the match was Messi’s second and Barcelona’s third of the match. A beautifully struck free-kick curled sensationally into the top corner. This goal was Messi’s 600th goal for Barcelona. Mohamed Salah showed brief glimpses of his brilliance but it amounted to nothing. Liverpool’s closest chance also came for Salah, but the ball bounced agonisingly off the crossbar. With this, Liverpool’s fate was sealed. It will be a very difficult second leg for Liverpool as they have to come back from a three-goal deficit as well as keep the beast that is Messi, quiet for the entirety of the match. Can Liverpool repeat their miracle from Istanbul? Or will Messi & Co go all the way to the final without any trouble?
The stage is set for an epic second leg of the Champions League Semi-Finals. I think the Final would take place between FC Barcelona and AFC Ajax. What do you think? Share your thoughts.
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