AMSTERDAM • With 64 goals in the knockout stages, there remains no better clutch player in Champions League history than Cristiano Ronaldo, a lesson that Ajax learnt the hard way on Wednesday.
The burgeoning Dutch side, who are likely to be broken up at the end of this campaign, had 61 per cent possession of the ball and were fluent in attack as they showed their elimination of Real Madrid in the previous round was no fluke.
Erik ten Hag's men also peppered Wojciech Szczesny's goal with 19 shots, although only six were on target. If there is anything his team lack, it is the presence of a clinical forward like Ronaldo.
While Juventus had to "suffer" in front of a raucous Johan Cruyff Arena, they can boast of the competition's record scorer (125). And, in his first game in a month, all Ronaldo needed was one chance - a diving header to give his team the upper hand for the quarter-final reverse fixture at home on April 16.
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri hailed Ronaldo as "on a different level" after their only shot on target yielded a hard-fought 1-1 draw, with Brazilian winger David Neres equalising for Ajax.
The Italian, who is looking to guide his team to their first Champions League trophy since 1996, said: "His timing and movement are different to everyone else's, there's nothing you can do about it. He is a player who just has a different technique than the others.
64Â
Cristiano Ronaldo's goals in the Champions League knockout stages, more than any player including Lionel Messi (42) in second place and even some clubs:Â
53 ArsenalÂ
49 LiverpoolÂ
38 Dortmund/PSG/PortoÂ
34 LyonÂ
33 Atletico Madrid, Inter, MonacoÂ
31 Ajax
"Ajax have great quality, but we defended well and finished the game better. It's a good result because we scored away from home, so the tie is still open.
"We were good defensively, nice and compact. There is good reason to think we can get to the semi-finals. We have great respect for Ajax, but you have to be ready."
Ten Hag admitted that it "isn't exactly what we were hoping for, but it is still a good result".
The Dutchman said: "The last time we lost 2-1 at home to Real Madrid, so everything is still alive for us. In a lot of the phases of the game, we were better. We were excellent in our transitions."
However, he acknowledged that with Ronaldo as the spearhead, his men will be up against it as "they are quick to pounce on a mistake".
He added: "You saw that with the goal of Cristiano Ronaldo. Even if you are running with him and tracking back, he is incredibly quick."
Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt, who is heavily rumoured to make a blockbuster move in the summer, also called on his teammates not to be overawed in Turin.
He said: "It's not for nothing we have made it to the quarter-finals. In the return leg, we'll have to give everything because Juventus are incredibly difficult."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
SINGAPORE - Singaporean Akbar Nawas has been named the I-League's best coach after leading Chennai City to their first title earlier this month.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Football: Singaporean coach Akbar Nawas is I-League's best
Some easing of austerity seems key to keeping Mauricio Pochettino happy at Spurs. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters to the full focus of their own best qualities. There was no change of gear
Pochettino presser live: Spurs boss on Kane injury, Son
Read Destiny Beckons (1) (on hold at the moment) from the story Destiny Beckons by mysticj with 119 reads. mystery, teen, fantasy. Well hope you all enjoy this
Destiny Beckons On Senator Bukola Saraki As Next Senate
Aston Villa into playoff final after shootout win over West
VOW is celebrating hitting £1m in new sales growth from its successful First range of furniture. Following the launch of First range in May last year, sales have grown 25 per cent month on month.
Veterans Opportunity to Work Home
'He's great to watch, but he's not God': Pope sets fans straight on Messi the pope praised his Argentine compatriot Messi, but said he must not be called God. Pope Francis is known to be a
'He's great to watch, but he's not God': Pope sets fans
Klopp unfazed by early FA Cup exit. It probably says much about the FA Cup's place in Klopp's list of priorities that he looked more perturbed by a hamstring injury to Dejan Lovren in the
Why Jurgen Klopp has no option but to risk another early FA
Sanchez: Spurs squad can cope in absence of Kane and Alli The Colombian defender has insisted that the Tottenham squad is strong enough to cope without two of their star men
Lloris confident Tottenham can cope without Kane - Football365
Newport manager believes shock City victory possible
PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel has admitted Neymar is unlikely to be fit in time for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Manchester United next month. "It's going to be super difficult", Tuchel told Canal+ when asked if Neymar would return from a metatarsal injury in time for the game at Old
Super difficult for Neymar to be fit to face Manchester
Watford squeeze past QPR into FA Cup last eight Agencies February 17, 2019. Facebook Count Watford had possession in the first half but struggled to make any inroads against the solid home
0 comments:
Post a Comment