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As it happenedended
5 years ago

Ajax stun Juventus to advance to Champions League semi-finals

Relive all the action from the Allianz Stadium

Harry Latham-Coyle
Tuesday 16 April 2019 14:22 EDT
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Ajax 1-1 Juventus: Managers satisfied after quarter-final draw

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Ajax followed up their elimination of Real Madrid by producing a spell-binding display of inventive, passing football to win 2-1 away to Juventus on Tuesday and end the Serie A team's dreams of winning the Champions League.

Ajax's 19-year-old captain Matthijs de Ligt headed the winner from the corner in the 67th minute of the quarter-final second leg as the Dutch side came from behind to clinch a 3-2 aggregate win and reach the last four for the first time since 1996/97.

Cristiano Ronaldo, aiming for a fourth successive Champions League title after winning the last three with Real Madrid, put Juventus ahead in the 28th minute with a typically emphatic header, his sixth goal of the competition.

But Donny van de Beek levelled six minutes later before the visitors swept Juventus aside in the second half with wave after wave of attacks as they earned a semi-final against Manchester City or Tottenham Hotspur.


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5 years ago

After such a fantastic start, Manchester United's momentum under Ole Gunner Solskjaer has rather  stalled, injuries, suspensions and a general loss of form contributing to a slow puncture of a run that means the club are still moving forward, but slowing, certainly. 

Solskjaer's charges were outplayed by West Ham on Saturday evening and fortunate to escape with three points, but they find themselves falling behind the pack in the race for the top four. 

Underdogs certainly, the nature of tonight's fixture could just offer Manchester United the freedom they need to get back on track.

Harry Latham-Coyle16 April 2019 18:22
5 years ago

A feature of the first leg was the McTominaissance, Scott the Scot mature in midfield, far from overawed despite his relative inexperience at this level and indifferent season.

You suspect McTominay will be further tested in a defensive capacity this evening, if, indeed, he keeps his place, with Nemanja Matic back amongst things and ready for selection.

Harry Latham-Coyle16 April 2019 18:26
5 years ago

And will Solskjaer stick with the five-at-the-back, the loaded-up left side that worked, somewhat, in keeping Barcelona quiet?

While seemingly a measure designed to combat Lionel Messi, regular viewers of the Catalans will know that Messi is inhabiting the wider confines less and less and pounces on the defensive vulnerabilities an unfamiliar formation can reveal, as shown by the first-leg winner, capitalising Luke Shaw's discomfort in being the deepest man. 

I'd be picking a four and providing extra reinforcement through the middle. 

Harry Latham-Coyle16 April 2019 18:30
5 years ago

Switching to affairs in Turin, briefly, the standout star of the first leg was undoubtedly Frenkie de Jong, who will of course be pulling on a Barcelona shirt from the summer. The wickedly talented de Jong displayed all his prodigious qualities in a virtuoso performance in midfield, and thus Ajax will be concerned that a hamstring injury suffered 22 minutes into their intervening Eredivisie game with Excelsior may rule him out.

A shame for viewers, too, for de Jong is truly wonderful to watch, such grace, calm and poise in a midfield role that he has the potential to redefine. And yes, he is that good.

Harry Latham-Coyle16 April 2019 18:36
5 years ago

Jack Pitt-Brooke is in Turin for tonight's fixture, and rather enjoyed a working excursion into the city centre yesterday:

Harry Latham-Coyle16 April 2019 18:38
5 years ago

Back to Barcelona, then, and there is a real feeling that the club think this is their year, a yearning on the part of Lionel Messi to underline his legacy with another Champions League, sick at the successes of Real Madrid in recent years.

It is a squad sculpted around Messi, of course, and they have recruited well to that end, Clement Lenglet and Arthur fulfilling specific briefs ahead of more experienced campaigners at this level. Of their likely lineup, only really Philippe Coutinho is out of form. They are not the all-conquering force that some prompt them to be, and there are flaws in Ernesto Valverde's conservative approach, but they seem well set up to grind out a home win at the very least and progress.

And the team news for tonight's fixtures is just about to roll in...

Harry Latham-Coyle16 April 2019 18:46
5 years ago

Team News - Juventus vs AJAX

Big news for the Dutch side - Frenkie de Jong is fit and starts.

Harry Latham-Coyle16 April 2019 18:47
5 years ago

Team News - Barcelona vs MANCHESTER UNITED

It is a back four, seemingly, for Manchester United, Ashley Young at left-back, Phil Jones at right-back. Alexis Sanchez and Nemanja Matic return to the bench.

Harry Latham-Coyle16 April 2019 18:51
5 years ago

Team News - BARCELONA vs Manchester United

Just the one change from the first leg for Barcelona.  Nelson Semedo is out, Sergi Roberto is in.

Harry Latham-Coyle16 April 2019 18:55
5 years ago

The confirmed team news from the Camp Nou:

Barcelona XI: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Gerard Piqué, Clement Lenglet, Jordi Alba; Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Arthur; Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Philippe Coutinho

Manchester United XI: David De Gea; Phil Jones, Victor Lindelof, Chris Smalling, Ashley Young; Fred, Scott McTominay, Paul Pogba; Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford

Harry Latham-Coyle16 April 2019 19:03

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