It’s only half time ffs. Plenty of football left in this one. Ajax will be difficult at home but Spurs, with Son back, will be much better.
Champions League Semi Finals (30th April - 8th May)
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) was joined by comedian Ali Woods to look back at the best and worst moments of a rollercoaster season with the annual United Hour Awards.
Has Ten Hag been sacked yet? We're not sure and we hope not, but it's looking more likely as the days pass.
Who should replace him and why is it taking so long to make a decision?
Sucks that we sold him whilst holding on to inferior players
Can see Barcelona just about winning a very close match tomorrow night but Liverpool hammering them at Anfield, I'll go 2-1 or 2-0 in the 1st leg and Liverpool to win by at least 3 at Anfield maybe more.
Serious Monaco 16-17 vibes from this Ajax team. It's a shame they will be broken up completely within 2 years. There's just no money in Dutch football, so they will always be a selling club. Spurs themselves had 4 ex-Ajax players in their eleven tonight.
I'll be amazed if de Ligt doesn't join de Jong at Barca. Could see Ziyech at someone like Arsenal.
Ajax will be gutted they only won 1-0. Neres hitting the post and van de Beek inexplicably not squaring the ball when Neres had an open net could have put the tie to bed.
I'll be amazed if de Ligt doesn't join de Jong at Barca. Could see Ziyech at someone like Arsenal.
Ajax will be gutted they only won 1-0. Neres hitting the post and van de Beek inexplicably not squaring the ball when Neres had an open net could have put the tie to bed.
Tottenham should feel happy they’re only 1-0 down after this game. It’s far from over, but you’d have to make Ajax favourites to go through if they perform as they have for the last couple of months in Europe.
The question is: can Tottenham put pressure on the kids next week and will the magnitude of the occasion get to the young guns or will they 2 touch dance their way to the final?
The question is: can Tottenham put pressure on the kids next week and will the magnitude of the occasion get to the young guns or will they 2 touch dance their way to the final?
Serious overrating of Liverpool in this thread from certain members.
Guys, calm down, it's Barcelona, yes BARCELONA - they ain't losing this. Give me a break.
Guys, calm down, it's Barcelona, yes BARCELONA - they ain't losing this. Give me a break.
I agree but I am saying for a club of there net worth to do what they have done they "deserve" to win the CL. It is much easier for a club like Barca or Liverpool to get to a final than for a club like Ajax.
A game of 2 halfs. Ajax was brilliant for the first 40 mins but Spurs took over then . Poch had no idea how to begin with and by the time he figured out, Ajax scored. Also, no idea why Ajax suddenly stopped playing out from the back after first half. They were aiming long and Toby /Sanchez dealt with them easily. Also shows the need of having better midfielders than Sissoko and Wanyama. They might be okay in epl, but in Europe where the game is more technical, they just were poor.
Next week will be interesting .Shades of our final against Ajax , going long is the best way to defeat them and I think Poch will so exactly the same.
Next week will be interesting .Shades of our final against Ajax , going long is the best way to defeat them and I think Poch will so exactly the same.
I’ve heard Messi is desperate to win it this year and anyone would be foolish to bet against Barcelona, but, perhaps understandably given their results this season, people are overrating the quality of Liverpool’s team. They had better hope their defence is on top form and that large pitch doesn’t tire out their pressing or it could be tie over in the first leg.
Did he not fancy it before?
Apparently the World Cup years made him think about saving himself towards the end of those seasons and injuries have also been a problem, but this is coming from an annoyingly optimistic Barcelona fan of my acquaintance.
Meh, Messi has always been a great player, but also a human being, nearly 32 y/o now. Whether he plays or not he can fail, certainly as he ages a bit and may lose some of his stamina. His wits and technique compensate a lot of course. But again, like Ronaldo before him, the team can be outplayed even if he plays well.
I’m not going to make predictions about their chances against Liverpool. Havn’t seen enough from either side to assess ‘m proper. What I have seen from Liverpool this season (not a whole lot) didn’t particularly impress. Looked fairly boring anyway.
And statwise, Barca is way ahead though, but so was City. Anything can happen IMO.
I’m not going to make predictions about their chances against Liverpool. Havn’t seen enough from either side to assess ‘m proper. What I have seen from Liverpool this season (not a whole lot) didn’t particularly impress. Looked fairly boring anyway.
And statwise, Barca is way ahead though, but so was City. Anything can happen IMO.
They knocked out a better team in city with those midfielders, pretty sure they can also knock out Ajax
Like I said, this happened multiple times without Llorente (Spurs fans even confirmed it). Llorente worked hard but the formation change was the main reason Spurs got back in the match.
Agree to disagree.
Wanyama had a mare, but Sissoko was main reason why the game changed, they couldn't cope with him. Getting one player more in the midfield helped as well, Ajax could have won with 3 or 4 if Pochettino hadn't been forced to change formation and add Sissoko.
Well done to Ajax, written off by everyone again and they go on to win. Some of their football tonight was excellent.
Sissoko was brilliant when he came on just like he has been all season.
Anyway yeah only HT, personally think they went into their shell a bit once we got to grips with the game so I'm slightly confident for next week, not sure why
Klopp and Guardiola, Head to Head (overall) is 7 wins and 2 draws for Klopp with 22 goals and 50% win rate, Guardiola 5 wins and 2 draws with 21 goals and 35.7% win rate. With Klopp managing Dortmund and Liverpool, with Guardiola managing Barca, Bayern and Man City. If you ask me thats very poor from a manager who has broken records where he has gone.
But i think head to head dont matter that much especially when large majority of these are league matches. League games and Knock-out games are different beasts. I feel klopp is much more positive when it comes to winning games, Klopp isnt afraid to lose game whereas Guardiola doesnt want to lose a game.
Aguero missing? 1st Man City isnt one man team, they have greatest depth in club football, 2nd Pep wasnt fancing Aguero last season and there was talk of him leaving Man City.
I get its your opinion that aguero should have played if he was fit, but Guardiola was of the opinion that Man City is better without aguero in the team, so he played with what he considered to be his best team at the time.
I hope Ajax go on to win it. Very likable club. Classy even when They sold us Blind.
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Depay was from PSV.
Even though I like Ajax they were bitter after the final with some of their comments.
Woopsie. Which final? EL?
Yeah when they lost to us. They were bitter.
I’m not sure how I feel about tomorrow’s game. It’s a large pitch so I don’t think Klopp will have us over commit to the press. We’ll have to use the ball well when we have it, and try to make the most of counter attacking opportunities.
Thing is that nothing else matters if Messi is on his game.
I’m looking forward to seeing how we get on in that environment. Hoping it’s more Bayern away than it is PSG/Napoli.
Thing is that nothing else matters if Messi is on his game.
I’m looking forward to seeing how we get on in that environment. Hoping it’s more Bayern away than it is PSG/Napoli.
We need him at Manchester United.
Klopp seem really unconfident and edgy in that pre match press conference. Also, I remember him saying that it's "highly unlikely they'll get a result at Camp Nou" in the interview with Neville and Carragher after the last game. Never really seen him saying something like this before. Normally he gives it you straight.
Just have a feeling a feeling Barcelona are going to absolutely smash Liverpool tomorrow.
Just have a feeling a feeling Barcelona are going to absolutely smash Liverpool tomorrow.
Despite the 0-4 scoreline, I wasn't overly impressed with Barca over the two legs with us. Their midfield looked short of legs and could be got at ease. Defense didn't look the most assured either. I actually think you'll ease past them in tie with a healthy scoreline. 2 or 3 goals margin, I think. 2-1 at Camp Nou & 2 or 3 nil at home.
Barca were playing in second gear during that tie
Okay.
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I'd take a Crvena Zvezda away
Ajax were nothing short of fantastic.
A stronger (than last night) Spurs side have to go to Ajax and win.. to reach the finals of the Champions League.
Very do-able. The tie is far from over.
Very do-able. The tie is far from over.
By accident...
Never thought it was that bad as i’ve never been too impressed with his all round play but still thought he would be getting his regular good output of goals and assists.
Spurs/Ajax far from over.
Spurs were/have been both lucky and unlucky in the tie already. If Ajax went 0-2 instead of hitting the post, it'd be game over. However, Spurs have been unlucky with injuries and if they were a bit more clinical they might have scored last night. I'm of the opinion that Spurs were second best and the scoreline says that, but they got in quite easy for a 2-3 very good headed chances. If they hit the target with these, I reckon they'd have beat the keeper at least once.
They need to play more of a 4231 in Amsterdam in my opinion and Poch should make a decision and leave out Dele Alli, but he won't.
Spurs were/have been both lucky and unlucky in the tie already. If Ajax went 0-2 instead of hitting the post, it'd be game over. However, Spurs have been unlucky with injuries and if they were a bit more clinical they might have scored last night. I'm of the opinion that Spurs were second best and the scoreline says that, but they got in quite easy for a 2-3 very good headed chances. If they hit the target with these, I reckon they'd have beat the keeper at least once.
They need to play more of a 4231 in Amsterdam in my opinion and Poch should make a decision and leave out Dele Alli, but he won't.
Spurs should be beating Ajax at home, from what I can see Ajax total revenue is lower than the amount any team in the premier league gets from just TV money. Just shows what developing your own young players can acheive.
Ajax in the Eredivise at least are far stronger home than away. 66 goals for and 12 against in 16 games, 14 wins two draws. Tie definitely not over, but harder not taking anything to Amsterdam.
Vertonghen presumably out for at least a week now, very obviously had a concussion. Risk of second impact syndrome killing him if he plays too early. Regardless of if any symptoms now or not. Can't see any doctor allowing him take the risk.
Ajax in the Eredivise at least are far stronger home than away. 66 goals for and 12 against in 16 games, 14 wins two draws. Tie definitely not over, but harder not taking anything to Amsterdam.
Vertonghen presumably out for at least a week now, very obviously had a concussion. Risk of second impact syndrome killing him if he plays too early. Regardless of if any symptoms now or not. Can't see any doctor allowing him take the risk.
Come on Barca.
Suarez and Coutinho to score tonight.
Suarez and Coutinho to score tonight.
Pretty much as I expected really in the first half. People keep on under-rating this Ajax team and they keep on proving everyone wrong. We were terrible first half but Ajax also incredible, they absolutely schooled us from about 15-45 minutes.
Having said that, Llorente, Toby and someone else (can't remember now) missed great chances from set pieces in the first half and they certainly seemed susceptible to that kind of play. Got in similar ways a few times in the second half as well.
Our luck with injuries this season...just carries on. Did we piss off the gods or something?
Ajax clear favourites now. Main positives for me are that we got to grips with Ajax a lot more in the second half and more generally once Sissoko came on. Son will be back. And so far in their ties, they've played away 2nd leg, clear underdogs, with the on paper inferior result in the 1st leg and nothing to lose. Now they're at home, clear favourites. And no week off this time.
All still to play for but Ajax clear favourites. They're a very exciting team.
Having said that, Llorente, Toby and someone else (can't remember now) missed great chances from set pieces in the first half and they certainly seemed susceptible to that kind of play. Got in similar ways a few times in the second half as well.
Our luck with injuries this season...just carries on. Did we piss off the gods or something?
Ajax clear favourites now. Main positives for me are that we got to grips with Ajax a lot more in the second half and more generally once Sissoko came on. Son will be back. And so far in their ties, they've played away 2nd leg, clear underdogs, with the on paper inferior result in the 1st leg and nothing to lose. Now they're at home, clear favourites. And no week off this time
. All still to play for but Ajax clear favourites. They're a very exciting team.
Oh wow, I don't remember the last time he was good. Against a good team as well.
Ajax has been dominant in away games in the CL, including during the qualifications, because they approach each game as if it’s a home game. The only loss occured was at home, mostly due to a dubious VAR “off-side” decision saving Real Madrid at the time.
Spurs’ income really should mean squat to you given superior bags of money lost to the same team convincingly already.
I personally don’t believe in home or away advantage though. Hostile crowds can be tuned out or used as motivation. That’s just a mental limitation that can be overcome with a good dose of confidence. And confidence is something Spurs lack IMO.
Their manager for instance is constantly seeking excuses for potential failure, rather than pointing out where their strengths lie and why they ought to win. Putting so much pressure on Son’s return in an “it all depends on you” is likely a bad idea as well and signals the rest of the team they are crap without certain people and stand no chance. If Son goes out for whatever reason, or freezes up, they’d risk becoming insecure because hey “Son was going to save us and now he’s not.”
Honestly, it’s a bit... meh. At least they argued they stand a bit of a chance as it is just a single goal down, but the sentiment is made more like “pfew they could have completely finished us here, but we’re somehow still alive and cling to that”. Not exactly oozing with confidence compared to how Ajax reacted to Madrid’s win “screw this result, we should have won, we’ll show ‘m next time”.
Agreed, particulary when Ajax hardly ever doesn’t score in away matches and always scores in home matches.
Conceding two goals at home rarely happened this season, and usualy happened when Ajax was either leaning back with a wide margin, or facing a top European team (which Tottenham, with all due respect, isn’t quite): 6-2 against Excelsior, 4-2 against Vitesse, 3-3 against Bayern and 1-2 against Real Madrid. The only exception being the 4-4 against Heerenveen, where a 3-1
Lead was squandered and the equalizer came in stoppage time.
Vertonghen should rest for two weeks I’d say. It was utterly careless to allow him back on the pitch. That doc should be suspended imo.
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