LONDON (REUTERS) - Sympathy was in short supply from Ajax Amsterdam manager Erik Ten Hag for injury-hit Tottenham Hotspur ahead of their Champions League semi-final first leg clash on Tuesday (April 30).
Hosts Tottenham are without a string of key players, including strikers Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, for the game in north London and were also involved in a derby against West Ham United on Saturday while Ajax rested.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has said Ajax have an unfair advantage because the whole of the Dutch league programme was postponed to help Ten Hag's side prepare.
The straight-talking Dutchman was unimpressed, however, playing down suggestions his side were favourites.
"We get 10 million (euros) for playing in (Dutch first division) Eredivisire and they get many more millions for being in the Premier League. Is that not unfair on us?" the 49-year-old coach told reporters.
"There are always differing circumstances. Everybody has different circumstances. You just have to deal with them. That's what we do."
Midfielder Donny van der Beek, one of a crop of homegrown youngsters who have propelled four-times winners Ajax to their first Champions League semi-final since 1997, also made the point that their journey began last summer.
Â
Â
Ajax were actually playing in a second qualifying round tie against Austrians Sturm Graz in July, then beat Standard Liege to reach the playoffs where they overcame Dynamo Kiev.
That put them in a group containing Bayern Munich, but they emerged undefeated before beating Real Madrid in the last 16 and Juventus in the quarter-finals.
Now they are in sight of the final as well as being neck-and -neck with PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch title race.
"It's all going quite fast," Van der Beek said, before a training session in Tottenham's new stadium which was open for the public to attend for the full duration.
"Spurs are a great team with great players and we will have to be at the same level or better than we were against Real and Juventus in the last two rounds."
Ajax might never have a better chance to reclaim the trophy before the so-called European heavyweights close in to pick off their best talent - as has happened in the case of midfielder Frenkie de Jong who will join Barcelona this summer.
But while it is young Dutch talent that has spearheaded Ajax's march, Ten Hag said it was a couple of former Premier League players who have provided the winning mentality.
Serbian Dusan Tadic joined from Southampton while Daley Blind has thrived since returning to the Netherlands after a spell with Manchester United.
"We had a good young team but a lack of experience," Ten Hag said. "It was a deliberate policy to sign players from the Premier League, with the knowledge and experience they bring."
Ajax are looking for their first win over Tottenham, having lost both legs of their European Cup Winners' Cup tie in 1981.
Mauricio Pochettino believes Tottenham's 3-0 win at Cardiff gives his side more belief in the Premier League title race. Spurs moved back into second place and, to within six points of Premier
Mauricio Pochettino Admits Cardiff Win 'Makes Us Believe' as
Cristiano Ronaldo insists there is nothing to fear after suffering a hamstring injury in Portugal's 1-1 draw against Serbia on Monday, adding that he is "not worried" about it going forward
Cristiano Ronaldo returns to training after limping out of
LONDON—Investigators searching for a lost plane carrying Premier League soccer player Emiliano Sala said on Jan. 30 that
Plane cushions found in search for missing soccer player Sala
Saswa eyes SPL title glory It has been 15 years since Home United last won Singapore football's professional league title, but the new man at the helm is relishing the challenge of ending the long drought.
Latest SASWADIMATA DASUKI | The Straits Times
In Tuesday's other replay, struggling Championship team Sheffield Wednesday came through another tough test at third-tier side Luton Town. London: Newcastle United beat Blackburn Rovers 4-2
FA Cup: Newcastle get extra-time win, Stoke fall to Shrews in
Pundits have already written off their chances, with former Gunner Martin Keown claiming there was "a hell of a lot of work to do". He told BT Sport: "Arsenal are in the beginning of their (project)."
Transfer news: 'Arsenal need to spend £70m on a Van Dijk
'Monday night football' comes to the Emirates Stadium tonight as Arsenal , in search of their 10th successive league home win 2015 Arsenal Aston Villa 4-0. 2014 Arsenal Hull City 3 - 2 aet. C Palace 2 - 3 Arsenal - Match Report & Highlights Crystal Palace 2 - 3 Arsenal : Alexis Sanchez scores twice for Gunners. By James Walker-Roberts.
Palace punish sloppy Arsenal in 3-2 win at the Emirates
A welcome could either cheer them up or make them leave the event and rather have cozy sleep at home. Martin Luther King, in 1943, delivered a speech "I have a dream" and that still doesn't fail to inspire people. Short Welcome Speech Samples To Address any Event. Image Source
How to Write a Welcome Aboard Letter With Examples
Football: Singaporean coach Akbar Nawas is I-League's best coach as champions Chennai City sweep awards - The Straits Times; Singaporean, 36, died in Bintan while on diving course; Huawei P30 Series Singapore Launch Event - VivoCity 6 April 2019 - Geek Culture; Singaporean, 36, died in Bintan while on diving course - The Straits Times
Singapore Football News from Singapore, Latest Singapore
news.trendingnews.co.in/singapore/singapore-football
Football: Singaporean coach Akbar Nawas is I-League's best coach as champions Chennai City sweep awards The Straits Times. 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
Pedro News from Singapore, Latest Pedro News from Singapore
news.trendingnews.co.in/singapore/pedro
Get the Pedro News from Singapore, Latest Pedro News from Singapore, Trending Pedro News from Singapore, Current Pedro News From Singapore on trendingnews.co.in. Grab exclusive coverage on breaking national news, current politics, regional and educational news with trending now, most popular from Singapore.
SJFI - Sports Journalists Federation Of India
sjfi.in
At the post-match conference, Akbar Nawas, head coach of Chennai City, cut a delighted figure. He began the conference by praising his goalkeeper Boerchio for a stunning performance. "He has been performing very well for our last couple of games. He has been coming into the picture very well. As you know he just joined us recently.
Frederick County Virginia
frederickcountyvirginia.cf/Oconto_County-Wisconsin/Oconto_County-Wisconsin_uky.php
Frederick County | Virginia. Oconto County Wisconsin; Day County South Dakota; Netherlands Mook en Middelaar
LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino says his players are 'still in a dream' after reaching the Champions League semi-finals in dramatic fashion but expects his side to be ready for Saturday's crucial Premier League clash against Manchester City.
Soccer: Spurs 'still in a dream' after Man City win, says
Kean's Late Goal Puts Juventus On Brink Of Serie A Title. the Italian Serie A football match Juventus vs AC Milan on April 6, 2019 at the Juventus stadium in Turin. Moise Kean scored the
Kean winner puts Juventus on the brink of title | The Daily Star
Football: Man City come from two goals down to reach FA Cup last four Manchester City's Sergio Aguero celebrates with Bernardo Silva after scoring their third goal. PHOTO: REUTERS
Man City come from two goals down to reach FA Cup last four
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
List of Exempted Permits Construction Services & Permitting Division, Planning & Economic Development Department, City of St. Petersburg Electrical Permits (cont.) 9. The wiring for temporary theater, motion picture or television stage sets that have been issued a Motion Picture Maker Permit. 10.
Temporary Child Custody Laws - JustAnswer
0 comments:
Post a Comment