Champions League Semifinal: First Leg Results
Tottenham 0-1 Ajax
Donny van de Beek scoring the game-winning goal in the 15th minute
Photo Credit: Kirsty Wigglesworth
It was a pretty even game between the two sides as far as shots and possession goes but it all it took was a horrible piece of defending by Tottenham that led to a 15th minute goal and game winner from Donny van de Beek to give Ajax the huge away win and put themselves in prime position going into the second leg. Not only are they playing at home in the second leg but they were able to pick up the all important away goal at Tottenham Stadium. Going into this match I would have said that a 2-1 loss would have been a good result for Ajax simply do to the away goal but 1-0 is a great scenario. It’s not quite perfect as Ajax do have to keep their next game low scoring because a 2-1 or 3-2 result in favor of Tottenham would mean Ajax are out on away goals. But again, if they can simply pull out a draw then they are into the Champions League final for the first time since 1996. My prediction in the second leg is a 1-1 result and Ajax advance. Too bad this Ajax squad is going to get picked apart by the bigger clubs in Europe after this great season they’ve had. Barcelona have apparently already agreed to pay € 75 million for Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong. And speaking of Barcelona…..
Barcelona 3-0 Liverpool
It was 100% the Lionel Messi show tonight
Photo Credit: Sky Sports
So much for that daunted Liverpool defense and Virgil van Dijk winning player of the year in England, because they just got exposed by Barcelona. Barca are definitely the best team in Europe but I fully expected Liverpool to put up a bigger fight than this. 3-0 is about as bad of a result as you can ask for. 3-1 would have been so much better due to getting that away goal, had they been able to finish from point blank range *Cough, Cough Firmino and Salah, but there’s no way that Liverpool go into the second leg and win 3-0 just to force extra time. That’s the position that Liverpool find themselves in, a 3-0 result against the best team in the world only gets them into overtime. It would take a 4-0 or 5-1 result for them to advance straight up, so it’s pretty safe to say it’s not happening. Also add a little insult to injury ex-Liverpool star Luis Suarez scored a goal and assisted against his old team. No chance whatsoever in the 2nd leg for Liverpool. My prediction is probably a 2-2 result and Barca through to the final which will be a cakewalk regardless of whether or not it’s Ajax or Tottenham.
Close your eyes Liverpool fans…..
Thanny