Ajax have taken the footballing world by storm with their incredible run to the Champions League semi-finals, but Jose Mourinho has revealed how the young Dutch masters might be stopped in their tracks.
Ajax swept aside Juventus and Cristiano Ronaldo is their latest giantkilling act this week, setting up a Champions League semi-final clash with Tottenham, who saw off Manchester City in an incredible game a day later.
Both sides were unfancied to make it so deep into the competition, but it is Dutch youngsters Ajax, managed by Erik ten Hag, who have in particular captured the imagination with their fearless, free-flowing football.
Also on rt.com Dutch delight: Why Ajax's remarkable Champions League run is so welcome
But speaking to RT in his role as a pundit, Mourinho recalled his own experience in defeating the Dutch club two seasons ago in the UEFA Europa League final with Manchester United.
“In my opinion, [Juventus are] another team that let Ajax play with their strength,” Mourinho said.
“Until this moment, nobody really respect them, and they let them play with the qualities they have.
“They have fantastic young players with a little bit of the experience they didnt have a couple of years ago when I played them in the Europa Cup final.”
The Ajax side that day in 2017 contained some of the stars of the current Champions League run, including teenage skipper Matthijs de Ligt, goalkeeper Andre Onana, and midfielder Hakim Ziyech.
Mourinho revealed how he had masterminded a 2-0 win for United, which Spurs could potentially look to as a blueprint for success this season.
“We gave them the game that they didnt want to have,” Mourinho said.
“They complained [after the game] about the long build-up, they complained about [Marouane]Fellaini, about physicality, they complained because they couldnt cope.
“If you play against Ajax in the way they want to play, you have the risk that they are better than you.
“If I see for example Ajax play Barcelona Read More – Source
Ajax have taken the footballing world by storm with their incredible run to the Champions League semi-finals, but Jose Mourinho has revealed how the young Dutch masters might be stopped in their tracks.
Ajax swept aside Juventus and Cristiano Ronaldo is their latest giantkilling act this week, setting up a Champions League semi-final clash with Tottenham, who saw off Manchester City in an incredible game a day later.
Both sides were unfancied to make it so deep into the competition, but it is Dutch youngsters Ajax, managed by Erik ten Hag, who have in particular captured the imagination with their fearless, free-flowing football.
Also on rt.com Dutch delight: Why Ajax's remarkable Champions League run is so welcome
But speaking to RT in his role as a pundit, Mourinho recalled his own experience in defeating the Dutch club two seasons ago in the UEFA Europa League final with Manchester United.
“In my opinion, [Juventus are] another team that let Ajax play with their strength,” Mourinho said.
“Until this moment, nobody really respect them, and they let them play with the qualities they have.
“They have fantastic young players with a little bit of the experience they didnt have a couple of years ago when I played them in the Europa Cup final.”
The Ajax side that day in 2017 contained some of the stars of the current Champions League run, including teenage skipper Matthijs de Ligt, goalkeeper Andre Onana, and midfielder Hakim Ziyech.
Mourinho revealed how he had masterminded a 2-0 win for United, which Spurs could potentially look to as a blueprint for success this season.
“We gave them the game that they didnt want to have,” Mourinho said.
“They complained [after the game] about the long build-up, they complained about [Marouane]Fellaini, about physicality, they complained because they couldnt cope.
“If you play against Ajax in the way they want to play, you have the risk that they are better than you.
“If I see for example Ajax play Barcelona Read More – Source
