By Press Association
Ajax stunned Juventus to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League with a 2-1 comeback win in Turin.
Cristiano Ronaldo gave Juventus the lead after 28 minutes with a record 126th goal in the competition, his ninth in seven meetings against Ajax.
But goals from Donny Van De Beek and Matthijs De Ligt gave Ajax a thoroughly deserved 3-2 aggregate success.
Ajax will meet Manchester City or Tottenham in their first Champions League semi-final for 22 years and many will consider them underdogs again.
But after eliminating Real Madrid, champions for the previous three seasons, and now Juventus, Erik Ten Hag's exciting young side should not be underestimated.
In what was to prove a hugely entertaining contest, both sides were slow to start.
Emre Can almost embarrassed Andre Onana when he charged down the Ajax goalkeeper's kick and the ball flew wide of a gaping goal.
Ajax lost injured full-back Noussair Mazraoui inside the opening 10 minutes but the visitors almost struck the first blow.
David Neres found space in a crowded penalty area and his deflected shot squirmed through to Van De Beek, who fired over the crossbar at full stretch.
Paulo Dybala saw his volley held by Onana in Juventus' first meaningful attack, but the hosts were soon ahead through a familiar source.
The unmarked Ronaldo met Miralem Pjanic's corner with a trademark thunderous header as Ajax complained of a foul on Joel Veltman.
Clement Turpin went to the sidelines for a VAR check, but the French referee's closer inspection showed that Veltman's team-mate De Ligt had actually pushed him to the ground.
But Ajax were level within six minutes when Hakim Ziyech's shot fell into Van De Beek's path and the midfielder made the most of his good fortune with an assured finish into the bottom corner.
The second half was on a knife edge and Ajax were determined to send men forward in search of a goal that would leave Juventus needing two and a mountain to climb.
Juventus heaved a huge sigh of relief when Neres broke through and Van De Beek set up Ziyech inside the penalty area.
Wojciech Szczesny thrust out a strong left arm just as the ball appeared to be going past him and Juventus survived.
Van De Beek was on the end of further breathtaking Ajax approach play, but again Szczesny was equal to the task and tipped the ball over the crossbar.
Juventus substitute Moise Kean fired wide after being slipped through by Ronaldo, but Ajax continued to call the tune and Pjanic stuck out a foot to deny Ziyech the simplest of tap-ins.
The pressure finally told after 67 minutes as De Ligt towered above Alex Sandro and Daniele Rugani to head Lasse Schone's corner past a helpless Szczesny.
Ajax should have scored more in the closing stages as Neres scuffed Dusan Tadic's pass wide and Ziyech saw his pile-driver disallowed for offside.
But Juventus produced few late scares, even if an unsuccessful penalty appeal went to VAR again, as Ajax became the first Dutch side to reach the last four of the Champions League since 2005.
The Cruyff effect
“Playing football is very simple, but playing simple football is the hardest thing there is.” #CruyffLegacy
— Johan Cruyff (@JohanCruyff) April 16, 2019
❌❌❌ pic.twitter.com/K7XFcIV7a2
De Ligt interview
It's unbelievable that you're a squad from the Netherlands and you show the world what you can do. There's so much potential in the team, so young.
It was a great corner kick and I know can jump high and head the ball well so that was the perfect moment to score.
No preference, we will see who is coming to the semi-final. It's like a dream maybe but everyone can see what we can do. It could have been 1-3, 1-4, the only thing we lack is we need to score more.
That boy is 19. He's one of the best centre-backs in world football.
Ronald De Boer on what it takes to be an Ajax player
Luke Edwards has this superb interview with Ronald De Boer that you should absolutely read. It's Premium but that costs £1 a week for a Sport subscription and you get your first 30 days free too.
'An Ajax player is someone technically good, with game awareness and... balls'. Here's a bit:
Ronald de Boer is pondering the question 'what turns a promising young footballer into an Ajax player?' There is a pause, a slight hesitancy at the risk the language might offend, but he decides to deliver it anyway.
“For me, an Ajax player is someone good technically, with good game awareness and, most importantly, someone with, how do you say, balls… They have to be strong mentality, brave, not be scared of making mistakes. That is what makes an Ajax player.”
It is a description that sounds particularly delicious in De Boer’s deep Dutch accent, but it is not said with a smile. Ajax take the development of their young players extremely seriously, perhaps placing more emphasis on their Academy than any other big club in Europe.
It is more than a business model - it is the Ajax way. Yet, it is also born out of necessity.
Some statistics
- Ajax have qualified for the semi-finals of the European Cup/Champions League for the ninth time in their history, and the first since the 1996-97 season.
- Ajax are the first team from outside the traditional top five European leagues to reach the Champions League semi-final since 2004-05, when fellow Dutch side PSV Eindhoven did so.
- Juventus have lost two home games in a single European Cup/Champions League campaign for the first time in their history (1-2 v both Manchester United and Ajax).
- Ajax have scored 155 goals this season across all competitions, their joint-most in a single season in club history (also 155 in 2009-10).
- This was Ajax’s third consecutive away win in the Champions League; their longest such streak since between November 1995 and March 1997 (seven wins).
More reaction
Right, I'm going to stop now, but I've been saying this for months. Ajax are amazing. Everyone should want them to win the Champions League this season. A wage budget that is less than some Championship clubs, built on young players from their own Academy. Incredible team https://t.co/ARUVpI3Obh
— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) April 16, 2019
I agree with Luke. They prove so many rules of football to be true. Team is most important, identity is crucial, kids are absolutely old enough if good enough, goalkeeper plays with his feet, you need a big CB, fast wingers, a great CM, pass-move-pass-move, press high, 4-3-3 is king.
Guardiola's City, of course, would make it three post-Cruyffian sides out of four in the semis.
— Jonathan Wilson (@jonawils) April 16, 2019
Juventus v Ajax 1-2.
— Raymond Verheijen (@raymondverheije) April 16, 2019
It was interesting to watch the behaviour of Massimiliano Allegri at the sideline.
The Juventus coach was clearly not comfortable in this uncomfortable situation.
And his players started to copy his behaviour on the pitch. pic.twitter.com/TmvqwPagVf
Reaction
Over to you, Telegraph Audio Football Club podcast star Mina:
Well deserved Ajax. What a brilliant performance both against Real Madrid and against Juve!
— Mina Rzouki (@Minarzouki) April 16, 2019
When you've got Juventus fans applauding Ajax for the win you know it's deserved! And here's a Juventus player:
Tough tough night for @juventusfc. Gutted as I could see them reaching the final but tonight they were beaten by an outstanding footballing team in Ajax. pic.twitter.com/QfWz4TdIme
— Eniola Aluko (@EniAlu) April 16, 2019
89 mins - Juventus 1 Ajax 2 (2-3 on agg)
Rugani goes through Tadic and he makes sure it takes a long time to get up. I've seen Juventus employ these same time wasting tactics 1000 times over my time on earth.
Ziyech is subbed off for Huntelaar. Veltman smashes the ball off Ronaldo as he's on the floor, after Schone had fouled him. Do Juventus have any ideas left?
83 mins - Juventus 1 Ajax 2 (2-3 on agg)
Sinkgraven off, Magallan on. That's the sub subbed, which is something I can confirm from experience really sucks.
Tadic is in the area now and it's oddly quiet in the stadium... he turns, passes... a shot on goal and it's wide. Ajax are still all over this. Juventus look done... but Ronaldo's on the pitch so they can't be.
80 mins - Juventus 1 Ajax 2 (2-3 on agg)
Cancelo is right wing, Ronaldo taps on his head to show where he wants it and the cross is whipped in. De Ligt challenges and wins the battle.
Ajax seem faster, stronger and more energetic than Juve here. And Ziyech has a chance to shoot! He passes... another waste.
BUT IT'S BACK! ZIYECH SHOOTS!
78 mins - Juventus 1 Ajax 2 (2-3 on agg)
Ronaldo manages to get a shot on goal from 20 yards and seems to have gone into Super Sonic mode, trying to do everything himself. He gets a corner for it. Ajax are man-marking now rather than zonal. And Ajax are away again! They have men over! NERES IN THE BOX! And he passes again. Just shoot! Shooooooooot!
75 mins - Juventus 1 Ajax 2 (2-3 on agg)
De Light hoofs a volley 20 miles away from goal and his goalkeeper screams at him for not listening to the shout. Safety first, my friend.
Ajax keep the ball and oh my god NERES IS IN! It's dreadful defending! And even worse finishing. Neres misses a huge chance at the near post. Rugani will be shaken by that one - the game should have been done.
67 mins - Juventus 1 Ajax 1 (2-2 on agg)
I've just yelled out loud HE'S IN because Ziyech is completely free on the left of the box and just begging to be played in with a through pass. He HAS to shoot but instead goes for the cut back into the six yard box. He just had to hit that and see what happens!
Why hasn't he shot? Confidence? It's the kind of finish Ronaldo would slam past the goalie and that's the difference between the best and the good.
65 mins - Juventus 1 Ajax 1 (2-2 on agg)
TADIC IS ALL ON HIS OWN ON THE RIGHT! The ball is switched by Neres but is curled behind him, he touches it on, spots Ziyech waiting for the tap in and plays a great pass across the box. Pjanic sprints back to slide in and stretches to touch it behind for a corner!
De Ligt heads that over. Great game.
Joao Cancelo is coming on for Juventus now, Allegri wants a change. De Sciglio is the man to make way.
56 mins - Juventus 1 Ajax 1 (2-2 on agg)
Juventus are defending nervously here. Ajax counter-attacking with confidence, moving the ball forward quickly to attack the back line.
Juventus get up the other end, win a corner and Ronaldo turns up at the back post but has De Ligt tight to him to put off a header.
51 mins - Juventus 1 Ajax 1 (2-2 on agg)
It looks like Juventus' substitution means they're playing a 4-3-1-2 rather than a 4-3-3 now. Kean is definitely through the middle, Ronaldo standing wide left and Bernardeschi right, but when they get forward the two wide players move inside and Bernardeschi drops between them.
Ajax get a move together though and Tadic's clever drag back flick sets up a shot! It's a corner.
Some Ronaldo numbers
- four - the number of headed goals Ronaldo has scored in the Champions League this season, the most in a single campaign since Fernando Morientes in 2003-04 (5)
- seven - Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in each of his last seven UCL Quarter Finals games played (13 goals).
- 126 - Juventus striker Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored 126 goals in the Champions League, with 65 of those coming in the knockout stages; both the most of any player in competition history.
- 19million - the amount of euros Ronaldo paid to avoid jail for tax fraud
- nine - the number of goals Ronaldo has scored vs Ajax
45 mins +5 - Juventus 1 Ajax 1 (2-2 on agg)
De Jong catches Ronaldo with a slide tackle in roughly the same position as that Ronaldo free-kick vs Portsmouth. You know the one. He's doing his little run up. Onana has his wall set. The arms come down. Stance at shoulder width AND HE'S HIT IT STRAIGHT INTO THE WALL. To the surprise of very few, Ronaldo has shanked another free-kick into bodies stood in front of him.
45 mins - Juventus 1 Ajax 1 (2-2 on agg)
Ajax defend really well as Dybala runs at two defenders and another Juventus attack comes to nothing. This game is really even.
Dybala is hobbling a bit now, he might have picked up an injury somehow. I can't quite work out if it's a knock or a muscle injury though.
41 mins - Juventus 1 Ajax 1 (2-2 on agg)
Szczesny is closed down by a chasing Ajax forward now but his kick comes off the forearm and wouldn't have counted anyway. Ronaldo goes down as Blind steps across him and the striker is angry about it. There's nothing in it.
Emre Can goes on a run, keeps going, still going... he's at the box and Blind slides in! Can goes down inside or on the edge of the area! Could that be a penalty?! The referee is right next to it and says no!
Ajax attack, Neres takes on his man and wins a corner.
38 mins - Juventus 1 Ajax 1 (2-2 on agg)
Ajax are in their world famous 4-3-3 btw and not the 4-2-3-1 listed on all of Twitter. Van De Beek is playing a little further ahead but he's not in the 10 position, he's just the one who attacks. So maybe it sort of is a 4-2-3-1.
I think the thing to consider is the numbers really don't matter.
22 mins - Juventus 0 Ajax 0 (1-1 on agg)
AJAX CAN SCORE! Neres gets into the box, twists and shoots, the ball is blocked and De Beek shoots but puts it over from inside the area! Juventus don't like it when Ajax go at them.
Ronaldo responds by getting involved and winning a corner, demanding more from the crowd behind the goal.
21 mins - Juventus 0 Ajax 0 (1-1 on agg)
Lionel Messi has already scored twice against Man Utd by the way, feel free to go check that liveblog out then come back here. I'll be waiting.
17 mins - Juventus 0 Ajax 0 (1-1 on agg)
Ole! Ronaldo pulls off a flip flap with one of his first touches of the game and helps his side win about five yards. All that kill... five yards.
Ajax are growing into this one more, finally defending in Juventus' half rather than their own and able to keep the ball.
14 mins - Juventus 0 Ajax 0 (1-1 on agg)
Schone wins a free-kick 35 yards from goal, it's crossed in from a central position but goes harmlessly through to the goalkeeper. Not very good at all. And now Schone has pulled out of a tackle on Sando but caught him anyway, sort of, and Juventus want a yellow card for him. Good refereeing I reckon.
8 mins - Juventus 0 Ajax 0 (1-1 on agg)
Owwwwwwwwwwwww. Ajax have a problem. The left-back Mazraoui lands awkwardly and twists his ankle with a bit of weight put on it and he is in pain. It'll take ages for him to feel back to his best but he's trying to hobble on for now - Ajax don't really have a replacement on the bench. He surely can't play on with that ankle.
6 mins - Juventus 0 Ajax 0 (1-1 on agg)
Ronaldo fires a ball to the right wing, De Sciglio strides forward and punts a low ball into the area... and a Juventus player goes down! He wants a penalty but is never, ever getting it.
Onana is so good with the ball that Ajax's full-backs push high up the pitch and control a chipped pass from him.
AND CAN CLOSES ONANA DOWN in the box but his block puts the ball out for a goal kick. Juventus definitely having the better of the start of this game.
3 mins - Juventus 0 Ajax 0 (1-1 on agg)
Juventus pressing high up the pitch from Ajax's goal kicks and Ajax end up giving the ball away at halfway. Juventus' strip is black and white, though mostly white, and Ajax are playing in black instead of their home colours, which are red. Sure, it's white too but wear the red top and black shorts or something.
Erik Ten Hag pre-match
We have to play proud, brave and with self belief. If we do that we have a chance to win.
We take the confidence from Madrid to Juventus, a different football culture but we will give everything... and then we will see.
We have to set new limits, also in a hostile atmosphere tonight. Mental is a big issue in this moments, we are prepared and we will do it.
I'm looking forward to it, we will enjoy the game. The coach has to be brave too.
Warming up
Michael Owen knows the importance of doing your stretches and although the photo above is Juventus, clearly, Frenkie De Jong wasn't meant to be fit for tonight. A hamstring injury had him leave Ajax's last game, a 6-2 win over Excelsior. Owen says:
I'm looking forward to seeing if he can replicate those lung bursting runs! As someone who's had plenty of hamstring injuries... to limp off four days ago, even if it's just cramped up or tight, I'll be interested to see his first sprint
The crowd's getting big
Heaps of Ajax fans were on the streets of Turin before the game. Inside the stadium they've just shown that anti-racism campaign that UEFA or FIFA has on the big screens. Hopefully Bonucci has had a wee think about what he said regarding Moise Kean being racially abused a couple of weeks ago...
Here's the story about that:
Cagliari’s supporters made monkey noises during the Serie A match and reportedly screamed “buu”, which is regarded as a racist insult in Italian football, but Bonucci said Kean, 19, who spread his arms while facing the crowd after scoring Juve’s second goal in Tuesday’s 2-0 win, “could have done it differently” and “the blame is 50-50”. Last night Bonucci rowed back, saying: “I was interviewed right at the end of the game, and my words have been clearly misunderstood.”
The Chaaaaaaaaaaampions
It's here. The big one. Juventus vs Ajax. The spirit of Del Piero vs the teachings of Johan Cruyff. De Ligt vs Leonardo 'racism is 50/50' Bonucci. RONALDO vs TADIC.
The first leg ended 1-1 and was a beezer of a match. Both sides are entirely capable of going all the way in this competition but Ajax have the harder job what with the Old Lady having an away goal advantage. Those pesky away goals are real... pesky.
Tonight though the action does not take place in Amsterdam, the home of canals and bicycles... and Cruyff. And stag dos. It's absolutely lovely. No, it takes place in Turin, and all Ajax need to do is unlock a defence that never, ever seems to concede goals.
Juventus have let in 22 goals all season in the league and will be absolutely prepared to shut the gates, bolt the door and put up an electric fence. But just like the opening scene of Jurassic Park, all it takes is one little mistake for Ajax (the raptor in this scenario) to break out and inflict a lethal blow in the form of an away goal, or by eating one of the security staff.
🎯 Cristiano Ronaldo added another to his #UCL collection last time out...
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 16, 2019
👕1⃣6⃣1⃣
⚽️1⃣2⃣5⃣ @juventusfc | @Cristiano pic.twitter.com/DPHBaiUGBZ
Ronaldo scored the crucial away goal last time around, who will be on the scoresheet tonight? We could do with the teamsheets to work that one out but look out for Ajax's forwards. Ziyech, Dolberg, Neres and Tadic are all playing some excellent football at the moment and could cause problems for Juventus' defence. One major issue will be if Frenkie De Jong hasn't fit to play because of a hamstring injury - he keeps everything ticking over in midfield but, like I say (type) we'll find out very soon who's in the 11.