BY ADEBAYO OLODAN
Just like the 2019 general elections in Nigeria which threw up a lot of surprises, the 2018/2019 UEFA Champions League have been a competition of upsets.
From the group stage to the knockout phase, the fans have been treated with sumptuous football and astounding results.
The surprises aside, one club that may have won over the support of the highest number of fans across the globe is Ajax FC following their outstanding performance.
Ajax played one of the best brand of football in recent years, defeating European heavyweights; Real Madrid and Juventus in the round of 16 and quarter-final. After dropping points in the first leg at the Amsterdam Arena, Ajax surprised even their fans by defeating Real Madrid 4-1 at Bernabeu and Juventus 2-1 in Turin to scale through to the last four.
Following the 3-2 defeat of Juventus over two legs, Ajax became the first team outside the top five European Leagues to reach the UEFA Champions League semifinals since 2004/2005 season when PSV Eindhoven achieved the feat.
With little money in the Dutch League, the Erik ten Hag team relied so much on academy products compared to Europe’s big teams that have deep lined pockets.
Against Juvy, Ajax named five players aged 22 or younger in the starting XI. Overall, the squad is arguably the youngest with an average age of 24.
The captain of the team, Mathtijs De Ligt has consistently churned out flawless performance in the heart of defence despite being only 19.
Similarly, key players, David Neres is 22 while Barcelona-bound Frenkie De Jong and Moroccan right-back, Noussair Mazraouai are just 21!
Hakim Ziyech and Kasper Dolberg have continued to weigh in their own fair share of goals while Nicolas Tagliafico and Manchester United returnee, Daley Blind have continued to provide cover for Andre Onana in goal.
Responsible for the phenomenal achievement of the club is their fearless attacking no matter the rating of their opponent. The team plays dominant attacking football not defensive, passing square/route one football.
For the uninformed, Ajax has one of the best attacks in European football with 155 goals scored in all competitions so far.
With the club already in the semi-finals for the first time in 22 years, the big question is; can Ajax repeat the 1995 feat when the team lifted the trophy courtesy of a lone goal from a youngster called Patrick Kluivert. In that all conquering Ajax side were two Nigerians, Kanu Nwankwo and Finidi George. In goal for the victorious Ajax side in 1995 was Edwin Van der Saar who is now the Chief Executive Officer of the club. In the role of the Sporting Director at the Amsterdam based club is another legend, Marc Overmars.
Ajax looks primed for a place in the final already as the team is expected to outdo English club, Tottenham Hotspur over two legs in the semis.
Should Ajax eventually make it to the final in Madrid, it will be difficult for either Barcelona or Liverpool to defeat them. Having come that far, Ajax will not just be in Madrid to be taken apart by any side.
Should Ajax failed to lift the trophy, they will still be remembered for their performance this term after all, not many people gave the team the chance to advance against Real Madrid and later Juventus.
