Another incredible night to remember for the Dutch team
Ajax qualified for the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 1997 on Tuesday night and their supporters were keen to savour every moment in Turin.
Juventus’ Allianz Stadium was stunned by the visitors’ 2-1 win in their quarter-final second leg, especially after Cristiano Ronaldo edged them into the lead with a typically-Ronny header from a corner.
Some great footwork by Hakim Ziyech led to the attacking midfielder inadvertently setting up Donny van de Beek for the leveller before teenage star Matthijs de Ligt won the match for Ajax on 67 minutes. It led to amazing scenes in the away end, holding 2,000 Dutch fans.
Pretty much everyone stayed around long after the final whistle, celebrating with the players who came back out from the dressing room to reap the glory of their achievement.
https://twitter.com/Futbol_Replays/status/1118264948768018435
Inside the dressing room and stadium concourse, Ajax players and fans alike revelled in the historic evening. Club footage shows Daley Blind leading celebrations while manager Erik ten Hag maintained his cool, calm persona even behind the scenes.
The Ajax after party in full swing 🙌 #Ajax #UCL https://t.co/5qtBDNfpVH
— FansBet (@FansBet) April 16, 2019
ABSOLUTE SCENES!!! 🏆#UCL #juvaja pic.twitter.com/XnmLWdy6Lj
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) April 16, 2019
Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur will compete for the chance to play Ajax on Wednesday night, Spurs holding a one-goal advantage going to the Etihad Stadium. Either side will feel confident taking on the Eredivisie giants, given their 22-year wait to reach this stage – and their thumping defeat to Juve back in the ’97 semis.
TITANS IN TURIN! 🍕#UCL #juvaja pic.twitter.com/9mG0gm1Hs8
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) April 16, 2019
However Ajax reached the final in their two previous trips to the final-four, both in their mid-90s pomp, even winning the trophy in 1995 with icons such as Patrick Kluivert, Jari Litmanen and Clarence Seedorf in their team.
