“Heads up, chest out”
Ajax have quite rightly earned plaudits for their remarkable run through the Champions League this season, a campaign that has seen the historic Dutch club draw with Bayern Munich twice in the group stages and then knock out Real Madrid and Juventus in consecutive rounds.
It’s been an incredible journey to the semi-finals for the young team, one which began all the way back in July last year as the club progressed through the qualifying rounds before the tournament proper. It ended in disappointment, sure, but the football they played along the way and the moments they had with their fans won’t easily be forgotten.
For Erik ten Hag’s brave side, however, the season is far from over as Ajax now face two crucial games in the Eredivisie. They’re currently level on points with rivals PSV but have a far superior goal difference (+81 to +71), meaning that should they win their final two fixtures at home to Utrecht and away to De Graafschap, the title will – very likely – be theirs.
It’s in their hands, and the club are clearly eager not to see the heads of the players and supporters drop after Wednesday night’s heartbreak against Tottenham if this video is anything to go by.
Coming back from any defeat, let alone a Champions League semi-final in which you’re 3-0 up on aggregate, is difficult. But if there is a right way to do it, this is probably it.
It’s an honourably defiant response from the team that has captured the hearts of the neutrals more than any other during this season’s competition and it’s well worth your time.
