‘A bigger chance than Tottenham … certainly’: Dusan Tadic believes that Ajax would have pushed Liverpool harder in the Champions League final of 2019 than defeated opponents Spurs
- Spurs defeated Ajax in the last minute of the semi-finals of the 2019 Champions League
- Dusan Tadic and his side were denied the opportunity to take on Liverpool in Madrid
- But on Wednesday evening Ajax will face Jurgen Klopp’s team in the group stage
- Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag downplayed the absence and impact of Virgil van Dijk
Ajax captain Dusan Tadic thinks they would have given Liverpool a better match in the 2019 Champions League final than Tottenham managed.
The Dutch club were seconds away from securing their place when Lucas Moura scored extra time in the sixth minute in their semi-final to pass Spurs.
It was a brutal blow to the Dutch side, which had been brilliant that season, and it hurt even more to see Tottenham, in their first European Cup final, fall behind with a second-minute Mohamed Salah penalty and never really threatening before Divock Origi scored. a second late on.
Dusan Tadic maintains that Ajax could have given Liverpool a better match in the 2019 final
The Reds beat Tottenham 2-0 in Madrid to lift the Champions League for the sixth time
“It would have been nice to play against them in the final,” said the former Southampton forward, who was asked if Ajax could have beat Liverpool.
‘It’s hard to play against them (but) certainly more likely than Tottenham.
‘I played against Liverpool too often, it was always difficult. They put a lot of pressure on fast football, they are a great team but it will be a great game to play. ‘
Tadic gets his wish to play Jurgen Klopp’s side in the opening game of their Champions League campaign at the Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam on Wednesday.
Tadic is comforted by Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld after devastating semi-final defeat
Liverpool suffered a hefty blow over the weekend when Virgil Van Dijk was ruled out for several months from front ligament damage requiring surgery, and things haven’t improved for the visitors with fellow center-back Joel Matip from this game with an injury.
Ajax coach Erik Ten Hag says he does not know whether he is relieved that Van Dijk will not play.
“I don’t know,” said Ten Hag when asked what he thought about the Dutch captain being absent.
Ajax coach Erik Ten Hag downplayed the impact of Virgil van Dijk’s absence tomorrow
‘At the end of the day, it’s about who’s still playing. It won’t be a different Liverpool, they always play the same. The quality of Man A can switch to Man B, the whole team does not change because Virgil Van Dijk is not present.
“Of course they are currently the best team in the world, if you win the Champions League and Premier League within two years, you are a strong contender for the Champions League title.”
Ajax attacker Antony, who has scored three goals in five league matches, misses the match injured.
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