Full credit to Ajax and the writing was on the wall that a result like this was possible. Still Madrid might have taken this one or at least put more points on the board with a few things playing out differently. That's not to take away from Ajax's performance because I think the scoreline reflected that actually gameplay, but look at the 2nd leg of the Copa match. Anyway, congrats to
@Ajacied as I know this sort of feeling for an Ajax side in the CL has been a long time coming having lived the last time.
Personally thrilled with what I saw from De Jong. Sure he got caught in possession late on, but just generally he looked really comfortable out there and put in the work. I know this isn't news, but looks like he'll fit in perfectly with us next season. Even more excited than I already was. Ziyech for me was really up and down. Some really good playmaking and passing one minute, then some stupid decisions/shots the next. Tadic was fantastic. Really nice goal, but the way he held up the ball and played in his teammates was just top drawer. Really the difference maker in that Ajax front three on the night. I thought Blind was good and outshone De Ligt. Liked the danger Neres brought in the box. And I can definitely see Tagliafico going to a club of some stature (outside of Ajax).
Curious we don't hear more about Ten Hag. I've heard good things even before this match, but I feel like he doesn't get a lot of press.
As for Madrid and some of the folks surprised by this, as some of us having been saying for a while now, the CL wins weren't really an accurate portrayal of that team. I'm not saying they were deserved or not deserved at all, but rather that the team wasn't as good as people thought. 2016-17 was a bullshit league win and domestically they have little to show for that team's reputation. Barça are on pace to win their 4th liga out of the last 5 and really it should be their 10th out of the last 10. And if Barça win the Copa it will be 6 out of 6 there too. Anyway, a talented team for sure, but never as good as people made them out to be.
Hilarious to see fans of loser clubs talking **** about the biggest club in the world. Juve (biggest losers in Europe) and Liverpool (hopefully you see a league title this century) fans especially. But I guess when your club isn't going to win a UCL anytime soon, the next best thing is to talk **** about the club that spanks you on a regular basis. Jealousy isn't good but it's only natural. Enjoy yourselves now, you guys have been waiting a long time to celebrate something in Europe.
Great performance by Ajax, they should have scored more tbh. Feels weird to say but I'm glad we lost. This team has problems and if we had by some miracle made a UCL run, Florentino would have been too stubborn and stupid to recognize it. Hopefully this wakes him and the rest of the board up.
Hopefully all teams stay healthy. Good luck to everyone (except Barca and Atletico obviously).
And people think I hate Madridistas.
That's why they should play together at the same club.
I think playing on the NT will be enough. Besides, we're not going to sign De Ligt AND Van Dijk.
Kroos has been pretty bad for a long time. What an overrated player
Now to you and all the other bandwagoners how many years too late, this was my baby. Find your own overrated players to trumpet. And where did that Kroos fan go? Did they take away his online privileges?
Statistics say otherwise.
The eye test says otherwise to your stats, not to mention context.
I must say that watching Ajax rape Madrid was up there as one of the most pleasing soccer moments of the decade. What a beauty.
Kroos sucks.
Modric was awful once again today and has had a stinker of a season compared to last year.
Same goes for Varane.
Asensio looks atrocious too.
Bale will be gone, so will Marcelo.
Good times.
Can people please refrain from using the "r" word.
Kroos is overrated, but he doesn't suck.
Modric hasn't been as consistent as he sometimes gets credit for, but generally yes.
Varane absolutely hasn't been nearly as consistent as he gets credit for. Modric you can almost ignore, Varane not so much.
I actually thought Asensio was one of their best players. Scored an excellent goal, set up another chance, came back to get the ball and would try and do things. Based on what I've seen, which isn't too much coincidentally, it's surprising he doesn't play more really. Of course if the attitude isn't there then I get it, but I just don't see how he doesn't play more.
Bale had some moments, but yeah, he should be gone. Best for all parties involved.
Good times indeed, but hopefully we won't be suffering the same fate next week.
He can be all yours, I rather have my Arthur.
You mean my Arthur, but yes, you can enjoy him too.
Arthur has been great too, as a passer he is on par with Kroos. But in terms of efficiency Kroos has created 43 chances in 19 games in the Spanish league, Arthur 8 in 17. Even minding that Kroos plays more minutes that's a big difference. Real has other problems than him despite his bad mistake today.
Yeah, even minding that Kroos has nearly double the minutes... Good Lord. Not to mention their respective roles or who takes set pieces and who doesn't.
A lot of knee jerk reactions. madrid have loads of young talent just need to fix their offence. Jr is too young and Benz can't do it alone. Everything else will fall into place, they have the players to cover for the midfield and defence.
Totally agree about the reactions. A lot of knee jerk reactions. Madrid have plenty of talent too. However they have two big issues. A real difference maker in their front three and a manager worthy of that role. On top of that a lot of their young talent has plenty of proving to do and not all of it looks "Galactico" level if you will. I think they've got plenty of players who should stick around and who can be squad players at worst which is fine. Still they need a next generation talent. Vinicius Jr hasn't sold me just yet. Rodrygo maybe? But even so when does he produce the goods. They needed to get Mbappe' and didn't and now unless the player puts up a fuss he's stick on farm that's really a golden prison.
They just need to get that Dybala kid and everything will be alright
No it won't. I won't lose sleep if they get him.
Congrats to Ajax , and big shoutout to their recruitment. They've done a really nice job supplementing their academy talent with veteran pieces.
They also have a good track record of getting young talent from outside their club. De Jong for example.
So who are we choosing here to build a squad now, Laporte or Varane? Just two years ago 99% of this board would probably say Varane.
Never change my friend.
Varane, all day long. Varane has the talent, but he's still lacking with some of the performances over the course of the past how many years now. He's been too inconsistent which to be fair I don't put all at his doorstep. Laporte though? Now that is a player who have been overrated on this forum. I shudder to think we might (depending on the rumors) have got Laporte instead of Umtiti.
It's not even close. Varane all the way. One lousy season doesn't delete the guy's got 4 CLs and a WC, has been vital for his teams winning the trophies and is still only 25.
For reference point, Laporte is a year younger and doesn't have a droplet of the career accomplishments that Varane has. VVD is 27, and Varane is 25.
So, I still expect 99% of the board to go Varane.
And the other 1% would be wrong.
I don't think rattling off his trophies really tells the whole Varane story. I also think on top of a "lousy" season you add some inconsistent ones at the very least. Still you're spot on. Varane all day long.
