Champions League – Ajax vs Benfica: S.L. Benfica were clinical in the away leg against an Ajax team that lacked the end product. The visitors managed to score the only goal of the fixture through a headed attempt from Darwin Núñez at the end of a set piece in the 77th minute. The header was Benfica’s only shot on target in the evening.
Ajax welcomed the visitors to the Johan Cruijff Arena last night for the second leg of the Champions League quarter finals. The tie was evenly poised as their 1st leg in Lisbon ended with a score line of 2-2.
The Dutch club were favourites leading into the fixture. Along with the home turf advantage, the club had momentum on their side, thanks to their group stages performance.
De Joden had most of the possession in the encounter and created plenty of chances, attempting to score on sixteen occasions. They however, were terrible in the final third as just two of those were on target.
Their opponents meanwhile were happy to sit back and made the most of their chances.
Champions League – Ajax vs Benfica: Post match reactions
Ajax’s Erik ten Hag when asked if he’s been practising his English: “No, that is not true. We talk English in the club because we have a lot of foreign players. In Holland [they’re] well educated in English” he replied.
“I do not think that is an issue today, this evening is all about our match. I am focused on that and I do not pay any attention to other subjects. My only focus is Ajax vs Benfica,” he added regarding his future (with rumours linking him to Manchester United).
Benfica coach Nelson Verissimo: “We are among the eight best teams in Europe. The team worked so hard to achieve this against really difficult opponents,”
Ajax striker Sebastien Haller: “We were not good enough in either box. We should have scored but didn’t take our chances and then we conceded an avoidable goal. It was the perfect game for them. We leave with regrets but unfortunately that is football. The team who dominate do not always win. We just have to learn from our mistakes.”
