About half an hour ago, we just got over the second day of the Uefa Champions League and just as expected from the most exhilarating and invigorating competition in club football, minds raced, voices cracked, emotions flared and most importantly, the anthem was heard from the ends of the earth.
Down this piece, I am going to be putting down the talking points from both matches held today and I would love you the reader to note that you are free to disagree with whatever I put down there as they are just my own thoughts put down in words.
Ajax The Most Underrated Team in This Season’s Uefa Champions League
While watching tonight’s encounter against Juventus, I had nothing but praise for the Ajax team as I sat and watched in awe of these youngsters. Yes, I tend to have forgotten that they disgracefully eliminated defending champions Real Madrid which happened to be my favourite team and I was in front of the television, watching my team, Uefa Champions League defending champions Real Madrid cut into shreds time and time again by Ajax.
I couldn’t help but wish captain Sergio Ramos was not suspended and he had played a part in the match. Of course we will find an excuse, something to shield how terrible we were defensively but giving credit to Ajax just because they utilized the rare opportunity of going against a Madrid team terrible at the back is discrediting them instead. The Dutchmen deserved the victory they got fully well, make no mistake about it. But then, they were drawn against a Ronaldo inspired Juventus who just finished a great comeback against Atletico Madrid and everyone including me thought it was the end of the road for Juventus but yet again, I watchedan Ajax team nit so different from the one that eliminated Real Madrid and if I am not mistaken, they were even better.
When the season began, no one thought Ajax would come this far, no one considered them team to beat but here they are today, looking all motivated, confident and fired up. They just need to make the right decisions the great number of times they make it into Juventus’ penalty area and who knows, Ajax might head into the semi finals and probably lift the trophy. How would that feel? Perplexing at first, I am certain of that.
Manchester United Have Come Far Enough, Now They Can Leave With Their Heads Held High
With the sacking of great tactician Jose Mourinho came the recruitment of former legend of the club Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Norwegian has since done marvellous things at the team including taking them past Paris Saint Germain in the knockout stage despite losing the first leg. Manchester needed a last minute penalty to go through but a win is a win.
They were drawn against Barcelona in the Quarterfinal and conceived a 12 minute goal through an own goal. They allowed the Barca team much space on the ball and had MC Tominnay to thank for helping them realize they can actually compete with this Barcelona team but then with blunt attackers, it meant just the midfield and defence were functioning, preventing further goals was one of their top priority, good thing they managed to maintain it but with a goal down, and two, considering Uefa’s away goal rule, overcoming this at the Camp Nou would prove to be a difficult task but Manchester United can eat and drink over their performance in the competition.
Ronaldo The King In His Kingdom
Just like last season, some Portuguese wizard is flexing his wand all round his fortress once again.
Ronaldo is considered the King of European competition and is proving to have decided he is saving his goals for the knockout stages of the competition. Four goals in two matches has seen the Portuguese attacker in race to win another highest goal scorer award for the fourth year running.
Against Ajax, he was marshalled real well by the Ajax defence but typical Ronaldo would always find his way out.
From the centre of the pitch, he initiated a move but was on hand to finish it, lethal goal scorer that man is and I am very much not going to be surprised if he continues the scoring streak at Turin when both teams met for the second leg.
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