Champions League game between Tottenham and Ajax came in not good time for Tottenham as squad was decimated with injuries or suspensions. H.Kane, H.Winks and Son could not play. Vertongen and Sissoko just returned from injuries. Spurs squad is not with good depth particularly in attack and that left coach Poch with no other options but to let usual substitutes like Llorente and Lucas start in attack.

He decided to play with Llorente, Trippier, Alderwerield, Sanchez, Vertongen, Rose, Wanyama, Eriksen, Delle Ali, Lucas and Llorente. As always Sanchez in squad brought as always coldness to heart because he makes at least 2-3 crucial mistakes per game which give other club great goal chance.

It didn't last for long when he made first one. It was like 4 or 5th minute when he stupidly careless lost the ball in dangerous area and made 'save who is alive' situation for squad. Later in second half around 50th minute he did it once more and made big chance for Ajax which Rose saved with brave tackle. Rest of the game he was good. Fortunately his mistakes did not cost club goal.

After few initiating minutes of equal play Ajax started to press hard on Tottenham defense causing a lot of problems. After only 15 minutes D. van de Beek scored a goal from close range all alone. Spurs tried to make offside trap which failed because Trippier failed to run out quick enough. H. Ziyech assisted him very good. Ajax dominated on the field and soon created one big chance which Ugo fortunately saved. Ajax player was selfish and instead to passed to alone player on 5 meter shot from not so good position.

Dutch side dominate possession of the ball a lot and played simple, fast and well organized football. In their side everyone know where and when to run unlike Spurs where it is not the case. Tottenham made some dangerous set pieces situations. After one of them Llorente shot by head, but wide of goal. In other Alderwerield broke nose of Ian Vertongen in accidental collision with him. Super Ian left the field in bad condition barely on his legs. He probably suffered shell shock. Way how he barely left the field with help rise concern that it is serious injury which needed urgent medical help. After that Poch decided to bring Sissoko in the game. That returned game in balance again as Spurs were not struggling so much to take the ball. Strategy of long balls toward immobile Llorente who should lower it to someone failed as he was not able to do such things. Well he did it once toward Lucas on right flank, Lucas entered in the box but nothing came out of that situation. Near the end of first half Alderweireld were close to goal but his header whizzed across the crossbar. One more long range shot wide of goal after it was all what Spurs made to do until half time.

I don't know what Poch said to players in dressing room, but in second half they looked much better compared to poor performance of first half. Llorente started to move more on the field, Tottenham took possession of the ball, but was unable to create clear chance. In my opinion crucial problem was that players did not know where and when to run. One blatant example of that was 3 on 3 or 4 on 4 situation at 20m of Ajax goal when instead to run on sides to clear the space and make pass possible all Spurs players ran in path of other Spurs player and almost collided. Other example was late cross from right side. It was obvious cross will came for at least 5-10 seconds, however noone of Spurs players attacked posts. When cross is coming everyone want to see one player attacking first post, and other second post. Attackers were simply not on right places.

Llorente had one good move in the box, believe or not he dribbled but instead of shot when he had chance he continued to dribble and almost hit in other Spurs player and lost the ball. What to say on pathetic long ball attempts toward smallest man on the field Lucas Moura ? Simple ridiculous! Ajax had one great chance after good counter attack which ended on the far post of Tottenham goal. Rose and Alderweireld saved few dangerous counter attacks on Spurs goal in second half.

For me the best player of Spurs was SIssoko. Alderweireld was excellent too, except one mistake. He did a lot in defense and was danger in attack with his headers. Sanchez was usual, Trippier and Rose tried but were unable to do much in attack. Rose did good job in defense, Trippier was also usual, but he is the one to blame for goal. Lloris saved what he could. Erisken and Delle Ali were under their level, Wanyama was not so good and lost a lot of balls. Lucas tried to play but couldn't do much, Llorente was unable to do his job which is to catch some cross and try header or to lower high ball to other players.

All in one Tottenham lost, but did not concede second. That is important because second would end up this duel and send Ajax straight to final. Result is bad, but not unattainable. Redemption path leads over Amsterdam. Spurs need to give them at least 2 goals and if possible not concede more than one. Hard path, but with Son might be possible if he has his night. One early goal for Spurs for 0:1 could make things very difficult for Ajax because of away goal rule and fear of second goal. To do so Spurs players need to learn where to run to avoid collisions with each other. Ajax is playing some nice, beautiful and simple football where everyone knows where and when to run and pass. Spurs need to reach that level before second leg if they want to have any chance.