Tottenham will beat Ajax in their Champions League semi-final because they are better than Real Madrid and Juventus defensively, according to Paul Merson.
The Dutch league leaders caused back to back upsets by dumping the two European giants out of the competition, but Merson believes that Spurs will show Ajax more respect than their previous opponents – and that could work to their advantage.
Writing in a column for the Daily Star, he said: “Tottenham are heading for the Champions League final. Beating City was a phenomenal result, especially without Harry Kane for the second leg of that game, and they will believe they can go all the way now.
“You can’t underestimate Ajax after what they’ve done in the tournament so far. But Real Madrid and Juventus paid them no respect at all. They just turned up expecting to win. They didn’t change the gameplan at all. Spurs will. Spurs won’t play that open against them.
“If they are at their best, Tottenham will beat Ajax. They are better defensively than Madrid and Juventus.”
OPINION
Merson could be right on this one. When Ajax knocked out Real Madrid, people were understandably flabbergasted, but there was a general feeling that Madrid were not at their best after a tumultuous season, and that upsets do occasionally happen in football. That meant that when Juventus rolled into town, they must have been convinced that they were coming up against a half-decent side who had somehow managed to fluke their way to a Champions League quarter final. How wrong they were. The Dutch giants were imperious from the get go; hungry, exciting, ruthless. This is a team who can do some serious, serious damage, make no mistake. But as Merson suggests, the key here is that Tottenham are forewarned. They will be more compact than Real or Juve. They will be more respectful. And when all is said and done, that could be the difference in a semi-final that promises to be an absolute corker.