Tottenham Hotspur take on Dutch side Ajax tonight in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
This is the biggest match in the club’s recent history, as Spurs have never qualified for this round of the competition.
Tottenham overcame a tough group with Barcelona, Inter Milan and PSV, before battling past then German League leaders Borussia Dortmund and then Premier League leaders Man City in the knockout rounds to reach the semi.
Ajax had a similar giant-killing route, as they knocked out both the Champions League holders, Real Madrid, and Cristian Ronaldo’s Juventus in the last two rounds.
Both clubs are somewhat of surprise packages for the final four, but Mauricio Pochettino has labelled the treatment of Ajax unfair this week (SkySports), as the Dutch side had a match cancelled to ensure they were well-rested (BBC).
Despite the Dutch FA granting this, the Premier League showed no such special treatment to Spurs, who played on Saturday, giving them four days fewer to prepare.
Ajax manager Erik Ten Hag has now hit back at Pochettino’s claims, stating that Spurs have plenty of advantages over Ajax too.
MORE SPURS STORIES
He said (Standard): “I can’t really say a lot about that. There are always different circumstances, we get 10 million (euros) from TV, they get a lot more, is that still unfair for them or for us? Everyone has different circumstances.”
Spurs Web Opinion:
Although I believe that it is unfair Ajax were granted special treatment, and I also believe that the TV money argument is mute, I think this talk of pros and cons should be put to bed. Complaining will get neither of these teams anywhere, as the golden ticket to the final will be decided on the pitch, no matter what has happened off of it. Spurs are hampered with injuries and fatigue, but must now dig deep if they are to qualify for the right to play Liverpool or Barca in June.
Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
