Spurs will have to overcome a one-goal deficit in Amsterdam next week in order to reach the Champions League final in Madrid after they fell to a 1-0 defeat on Tuesday night courtesy of a first-half strike from Donny van de Beek.
Ajax started the game in terrific fashion as Spurs barely saw the ball in the first half an hour of the game.
Pochettino then changed the system back to a four, first moving Danny Rose to midfield, before Moussa Sissoko came on for Jan Vertonghen, who had to be withdrawn following a terrible clash of heads with Toby Alderweireld.
Spurs imposed themselves on the game much more after the change of system but failed to make their chances count.
Former Manchester United Rio Ferdinand, who was covering the match for BT Sport, has insisted that Spurs are still in the tie ahead of the second leg at Amsterdam next Wednesday.
The 40-year-old said given the form they have displayed away from home in the competition so far, a come back from Spurs cannot be ruled out.
According to The Mirror, Ferdinand told BT Sport (30 April 2019 – 19:00): “I think so, 100 per cent (Spurs are in the tie). Their away form in this tournament shows they are capable of getting a result.
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“It was professional and mature from Ajax. In the first half they played fantastic football. In Spurs defence, if you take 44 goals out of the side in Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, any team would suffer.”
Spurs Web’s take
With just a solitary goal separating the sides, Tottenham certainly cannot be ruled out. However, they will have to put in a much better performance than the one they did in the first leg if they are to have a chance of progressing. Pochettino will be hoping Son Heung-Min’s return equips the team with the firepower to hurt Ajax in the return leg.
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