Van Persie reveals how he scored two goals in 6-2 win over Ajax this season

Ajax saw off Juventus 3-2 on aggregate in their Champions League quarter-final match-up with goals from Donny van de Beek and Matthijis de Ligt cancelling out Cristiano Ronaldo’s opener progressing to the semi-finals.

24 hours later, Tottenham Hotspur progressed to the final four in a game many are calling the ‘greatest ever Champions League game’. Tottenham scored three away goals at the Etihad against Manchester City but looked to be bowing out of the competition after Raheem Sterling had appeared to have scored a stoppage time ‘winner’ only for VAR to disallow it for offside.

The two underdogs will meet each other in the semi-finals with a place in the final in Madrid on the line with the first leg to be held in North London with Spurs’ squad being hit with a number of injuries and Former Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie believes this gives Ajax the advantage going into the tie.

The Dutchman believes Harry Kane’s absence is an important factor going into the semi-final tie.

Van Persie said: “I think Ajax are favourites in the semi-final because Tottenham play without Harry Kane.” (Metro)

The Feyenoord striker scored twice in a 6-2 win against Ajax back in January and says the secret in beating de Ligt is to not go toe-to-toe with the defender.

“What I always try to do in the first 15 minutes is look at the position of central defenders.

“I watched how they reacted if I let myself fall back into midfield, or if I was going to play on the back of the Argentine boy [left-back Nicolas Tagliafico]. That worked out well that afternoon, everything came off. Duels with De Light, I don’t get involved in that. It makes no sense. He’s so good, so strong.”

Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Related Topics

Have something to tell us about this article? Let us know