Ajax sensationally defeated Real Madrid 4-1 in the Bernabeu to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals. Michael Bell rates the Ajax heroes for their performances on Tuesday.
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Andre Onana 8/10: Did exactly what he needed to do all night. An excellent goalkeeping performance apart from one shaky moment in the second half. Could do nothing with the goal.
Noussair Mazraoui 7/10: Was caught out of position at times and I feared for him on a yellow card against Bale. However, he played a massive role in the crucial third goal.
Nicolas Tagliafico 7.5/10: Solid from beginning to end and didn’t put a foot wrong. Didn’t stand out much but no wonder Real Madrid want to sign him.
Matthijs de Ligt 8.5/10: A captains performance! Dominant in the air and his challenges. Didn’t give Benzema an inch and strode forward with the ball at times to ease pressure.
Daley Blind 8/10: Solid throughout and made a few great last ditch challenges. Caught out of position a few times but this was a good performance from Blind.
Frenkie de Jong 9/10: Any Barcelona fans watching De Jong will be licking their lips at the moment. What a player they are getting. He bossed Luka Modric throughout and left him on his backside at one point. So calm in possession and drove forward with ease at times. A mistake at the end is the only reason he is not getting a 10/10 but still a wonderful performance.
Lasse Schone 8/10: Doesn’t stand out often but Schone had a great game capped by a wonderful free-kick. Snapped into challenges and won the ball back several times. Deserves more credit than he gets.
Donny van de Beek 8.5/10: Crucial to the victory tonight, van de Beek is an expert at finding space around the box and he was constantly getting away from the Real Madrid defence. If only he had a bit more speed and he would have been in on goal several times. Still a classy performance from the midfielder, who was just lacking a goal for all his efforts.
Hakim Ziyech 8.5/10: Scored the crucial opener and was great throughout, proving once again he is ready for a move to the top. Was a bit selfish at times around the Real box and if he was more defensively switched on, Real Madrid may not have scored.
David Neres 8.5/10: A silky performance from the Brazilian who took his goal well and was a constant threat throughout. Imagine if he decided to leave for China in January? Ajax were right not to sell him because when he plays like this he is a great talent.
Dusan Tadic 10/10: Sensational, just sensational! What more can you say about Tadic in the Champions League this season? He is a world class player and he showed that in Madrid. Two excellent assists and a stunning goal. A perfect forwards performance.
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Great ratings, Michael. Glad you didn’t haircut Tadic’s rating, he was out of this world today. Bargain acquisition by Ajax, they are lucky to have him.
Hard to quibble with much here but Blind made 2 crucial interventions in the first half on Kroos and I believe Benzema, both in the box. Made a ton of clearances too, as well as a great pass to Tadic in the 1st half that almost made it 0-3. I think he deserved a 9.