Dusan Tadic Joins Lionel Messi and Neymar in Earning Perfect L'Equipe Rating
Mar 6, 2019
MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 05: Dusan Tadic of Ajax celebrates as he scores his team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Real Madrid and Ajax at Bernabeu on March 05, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Dusan Tadic earned a rare perfect rating from French newspaper L'Equipe following his performance for Ajax against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, joining a select group of players to receive the mark that includes Lionel Messi and Neymar.
The Serbia international was sensational in the 4-1 win for the Dutch giants, helping them earn a 5-3 victory on aggregate in the last-16 tie. He set up two goals in the first period—the second of which came after a stunning piece of skill and run—before netting himself with a pinpoint effort from outside the area in the second.
So good was Tadic, he joined a small stable of players to earn a rating of 10 from L'Equipe, as Jonathan Johnson of ESPN FC relayed:
As evidenced above, while Tadic was given top marks, there were some low scores for some Real Madrid players. Casemiro was given just one, while Toni Kroos and Thibaut Courtois picked up twos.
French football journalist Rich Allen noted just how rare it is for the French newspaper to dish out a perfect score:
The 10 to receive the 10/10 L'Equipe rating:
1. Franck Sauzee (1988) 2. Bruno Martini (1988) 3. Oleg Salenko (1994) 4. Lars Windfeld (1997) 5. Lionel Messi (2010) 6. Lionel Messi (2012) 7. Robert Lewandowski (2013) 8. Carlos Eduardo (2014) 9. Neymar (2018) 10. Dusan Tadic (2019)
Few will argue that Tadic deserved this individual mark, as he was the key man in Ajax producing one of the biggest shocks in Europe in recent years.
While they performed well in a 2-1 loss to Madrid in the first leg of the tie, few anticipated the Dutch side would be able to turn things around at the Santiago Bernabeu. After all, Real have won the last three Champions League titles in a row.
However, early goals from Hakim Ziyech and David Neres put the Amsterdam giants in control of the contest, before Tadic's goal made it 3-0. Madrid did threaten to rally after Marco Asensio reduced the deficit, although Lasse Schone made the game safe with a free-kick.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said it was a performance reminiscent of some of the great Ajax sides:
"This is probably the best game of football I've ever played," Tadic said afterwards to Veronica TV (h/t Sacha Pisani of Goal). "... We have a very good team and we play nice football. [Zinedine] Zidane was always my favourite player. Maybe I was watching too many of his clips."
Following a transfer from Southampton in the summer, Tadic has been exceptional for the Eredivisie outfit:
While usually an attacking midfielder, on Tuesday he lined up at the point of the Ajax attack, with Ziyech and Neres either side. From there, Tadic dropped into space and was able to turn and drive at the opposition defence frequently.
The night was the high point of Tadic's career, and Ajax supporters will be hopeful there is still more to come. After all, on this evidence there aren't many sides who will relish going up the Dutch outfit and their inspired attacking lineup.
Matthijs De Ligt Will 'Go to a Top Club,' Says Marc Overmars Amid Barcelona Link
Mar 5, 2019
(L-R) Donny van de Beek of Ajax, Matthijs de Ligt of Ajax during the Dutch Toto KNVB Cup semi final match between Feyenoord Rotterdam and Ajax Amsterdam at the Kuip on February 27, 2019 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
Ajax sporting director Marc Overmars has conceded that his club will "have no choice" but to sell Matthijs de Ligt in the summer, and he backed the centre-back to "go to a top club."
The 19-year-old defensive star is already Ajax captain and is widely considered to be one of the best young players in the world. Back in December the Dutchman won the 2018 Golden Boy award, given to the best player under the age of 21 in Europe.
LISBON, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 7: director Marc Overmars of Ajax during the UEFA Champions League match between Benfica v Ajax at the Estadio do sport Lisboa e Benfica on November 7, 2018 in Lisbon Portugal (Photo by Erwin Spek/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Overmars, a former Barcelona player, said Ajax are not happy about having to let their best young players go, but he understands the widespread interest in De Ligt, per AS (h/t Football Italia):
"Matthijs can play anywhere, he can easily play for one of the six best teams in the world. He has incredible gifts: he has strength, mentality and heart. If I worked somewhere else, I’d do anything to sign him.
"We don’t need to sell him. We don’t need money, but I know he’ll go to a top club. Selling our best players? We don’t want to, but we have no choice. My job is to manage a top team, but we can’t keep our players if Real Madrid or Barcelona, who can afford to keep [Jasper] Cillessen on the bench for four years, come knocking."
Ajax face a huge challenge on Tuesday to overturn a 2-1 deficit in the UEFA Champions League last 16 against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
In the first leg at the Johan Cruyff Arena last month, the Dutch outfit levelled through Hakim Ziyech after Karim Benzema's opener, only for Marco Asensio to score an 87th minute winner to put Real in control of the tie.
De Ligt will be key to Ajax's attempts to turn the tie around. His excellent performances in the Champions League this season have been indicative of just how mature a player he already is:
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Raphael Varane vs Matthijs de Ligt
Can De Ligt inspire Ajax to a famous victory or will Varane step up in the absence of Sergio Ramos?
Ajax have already enjoyed their best Champions League campaign of recent seasons as they made it out of their group for the first time since the 2005-06 campaign.
Real are the three-time defending champions and have won the famous trophy a record 13 times. However, it is not out of the question that Ajax might cause an upset.
Real have been a long way from their best this term after losing manager Zinedine Zidane and star player Cristiano Ronaldo, and they are currently reeling after back-to-back home defeats to Barcelona.
Video: Discover How Bob Marley's 'Three Little Birds' Became Ajax's Club Anthem
Feb 13, 2019
BR Video
The familiar tune of Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds" has been used at Johan Cruijff ArenA for Ajax games since 2008.
Now, the origin of the classic song serving as a rallying cry for the club has been revealed in a B/R Football video.
Even though Marley's legendary song has become a staple at sporting events around the world—notably with the 2013 Boston Red Sox during their run to the World Series—more than 50,000 fans singing in unison at Johan Cruijff ArenA is a one-of-a-kind experience.
'Three Little Birds' and Ajax: How Bob Marley's Song Became an Anthem
Feb 13, 2019
BR Video
This is the story of how AFC Ajax found their song.
Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds" has become part of the club's traditions, but it began in Jamaica and travelled through Wales and England before it was cemented into Ajax folklore for good when Bob's son Ky-Mani Marley sang it with the fans in the stadium.
Back in the Big Time: How Ajax Engineered Their Champions League Revival
Feb 12, 2019
(l-r) Dusan Tadic of Ajax, Lasse Schone of Ajax, Rasmus Kristensen of Ajax, Hakim Ziyech of Ajax, Frenkie de Jong of Ajax, Daley Blind of Ajax during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax Amsterdam and VVV Venlo at the Johan Cruijff Arena on February 02, 2019 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
The journey that took Ajax back to the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds for the first time in 13 years began on a warm Amsterdam evening last July.
Facing Austrian side Sturm Graz in the first leg of a second qualifying round tie at the Johan Cruijff ArenA, Erik ten Hag's team prevailed 2-0 courtesy of goals from Hakim Ziyech and Lasse Schone.
In the second half, two players came off the bench to make significant appearances. Dusan Tadic, a summer signing from Southampton, made his debut, and Daley Blind played his first game since returning to Ajax after four years at Manchester United.
BR Video
Tadic cost a reported initial fee of €11.4 million, while Blind set Ajax back around €16 million, making them two of the most expensive players the club has ever bought.
The sums pale in comparison beside the €86 million Frenkie de Jong could ultimately cost Barcelona when he signs from Ajax this summer. Matthijs de Ligt, the Dutch club's teenage captain, is likely to command a comparable fee whenever he leaves.
For those who watch Ajax closely, though, the influence Tadic, 30, and Blind, 28, have had on their young team-mates should not be underestimated.
Dusan Tadic
"One of the main reasons why Ajax have made it [into the Champions League knockout phase] this year is that they had the money and the courage to buy experienced players like Tadic and Blind," says Mike Verweij, who reports on the club for Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. "The mix is better than in all the years before."
With 22 goals and 13 assists across all competitions, Tadic is enjoying the best season of his career. Including qualifying matches, the Serbian winger has found the net eight times in the Champions League and was the standout performer as Ajax emerged unbeaten from a group that included Bayern Munich, Benfica and AEK Athens, notably starring in an unfamiliar centre-forward role in his side's two draws against the German side.
Blind has spent more minutes on the pitch than any other Ajax player since returning to the club where he took his first steps as a professional over 10 years ago. He has been an experienced foil to 19-year-old De Ligt in central defence and has even shown an eye for goal, scoring his first career hat-trick in December's 8-0 rout of De Graafschap. (Ten Hag's ultra-attacking team have also recorded winning margins of 7-1, 6-0, 5-0—twice—and 5-1 in the league this season, giving Ajax their best goals-per-game average since the 1985-86 campaign.)
For all the contributions Tadic and Blind have made on the pitch, their efforts behind the scenes have been just as telling.
Daley Blind of Ajax during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Heracles Almelo and Ajax Amsterdam at Polman stadium on February 09, 2019 in Almelo, The Netherlands(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
"The main thing they gave the squad was the absolute focus on winning every game and doing everything to win," says Verweij. "Because in Holland, young players can play three good games and lose the fourth. But with Daley and Dusan, everybody is sharp and everybody knows that if you win four games, it doesn't mean you'll win the fifth as well. They helped their team-mates to realise what the life of a professional football player is."
Nicolas Tagliafico is another player to have brought some top-level know-how to the Ajax changing room. The 26-year-old Argentina left-back joined from Independiente in January 2018 in an example of the Eredivisie club's policy of signing players from South America in the winter transfer window and giving them time to get up to speed with a view to the following campaign.
Brazilian forward David Neres signed from Sao Paulo in January 2017 and finished as Ajax's top scorer in 2017-18. Argentinian centre-back Lisandro Magallan is being eased into action following his €9 million switch from Boca Juniors last month.
There was more evidence of Ajax's transfer smarts last summer. With the exception of Justin Kluivert, who left for AS Roma, Ajax retained all their major players and managed to tie up incoming transfers well before their Champions League qualifying campaign began.
Ajax's ability to invest in experienced players such as Tadic, Blind and Tagliafico reflects the large sums of money they have amassed from the sales of players such as Kluivert, Davinson Sanchez, Davy Klaassen and Arkadiusz Milik, all of whom have departed for fees exceeding €20 million during the last two-and-a-half years.
That sporting director Marc Overmars and chief executive Edwin van der Sar, both former Ajax stars in their own right, decided to invest in proven players in their mid-to-late 20s rather than up-and-coming prospects was tacit acknowledgement that youthful promise can only take a club so far.
(L-R) general director Edwin van der Sar of Ajax, technical director Marc Overmars of Ajax, during the UEFA Champions League second round qualifying first leg match between Ajax Amsterdam and Sturm Graz at the Johan Cruijff Arena on July 25, 2018 in Amste
Ajax seemed to stand on the brink of a major breakthrough in 2017 when a team with an average age of under 23 reached the final of the UEFA Europa League, where they lost 2-0 to Manchester United. But they crashed out of both the Champions League and the Europa League in the qualifying rounds the following season and then came up short against PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch title race.
Last season's second-placed finish in the Eredivisie means it is now five years since Ajax last topped the pile in the Netherlands. They have not won a trophy of any kind during that period and that, too, is likely to have influenced transfer strategy.
"After four years without winning a trophy, I think Marc Overmars and Edwin van der Sar felt obliged to invest more money than they used to do," says Sander Zeldenrijk, the chief editor of fanzine Ajax Life.
The emergence of De Ligt, who joined Ajax at the age of nine, and De Jong, who signed from Willem II when he was 18, emphasises the club's ability to attract the best young Dutch talent. Ajax invests above €10 million in its academy every year, and Zeldenrijk says the club likes to present itself to potential recruits as "the Harvard of football education."
Yet with Europe's leading clubs always sniffing around, not everyone is prepared to wait until graduation. Timothy Fosu-Mensah (Manchester United), Daishawn Redan (Chelsea) and Ki-Jana Hoever (Liverpool) are among the youth prospects who have opted to inspect the grass on the other side of the fence in recent years.
As De Jong's move to Barcelona after only two seasons as a first-team player demonstrates, not all those who make it into the starting XI are prepared to stick around either.
In an ideal world, players such as De Jong and De Ligt would give Ajax four or five seasons of service before looking elsewhere, but Van der Sar is enough of a realist to know that cannot always be the case.
"Because of the strength of other competitions—or the weakness of our own competition, you could also argue—there are opportunities for those [foreign] clubs to attract players," he wrote in a recent De Telegraaf column.
"At Ajax there is of course a limit. We look closely at the composition of the squad, because we play football to win prizes and perform as well as possible. ... We want to keep our boys and if that turns out to be really difficult, there must be a hefty price so that we can attract good replacements and invest even more in the youth."
Some fans expressed dismay in January when 21-year-old Austrian centre-back Maximilian Wober was allowed to join Sevilla, but in general there is a pragmatic acceptance of Ajax's place in the grand scheme of things.
"People know how it works," Zeldenrijk says. "You have the big European leagues, then the Dutch Eredivisie. Ajax are not in a position to spend the money on salaries that other teams spend."
ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - JANUARY 27: Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Magallan all of Ajax line up in a wall during the Eredivisie match between Feyenoord and Ajax at De Kuip on January 27, 2019 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Chris Bru
The players who have made the step up from Jong Ajax (the Ajax reserve team) in recent years, among them De Ligt, De Jong and Donny van de Beek, have benefited from the decision made in 2013 to allow the club's second string (along with their counterparts at PSV and FC Twente) to compete against professional players in the Netherlands' second tier.
Jong Ajax won the Eerste Divisie for the first time last season, although as a reserve team, they cannot be promoted to the top flight. Things are looking good higher up the chain as well. Ajax's under-19s topped their UEFA Youth League group this season, and last April the under-17s successfully defended the Future Cup, an international youth tournament staged every year at the club's De Toekomst training facility.
Ajax were always going to start as outsiders in their Champions League last-16 tie against Real Madrid, which starts Wednesday in Amsterdam. Chances of an upset seem even more remote in the wake of a worrying run of league form that has seen Ten Hag's men fall six points below leaders PSV following a 4-4 draw with Heerenveen, a 6-2 thrashing by Feyenoord and a 1-0 defeat by mid-table Heracles.
But thanks to some canny transfer dealings, some wise older heads and that steadily rolling academy conveyor belt, they at least have a dog in the fight again.
Frenkie de Jong Fit to Face Real Madrid in UCL, Says Ajax Manager Erik ten Hag
Feb 12, 2019
Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong has overcome the injury scare he suffered in the 1-0 defeat to Heracles on Saturday and will be fit to face Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, says manager Erik ten Hag.
There were concerns over whether Ajax's star anchor would be ready to play in the round-of-16 first leg at the Johan Cruyff Arena after he came off injured in the 79th minute in the Eredivisie matchup against Heracles.
However, Ten Hag addressed the media on Tuesday and allayed any fears over the Barcelona-bound anchor, via Ajax's official Twitter account:
"Like all of us, I imagine he will have an extra motivation, but we all have to play a Champions League game against Madrid, who have won three consecutive Champions League titles.
[...]
"Frenkie only wants one thing, which is to close the season well, we have this match with Madrid and he is sure to be 100 per cent motivated to give the best."
Ajax's preparations for Wednesday's matchup haven't been ideal. The Eredivisie outfit have lost two of their last three matches after going undefeated in their previous 23.
Dutch football writer Michael Bell underlined how important De Jong, 21, was to the club's chances prior to Saturday's defeat at Heracles, and the pressure has only been amplified since the loss:
Good news for Ajax is that Frenkie De Jong is fit to start in Almelo. They will definitely need him fully fit for that clash with Real Madrid next week. https://t.co/cUvcryoX7p
Barcelona announced in January that De Jong had agreed to join them this summer in a £65 million deal, adding an extra hint of spice between the player and his soon-to-be El Clasico rivals.
Alongside centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, De Jong looks like one of the rare talents Ajax have a habit of producing and one who is sure to have a genuine impact against a team as talented as Real.
The Godenzonen will be underdogs to advance despite Real's poor first half of the season, and there would be a noticeable gap in Ajax's spine if De Jong were to miss out at all.
Despite the Dutch club's gumption and their ability to draw twice against Bayern Munich in the group stage, commentator Kevin Hatchard has backed Los Blancos to go through:
Tipped Real Madrid to win the #ucl before the tournament started at 10/1 @BetfairExchange, and starting to feel good about that bet. I suspect they'll be too strong for Ajax over two legs, and with that core of experienced winners, they'll be tough to stop. Them or Juve, I think.
Donny van de Beek, 21, and Lasse Schone, 32, have been the other consistent figures in Ajax's midfield this season, but neither has the same impact on the team that De Jong does.
Real coach Santiago Solari is sure to be aware of the Netherlands international, who will be ready to take on the team searching for a fourth successive Champions League crown.
Matthijs De Ligt: Barcelona, Juventus, PSG Transfer Rumours 'Making Me Laugh'
Feb 4, 2019
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - FEBRUARY 2: Matthijs de Ligt of Ajax during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax v VVV-Venlo at the Johan Cruijff Arena on February 2, 2019 in Amsterdam Netherlands (Photo by Cees van Hoogdalem/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Matthijs de Ligt says speculation over his future is "making me laugh" as the Netherlands international continues to be linked with a move away from Ajax.
The 19-year-old was asked if he was close to signing a contract with Juventus and said most of the rumours are untrue, per Sport.
"Throughout the year, I've heard rumours and information about me on this topic. You do understand that if I had to come out and deny every rumour, I'd never stop. All I can say is that all these rumours are making me laugh, and the majority of what is written is wrong."
De Ligt has emerged as one of Europe's most promising centre-backs at Ajax. He's been handed the captain's armband despite only turning 19 in August and won Tuttosport's 2018 Golden Boy award, given to Europe's best player under the age of 21:
OFFICIAL: The Netherlands and Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt has won the 2018 Golden Boy award! pic.twitter.com/6hR3sz6PJb
Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman told Catalunya Radio (h/t Goal's Dejan Kalinic), the teenager "will be the best centre-back in the world in two years."
Juventus are keen to strengthen defensively in the summer, with De Ligt as a target:
Juventus are planning on making two significant additions to their defense in the summer with De Ligt, Atletico's Savic and Fiorentina's Milenkovic as potential targets according to @FabrizioRomanohttps://t.co/O9UwKwD1XY article in Italiano
Barcelona have already snapped up Ajax team-mate Frenkie de Jong. The midfielder will join on a five-year deal at the end of the season, the club have confirmed.
PSG were also keen on De Jong and plan to get "revenge" on Barcelona by beating the Catalan giants to De Ligt, per Calciomercato.com.
Ajax are already set to lose one of their top talents in De Jong, and it seems highly likely they will be unable to hold on to De Ligt past this season. The defender looks ready for a move to one of Europe's elite and may have his pick of top clubs.
Matthijs De Ligt 'Will Be the Best Centre-Back in the World,' Says Ronald Koeman
Jan 16, 2019
ORLANDO, UNITED STATES - JANUARY 12: Matthijs de Ligt of Ajax during the match between Sao Paulo FC v Ajax at the Orlando City Stadum on January 12, 2019 in Orlando United States (Photo by Laurens Lindhout/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt has been backed to become the best centre-back in the world in two years by Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman.
The 19-year-old has been heavily linked with some of Europe's biggest clubs, including Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
It seems inevitable he will leave Ajax soon, potentially in the summer.
Koeman, who has made De Ligt a key part of the Dutch national team, told Catalunya Radio he believes he has the potential to be world class (h/t Goal's Dejan Kalinic):
"De Ligt and [Ajax and Holland team-mate Frenkie] de Jong are special for various reasons. De Ligt is younger, 19, and plays in an important position, as a centre-back. He's the Ajax captain and from their school. That is to say Barca's school, because it means that he has a lot of technical quality and tactical nous. He will be the best centre-back in the world in two years."
The quality of sides connected with the teenager is indicative of his immense talent.
As is the fact that he was recently named winner of the Golden Boy award for the best young player in Europe:
OFFICIAL: The Netherlands and Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt has won the 2018 Golden Boy award! pic.twitter.com/6hR3sz6PJb
The gong has previously been won by the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Raheem Sterling, Paul Pogba, Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney.
De Ligt's maturity is one of his major assets.
It is rare for a player in his position to break through so young, but he is now in his third season as a key part of the Ajax first team and already has 13 senior caps at international level:
Matthijs de Ligt is the third-youngest player in history to earn 10 senior caps for the Netherlands men's national team.
Barca look to be leading the race to sign him, and he would be perfect as a long-term replacement for Gerard Pique.
The Spaniard has been a stalwart of the Barca back line for over a decade now, but he will be 32 next month and the Blaugrana need to establish a succession plan.
Given the dearth of top-class centre-backs in world football at the moment, though, the Catalan giants will likely face fierce competition for De Ligt's signature.
