No happy ending to Ajax fairytale
Devastated Dutch side now set to be decimated by transfers
The fairytale ultimately ended in heartbreak.
Ajax were on the verge of making history with their first Champions League final for 23 years, but instead were left devastated by an extraordinary Tottenham comeback that sealed the north Londoners’ first-ever appearance in the showpiece.
The prodigious leadership of Matthijs de Ligt and a worthy support staff of young hopefuls, middle-of-the-road professionals and wise old heads put the Dutchmen in a commanding position, but thanks to Lucas Moura’s heroics it was not quite enough.
The tears flowed at full-time as the hosts contemplated defeat and a missed opportunity they may never again get a chance to repeat.
In May 1995, Ajax confirmed their status as the finest team on the planet by dispatching a star-studded Milan 1-0 in Vienna.
Twelve months later captain Danny Blind narrowly missed out on lifting famous trophy for a second time, as Juventus prevailed in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out. In the interim, meanwhile, a case heard in the European Court of Justice was close to ensuring such a feat might never happen again.
Source: Goal
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