Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Christian Eriksen said they threw tactics out the window and relied on grit and heart to come back from 3-0 down on aggregate to beat Ajax Amsterdam on away goals and reach the Champions League final on Wednesday.
Having lost the first leg in London 1-0, Tottenham got off to the worst possible start in Amsterdam by going 2-0 down on the night.
The second leg turned on its head after halftime, however, as Lucas Moura scored twice in quick succession before netting a 96th minute effort to complete his hat-trick and make it 3-3 on aggregate.
“It was a non-tactical performance, it was more of a fight, more of a heart performance, and that’s how we won it,” Danish playmaker Eriksen told BT Sport.
“It was a ridiculous game. We were really far down, we tried to fight back and we’re just lucky. I feel sorry for Ajax, they played a very good game against us.
“In the end we’re just lucky we scored. It’s a relief, because we’ve been fighting for this and I think it’s a dream for everyone to be in the Champions League final.”
The midfielder revealed that there was no great tactical change at halftime as Spurs simply rolled up their sleeves and went at Ajax in the second half.
“We weren’t able to look ourselves in the mirror if we (were to) go down three or four nil today – we had to fight back, there was no other option,” Eriksen said.
After Liverpool fought back from a 3-0 first-leg defeat to beat Barcelona 4-3 on aggregate on Tuesday, the final will be an all-English affair.
LIVERPOOL INSPIRATION
Spurs defender Danny Rose said that he had taken inspiration from the Merseysiders.
“We saw Liverpool last night. It goes to show it’s not over until it’s over. Disappointed with the first leg, how we started and we started like that tonight. But after the break we came out,” Rose said.
“The gaffer mentioned Liverpool’s display at the hotel before the match — the gaffer doesn’t mind us losing but we have to lose the right way.”
Moura, however, was not prepared to let the match slip, and slotted the winner for Spurs deep in stoppage time.
“It’s been a rollercoaster of a season. For him (Moura) to get us in the final, he’ll be a hero. I hope he gets a statue in England after this … I’m blown away, there’s really no words for it,” Eriksen said.
There was one major tactical shift that did play a crucial role in the victory, however. At half-time Pochettino took out midfielder Victor Wanyama and replaced him with Spanish forward Fernando Llorente.
Llorente, whose main asset is his height and strength in the air, placed himself on Ajax defender Daley Blind and that upset the solidity of the Dutch defence.
The Spaniard’s presence caused confusion and created instability which Moura was able to exploit to the full.
With a big man as a focal point for the attack, Tottenham were able to take a more direct approach — with crosses from deep and in the latter stages, hopeful punts into the box.
Llorente would not have been on the field had Spurs’ first choice striker Harry Kane been fit but the injured England captain was in the dressing room at the break and he said the focus was purely on effort.
“At half time we said it is 45 minutes to give everything… the lads dug deep, showed passion, showed character, showed heart and that is what it’s all about,” said Kane.
“Over the two legs we didn’t play as well as we would have liked but we found a way to win,” he added.
Former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, in Amsterdam as a pundit for BT Sport, said the Llorente introduction had been key.
“Fernando Llorente – what a substitution. He stood on Daley Blind. Blind couldn’t deal with him and the boys came up behind him.”
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino: “The emotion is amazing, thank you to football. My players are heroes – in the last year I was telling everyone this group are heroes. The second half they were amazing. Thank you football – this type of emotion without football is no possible. Thank you to everyone who has believed in us. To describe this in words is difficult.
“We were talking before the game that when you work and when you feel the love it’s not stress it’s passion of the team. We showed we love the sport and football. Today was amazing. It was a joy to watch this kind of game.
“It’s difficult to compete at this level. I am so grateful to be a coach. To be in football and to live this type of football.
“They are all heroes but (Lucas Moura) was a superhero. From the first to last one – the tough moment to live in the five years before.”
Tottenham hat-trick scorer Lucas Moura: “Impossible to explain what I’m feeling. I’m very happy and very proud of my team mates. Always believe in this moment. We gave everything on the pitch and deserved this moment – we are family. Impossible to explain. Big gift from God I’d like to share with team mates, friends and family.
Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen: “It was a non-tactical performance, it was more of a fight, more of a heart performance, and that’s how we won it.
“It was a ridiculous game. We were really far down, we tried to fight back and we’re just lucky. I feel sorry for Ajax, they played a very good game against us.”
Tottenham striker Harry Kane, who missed the match through injury: “It was amazing. I’m a fan first and foremost and I know how much it means to the club.
“The lads dug deep and showed passion and that is all you can ask for. We had to wait to get the third in the last minute and we found a way. That is what football is about and we have the final to come.”
Tottenham defender Danny Rose: “We saw Liverpool last night. It goes to show it’s not over until it’s over. The gaffer mentioned Liverpool’s display at the hotel before the match – the gaffer doesn’t mind us losing but we have to lose the right way.”
THE LOSERS
Ajax Amsterdam captain Matthijs De Ligt: “It’s a nightmare, like a dream. We played well in the first half, we had it all our way.
“We didn’t keep up the same pressure in the second half. We gave silly goals away. We were so close to the final … and then the ball goes in. Unbelievable.”
Ajax coach Erik ten Hag: “We were so close, we had so deserved it, but that last second…
“Football can be very beautiful and it can be very cruel, we have had to experience that today.”
“Overall we had a fantastic Champions League campaign, we were one second away from the final, our team deserves a very big compliment, I am very proud of my players.
“I told the players in the break that it wasn’t over yet, you could tell by the attitude of the Tottenham players. They still believed in it.
“When that ball hits the post from Hakim Ziyech, it’s over and out for Spurs. But I can’t blame anyone. We have had an incredible Champions League season and have grown a lot as a team. It is difficult to process.”
THE ‘NEUTRALS’
Former Ajax coach Louis van Gaal: “It was admirable that Spurs had the courage to never give up and try and do the business, but it was totally unnecessary of Ajax to let it all slip.
“This defeat was completely unnecessary. At half time there was nothing wrong with a 2-0 lead. In the second half, Tottenham took more and more risk and more and more attackers entered the field. Ajax made the wrong choices in possession of the ball in that phase.”
Norway coach Lars Lagerback: “I’m driven crazy here, they (Ajax) went for another goal instead of holding on to the ball and pushing back the Tottenham team.
“At the same time, I can appreciate them, it’s a good attitude, but if you know you only have a few minutes left… it shows that they are not as experienced.”
Former Tottenham manager Glenn Hoddle: “Incredible, we’ve seen two footballing miracles in two nights and Tottenham only had 45 minutes to score three goals, incredible.
“I’m so glad that I’m still around to see this. I’ve been a Spurs fan since I was eight years of age. What a proud moment that was.”
Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton: I have never seen anything like it. Spurs have been gallant and bold. Fernando Llorente has caused problems. It’s a cracking finish and Spurs just do not know when they are beat.”
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand: “Lucas Moura … every one of his goals was a cracker. It almost makes you speechless what happened today. Two English teams to produce two performances like that. You need heart, desire and effort. Fernando Llorente: What a substitution. He stood on Daley Blind. Blind couldn’t deal with him and the boys came up behind him.”
Former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho on Pochettino’s tears at full time: “(Coaches) are normally a very lonely person in that football consumes a lot. “It’s a very beautiful way to show the world that for us managers, means much more than for the ordinary fan in defeat and in victory too.
“I’ll be in trouble in the final because I like Mauricio and (Liverpool boss) Juergen (Klopp) very, very much and I think they both deserve to win a trophy. I think it will be a fantastic final.”
Former Dutch international Ruud Gullit: “I feel for the (Ajax) youngsters. It’s going to be hard work because they’re going to lose a lot of players and they have to build up a new team. But thank you Ajax, thank you for the football that you showed us.”
REUTERS