UEFA Champions League 2018-19: Three things we learned as Ajax and Tottenham make the quarterfinal
Ajax Amsterdam thrashed Real Madrid 4-1 and Tottenham Hotspur beat Borussia Dortmund 1-0 in their respective away matches last night to secure qualification for the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. Ajax’s stunning win was the highlight of yesterday’s matches as they remain in contention to win their 5th European crown.
Real had won the 3 successive Champions League titles from 2015-16 to 2017-18 but continued their poor run under under-fire manager Santiago Solari. They suffered an unprecedented 4th successive home defeat last night and would try to salvage some pride by finishing at a decent position in the LaLiga.
Tottenham, meanwhile, qualified for a maiden quarterfinal appearance under Mauricio Pochettino and might trouble some of the big teams in the upcoming matches. We would now take a look at the 3 things we learned from last night’s matches:
#1. Hugo Lloris is a great goalkeeper
Hugo Lloris put up a stupendous display against Dortmund last night to secure his team’s win. The French World cup winning captain is spending his 7th season with Spurs and continues to be one of the world’s best in his position. He is a brilliant shot-stopper and does not take any unnecessary risk within his territory.
Lloris made a number of exceptional saves for Spurs yesterday to keep Dortmund's attackers at bay. He denied Marco Reus and Sancho with brilliant saves and did not allow the Bundesliga giants to draw the first blood. It was virtually Dortmund against Lloris in the first half and Tottenham owed their victory largely to their goalkeeper.
However, Pochettino’s side did not look particularly impressive and could have conceded a few goals in the first half itself. It remains to be seen whether Lloris would be able to save them in the quarterfinals as well. Still, it was a memorable performance by the French goalkeeper which kept Tottenham alive in the competition.