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RAFA VAN DER VAART
of them goes through to the Champions League Final," said Rafa.
"I can't lose. It's massive for me.
"It's a surprise one of them is going to go to the final but
the good thing is if Ajax win, the Spurs fans will say 'okay, they
deserve it, go on and win it' and the same with Ajax if Spurs win.
That's respect. I speak to a lot of people in Holland and they are
so happy that Ajax play Tottenham. There is a history there. It
will be a fantastic game and I just hope the best team wins."
It's been an incredible journey to the semi-finals for
both teams. We looked down and out after a draw at PSV in
Matchday Three of the group stage left us with one point
from three games. We scored late to beat the Dutch side in
our next game, scored late again to then beat Inter and took
our place in the knockout stage with another late show, this
time against Barcelona in the Nou Camp, Lucas Moura's strike
clinching the point we needed.
From there, we've toppled then-Bundesliga leaders
Borussia Dortmund 4-0 in the last 16 and few will ever
forget - let alone need reminding - the scenes at the Etihad
as we came through on away goals after a 4-4 aggregate draw
against Manchester City in the quarter-finals.
Ajax began their journey in the second qualifying round
back in July. They came through three qualifiers and finished
second, unbeaten, behind Bayern Munich in the group stage.
Since then, the football world has taken notice as they've
toppled holders Real Madrid and Italian champions Juventus
in the knockout stages. Both of those wins have come via
victories in the away legs.
"Ajax's performances have been fantastic, something
special," said Rafa. "It's not only reaching the semi-finals, it's
the way they've done it. I always like good football instead
of a more physical approach and Ajax have showed you can
win with a lot of technically skilled players. They are not the
tallest, not the strongest but they can all play football. They
did it against Real Madrid, did it against Juventus and it was
so deserved. They have been a joy to watch.
"Ajax have a lot of potential, a lot of young players and
the main thing they do is press for 90 minutes but there is a
way you can press. You see some teams do it but then lose
the ball straight away. But Ajax also keep the ball and that's
why they can beat the big teams. They pressed Real
Madrid and then kept the ball and did the same against
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