WATCH: Innovation Champions – Ajax’s footballing backbone to be tested in UEFA Champions League | Goal.com

After securing a priceless victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last week, Ajax are on the cusp of reaching their first UEFA Champions League final for almost 25 years. 

Erik Ten Hag’s men have completely shaken up Europe’s premier club competition and are certainly the favourites to progress to the Madrid showpiece following their 1-0 win last week, but they will have to be wary of the returning Heung-Min Son, whose influence helped Mauricio Pochettino’s side see off Manchester City in rather remarkable circumstances.

Ajax will no doubt be buoyed by how sturdy their defence has been during their UCL adventure; they have the best passes-per-defensive-action rate in the competition (8.6).

In attack, Hakim Ziyech’s creative juices have been flowing; the Moroccan playmaker is second only to Barcelona‘s Lionel Messi for involvements in sequences worth Expected Goals (9.9).

Ziyech is far from the only dangerman, though – Spurs’ Son has been involved in five UCL goals this season; a personal best.

Ajax’s defence 🧱 Hakim Ziyech ⚡️ Heung-Min Son 🎩 Ajax vs Tottenham – who will make it to Madrid? #InnovateYourGame

Posted by

Watch the video above for the statistics and full breakdown. 

Throughout the 2018-19 season, the ‘Innovation Champions’ series will highlight the Intelligent Movement of Europe’s top teams. Follow the series on Facebook at Nissan Football Lab.