Tottenham

Lucas Moura and his hat-trick against Ajax: “It was perfect”

 

  • The Brazilian recognized that “not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine that he would score three goals”
  • “Without a doubt it is the best moment of my career”, assured the hero ‘spur’ of this Champions

If you have to highlight a proper name in the journey from Tottenham to the end of Wanda, this is Lucas Moura’s. The Brazilian striker scored a historic hat-trick in the Johan Cruyff Arena to turn the tie against Ajax, with a goal included in the last minute of the match. A night he will never forget.

“I believed and had high hopes that we would win that game, that we would reach the final, but even in my wildest dreams I did not imagine that I would score three goals. It was really perfect. I wanted to celebrate with my friends and then I wanted to keep the ball. It is the most important ball of my career, “he acknowledged in statements to the UEFA website.

Lucas stressed the merit of Tottenham having reached the Metropolitan Wanda after having seen them in the group stage with Barcelona and eliminated on the way to Dortmund, Manchester City and Ajax. “We arrived here thanks to hard work and we are deservedly playing in this final. Without a doubt it is the best moment of my career. It’s a fantastic feeling to reach the final of the toughest club competition in the world. It’s the realization of a dream and now I want to be the champion. ”
Regarding his rival, Liverpool, the midfielder said that “they are a very strong team with great players. We know each other well. I think it will be very close, but we have the ability and quality to crown ourselves champions. “

Liverpool vs Tottenham: A great English showdown in Madrid

 

The two English teams will play an unpublished final in the Wanda Metropolitano on June 1.

After several seasons in which the Spanish league surpassed without much trouble the English teams in Europe, 2019 has been the year of great change. After the last five Champions League won by Real Madrid (4) and Barcelona (1), the June 1 final of the Wanda Metropolitano will be the English football party.

 Liverpool made history going back to Barcelona 3-0, while Tottenham lifted a 2-0 in 70 minutes, culminating with the goal of Moura in the 95 ‘. Both will play an unpublished final that confirms that the Premier League has raised its level considerably. Four teams came to the quarterfinals, so that finally the final is the representation of English football.

 

It has not been easy. The British teams have spent several years in the desert of Europe. Only the team of Jürgen Kloop reached the final in the last five years, and they have not lifted the trophy since 2012, when Chelsea was crowned in Munich. And it is a milestone to celebrate, as only Liverpool with its title in 2005 and the aforementioned Chelsea have been the only ones who have managed to raise ‘La Orejona’ since 1999 by the Premier League. And not everything ends here, since Arsenal and Chelsea itself are 90 minutes away from qualifying for the Europa League final.

After a bad season of the great dominator in Europe, a vital opportunity opened for the Catalan team. But no one could have imagined that on January 1, Pochettino’s and Kloop’s paintings would face each other on the continental throne. The resurgence of a league that has been several years in the shade, but has made the final leap to dominate the Champions League 2019.

A unique opportunity to demonstrate that the level of competitiveness of the Premier League is better than that of La Liga, who lost one member in groups, two in the round of 16 and one in the semifinals. As if it were about the 70s, England is once again at the top of Europe.

Hugo Loris: Ajax has a slight advantage

Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris acknowledged on Tuesday that his team is not the favorite to overcome the semifinals of the Champions League and that “Ajax has a slight advantage” thanks to the 0-1 obtained by the Amsterdam team in the Going match .

“The only way to overcome the draw is to win the game on Wednesday and we have prepared for that, as we always do,” said the goalkeeper at the press conference before the game.

“We need to find the right energy and learn from the mistakes we made in the first game,” added the Frenchman, who tried to encourage English fans.

“We are excited to be part of the semifinals of the Champions League, but we do not want to stop here, it’s a great opportunity for the club, we    to play with a lot of energy and a lot of desire.”

Lloris said that his people “are still alive” and that “they only think about tomorrow’s game and give the best of themselves”.

Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen, who retired in the first leg after a heavy blow to the head, is expected to play against Ajax, although he should wear a mask to protect his nose.

“I think he has recovered well, he’s back with the team, full of energy and ready to help the team,” said Lloris.