AMSTERDAM • Real Madrid against Ajax would typically be a clash of stars against prodigies but, when they face each other in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie today, the difference will be harder to distinguish.
Ajax will parade their latest crop of young gems at the Johan Cruyff Arena, where Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt will attempt to live up to already-swelling reputations while the likes of Donny van de Beek, Andre Onana and Kasper Dolberg could also enhance theirs.
For Real, Gareth Bale aside, the Galacticos are gone and are replaced by a handful of prospects trying to forge their way through.
Real coach Santiago Solari, whose predecessors Zinedine Zidane and Julen Lopetegui both used young players only when they had to, has made youth his first choice since being tasked with rejuvenating his team in November.
Vinicius Junior has had less playing time than Ajax's de Jong, with only six starts in LaLiga and one in the Champions League, but the Brazilian's impact has been arguably just as dramatic as the Dutchman.
Signed last summer for €45 million (S$69 million), Vinicius was supposed to spend his debut season settling in with the reserve side, a strategy adhered to perhaps too rigidly by Lopetegui.
Solari, in charge of Real Madrid B at the time, was the coach that received him, witnessing first-hand as the 18-year-old scored twice against Atletico B, curled in a free-kick against Unionistas and equalised against Celta Vigo B.
Vinicius was raw but, when Lopetegui was sacked, Solari had greater legitimacy to promote him.
He had faith too. Solari gave Vinicius 90 minutes in his first match in charge, more than Lopetegui had in all 14 of his.
Almost four months on, Vinicius has 22 appearances for the first team, the latest pair against Barcelona at the Nou Camp and Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano. In both, he was Real's greatest threat, to the extent that even Bale's starting spot has been questioned.
"His adaptation has been very fast," Solari said. "He is 18 and he has adapted to a new country, a new culture, a different type of football. He has shown his talent, but we have to take care of him."
Vinicius is the poster boy of Solari's meritocracy, an approach that puts reputation far below humility and hard work.
Among the other fresh faces to come in are Spaniard Sergio Reguilon at left-back, Marcos Llorente in defensive midfield, and midfielder Dani Ceballos. Together, Vinicius, Reguilon, Llorente and Ceballos have played 64 games since Solari was appointed.
"They are the future of Real Madrid," Solari said. "Therefore, they have to be part of the present."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
AJAX V REAL MADRID
Singtel TV Ch112 & StarHub Ch213, tomorrow, 3.55am
MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrid have signed Serbia striker Luka Jovic from Eintracht Frankfurt for 60 million euros (£52.39 million), television channel Sky Germany said on Thursday.
Real Madrid sign Jovic for 60 million euros - report - CNA
Mauricio Pochettino labels two-game touchline ban 'completely unfair' - Mauricio Pochettino isn't happy in the slightest Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has hit out at the FA by labelling their decision to hand him a t - March 7th, 2019
"My Touchline Ban Completely Unfair" - Tottenham Boss
Everton ease past Burnley to keep Europa League dream alive 2 Min Read May 3, Reuters - Everton bolstered their chances of qualifying for next season's Europa League with a 2-0 win over Burnley
Everton ease past Burnley to keep Europa League dream alive
Even if Guardiola expects more twists in the title race, City are exactly where they want to be for at least a few days - and having worked their way back from at least two worrying positions.
Queensway Seccondary School: Success through Diligence. ST Young Athlete of the Year: Passion and determination drive footballer Putri Nur Syaliza and ACS paddlers. One of our girls is excelling in the Girls Football scene and has been nominated for the ST Young Athlete of the Year award!
Home | ST Young Athlete
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer boosted by Jose Mourinho's work, claims Louis van Gaal Description: Van Gaal's claims seem at odds with the more entertaining football played by United since Solskjaer started a reign that looks set to bring him the manager's job on a permanent basis.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer boosted by Mourinho's work, claims Louis
Nov 21, 2018 · Qatar would help Middle East peace by sharing 2022 World Cup, says Infantino the World Cup will kick off in Qatar on Qatari teams were still playing football in Asian Football
Jesus shines as City regain top spot, Eriksen fires Spurs. Manchester City swept back to the top of the Premier League as Gabriel Jesus but Jurgen Klopp's team can regain top spot if they
Jesus shines as City regain top spot, Eriksen fires Spurs
Read more about 'Victory and goal for Sala', says Cardiff captain Bamba on Business Standard. Cardiff City captain Sol Bamba dedicated his goal and a 2-1 victory over Southampton to Emiliano Sala after an emotional match for the Welsh club.Saturday's fixtures were the first round of Premier League games since the player's death was
'Victory and goal for Sala', says Cardiff captain Bamba | AFP.com
This video is unavailable. Watch Queue Queue. Watch Queue Queue
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Mohamed Salah: Who has the best stats
Gabriel Jesus fires twice as Manchester City snatch top spot from Liverpool by beating Everton Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus scores their second goal in their game against Everton at the Etihad
Jesus fires as Man City snatch top spot from Liverpool
Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final First Leg - Tottenham Hotspur v Ajax Amsterdam - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - April 30, 2019 Ajax's Donny van de Beek scores their first
Van de Beek gives Ajax edge over Tottenham in semi-final
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen