Ajax analysis with Reshmin Chowdhury, BT Sport

Highly-respected broadcaster and journalist Reshmin Chowdhury has been with us every step of the way to the semi-finals of the Champions League in her work for BT Sport.

Reshmin is perfectly positioned to preview our second leg against Ajax having also worked the Dutch side's first leg against Real Madrid and their quarter-final triumph over Juventus. Also a regular on BBC, where she hosts the Women’s Football Show, we tapped into Reshmin's knowledge of both teams for our latest 'Preview from the Press Box'.

Ajax’s progress

Reshmin: “I’ve covered three Ajax games this season. The first was the home leg against Real Madrid in the Last 16, which they shouldn’t have lost, but did (2-1) then both legs against Juventus in the quarter-final. I didn’t know what to expect the first time. This was a young team, inexperienced at this level - albeit one that reached the final of the Europa League a couple of years ago - testing themselves against the history-making reigning champions. You would be forgiven for expecting Real Madrid to get the better of Ajax over two legs, but the Dutch side were brilliant. I love the fearlessness and energy. They were a joy to watch and, of course, they turned it around at the Bernabeu (won 4-1 on the night, 5-3 on aggregate). Looking back on the game in Amsterdam, it wasn’t a surprise after all.

"Logic would then dictate that Ajax’s luck might run out against Juventus, especially with a certain Cristiano Ronaldo involved. You would think those cool, collective heads would get the job done. Yet again, Erik Ten Hag’s bold, young team were able to keep up the high-energy and high press and they had the audacity to send the Old Lady packing in Turin! You get the feeling this group want to create something special. When I interviewed some of them after the games, they were humble, but not fazed in the slightest. If anything, they want to push harder. As defender Matthijs de Ligt mentioned, they want to 'show the world what they can do'."

Johan Cruff ArenA

Reshmin: “The stadium will be buzzing! When I was there for the Real Madrid game, the excitement was palpable. There’s a real sense of history and a feeling that these fans have waited a long time to return to Europe’s top table. Inside the stadium and around the tunnel area are photos of all the incredible legends who have graced the club, that stardust from the old times. I’m expecting that excitement again on Wednesday night. It was loud too!”

Key players

Reshmin: “For Ajax, it could be anyone! They work so well as a unit. Frenkie de Jong sets the pace from midfield, Matthijs de Ligt and Danny Blind (ex-United) are a solid pair and equally Dusan Tadic (ex-Southampton) is a player reborn. Hakim Ziyech is interesting. He’s such a talented player, creating chances, scoring goals, but against Real Madrid and Juve he made some errors in his decision making. Perhaps Spurs can put pressure on him, unsettle him and force him into those errors. Having said that, he played well against Spurs in the first leg and set up the goal for Donny van de Beek. However, for all the high pressing and creativity, Ajax don’t always take their chances. That was evident against both Real Madrid and Juve. Defensively Spurs have to be spot on, but stemming the flow of attacks and controlling the midfield will be key. Moussa Sissoko changed the game after coming back from injury in the first leg and he will be vital in the second. So too will be Heung-Min Son. He was the missing link last week, creative, able to match Ajax for pace and more importantly, capable of scoring goals - as we all remember in the quarter-final second leg at City.”

Spurs in the Champions League

Reshmin: “I always go back to the same thing - one point after three games! I remember asking Mauricio Pochettino post-match after the draw at PSV (Matchday Three) ‘is the Champions League dream over?’ and he replied ‘it will be very difficult’. He didn’t say yes or no, but very difficult. Very few fans would have expected Spurs to be where they are now. Beating Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City... and here they are, semi-finalists! The team has battled against the odds throughout. It’s been an incredible journey. I often think they’ve been at their best in those do-or-die situations this season. The fact that they scored three away goals at City shows me, genuinely, that there is no reason why they can’t turn this tie around. Ajax will be confident - they’ve just won the Dutch Cup, they’re on for the title and are chasing a treble. Spurs are still without key players and the squad will have to raise their game again without them - and do it for them. And why not? They’ve defied the odds to get to this stage and they can do it again.”