UEFA Champions League 2018-19: Three things we learned as Ajax and Tottenham make the quarterfinal

Ajax Amsterdam thrashed Real Madrid 4-1 and Tottenham Hotspur beat Borussia Dortmund 1-0 in their respective away matches last night to secure qualification for the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. Ajax’s stunning win was the highlight of yesterday’s matches as they remain in contention to win their 5th European crown.

Real had won the 3 successive Champions League titles from 2015-16 to 2017-18 but continued their poor run under under-fire manager Santiago Solari. They suffered an unprecedented 4th successive home defeat last night and would try to salvage some pride by finishing at a decent position in the LaLiga.

Tottenham, meanwhile, qualified for a maiden quarterfinal appearance under Mauricio Pochettino and might trouble some of the big teams in the upcoming matches. We would now take a look at the 3 things we learned from last night’s matches:

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#1. Hugo Lloris is a great goalkeeper

Hugo Lloris put in a great performance yesterday

Hugo Lloris put up a stupendous display against Dortmund last night to secure his team’s win. The French World cup winning captain is spending his 7th season with Spurs and continues to be one of the world’s best in his position. He is a brilliant shot-stopper and does not take any unnecessary risk within his territory.

Lloris made a number of exceptional saves for Spurs yesterday to keep Dortmund's attackers at bay. He denied Marco Reus and Sancho with brilliant saves and did not allow the Bundesliga giants to draw the first blood. It was virtually Dortmund against Lloris in the first half and Tottenham owed their victory largely to their goalkeeper.

However, Pochettino’s side did not look particularly impressive and could have conceded a few goals in the first half itself. It remains to be seen whether Lloris would be able to save them in the quarterfinals as well. Still, it was a memorable performance by the French goalkeeper which kept Tottenham alive in the competition.

#2. Harry Kane knows how to score goals

Harry Kane scored a clinical goal for the Premier League giants

Harry Kane scored his 23rd goal of the season as he escaped Dortmund’s offside trap with his intelligent movement and beat the goalkeeper with a well-placed shot. It was a great finish by one of the most prolific strikers in world football.

Kane has undergone some injury problems this season and has made a great comeback to the side. He won and converted a penalty against Arsenal during the weekend, and now, he has 163 goals to his name in 248 matches for the London outfit.

The striker had a relatively quiet night against Dortmund, as the home side dominated the match. However, he made the best possible use of a through ball played to himself, and scored the crucial goal to ensure their qualification in the second half. He would have to continue his good run if Tottenham are to make it to the last 4 or beyond.

#3. Ajax should be a handful for any opposition in the quarterfinals:

Dusan Tadic ran a brilliant show yesterday night

It would be interesting to find out Ajax’s opponent in the quarters, but they should prove to be a handful for any club in the world. They did not have much trouble in qualifying from a group comprising of the likes of Bayern Munich and Benfica and destroyed Real Madrid’s defense in their own backyard to qualify for the last 8.

Few expected them to overturn a 1-2 deficit at Santiago Bernabeu, but they succeeded in doing so and more. They scored 4 goals past a hapless Real defense and made a statement to the football world with their forceful display.

They were too strong and fast for Real, and their direct attacking football might test the defense of their opponents in the quarterfinals as well. Attacking midfielder Dusan Tadic scored his 26th goal of the season last night and would be the player to watch out for in the quarter-final as well.