Champions League round of 16: 3 reasons why Real Madrid lost to Ajax

#1 Quite simply, Ajax players wanted it more

Ajax players were eager to prove themselves

It is a well-established fact that Real Madrid have one of the best squads in the world, possessing accomplished players within its ranks who are among the very best in their respective positions anywhere on the planet.

Together, the core of the group has won each of the last three UCL titles consecutively and four out of the last five in addition to numerous other titles, while on the international level, most of them are multiple time winners on the national stage, including the grandest trophy of them all.

To put it simply, Real Madrid has a squad full of world class players who have seen and done it all when it comes to football on the highest level.

Ajax players, by contrast, are no mean slouches themselves, as they are easily one of the biggest sides in the Netherlands, but their success pales in comparison to Madrid's stars.

They overachieved by making it to the knockout round of the tournament (for the first time since 2005), while their victory over Real Madrid sends them through to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2002-03.

The current Ajax squad is full of young, vibrant and talented young players who are desperate to make history for themselves by showcasing their talents on the highest level.

This much was evident right from the first leg, as the Dutch side pressed and hassled the Real players for every ball, throwing themselves into tackles, rarely giving them breathing spaces and forcing them into errors.

Where Real players showed hesitation, Ajax players showed eagerness. Where Real's stars showed content, their counterparts showed hunger and finally where the current Champions League winners showed inappetence, the Ajax players showed desire, and ultimately, the spoils were taken by those who wanted it more.