Barcelona were gifted their first defeat of the season by a very well motivated Ajax Amsterdam side on tuesday night in the UEFA Champions League.
Ajax kept their hopes of qualifying for the last 16 after winning by 2-1 at the Amsterdam Arena.
Thulani Serero and Danny Hoesen scored the goals in the first half to give Ajax a surprise halftime lead, but suffered a setback straight after the break after defender Joel Veltman got sent off for a tackle on Neymar in the box. Xavi converted from the spot to pull a goal back for Barcelona.
Barcelona then applied pressure in search of an equiliser but Ajax held out to wild applause in the Amsterdam Arena.
Ajax manager Frank de Boer said: “I said Ajax would be the first team to beat Barcelona with the football we always want to play, which is attacking football. After the sending off it became difficult and dangerous but we showed our lion’s heart.”
Serero ghosted in late for the first goal in the 19th min, applying a decent finish from a strong cross by Ajax right back Ricardo van Rhijn.
“We knew we had to be compact and keep playing after the penalty, it was a silly mistake.” said Serero.
It was Barcelona’s first defeat under new coach Martino and ended hopes of a record-equalling, longest unbeaten start to a season. The spanish club had gone 20 games unbeaten, one shy of the record set by Pep Guardiola in 2011.
@MartinsChokoe
