Ajax-Juventus in 5 GIFs

They haven't met since 2010, and in the Champions League even since 2005: Ajax and Juventus took to the field at Johan Cruijff Arena and offered the most beautiful Champions League's quarter-final of the week. Two completely different teams, the result of two opposing football philosophies, both of which had great chances to take the three points but which eventually had to be 'satisfied' with the 1-1, the fairest result in view of the return match scheduled for Tuesday in Turin.

Ajax proved to be a brave and beautiful team to look at, an orchestra of talents who played the ball intensely for the entire 90 minutes even if it cost a bit to reflected theirselves too much into the mirror; Juventus, on the other hand, showed an incredible defensive resistance (although without a pillar like Chiellini) and, unlike the last away match against Atletico, the intent to hurt during the counterattacks thanks to the quality of their offensive players. The result was a real show, exactly what we expected.

And while Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 126th goal in the Champions League, last night's game was once again used to admire Dutch talents: de Ligt was often perfect in defense, de Jong magnificently managed his ball possessions, Van de Beek was highlighted as a total midfielder, touching the goal in the first half. A game that we hoped would never end: so let's re-watch the match thanks to five summary Gifs.

# Ziyech's foot

Ajax has certainly created more attempts than the bianconeri: this is one of the most dangerous occasion of the first half thanks to the the left foot of the Moroccan player.

# Also this time, CR7

Who but the Portuguese could bring Juve into the lead? The goal arrived a few seconds before the half time but it is to be shared with Bentancur but above all with compatriot Joao Cancelo, that served him a superbe pass.

# The immediate 1-1 by David Neres

His perpetually 'annoyed' expression has nothing to do with his way of playing: after the goal at Real Madrid the former San Paolo also punishes Juve at the beginning of the second half with a nice right-footed shot, after exploiting the terrible defensive mistake of Cancelo.

# Douglas Costa show

Not playing since February 2nd, during the 3-3 home match against Parma: came in the second half instead of Mandzukic to liven up the Juventus offensive production, the Brazilian was immediately unstoppable for his opponents. At the 84th minute, after a great play, it was only the post that denied him the 1-2 goal.

# Douglas Costa show (part 2) 

The South American is on fire and when he tried to attack he does it he's very effective, and a few minutes later he becomes the protagonist of another wonder play: the elastic with nutmeg against Veltman.

#Bonus: Ekkelenkamp's debut

Even a match like this, for Ajax, becomes an opportunity to present a young player from the academy: at the 90th it's the time for Ekkelenkamp, a 2000 class midfielder who played only thirty minutes in Eredivisie. Immediately in entered, he played a leading role, 'tackling' Cristiano Ronaldo and avoiding a potential counter-attack for Juve.