Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has made a bold claim after suggesting that Ajax have been lucky in the Champions League this season.
Erik ten Hag's men have been on cloud nine in Europe's premier club competition, having knocked holders Real Madrid out in the round of 16 and hitting the nail in the coffin for Juventus' hopes in the quarter-finals.
Speaking after the Old Lady's 1-1 draw against Torino on Friday, the 51-year-old Italian head coach was adamant that the Eredivisie side had luck on their side when the two sides met in the competition.
"But we conceded the first shot on goal after 37 minutes and it came out of nowhere. We were feeling greater fear of defeat at half-time than we should've done. It was difficult to explain," he told Sky Sport Italia (via Football Italia).
"The Champions League has always been an objective like the Scudetto and Coppa Italia. It's a very difficult target to achieve. Very difficult.
"There are times when it all goes your way. Ajax were up against us, who were missing five players. They went to London against a Tottenham side that was missing both star strikers. I am saying Ajax are a good team, but they've had some luck to get where they are."
Allegri also touched on the subject of Liverpool's 3-0 defeat to Barcelona at the Camp Nou earlier this week, making an interesting 'fear' comparison with Juventus' exit at the hands of Ajax.
"It's very simple, Liverpool had three big scoring opportunities, but Barcelona had four and they scored three of them. Why? Because their players are of a higher level and make the difference in certain situations," he explained.
"In the last 10-15 minutes, Liverpool could've conceded five goals. It's because, seeing their faces, Liverpool could not handle the situation of a Champions League semi-final. It's like we lost to Ajax because we conceded a goal and then got scared.
"Barcelona have players accustomed to that level and they proved it on the night, regardless of whether Liverpool played a good game or not. It's like in a race, everyone can run the first 900 metres, but very few run the final 100 metres."
Ajax hold a 1-0 advantage over Tottenham Hotspur after their first-leg semi-final victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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Ten Hag's men will host Spurs for the second leg on Wednesday at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
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