AMSTERDAM • Real Madrid against Ajax would typically be a clash of stars against prodigies but, when they face each other in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie today, the difference will be harder to distinguish.
Ajax will parade their latest crop of young gems at the Johan Cruyff Arena, where Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt will attempt to live up to already-swelling reputations while the likes of Donny van de Beek, Andre Onana and Kasper Dolberg could also enhance theirs.
For Real, Gareth Bale aside, the Galacticos are gone and are replaced by a handful of prospects trying to forge their way through.
Real coach Santiago Solari, whose predecessors Zinedine Zidane and Julen Lopetegui both used young players only when they had to, has made youth his first choice since being tasked with rejuvenating his team in November.
Vinicius Junior has had less playing time than Ajax's de Jong, with only six starts in LaLiga and one in the Champions League, but the Brazilian's impact has been arguably just as dramatic as the Dutchman.
Signed last summer for €45 million (S$69 million), Vinicius was supposed to spend his debut season settling in with the reserve side, a strategy adhered to perhaps too rigidly by Lopetegui.
Solari, in charge of Real Madrid B at the time, was the coach that received him, witnessing first-hand as the 18-year-old scored twice against Atletico B, curled in a free-kick against Unionistas and equalised against Celta Vigo B.
Vinicius was raw but, when Lopetegui was sacked, Solari had greater legitimacy to promote him.
He had faith too. Solari gave Vinicius 90 minutes in his first match in charge, more than Lopetegui had in all 14 of his.
Almost four months on, Vinicius has 22 appearances for the first team, the latest pair against Barcelona at the Nou Camp and Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano. In both, he was Real's greatest threat, to the extent that even Bale's starting spot has been questioned.
"His adaptation has been very fast," Solari said. "He is 18 and he has adapted to a new country, a new culture, a different type of football. He has shown his talent, but we have to take care of him."
Vinicius is the poster boy of Solari's meritocracy, an approach that puts reputation far below humility and hard work.
Among the other fresh faces to come in are Spaniard Sergio Reguilon at left-back, Marcos Llorente in defensive midfield, and midfielder Dani Ceballos. Together, Vinicius, Reguilon, Llorente and Ceballos have played 64 games since Solari was appointed.
"They are the future of Real Madrid," Solari said. "Therefore, they have to be part of the present."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
AJAX V REAL MADRID
Singtel TV Ch112 & StarHub Ch213, tomorrow, 3.55am
Players nabbed in Spain fixing probe - theworldnews.net
MUNICH, Germany, March 12 (Reuters) - Liverpool coach Juergen Klopp has said that the outcome of their Champions League last-16 tie against Bayern Munich on Wednesday will not affect the Premier
Liverpool result at Bayern won't affect Premier League bid
May 12, 2019 · Manchester City win back-to-back Premier League titles after surviving early Brighton scare Save Vincent Kompany lifts the Premier League trophy Credit: REUTERS
Manchester City retain Premier League title - Reuters
Man Utd manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opens up on why his job's so tough. Arsenal and Chelsea all aiming for European glory having got to the Champions League and Europa League finals.
Team Abu Dhabi duo aiming for more European glory - Arab News
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on December 30, 2018, with the headline 'FAS' media-rights partner begins bankruptcy process'. Print Edition | Subscribe
Headlines
England captain Harry Kane has his heart set on ending his playing career in the United States kicking field goals for a team in the National Football League (NFL). Kane wants to end career as
England Captain Harry Kane Wants to End Career as NFL Kicker
Atletico title bid suffers with defeat at Betis in Morata debut Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - Real Betis v Atletico Madrid - Estadio Benito Villamarin, Seville, Spain - February 3, 2019 Atletico Madrid's Alvaro Morata in action with Real Betis' Andres Guardado REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo
Atletico title bid suffers with defeat at Betis in Alvaro
Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette is eligible to play in Thursday's Europa League last 16 second-leg clash against Rennes after his three-match ban was reduced to two games, UEFA said on Tuesday.
Arsenal's Lacazette free to face Rennes as UEFA cuts ban
Abu Dhabi: Japan captain Maya Yoshida promised the Blue Samurai would come back stronger after suffering a shock 3-1 defeat by Qatar in the Asian Cup final. A moment of magic from Qatar striker
2019 AFC Asian Cup - Wikipedia
Claude Puel has spoken of his "honour" at being given the opportunity to manage Leicester following his sacking at the weekend. The 57-year-old Frenchman's 16-month reign came to an end after Saturday's 4-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace, Leicester's sixth defeat in seven matches.
Sacked Puel says an 'honour' to manage Leicester
Football: World Cup winner Buffon to leave Paris Saint
Manchester United produced their least impressive performance under interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the Norwegian offered rare starts to some out-of-favour big names in Saturday's FA Cup third round win over second-tier Reading.
Solskjaer unimpressed as United ease past Reading in Cup
Maurizio Sarri condemns the alleged racist abuse of Raheem Sterling by Chelsea supporters but wants the club's main focus to be on Thursday's clash with Vidi. The Blues visit Budapest this week for their final Europa League group match, having already secured qualification to the last 32 in top spot.
Sarri condemns 'disgusting' Sterling abuse - sg.news.yahoo.com
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen