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Christian Eriksen slates Tottenham as Spurs fall to defeat in Champions League semi-final first leg

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 30: Christian Eriksen of Tottenham Hotspur looks dejected as he acknowledges the fans after the UEFA Champions League Semi Final first leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Ajax at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 30, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)
Christian Eriksen looks dejected after defeat to Ajax (Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)

Tottenham Hotspur were humbled by Ajax in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday night.

The Dutch giants took an early lead through Donny Van der Beek and could have really made Spurs pay for further mistakes en route to a 1-0 win.

Despite already witnessing Ajax knocking Real Madrid and Juventus out of the competition, Christian Eriksen said they started in sloppy fashion.

“We didn’t play our best at all, it was better second half, but the first 20 minutes of the game we were just ball watchers.

“Against a team that likes possession, it’s a no-go,” he said.

READ MORE: Van de Beek strikes to help Ajax earn crucial lead against Tottenham in Champions League semi-final

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“We need to change it up a lot for next game.

“We made them look a lot better than they were, of course they are a good side, but we helped them along the way. Second half, we played more direct, we hurt them.

“At the start it didn’t matter what system, we were behind every ball. When we changed system it helps us a bit. It was far from what we know we can do.”

Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham travel to Ajax for the return leg on Wednesday May 8.

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