When Ajax made it to the Champions League semi-final in the 2018/19 season, there was an array of young stars exceeding expectations, playing fluid and dynamic football and representing the Dutch giants like Johan Cruyff envisaged.
Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong, Hakim Ziyech and Donny van de Beek were among those inspiring their stellar performances as Ajax brushed aside Real Madrid and Juventus in the knockout rounds of the competition, with Tottenham awaiting in the semi-final.
Although reaching the final of the Champions League would ultimately prove a step too far - they were only defeated by a late dramatic Lucas Moura goal at the Amsterdam Arena - for that fearless Ajax side, each player's reputation was enhanced and they won
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