Ajax head coach Erik ten Hag described his side’s defeat as a “bitter” blow after falling to Benfica in the last 16 of the Champions League.
The reigning Eredivisie champions controlled most of the exchanges, boasting over 70 per cent of possession as it seemed Ajax would find the decisive goal following a 2-2 draw in the first meeting late in February.
But a late Darwin Nunez header secured a 3-2 aggregate victory in the last-16 clash.
Only Nuno Gomes has scored more in a single season for the Champions League era.
That meant Ajax became just the second side to have scored as many as 22 goals without reaching the competition’s quarter-finals, after Paris Saint-Germain in 2017-18 when they netted 27 but went out at this same stage.
Ten Hag lamented his side’s failure to make their dominance pay after Ajax failed to reach the quarter-finals in the competition for the 11th time in their last 12 attempts since reaching the last eight in the 2002-03 campaign.
Ten Hag told RTL after the game:
“We played good football, we were good defensively, and we also played good pressing. Then it is bitter that you do not win.
“But small mistakes have significant consequences. You will see that tonight, and in Lisbon. We know that they are strong in set-pieces, and then there is a miscommunication between two players.
“We have neutralised them completely, except for one moment.”
Goalkeeper Andre Onana was towered above by Nunez for the 77th-minute winner, which was Benfica’s only attempt on target. Still, Ajax captain Dusan Tadic refused to blame one individual following the defeat.
“It is difficult to find the right words. We knew that they were strong with set-pieces and counter-attacks. That is what it is all about in Europe,” Tadic told RTL.
“I am so disappointed. We should have scored earlier, in the first half. We are a team, and it doesn’t matter if we win or lose, we have to stay together, and we can’t blame anyone.”
Daley Blind, who became Ajax’s outright Champions League appearance record holder with his 44th outing in the competition, echoed Tadic’s sentiments as he vented his frustration.
“This hurts. I think it is unjust,” Blind said. “I have little to say about our game. We have not encountered much, only that one moment. Then you have to stand your ground in the box.”
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