The legends of Real Madrid played a match against those of Ajax for the 125th anniversary of the Dutch club, which they lost by the narrowest of margins (2-1).
“With Ajax, I never lost against Real Madrid. I hope that after today’s match I can continue to say the same as a coach…”. These words, uttered by Van Gaal in front of the Ajax veterans before the match against Madrid, already indicated the direction that the 125th anniversary celebrations would take, and that’s what happened: the home team won 2-1 this Sunday at the Johan Cruyff stadium.
The Madrid team, with Camacho as coach, still put in a good performance, led by Rubén de la Red who, in addition to the Madrid goal, directed the offensive actions of the Merengues, who yesterday wore their second orange jersey of the season.
Casillas injured
The bad news of the evening was undoubtedly the injury of goalkeeper Iker Casillas, 43, forced to leave the pitch for a muscular problem half an hour into the game. This problem which just before his exit will cause impotence of the emblematic goalkeeper on the opening score of Ajax Amsterdam…
There were also moments of nostalgia, like the minute of applause for Nouri, a player who spent two years and nine months in a coma, or seeing Seedorf play with both jerseys, or the tribute moving to Blind, who currently plays in Girona, and who has defended the blue and white jersey 333 times.
Match report
Ajax Legends: Van der Sar ; Silooy, F. de Boer, Chivu, R. de Boer ; Babel, Seedorf, Creek, Cutter ; Litmanen et Kluivert. Also played: Stekelenburg, Winter, Vanenburg, Arveladze, Tahamata, de Jong, Schoenaker, Musampa, Dani, Enoh, Van der Vaart, Emanuelson, Wamberto and De Zeew.
Real Madrid legends: Casillas ; Núñez, Iván Campo, F. Sanz, R. Bravo; Milla, Karembeu, McManaman, De la Red ; Morientes et Baptista. Also played: Contreras, Pavón, Granero, Munitis, Seedorf and Balboa.
Buts : 1-0 (41′) : Arveladze. 2-0 (89″) : Siem of Jong. 2-1 (91″) : From the Red.
