The Historical Significance of Juventus vs. Ajax

Juventus versus Ajax. Two of Europe's most historic clubs face off in the last eight. It is the story of a club trying to become more than just a historical footnote versus a club trying to finally meet expectations. It certainly never used to be a David versus Goliath tale, but in 2019 it most definitely is.

The Dutch and Italian sides have met on 12 occasions in European competition. The Bianconeri won 6 of the 12 meetings while only losing 2. The other four meetings ended in draws.

Their history dates back to the 1972/1973 European Cup competition where they first met in the final. 90,000 supporters jammed into the Marakana in Belgrade to see Johnny Rep lead his side with a fifth minute goal to their third consecutive European Cup title over Europe’s Old Lady.

Johan Cruyff accepting the Cup for Ajax

Juventus did not have to wait long to avenge their cup final defeat as the two sides met in the 1974-1975 UEFA Cup Round-of-16. The Bianconeri won the first leg in Amsterdam and advanced on the away goal rule following their 2-1 defeat back home in Turin. Since 11 December 1974 Ajax has failed to win another game against the Italian side.

The closest they managed to get was in the 1995/1996 Champions League Final. Yet again Ajax were defending their title against Juventus. The match went to penalties and with Juventus already leading 3-2 Vladimir Jugović stepped up to the spot with the chance to clinch a second Champions League title for the Bianconeri. Jugović made no mistake smashing the ball past a diving Edwin van der Sar.

The following year Ajax reach the semifinals before losing to Juventus again (4-1 on aggregate). That marked the end to Ajax’s relevance in European competition for the next 20 years. They never reached a semifinal in any European competition and only reached the quarterfinals twice.

In the 2016/2017 season Ajax reached their first European Cup final since 1996 when they lost to Manchester United in the Europa League Final.

Juventus on the other hand has dominated Champions League competition since their title in 1996 reaching five finals, but shockingly have yet to win the title again.

Both teams went in separate directions following 1996, but both arrive in the 2018/2019 Champions League quarterfinals having to manage two different kinds of heartache. Juventus reached the later stages of the tournament so often and too often fans have watched their team fail to reach the summit. Ajax has gone through two decades of mediocrity; their fans are desperate for European success again.

Will Ajax continue its renaissance or will the Old Lady finally end the drought in Turin? Whatever the result of this tie, lets hope it lives up to its historical significance.