Vertonghen: «Benfica is Portugal’s Ajax»
Jan Vertonghen made the reception of Benfica to Ajax, of the round of 16 of the Champions League, and had a comparison between the two teams.
“Last season the results were not good, but this is the biggest club in the country. Benfica is Ajax of Portugal. In terms of pressure, what I live here is comparable to my times in Amsterdam”, said the Belgian centre-back, speaking to the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
The 34-year-old Belgian international finished training as a senior at Jax, a club he represented for nine seasons, stressed that he is scheduled for Wednesday’s game: “I want to see friends again and play against Jax. I will give it all.”
Vertonghen recognizes the elimination problems and even the record of the rout defined by Ajax in Alvalade, by 5-1, in the group stage. “I was impressed by the way they played against Sporting, which is a difficult team to beat. We will study them well, but everyone knows the players and the way they play and we cannot underestimate them», stressed the centre-back.
In another interview, to «Het Parool», Vertonghen was the newspaper about a possible return, but stated that he has a contract with the Reds.
“Ajax is close to my heart. But I have one and a half more contracts with Benfica”, he stressed, adding: “I kept mine there, my wife is from Amsterdam, but I want to continue playing for another three or four years and I don’t see Ajax as a chance in the times closer.”