Champions League News: Youth of Ajax "without fear" have a head start – Vertonghen

Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen believes that the former Ajax club has an edge over all other clubs because its young players are trained to be fearless.

Ajax has stormed the Champions League this season, and hit Real Madrid and Juventus away from home in the round of 16 with thrilling performances before the semifinals.

But Vertonghen, who arrived at Ajax before joining the Spurs in 2012, was not surprised by the exploits of the Eredivisie giants.

The 32-year-old said that part of the development of the Ajax Academy is to instill in players a winning attitude and a confident approach.

"That's what they do," said Vertonghen before confronting his former club. "Still, when you're six or seven, you start and you're part of the best team in the league.

"You have to dominate far away from home, a draw is never enough, a win is never enough, you always have to win in a certain way, that's what you see now."

"Ajax is playing at an incredible level, you do not expect teams other than the big countries to do it, they have shown the way forward.

"They are always one step ahead of everyone else and I am happy that it is paying off.

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"They are preparing everyone for the highest level, and then the children who come in, because they are almost children when they are 18 or 19 years old and who start at age 17 sometimes, are ready.

"They are hungry, they are ready, they are afraid of nothing, they feel the support of the academy and they trust their qualities."

Tottenham will face Ajax in their first leg of the Champions League semi-finals in London on Tuesday before the return leg next week.