The 'Special One' produced a classic tactical masterclass against the Dutch club during the 2017 Europa League final

Jose Mourinho has urged Tottenham to nullify Ajax’s possession-based philosophy with a physical approach during their Champions League semi-final.

Ajax set up the clash with Spurs after two stunning triumphs over European giants Real Madrid and Juventus.

2 Ajax celebrate their remarkable victory over Juventus

Erik ten Hag’s young side reflect the Ajax teams of old with their own brand of ‘Total Football’, the system which helped the club win three successive European Cups during the 1970s.

They outclassed both Madrid and Juve over two legs, but Mourinho insists the Spanish and Italian champions got their tactics wrong.

“In my opinion, [Juventus are] another team that let Ajax play with their strength,” Mourinho told RT.

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“Until this moment, nobody really respected them, and they let them play with the qualities they have.

“They have fantastic young players with a little bit of the experience they didn’t have a couple of years ago when I played them in the Europa League final.”

The former Manchester United manager delivered a tactical masterclass during the Red Devils’ 2-0 victory over Ajax in the 2017 Europa League final.

2 Mourinho nullified Ajax’s ‘Total Football’

Mourinho stifled the Dutch club by turning the game into a physical, aerial battle – two areas where United were undoubtedly stronger than their opponents.

“We gave them the game that they didn’t want to have,” Mourinho added.

“They complained [after the game] about the long build-up, they complained about [Marouane] Fellaini, about physicality, they complained because they couldn’t cope.

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“If you play against Ajax in the way they want to play, you have the risk that they are better than you.

“If I see for example Ajax play Barcelona or Liverpool in the final, if they reach the final, I think Barcelona and Liverpool can beat them playing their own strength, but when your quality is not, you have to go to the strategic point of view and give them what they don’t want.”