Erik ten Hag lauded Ajax and said the Dutch side can take confidence from their controversial loss to Champions League holders Real Madrid.
Ajax pressed Madrid but lost 2-1 at home to the three-time reigning champions in the opening leg of their last-16 tie in Amsterdam on Wednesday.
Nicolas Tagliafico had a goal disallowed in the first half following a VAR review, with referee Damir Skomina penalising Dusan Tadic for interfering with Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois while in an offside position.
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Ajax then fell behind to Karim Benzema's opener before Hakim Ziyech equalised, though Marco Asensio snatched victory for Madrid with three minutes remaining at Johan Cruijff ArenA.