Prelude First Leg Champions League Quarter-Final

Even after returning to school and sitting in the classroom, Yang Yang couldn't shake the heavy atmosphere of the Champions League draw. His thoughts kept drifting back to that moment when Friedrich Stickler drew Monaco's name from the pot. The room had fallen into a stunned silence, as if the air had been sucked out, leaving everyone breathless. Even Zlatan Ibrahimović, usually so brash and confident, and Rafael van der Vaart, the young genius of the team, were left speechless.

No one wanted to face Real Madrid. The mere thought of it was daunting.

Real Madrid—a team that boasted an embarrassment of riches in every position. Ronaldo, Raúl, Zidane, Beckham, Figo, Roberto Carlos, Guti, Salgado, Casillas… the list went on. Each name represented a world-class talent, a player capable of changing the course of a match with a single moment of brilliance. And if that wasn't enough, their bench was stacked with well-known European stars like Solari, Cambiasso, Raúl Bravo, and Portillo.

This was the strongest, most fearsome team in Europe. Any flash of brilliance from one of their superstars could end the game in an instant. Facing Real Madrid felt like standing at the foot of a towering mountain, one so high it was almost impossible to see the summit.

Yang Yang's idols had always been Marco van Basten and Ronaldo. As a young boy, he had dreamed of competing alongside or against them. During his time at De Toekomst, Ajax's famed youth academy, he had even shared the training ground with Van Basten on several occasions. The Dutch legend had taken the time to mentor him, sharing invaluable insights that had helped shape Yang Yang's game.

Now, the prospect of facing Ronaldo on the pitch should have been a dream come true. But instead of excitement, Yang Yang felt a deep, oppressive weight. The challenge ahead was immense, and it wasn't just him who felt it. Every player on the team seemed burdened by the same heavy stone, a collective anxiety that pressed down on them all.

Real Madrid loomed large in their minds, an insurmountable obstacle that forced them all to look up in apprehension.

As Yang Yang sat lost in these thoughts, a sudden sound pulled him back to reality.

"Cough... cough..."

Startled, Yang Yang looked up to find his teacher, a stern-looking middle-aged man, standing right beside him. He hadn't even noticed when the teacher had approached. The entire class had turned to stare at him, their eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and expectation. The tension in the room was palpable.

Feeling like a student caught daydreaming, Yang Yang quickly stood up from his seat, his face flushed with embarrassment. "I'm sorry, sir," he said, his voice steady despite his nerves.

One thing about Yang Yang was his willingness to admit when he was wrong—a quality that had earned him respect both on and off the pitch.

The teacher, known for his strictness, looked deeply into Yang Yang's eyes. The room held its breath, expecting a reprimand. But instead, the teacher surprised everyone. He bent down and picked up a football that had somehow slipped from Yang Yang's bag and rolled under his desk. With a gentle hand, he placed the ball on Yang Yang's table.

"It's a tough draw, facing Real Madrid," the teacher began, his voice unexpectedly soft. "But you must understand, Ajax fans are not the type to make unreasonable demands. For us, qualifying from the group stage and then eliminating Arsenal to reach the quarter-finals is already a remarkable achievement."

He patted Yang Yang's shoulder, offering a reassuring smile. "Don't put too much pressure on yourself. You've already done more than enough. No matter what happens against Real Madrid, whether you win or lose, all of us—your fans, your supporters—are incredibly proud of you."

As the teacher's words hung in the air, the classroom erupted into applause. The sound was warm, full of encouragement, a testament to the support Yang Yang had from his fellow students—many of whom were Ajax fans themselves.

Yang Yang felt a wave of emotion rise within him. The teacher's words and the applause touched him deeply, filling him with a renewed sense of pride. But even with this encouragement, the weight on his shoulders remained. The challenge ahead was immense, and the pressure of representing Ajax against the greatest team in Europe was not something that could be easily dismissed.

...

...

In the days following the Champions League draw, Yang Yang's routine remained unchanged. Each day was a cycle of school, De Toekomst, and home, with a relentless focus on training. Yet, despite his dedication, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over him. The same disquiet seemed to have gripped the entire first team. Even Zlatan Ibrahimović, usually full of bravado, was unusually subdued. The jovial atmosphere at De Toekomst had become strained, the usual banter replaced by an almost oppressive silence.

Ronald Koeman, the head coach, was acutely aware of the tension. He knew that the team needed to snap out of this funk, and fast. They had a daunting challenge ahead, and lingering in this state of dread wouldn't help. Koeman tried various methods to lift the spirits of his players, but nothing seemed to work.

Ajax was a young team—the average age was just 22, with Yang Yang being only 17. Many of these players had grown up idolizing the very stars they were now set to face. For them, Real Madrid wasn't just another team; it was the pinnacle of world football, a collection of almost mythical figures. How could they possibly compete against the likes of Ronaldo, Zidane, and Beckham? The pressure was immense, and it weighed heavily on everyone, from the youngest to the most seasoned players.

Van Gaal, Ajax's technical director, understood this well. During the preparation meeting for their upcoming Eredivisie match, he addressed the team directly, his voice calm but commanding.

"This is a challenge that every team, every professional player will face at some point in their career," he began. "It's a hurdle that, if you cross, will mark your progress. If you don't, it can set you back."

He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "I remember clearly the 1993-1994 UEFA Champions League season. Fabio Capello led AC Milan to the final from the qualifiers. They won eight straight games, scoring 16 goals and conceding just one, with seven clean sheets. They were unbeatable. Meanwhile, Marseille from Ligue 1 stumbled through their campaign, barely scraping by with four draws and narrow wins."

Van Gaal's gaze swept across the room, ensuring he had everyone's attention. "But no one expected what happened in the final. Marseille, a team that had struggled throughout the tournament, beat AC Milan 1-0 to win the Champions League."

The room was silent as Van Gaal continued. "AC Milan had Van Basten, Rijkaard, Baresi, Maldini, Costacurta… a team full of world-class players. Yet they were defeated by a side that, on paper, was far less formidable."

He paused again, a slight smile playing on his lips as he recalled the past. "A year later, AC Milan reached the final again, this time facing Johan Cruyff's Barcelona. Barca were at their peak, having won four consecutive La Liga titles, scoring 91 goals in a single season. They had players like Laudrup, Romário, Begiristain, Guardiola, and our own Ronald Koeman. Yet, in that final, Milan destroyed Barcelona 4-0."

The players were captivated, the weight of Van Gaal's words pulling them into the narrative.

"And just a year after that," Van Gaal continued, "AC Milan made it to the final once more. This was the third consecutive year they were in the Champions League final. They were determined to defend their title, but their opponent was a young and hungry Ajax team."

The room remained silent, the players hanging on to Van Gaal's every word.

"That final was tough. Ajax couldn't break down Milan's defense for most of the game. But in the 85th minute, an 18-year-old substitute, Patrick Kluivert, who had replaced Litmanen, scored the only goal. That goal won Ajax the Champions League and became a part of football history."

Van Gaal's story wasn't just a trip down memory lane—it was a lesson. The players knew that while he had spoken simply, the pressure and difficulty faced by those teams in those moments were immense.

"The Champions League is a stage filled with magic," Van Gaal said, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "It captures the attention of the world, and it tests every player's courage. It's not a place for the timid or the uncertain. It only accepts those who are strong enough to conquer it."

He let his words linger, then added, "Strength and weakness aren't determined by who has the most stars or the strongest lineup. It's determined by you—by your belief, your courage, and your willingness to fight."

As Van Gaal finished, he pointed forcefully at the players, as if to drive his message straight into their hearts.

Yang Yang, sitting among his teammates, felt the weight of Van Gaal's words. It was as if the director's hand was pointing directly at him, urging him to rise to the challenge. He had never seen this side of Van Gaal before, but he had to admit—the speech was incredibly motivating. The heavy stone that had been pressing on his heart for days seemed a little lighter now.

But Yang Yang couldn't help but wonder—how much of Van Gaal's message had really sunk in with the others? Would they be able to carry this resolve onto the pitch when they faced the mighty Real Madrid? Only time would tell.

...

...

The results of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final draw had undoubtedly cast a shadow over the team, but that was a concern reserved for European nights. In the Dutch League, however, Ajax's confidence in their own strength remained unshaken.

In the 25th round of the Eredivisie, Ajax hosted Roda JC at the Amsterdam Arena, and despite fielding a squad filled with bench players, they secured a convincing 4-2 victory. Anastasiou led the charge with a brace, while Mitea and Pienaar each added a goal to the tally. The match showcased the depth of Ajax's roster, reinforcing the notion that while some players might not yet be ready for the pressures of the Champions League, they were more than capable of dominating domestically.

Ajax's command of the Eredivisie was unquestioned, and their performance against Roda JC only solidified this belief.

Midweek brought another challenge at the Amsterdam Arena, this time in the KNVB Cup semi-final against NAC Breda. Ajax, still riding high from their league success, delivered another strong performance, winning 2-0. Yang Yang was brought on as a substitute in the 75th minute, and just a minute later, Ajax secured their second goal. Although Yang Yang wasn't directly involved in the goal, his presence added an extra layer of energy to the team.

The most encouraging aspect of the match was the seamless partnership between Ibrahimović and Van der Vaart. Both players found the back of the net, their chemistry on the pitch clearly improving, which boded well for the upcoming challenges.

Returning to Eredivisie action, Ajax once again took to the field at home, this time against Vitesse. With the critical Champions League match against Real Madrid looming, Ronald Koeman opted to rest many of his regular starters, allowing the bench to take center stage once more. The result was a narrow but sufficient 1-0 victory, courtesy of a goal from Mitea. The win wasn't flashy, but it was effective, keeping Ajax's momentum alive.

Meanwhile, Ajax's title rivals, PSV Eindhoven, had stumbled. After a disappointing home loss to Feyenoord in the previous round, PSV's form didn't improve, as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by NAC Breda. This slip-up allowed Ajax to extend their lead at the top of the table to 13 points, with just eight rounds remaining in the league. The Eredivisie title was all but secured, a testament to Ajax's consistency and dominance throughout the season.

After completing their duties in the 26th round of the Eredivisie, Ajax enjoyed a brief respite in Amsterdam. They rested for three days before flying to Madrid on the evening of March 23rd, where they settled into a hotel just a short distance from the Bernabéu Stadium.

The players, though aware of the monumental task ahead, focused on recovery and preparation. The anticipation for the Champions League clash against Real Madrid was palpable, yet the team remained composed. They knew the challenge that awaited them, but they were determined to face it head-on.

The countdown to the biggest match of their season had begun.