Chapter 87

Ajax will host the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie at the Amsterdam Arena, with the return leg taking place in Monaco. The schedule, while not ideal, offers Ajax the critical advantage of playing in front of their passionate home crowd first. Ronald Koeman's strategy is clear: dominate at home, secure a win, and severely limit Monaco's hopes before the return fixture. 

Ajax's strength this season has been their ability to control possession and apply relentless pressure. Against Monaco, the goal will be to force strikers Fernando Morientes and Dado Pršo away from dangerous areas near the penalty box. The aim is to disrupt their rhythm, push them into wider positions, and lure them into the trap of constant offsides. The Ajax coaching staff, having analyzed their recent victory against Real Madrid, has meticulously drilled these tactics in training, sharpening the team's ability to execute them with precision. 

Monaco, despite reaching the semi-finals, have had an inconsistent domestic campaign. They currently sit third in Ligue 1, trailing behind the top contenders, with their overall performance lacking the consistency of champions. By contrast, Ajax appear the stronger side on paper, boasting a more balanced team and greater momentum. However, Monaco's resilience cannot be underestimated. Their European journey has been nothing short of remarkable, and their ability to rise to the occasion has caused trouble for even the biggest clubs. 

Their Champions League run has been highlighted by two standout performances. The first came in an astonishing 8-3 thrashing of Deportivo La Coruña in the group stages, a result that sent shockwaves through Europe. The second was their 3-1 victory over Chelsea in the quarter-finals. Despite being reduced to ten men after a second-half red card, Monaco's spirit never wavered. They scored twice through Morientes and Shabani Nonda, showing an incredible fighting spirit and tactical intelligence that will certainly pose a threat to Ajax. 

However, Monaco's vulnerabilities are also clear. In the round of 16, they lost 2-1 away to Lokomotiv Moscow, only to scrape through with a 1-0 win at home, progressing on away goals. Their attack, while dangerous in moments, has shown a lack of fluidity, with frequent miscommunication and poor control in the final third. The team's passing has been erratic at times, and Ajax's high-pressing tactics are designed to exploit this weakness. 

In preparation for these challenges, Ajax have focused intensely on perfecting their offside trap. The team has spent hours refining their press, particularly in the midfield and attacking third. Koeman wants his players to suffocate Monaco's build-up play, forcing errors and capitalizing on counter-attacks when Monaco's backline is out of shape. 

Even on the morning before the match, the Ajax squad continued their tactical drills. The coaching staff left no stone unturned, reinforcing the importance of discipline and collective effort, knowing that the slightest lapse could be costly at this stage of the competition. 

Yang Yang, the young rising star of Ajax, is expected to start on the bench, though the likelihood of him featuring in the second half is high. His pace and ability to stretch defences could prove decisive if the game opens up. The pressure of the occasion is immense, but Yang Yang has been mentally preparing for his role, eager to make an impact when called upon. 

... 

... 

Arie Haan and his delegation arrived at De Toekomst during Ajax's afternoon training session. The academy grounds, alive with the usual buzz of activity, took on a more significant air with the presence of such distinguished guests. Among them was Wei Zhen, a well-known national TV reporter, whose arrival Yang Yang had anticipated. Word had already spread that Arie Haan, taking time out of his busy schedule, flew in specifically to meet Yang Yang and attend the Champions League semi-final the following night. 

Alongside Haan, assistant coach De Yang and Wei Zhen, there was also Zhu Guanghu, a former assistant coach of the Chinese national team, adding even more weight to the delegation. 

What caught Yang Yang off guard, however, was the sight of Johnny Rep, Almere's head coach, standing near Ajax's technical director Louis van Gaal. The presence of his former coach was an unexpected but pleasant surprise. 

As soon as the training session ended, Yang Yang, drenched in sweat, ran over to greet him, using a towel to wipe his face. His respect for Johnny Rep was obvious as he approached with a smile. 

"I didn't expect to see you here, Mr. Rep!" Yang Yang greeted warmly, his voice tinged with admiration. Johnny Rep had been instrumental in shaping his early career, guiding him during his time at Almere, and even after Yang Yang's move to Ajax, they had stayed in touch. Their conversations, filled with advice and encouragement, had left a lasting impact. 

Johnny Rep returned the smile, his eyes scanning Yang Yang. "You're still too skinny," he remarked, half-joking, half-serious. 

It was an assessment that Yang Yang had grown accustomed to hearing from his former coach. Rep's watchful eye had tracked Yang Yang's progress over the years, and although he saw improvement, there was still room to grow—especially physically. 

Yang Yang chuckled in response. He was only 17, still in a critical period of development. While Ajax's training staff had been cautious about pushing him too hard with weight training, his naturally slender frame remained a point of discussion. 

As Wei Zhen stepped forward, he began introducing Yang Yang to the rest of the delegation. Arie Haan, showing a keen interest in the young winger, asked about his experience in the Netherlands, life at Ajax, and his overall adjustment. Having been a footballer abroad himself, Haan understood the importance of adapting not only to the game but also to life in a foreign country. 

Yang Yang, however, had settled in quite well. After spending a year in Almere before his move to Ajax, he had already developed a familiarity with Dutch culture. His integration into the team had gone smoothly; the management and coaching staff had been supportive, and his performances on the field had earned him a solid reputation. 

Of course, Yang Yang's rise to prominence wasn't without its challenges, but his ability to adapt had impressed many. Looking at his performances in the Champions League, it wasn't hard to understand why he had gained so much popularity within the Ajax squad. 

Arie Haan, while encouraging Yang Yang's success, offered some gentle advice. "You're still only 17," he said, echoing Johnny Rep's earlier comments. "You've got plenty of time to develop. As Johnny said, you need more training, more physical development. Right now, there's no better place for you than Ajax." 

Yang Yang listened intently, nodding as he took in the advice from the experienced coach. It was a reminder to remain patient and focused, even as the excitement of playing at the highest level grew. 

As the training ground gradually emptied, several Ajax players passed by, offering greetings to Yang Yang. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Maxwell, in particular, stopped to ask if he wanted to join them. It was another sign of how well Yang Yang had integrated into the team. 

Head coach Ronald Koeman and assistant coach Ruud Krol stood in the background, talking amongst themselves after sending off the players. What surprised Yang Yang even more was learning that Ruud Krol, Johnny Rep, and Arie Haan were all former teammates from their playing days. Haan had informed them of his visit to the Netherlands, and it was clear that they all had a shared interest in Yang Yang's development. 

While Wei Zhen and Zhu Guanghu stood nearby, they couldn't fully immerse themselves in the conversation among the former stars and current European coaches. Even so, through the help of translators, they gathered that the group was discussing Yang Yang, his progress, and his future in the game. 

Wei Zhen, never one to miss an opportunity for banter, nudged Yang Yang and said, "You've really made a name for yourself. You're halfway to becoming a superstar!" His words carried both humor and pride. 

Yang Yang, ever humble, smiled politely. "I've still got a long way to go." 

Wei Zhen, however, wasn't finished. "You have no idea how much attention you're getting back home. You're already outshining Yao Ming, and if you keep this up—especially if Ajax reaches the Champions League final—you'll be a sensation in China. The entire sports world will be talking about you." 

Yang Yang smiled and shook his head. "That's still a long way off, brother." 

Despite the compliments, Yang Yang remained grounded. His focus was solely on improving his game, becoming more competitive, and ensuring that he could consistently perform at the highest level. 

Wei Zhen, understanding Yang Yang's mentality, didn't press further. However, he couldn't resist mentioning the upcoming Asian Cup. "This summer is going to be huge. It's the first time China will host the Asian Cup, and the whole country is invested in it." 

After the disappointing performance at the World Cup in Korea and Japan, where the Chinese national team crashed out in the group stage, the atmosphere surrounding football back home had dimmed. The defeat was a harsh reminder of the gap in strength compared to the world's top teams. Now, as the nation looked toward the future, the upcoming Asian Cup carried the weight of rejuvenating national pride. A good performance could restore faith and set the stage for the next World Cup qualifiers. 

Team leader Zhu, speaking on behalf of the Chinese national team, had made it clear: both the senior and youth teams had their eyes on Yang Yang. 

"We've discussed it with Ajax, but I wanted to hear your thoughts personally," Zhu began. "This time, I'm here not just for the senior national team, but also for the youth team." 

He explained further. "The national youth team has big goals—this year's Asian Youth Championship and next year's World Youth Championship in the Netherlands. And our long-term target is, of course, the 2008 Beijing Olympics." 

Yang Yang listened closely, his mind focused. "Of course, I'll play for my country. I have no other opinions," he replied, his voice steady and full of conviction. 

Both the Asian Cup and the Olympics were to be held on home soil. For Yang Yang, representing China on such stages was a responsibility he wouldn't shy away from. Regardless of the challenges, he knew that when his country called, he would answer. 

Zhu smiled, clearly pleased with the young player's unwavering patriotism. "Good. After talking with Ajax, we've made a plan. You'll play in the Toulon Tournament in France first. Once you finish the Eredivisie season, you'll get a short break before flying out to join the national team in France. This tournament is primarily for training, so there's no pressure in terms of results." 

Yang Yang nodded. "That sounds fine to me." 

"After the Toulon Cup, you'll head straight to Beijing to prepare for the Asian Cup. It's a huge occasion for the country—the first time we're hosting it. The whole nation will be watching, expecting great things. Arie Haan sees you playing a key role, especially on the right wing. He wants you to be one of our primary weapons in attack." 

Yang Yang felt a swell of pride but remained humble. "I'll do my best. Thank you." 

Zhu continued, "And because Ajax holds you in such high regard, we've also agreed internally that you'll be part of the youth team for the Asian Youth Championship. That means you won't be called up for the World Cup qualifiers just yet. We'll save you for the final round next year when we need you the most. 

The schedule for the Asian Youth Championship clashed with the World Cup qualifiers, but with Ajax commitments on the horizon, the decision had been made to prioritize Yang Yang's development. From Zhu's tone, it was clear they were confident China would progress to the final round of the qualifiers. 

Their confidence was understandable. China had been fortunate with the draw, facing relatively manageable opponents in Kuwait, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. With two wins already secured—a 1-0 victory over Kuwait at home and another 1-0 win in Hong Kong—it seemed likely that China would advance without much difficulty. 

The final round of qualifiers was set to begin in February 2005, which would give Yang Yang plenty of time to be available. 

"I have no problem with that," Yang Yang agreed without hesitation. "As long as the club is on board, I'll honor the agreement." 

It was a decision that felt natural to him, shaped by the values instilled in him from childhood. His parents had always emphasized the importance of giving back to his country, and Yang Yang fully embraced that idea. 

Zhu, clearly satisfied with Yang Yang's response, beamed. "Good lad. I knew we could count on you." 

After a few more encouraging words, Zhu stepped back, leaving Wei Zhen to step in. The journalist couldn't resist pulling Yang Yang aside to talk, but the subject quickly shifted from national pride to something more personal. 

"You know, I've got to ask," Wei Zhen began, his grin widening, "What about those Champions League final tickets?" 

Yang Yang raised an eyebrow, caught off guard. "We're still in the semi-finals, brother." 

Wei Zhen laughed. "Yeah, but once you knock out Monaco, you'll be in the final, right? Come on, think ahead!" 

Yang Yang couldn't help but laugh as well. His friend's optimism was infectious. "Alright, alright. If we make it, I'll get you some tickets, no problem." 

The idea of playing in a Champions League final was enough to make Yang Yang's heart race. The very thought of it—of walking out onto the pitch for one of the most prestigious matches in football—felt almost surreal. 

"Even if I have to buy them myself, I'll make sure you're there," Yang Yang added with a smile. 

It was the Champions League final, after all—a dream for every footballer. Many go their entire careers without ever getting the chance to play on such a stage. Yang Yang knew how lucky he was to even be this close.