Preparation For Real Madrid

In the 27th round of the Eredivisie, Ajax faced a tough challenge as they traveled to face AZ Alkmaar away. The match was a test of their resilience as the Dutch giants aimed to maintain their lead in the league standings. 

The breakthrough for Ajax came in the 64th minute of the second half when Wesley Sonck found the back of the net, giving his team a crucial lead. The goal was the result of a well-coordinated attack, showcasing Ajax's ability to break down a stubborn Alkmaar defense. However, the joy was short-lived. In the dying minutes of the game, AZ Alkmaar managed to equalize, capitalizing on a lapse in Ajax's defense. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving both sides to settle for a point. 

Thomas Vermaelen played the entire match for Ajax, delivering a mixed performance. While he was generally steady throughout the game, his involvement in the goal conceded by Ajax cast a shadow over his display. Nonetheless, Vermaelen's overall performance reflected the defensive solidity that has become characteristic of Ajax this season. 

Meanwhile, Ajax's main rivals, PSV Eindhoven, faced their own struggles. Guus Hiddink's team traveled to Willem II, hoping to keep pace in the title race. The first half ended in a goalless draw, with both teams showing caution. However, the second half saw Willem II take the lead, putting pressure on Eindhoven. The situation worsened for PSV when Kevin Hofland was shown a red card for a reckless foul, reducing them to ten men. Despite managing to pull one goal back, PSV ultimately fell to a 3-1 defeat, a significant blow to their title hopes. 

With this round of matches complete, Ajax's lead at the top of the Eredivisie widened, while Eindhoven's hopes of catching up began to fade. Yet, Hiddink remained defiant, insisting that his team still had a chance to turn things around, despite the mounting challenges. 

As the calendar turned to April, the Eredivisie entered its 28th round of matches, and the tension in the title race intensified. 

PSV Eindhoven had the advantage of playing a day earlier than Ajax, and they made the most of it. Traveling to Waalwijk, they put in a dominant performance, securing a 4-0 victory. Mateja Kežman was in fine form, scoring twice, while Ji-Sung Park added his name to the scoresheet with a well-taken goal. The emphatic win sent a clear message to Ajax that PSV was not ready to surrender the title without a fight. 

The following day, Ajax hosted Groningen at the Amsterdam Arena. The match proved to be a hard-fought battle, with both sides evenly matched in the first half, which ended in a 0-0 stalemate. Groningen's defense was resolute, frustrating Ajax's attempts to break the deadlock. 

In the second half, head coach Ronald Koeman made a tactical change, bringing on Rafael van der Vaart from the bench. The substitution paid off almost immediately. Van der Vaart, with his characteristic flair and vision, scored the opening goal, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. However, Groningen responded quickly, leveling the score and once again putting Ajax under pressure. 

With time running out, Koeman made another substitution, introducing Yang Yang in the 80th minute. The young winger made an instant impact, using his speed and skill to force a corner on the right flank. Wesley Sneijder, ever the set-piece specialist, delivered an inch-perfect corner, and Johnny Heitinga rose highest to head the ball into the net, securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory for Ajax. 

This crucial win brought Ajax one step closer to clinching the Eredivisie title, significantly boosting the team's morale as they entered the final stretch of the season. The players knew that every point was vital, and this result reinforced their belief that the championship was within their grasp. 

With the victory over Groningen behind them, Ajax immediately turned their focus to the upcoming Champions League knockout round. The midweek fixture would be another significant test, as the team aimed to balance their domestic ambitions with their European aspirations. 

... 

... 

"Everyone outside thinks we're already out of the competition," Ronald Koeman's voice echoed through the quiet tactical conference room, his eyes scanning the faces of the players seated before him. 

Yang Yang sat directly across from the head coach, studying Koeman's expression. From the intensity in Koeman's gaze, Yang Yang sensed something crucial—a determined resolve that was shared by everyone in the room. 

Indeed, Ajax found themselves with their backs against the wall. A 4-2 defeat in the first leg away at the Bernabéu had left them with no choice but to throw caution to the wind in the return leg. To advance in the Champions League, they needed nothing short of a miraculous comeback. Anything less would see them eliminated from Europe's elite competition. 

Technical director Louis van Gaal was also present at this tactical meeting, his stern presence reinforcing the importance of the occasion. It was rumored that he had just concluded a lengthy meeting with the coaching staff, hammering out every detail of their approach. Since entering the room, Van Gaal had stood silently by Koeman's side, his silence a testament to his unwavering support for the head coach. 

"As I said before," Koeman continued, his tone firm but reassuring, "I take full responsibility for the loss two weeks ago. You all played your hearts out, and the blame falls squarely on me. But now, I ask you to trust me once more—to believe that together, we can overturn this deficit and secure a victory on our home turf." 

Koeman commanded great respect within the team, and as he spoke, the players nodded in unison, their confidence in their leader unshaken. 

"The loss on the road was a tough pill to swallow," Koeman admitted, "but the two goals we scored give us hope. Those goals revealed vulnerabilities in Real Madrid's defense—weaknesses we can exploit. We saw their backline's frailties, their lack of adequate protection in front of the defense, and these are areas where we have an advantage." 

Koeman clicked a button, and the screen behind him lit up with a presentation outlining Ajax's potential advantages. The first point highlighted was the absence of key Real Madrid players in the upcoming match. 

"Raúl Bravo," Koeman said, pointing to the screen, "is out due to the injury he sustained after that moment of brilliance from Yang Yang—a dribble that has been talked about worldwide. His ankle injury is severe enough that his season is likely over." 

While Bravo's absence was significant, it wasn't all good news for Ajax. Roberto Carlos, suspended for the first leg due to yellow card accumulation, would return to the lineup. However, Koeman noted that the Brazilian left-back's form and defensive reliability had been inconsistent, leaving room for doubt about his impact on the game. 

"What I really want to focus on," Koeman continued, "is David Beckham." 

He switched to another slide, displaying key data on Beckham's performance. 

"Most people fixate on Real Madrid's attacking prowess, but let's not forget that in modern football, midfield control is everything. It's often said that whoever controls the midfield controls the game. After selling Makelele, Real Madrid's midfield has struggled defensively. They've lacked a player who can shield the defense effectively." 

"Beckham, with his tireless running and exceptional passing ability—particularly his long-range passes—has transitioned into a deep-lying playmaker. His role has been crucial for them, but here's the good news: he's suspended for this match due to yellow card accumulation. This is a massive blow to their midfield defense, leaving them vulnerable." 

Koeman paused, allowing the significance of Beckham's absence to sink in. He then outlined the two potential strategies Real Madrid might employ to compensate for this loss. 

"First," Koeman explained, "Carlos Queiroz might push Helguera forward to partner Guti in midfield. However, this would leave their backline exposed, with Pavón and Mejía likely forming the central defensive partnership—a combination we can exploit." 

"The second option," Koeman continued, "is for Queiroz to pair Guti with either Solari or Borja in midfield. However, Solari isn't a natural defensive midfielder, and Borja, while capable, lacks experience. This scenario could leave gaps in front of their defense, especially around the edge of the penalty area—an area where players like Wesley Sonck, Van der Vaart, and Sneijder can be particularly dangerous with their long-range shooting. 

As Koeman laid out the tactical possibilities, the players began to see the opportunities that lay ahead. Ibrahimović's physical dominance in the penalty area had been evident in the first leg, and with Real Madrid's defensive vulnerabilities, Ajax had a real chance to capitalize on set pieces and crosses. 

"Additionally," Koeman pointed out, "Real Madrid's full-backs, Roberto Carlos and Michel Salgado, love to push forward. This often leaves space behind them—space we can exploit on the counterattack. Our wingers, Yang Yang and Maxwell, must be ready to take advantage of these opportunities." 

Koeman paused, looking each player in the eye before delivering his final point. "And remember what I emphasized two weeks ago: Real Madrid lacks an effective rotation system. We're now in April, and their superstars are exhausted. You all saw it at the Bernabéu. They started strong in the second half, but as the game wore on, they began to fade." 

In the closing stages of that first leg, it was clear that Real Madrid's energy levels had dipped, allowing Ajax to press harder and create chances. Koeman believed this was a key weakness they could exploit. 

"In the past two weeks," Koeman continued, "Real Madrid has played two matches. In their 5-1 win against Sevilla, Roberto Carlos played 70 minutes, Zidane 80 minutes, and most of the others played the full 90. Then, just two days ago, they beat Albacete 2-1 away. Guti played 67 minutes, Zidane 80 minutes, Ronaldo 87 minutes, and again, most of their stars played the full game." 

Yang Yang, curious about the significance of this, couldn't help but ask, "Why, coach?" 

His question drew the attention of the entire room, and a few chuckles broke the tension. 

Koeman smiled, appreciating the inquisitiveness. "Good question, Yang. The answer is simple: Real Madrid is fighting on two fronts. They're only one point ahead of Valencia in La Liga, with 67 points to Valencia's 66, and Valencia has a superior goal difference by 13 goals. Real Madrid's defense is their Achilles' heel, and they've been struggling to maintain their lead in the league while competing in the Champions League." 

The players nodded in understanding. Real Madrid's struggle to balance their domestic and European campaigns was taking its toll, and this presented Ajax with a unique opportunity. 

"Compared to them," Koeman continued, "our situation is much more favorable. We have a comfortable lead in the Eredivisie, and I've been rotating the squad to ensure our key players are well-rested and ready for this match." 

Koeman's voice grew more impassioned as he delivered his final rallying cry. "Gentlemen, we are not without hope in this game. We have a chance—if we press them from the first minute, if we don't allow them to dictate the tempo, then I believe the victory will be ours. We must fight together, with everything we have." 

The room, which had been filled with a sense of unease at the start of the meeting, now buzzed with renewed confidence. The players, reinvigorated by Koeman's analysis, began to believe that they could indeed overturn the deficit on their home turf, even against a powerhouse like Real Madrid. 

As they left the conference room, there was a palpable sense of determination in the air. Ajax knew that their task was monumental, but they also knew that they had the ability, the strategy, and the belief to pull off one of the most remarkable comebacks in Champions League history. 

Even in the face of Real Madrid, they were ready to fight. 

... 

... 

"Yang, I'll be using you as a substitute in this game." 

The words, spoken with careful consideration, came from head coach Ronald Koeman as he, along with assistant coach Ruud Krol, pulled Yang Yang aside after the tactical preparation meeting. There was a seriousness in Koeman's tone that made Yang Yang's heart sink slightly. 

Despite his growing confidence and desire to make an impact—especially after his memorable performance against Arsenal—Yang Yang couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. He had hoped to start, to be on the pitch from the first whistle, but he also understood the rationale behind the decision. Still, it was hard not to feel a little let down. 

Koeman quickly picked up on the young winger's emotions. "Listen, Yang," he said, his voice firm yet encouraging, "this decision wasn't taken lightly. All of us, including Louis van Gaal, agreed on this approach. We believe that the defining moments of this match will come in the second half, and we need our sharpest weapons ready for when it counts the most. That's where you come in." 

At just seventeen years old, Yang Yang was still developing, and the coaching staff was acutely aware of his physical limitations. While his skill and determination were never in question, starting him against a team like Real Madrid—a side known for their intense early pressure and physicality—could be asking too much. The risk of him burning out too early in the match was something they had to consider. 

"Your performance against Arsenal was outstanding, and we trust you completely," Koeman continued. "But Real Madrid is a different beast. We've identified that their greatest vulnerability comes in the second half, when their energy levels drop. That's when we need you most—when the Galácticos are at their weakest, and we can strike with precision." 

Yang Yang listened intently, his disappointment slowly giving way to understanding. He realized that the coaching staff wasn't sidelining him; they were positioning him as a crucial element in their strategy—a secret weapon to be unleashed at the perfect moment. 

"In the first half, our focus will be on staying solid at the back," Koeman explained. "We'll aim to prevent them from scoring and take any chances we get to hit them on the counter. But the real battle will come after the break. That's when we'll need to press hard, and I'll bring you on to help us deliver the decisive blow." 

Koeman leaned in slightly, emphasizing the importance of Yang Yang's role. "I need you to be fully focused, Yang. Watch the game closely, especially Roberto Carlos on the left side. Observe his movements, his positioning, and any weaknesses that start to show as the game progresses. When you come on, you'll be targeting him, exploiting the spaces he leaves behind." 

Yang Yang nodded, a newfound sense of responsibility settling on his shoulders. He could see now that the coaching staff had great faith in him, and they were counting on his unique abilities to turn the tide when it mattered most. The thought filled him with determination. 

"I know what to do, coach," Yang Yang replied with a resolute nod, his earlier disappointment fully replaced by a steely focus. 

Koeman smiled, seeing the resolve in Yang Yang's eyes. "Good. Stay sharp, stay ready, and when your moment comes, make sure you seize it." 

With that, the conversation ended, and Yang Yang walked away with a renewed sense of purpose. He was no longer just a young player hoping to get minutes on the pitch—he was a key part of Ajax's plan to upset the Galácticos and keep their Champions League dreams alive. 

As he returned to the team, Yang Yang's mind was already racing with thoughts of how he would execute the plan. He visualized the game, the moments when he would burst down the right flank, and the crucial crosses or shots he would deliver. He knew the challenge ahead was immense, but he also knew that he had the trust of his coaches and the capability to make a difference. 

The anticipation for the match grew, and Yang Yang was ready to prove himself once more, to take his place in Ajax's storied history with a performance that would be remembered for years to come.