12

The next day, many medias reported about the game and about Ravier performance.

But he didn't have time to be happy about his growing popularity because four days later, after the champions league, the competition resumed, Ajax won their game against PEC Zwolle. And nobody knows if it was because of the last performance of Ravier but the head coach Koeman let him play. So for this game, he was on the Starting list. Fortunately he still continue with his good performance and in this game, Ajax beat Zwolle 1-0.

The days pass really quickly, it's already September. The temperature begins to drop. Ravier has been playing for Ajax for almost a month now. So far in the matches he has played his performance is very exemplary. The next game the team will play will be against RKC Waalwijk. The formation of the two teams is like that.

Goalkeeper: Ravier.

Defender: Escude, Maxwell.

Midfield: Galásek, Pienaar, Van Der Vaart, De Jong, Yakubu.

Forwards: Soetaers, Ibrahimović, Sonck.

Goalkeeper: Sinouh.

Defender: Olfers, Boulahrouz, Virgilio, Petrovic.

Midfield: Greene, Boutahar, Van Diemen, Cornelisse.

Forwards: Iwan, Hoogendorp.

There were a lot of spectators on the scene.

Only a few minutes after the match, Iwan threatened the goal of Ajax.

Greene long pass directly went to Iwan. He raised his speed, sprinting forward to catch the ball.

The football fell to the right outside the penalty area and he successfully received the pass.

Even though the opposing center back defended him well, Iwan stopped abruptly and then make a dribble. This sudden change in rhythm successfully passed the opponent's player. Iwan saw that there is space, decisively rubbed his left foot and try to hit the goal. The feet are not very balanced, so the quality of this shot very is average. The kick was completely crooked, and then he flew out of the bottom line.

The game continues and on a pass from Yakubu, Maxwell scored the first goal of the game in the 21st minute. But that was not all. Six minutes later Ibrahimović scored the second goal. Those were the only two goals in the first half.

In the second period in the 47th minute, on a penalty Galásek scored the 3rd goal. Then Sonck in the 62nd minute. The Ajax team showed all the colors to the opposing team.

Unknowingly, the game was coming to an end, when RKC Waalwijk launched an attack. Through continuous passing, Boulahrouz that came in during the game came outside the small restricted area.

Suddenly Hoogendorp ran into the penalty area, and Boulahrouz who had already noticed him passed the ball, but the quality of the pass was a little average.

Although he received the pass, there is no room to hit the goal.

Then he saw Oost that come in during the game too outside the small restricted area, and send the ball to him successfully.

But the opponent's central defender was stuck with him, making Oost unable to turn around at all.

Oost looked behind him and looked like he was going to pass the ball.

Trabelsi, the defender behind him kept stretching his legs to stab the football. But Oost physical resistance ability is good too. The confrontation between the two people was very fierce, when suddenly Oost lifted his right foot, and then kicked the football directly with his heel.

During all this time Ravier did not take his eyes off their action. He was ready to intervene if by chance Oost came to dribble the defender who marked him. When he saw Oost kick the ball with his back heel, he was a little surprise but react anyway and keep the ball in his arms. He didn't gave him a chance to score the goal with a shoot like that.

After this action, there was no more playing time and the referee ended the match.

The coach gave them a day off Ravier took the opportunity to rest and adjust his body. He also took the opportunity to watch the Champions League draw with Stanley.

Group H with

Ac Milan.

AFC Ajax

Club Brugge.

Celta de Vigo.

When he saw the result he didn't know what to think. Ajax is part of a group with strong teams. For example Milan and even Celta de Vigo. Over the past few years this small team has made a lot of effort.

Stanley who was with Ravier, also made some comments about the group Ajax was in. He made a complete analysis of the teams in the group, which surprised Ravier a little. What was more interesting is what he said afterwards.

- If it's you who keeps playing in goal, maybe your team will have a chance. Otherwise it will be a bit difficult.

So Ravier asked him?

- Why? What is the difference between Lebont and me?

It was then that he told me!!

- Ravier it seems to me that you underestimate your value a little in the team. I'll make a comparison for you.

He looked serious and started to speak again.

- The difference between you and Lebont. In terms of experience, playing time, Lebont is better than you. But in terms of stability of self-confidence and judgment you are better than him. And in several times I noticed during the matches that you sometimes give some instructions to the defenders. This proves that you are capable of commanding the defense. In terms of prediction you are also much better than him. I also know that the coaches have noticed these qualities in you, to name a few. But the coach won't let you play the next matches unlike the playoffs he let you play. The reason is very simple. This team against which you have played, does not scare him too much.

- Why he won't let me play Champions League games?

- Simple, he doesn't trust you enough. Do not take it wrong. He knows Lebont better and trusts him because of his experience, his age and his ability to handle stress. Unlike you who is very young. And also the fact that he does not know your psychological abilities to manage stress. He only saw you play a few matches and these teams weren't up to par to allow him to fully judge your abilities. Even if he's starting to have a little idea. For him, that is still not enough. In addition the atmosphere of the champions league is clearly very different too.

- Why do you know all these things?

- Well, as the manager of the future best goalkeeper in the world, I have to know you better and know your abilities. So I went to see some of your matches. In the future when I do the negotiations for you, it will be easier.

Ravier was a little surprised because of the words he had just said. He remembers the first time he met Stanley and that, he told him he wanted to be the manager of the best player.

- Since, when did you decide that I would be the best goalkeeper in the world? How can I be so good in your eyes?

- I do not know. All I know is that you are ambitious, hardworking and you also have great potential. So I decided to accompany you and make you the best. Is not because you are good, I made a judgement based on your professionalism.

A big smile appeared on Ravier's face when he heard Stanley's words.

Ravier turned to TV again and continued to watch the next draws. But his mind was a bit elsewhere. He was still thinking about what Stanley told him about him and Lebont. He already known that all he had said is true. So now he is not in a hurry to prove himself. The opportunity will come and he comes, he will not let it pass. This day will be the day he will rise.

The next game is the champions league. The first match to be played is with the Milan team.

3 days later the match against the AC Milan team led by Carlos Ancelotti was played. Ajax was on the move. It was Ravier's first trip. Most of the last matches have been played at home. He did not have time to admire the scene since the team had to train a little before the start of the match. The formation of the two teams was as follows.

AC Milan 532

Goalkeeper: Dida

Defender: Kaka, Nesta, Costacurta, Maldini, Cafu.

Midfielder: Seedorf, Pirlo, Gattuso.

Forwards: Inzaghi, Shevchenko.

AFC Ajax 442

Goalkeeper: Lebont.

Defender: Maxwell, Escude, Pasanen, Trabelsi.

Midfielder: Pienaar, Yakubu, Van Der Vaart, Galásek.

Forwards: Sonck, Ibrahim.

The Milan team was very strong defensively throughout the match, all Ravier, who was on the bench, came to think was that this team is very strong.

Ibrahim, has been sealed!

Van Der Vaart, was frozen!

Pienaar, was the same as the others. They could not deploy their usual game. This is how the first period ended. In the locker room, the players were really tense. They were listening to Koeman who was trying to arrange another tactic. The second period began, we were more than 60 minutes into the game, Ravier's attention was still on the field. When suddenly the Milan team after recovering a ball quickly went on the counterattack. A few seconds later a goal was scored. A strike from Inzaghi in the 65th minute allowed them to score. When Lebont conceded the goal, Koeman threw several glances at Ravier. Nobody knows what he was thinking at the time. And it was the only goal of the game.

Ravier and the others returned empty-handed to Amsterdam.

After the game the coach gave them the players a day off. The following days the atmosphere of the team gradually returned as usual. They have no choice since they have a match to play against NAC Breda. Maybe it's because they still couldn't stomach losing to AC Milan, but that day was a fiasco. They were beaten 4-2. The team's defense was completely lame.

Another defeat.

The next day, the newspapers did not praise the players and their coach at all. And even the fans were a little disappointed with the performance of the players.

Maybe the players didn't want to be criticized anymore and at the next meeting that took place, they had a bloodbath. They beat the Willem II team hands down. 6-0.

They took the opportunity to continue on this great momentum. The second round of the Champions League was played against Club Brugge. Ravier was still sitting on the substitutes' bench. The match was as usual spectacular. But this time AFC Ajax won again. They beat the opposing team 2-0. It's a good thing for them after the defeat against Milan, it will allow them to regain their self-confidence.