Second Leg Champions League Quarterfinal Part 2

"Another counterattack from Ajax!"

"Watch closely—once again, the ball has been played out to the right flank, and it's Yang Yang on the ball."

"But Real Madrid's defense is reacting quickly this time. Let's see if Yang Yang can find an opening."

"Oh, he switches the play to the left side!"

"What a thoughtful switch by Yang Yang, and it's perfectly executed. Maxwell is in space with no one marking him. He takes the ball and immediately crosses it into the box towards Wesley Sonck... there's a real chance here!"

"Salgado dives in and clears the ball out of bounds. Ajax will have a throw-in."

"Maxwell steps up to take the throw-in, and Ajax is piling players into the penalty area."

"He throws it directly into the box! Wesley Sonck rises to meet it, but Helguera gets there first and heads it clear, pushing the ball out of the penalty area."

"But the clearance doesn't go far—it lands right on the edge of the box..."

"An Ajax player is rushing in... it's Van der Vaart!!! He shoots directly, aiming for the left corner of the net!"

"And it's in!!!!!!!!"

"Gooooooooooooooooal!!!"

"In the fifty-sixth minute, Ajax scores their second goal of the game, turning the scoreline around to 2-1! This reduces the aggregate score to 4-5. The gap between the two teams is now just one goal!"

"Oh my god, Ajax has come out firing in the second half! Their pace has been relentless, and Real Madrid is struggling to keep up. They've made too many mistakes with their passing, giving Ajax far too many opportunities to counterattack."

"Let's take a closer look at the replay—Yang Yang's switch of play was absolutely brilliant. It set up Ajax's throw-in, which was delivered directly into the penalty area. Real Madrid defended the first ball well, with Helguera winning the aerial duel against Wesley Sonck and clearing it, but Ajax was ready for the second ball."

"Even if Van der Vaart hadn't taken the shot, Sneijder was there, slightly to the right, and Yang Yang was positioned further out—Ajax had clearly anticipated where the ball would land. Real Madrid was so focused on defending the penalty area that they left the edge of the box exposed, a serious defensive lapse that Ajax capitalized on."

"Van der Vaart's strike was sensational! He controlled the ball beautifully with his chest before unleashing a powerful volley straight into the net. It's a testament to his outstanding personal skill—no wonder he's considered one of the top talents in the new generation of Dutch football."

...

...

As Van der Vaart's brilliant long-range shot rocketed into the net, the entire Amsterdam Arena erupted in a frenzy. The roar of 50,000 ecstatic fans filled the stadium, their cheers echoing like thunder, and the stands seemed to shake under the weight of their jubilation. The goal was more than just a point on the scoreboard—it was a lifeline, a surge of hope and energy that breathed new life into Ajax's fight against the mighty Real Madrid.

In the chairman's stand, Louis van Gaal and Michael van Praag were among those who couldn't contain their excitement. Both men leaped to their feet, clapping vigorously, their faces alight with the thrill of the moment. This goal was pivotal, a turning point in the match that could shift the balance of power.

"This goal is absolutely crucial!" Van Gaal exclaimed, his voice brimming with conviction. "Did you see that, Michael?" He pointed towards the pitch, his smile broad. "The momentum is on our side now. As long as we keep this pressure up, we're going to be the last team standing tonight. We must be!"

Van Gaal's confidence was unshakable. With decades of experience under his belt, he understood better than anyone the significance of momentum in football. He also knew, however, that this newfound energy could be a double-edged sword. The risk now was that Ajax, having clawed their way back into the game, might become complacent, thinking they had the upper hand. If they allowed themselves to ease up, even slightly, it would give Real Madrid the breathing room they needed to regroup and counterattack.

"The players can't afford to relax now," Van Gaal thought, his mind racing. "We have to keep pushing, pressing high, and forcing Real Madrid into making mistakes. If we let them catch their breath, it could be disastrous."

His eyes drifted to the sidelines, where Ronald Koeman, Ajax's head coach, was shouting instructions at his players, trying to keep the intensity high even as they celebrated Van der Vaart's goal. But in the cacophony of the roaring crowd, Koeman's voice was lost. The players, caught up in the euphoria of the moment, might not have been able to hear their coach's urgent commands.

Van Gaal knew that this was a critical juncture. The team needed to harness their excitement and channel it into sustained pressure. They couldn't afford to let up—not now, not when they were so close to pulling off an incredible comeback. The next few minutes would be decisive in determining whether Ajax could maintain their momentum and keep Real Madrid on the back foot.

...

...

"Hear me out," Yang Yang gasped, his voice straining but resolute as he shouted to his teammates. The exhaustion was clear on everyone's faces, sweat dripping from their brows as if they had just been pulled from a river, but their eyes were locked on Yang Yang, listening intently.

"Even after pulling back two goals, we can't relax," Yang Yang urged, his voice rising above the heavy breathing around him. "We must keep pressing, keep pushing them. We need to force them into more mistakes, take advantage of those errors, and strike again. We cannot give them a moment to breathe or adjust."

"Yang Yang's right!" Sneijder responded immediately, his voice filled with urgency. "We have to keep pressing if we want a chance!"

Captain Van der Vaart, still flushed from his spectacular goal, looked at Yang Yang and then at the rest of the team. He nodded firmly, his expression one of determination. "Okay, let's all get on the same page. We press them hard, we rob them of the ball, force them into more mistakes, and we strike again. We need to get that last goal as soon as possible."

"Yes, we're just one goal away!" Yang Yang echoed loudly, his words carrying the weight of hope and determination.

Only one goal.

The realization swept through the team like a jolt of adrenaline. Just minutes ago, they had been staring down a seemingly insurmountable three-goal deficit. But now, with just over ten minutes gone in the second half, they had clawed their way back to within a single goal of equalizing the aggregate score. If they could score one more, the total score would be 5-5, and with their two away goals, Real Madrid would be knocked out of the Champions League.

The thought of reaching the Champions League semifinals ignited something in every Ajax player. For most, this would be the pinnacle of their careers, an achievement they had dreamed of but never truly believed they could reach. And now, they were on the cusp of making it a reality.

"Come on!"

"Just one goal!"

"And we knock them out!" The players' voices overlapped, rising in a collective roar of determination and belief.

"Let's go!" Van der Vaart commanded, stretching out his hand. The team gathered around him, forming a tight circle, their hands stacked one on top of the other. The weight of the moment was palpable, and as they looked into each other's eyes, they saw the same fire, the same unyielding determination.

"Take them down!" they shouted in unison, their voices filled with resolve.

With a final roar, the circle broke, and the players scattered, moving into their positions on the field. They were no longer just a group of individuals—they were a united force, driven by a singular goal. The next few minutes would define not just the match, but their careers, and they were ready to give everything they had to ensure they came out on top.

This was their moment.

...

...

Yang Yang kept running tirelessly on the pitch, fully aware of the importance of maintaining the momentum that Ajax had built. Every time his team had the ball, he was making himself available, running into space, ready to receive a pass. When Real Madrid gained possession, he was among the first to press, harrying the opposition, doing everything he could to force a mistake.

Van Basten's words echoed in his mind: "Go with the trend, do more with less, and go against the trend with less." Ajax had the momentum now, and Yang Yang knew they had to capitalize on it. They couldn't afford to let the intensity drop; they needed to keep pressing, to force Real Madrid into more errors, and to strike again while the opportunity was there.

Ajax continued to look dangerous on the counterattack. Van der Vaart, always a threat, managed to cross the ball into the penalty area, finding Ibrahimović. But the Swedish striker's shot lacked power and precision, allowing Casillas to make a comfortable save.

Just a minute later, Ajax launched another quick counterattack. Ibrahimović, holding up the ball just outside the penalty area, found himself under intense pressure from Mejía and Borja. The latter flew in with a hard tackle, sending the towering Swede sprawling to the ground. Ibrahimović, his temper flaring, retaliated by shoving Borja, resulting in a brief but intense confrontation between the two players. The referee quickly intervened, issuing a yellow card to Borja and giving him a stern warning.

Despite the scuffle, Ajax remained focused. They quickly restarted the game, determined not to lose the momentum they had worked so hard to build. Real Madrid's coach, Carlos Queiroz, refrained from making any substitutions, knowing that his options were limited. Bringing on more attacking players like Solari or Portillo would only leave the team more vulnerable at the back, something he couldn't afford against an Ajax side that was pressing relentlessly.

As the match wore on, it became increasingly clear that Real Madrid's players were struggling to keep up with Ajax's relentless pace. Their passing grew sloppy, and their movements became labored, the fatigue evident in their every action. The once formidable Galácticos were beginning to falter under the pressure.

Yang Yang, meanwhile, continued to search for opportunities. His constant movement, combined with his fresh legs, made him a significant threat. Alongside Wesley Sonck, he exploited the spaces on the wings, stretching Real Madrid's defense to its limits. Roberto Carlos, who had been a mainstay on the left for Madrid, was beginning to show signs of fatigue. The 30-year-old Brazilian, after countless games and countless sprints, was struggling to keep up with Yang Yang's relentless energy.

Then, in the sixty-ninth minute, Ajax's persistence paid off. The team successfully intercepted the ball deep in Real Madrid's half. Ibrahimović, quick to pounce on Mejía's mistake, won the ball and immediately looked up, spotting Yang Yang sprinting down the right flank.

Yang Yang accelerated, racing past the defenders, and caught up with the ball. Without hesitation, he glanced up, using "God's Vision" to scan the field. He saw Wesley Sonck ready and waiting on the left side of the penalty area. Instead of dwelling on the ball, Yang Yang delivered a perfectly weighted, low cross, sending it diagonally across the penalty area.

Sonck, who had managed to lose his marker, Salgado, anticipated the pass perfectly. He charged into the box and, with a perfectly timed slide, connected with the ball, sending it past Casillas and into the lower left corner of the goal.

3-1!

The roar from the Ajax faithful was deafening. Wesley Sonck, overcome with joy, sprinted toward the fans, his arms outstretched, while the rest of the team followed in a wave of jubilation. The stadium erupted as the players celebrated wildly, knowing that they had just pulled off something extraordinary. The aggregate score was now 5-5, but Ajax had the crucial advantage of two away goals. For the first time, they were in the driver's seat.

Yang Yang, caught up in the moment, found himself embracing his teammates. With one arm around Wesley Sonck's neck and the other around Ibrahimović's waist, he joined in the laughter and joy that enveloped the team. The camaraderie, the shared elation of having fought back against one of the biggest clubs in the world, was something they would all remember for the rest of their lives.

But even as they celebrated, Yang Yang remained focused. He knew better than to get carried away. "It's not time for joy and celebration yet," he reminded himself and his teammates. "Don't forget, there's still half an hour left."

He could hear the voices of his mentors—Johnny Rep, Van Basten, John van 't Schip, and Ruud Krol—echoing in his mind, reminding him that the most critical moments were often when players were most vulnerable to losing focus. Now, more than ever, they needed to stay calm and disciplined.

"The opponent is Real Madrid," Yang Yang reminded his teammates, his voice cutting through the excitement. "At any time, anywhere, a superstar can make the difference. We can't let our guard down. We can't give them any chances."

His words resonated with the team. The celebrations subsided, replaced by a renewed determination. They knew Yang Yang was right. The job wasn't done yet, and against a team like Real Madrid, they couldn't afford even the slightest lapse in concentration. There was still a long way to go, and every minute would count.

...

...

As Ajax scored three consecutive goals, successfully clawing back to a 5-5 aggregate score, the pressure shifted dramatically onto Real Madrid. Forced into a desperate situation, Queiroz and his superstar-laden team had no choice but to respond. The match had become a battle of wills, with both sides knowing that the next goal could decide who would advance to the Champions League semifinals.

Reacting swiftly to Ajax's third goal, Queiroz made an immediate substitution, bringing on Santiago Solari to replace Borja. This move sent a clear signal: Real Madrid was not going to sit back—they were going to press forward and intensify their attack.

The Real Madrid superstars, previously lethargic, were now showing a renewed sense of urgency. They pushed forward with determination, but their earlier exertions had taken a toll. Their physical condition made it difficult to sustain an effective offensive rhythm, though they continued to dominate possession and dictate the flow of the game.

In the 78th minute, Ajax coach Ronald Koeman recognized the need to reinforce his team's defensive structure. He substituted Van der Vaart for Steven Pienaar. The South African international took up a deeper role, joining Sneijder and Galásek in forming a sturdy defensive line in front of Ajax's back four. This tactical adjustment was designed to absorb Real Madrid's growing pressure.

But Real Madrid, sensing the urgency of the situation, also went all-in. Queiroz made two more substitutions in quick succession. First, he brought on Javier Portillo for Michel Salgado, replacing a defender with a forward to further bolster the attack. Then, three minutes later, Esteban Cambiasso came on for Guti, who was visibly exhausted. These changes clearly indicated Real Madrid's intent to throw everything they had into the final minutes of the match.

Ajax responded by using their final substitution, bringing on Thomas Vermaelen in place of Ibrahimović. The Belgian central defender slotted into his natural position on the left side of defense, with Escudé shifting to the right and Heitinga moving into midfield. This reconfiguration turned Ajax's formation into a defensive 4-4-2 setup, with Yang Yang and Wesley Sonck pushed forward as the lone attackers, poised to counter with their speed.

Real Madrid's relentless offensive pressure forced Ajax to retreat deeper into their own half. The Dutch side's three lines of defense compressed into their own 30-meter zone, forming a resolute barrier against wave after wave of Madrid's attacks. The tension on the pitch was palpable—every pass, every challenge could be the difference between victory and defeat.

As the match entered its final stages, Roberto Carlos, desperate to influence the game, repeatedly surged into the attack, leaving only two central defenders at the back. This aggressive approach pushed Ajax even further back, tightening their defensive lines and heightening the pressure with every passing second.

The situation on the field was precarious. Both teams were teetering on the edge, knowing that a single mistake could undo all their efforts over the past season. For Ajax, the stakes were clear—they had come too far to let this opportunity slip away.

Despite being listed as a striker, Yang Yang found himself dropping back almost level with the defensive midfielders. With Roberto Carlos charging forward constantly, the right side of Ajax's defense needed all the help it could get. Wesley Sonck, who had played the full match, was running on fumes, leaving Yang Yang to shoulder the burden of tracking back and helping out defensively.

As the clock ticked down, fatigue was evident on both sides. Zidane, one of Real Madrid's linchpins, could barely muster more than a slow walk in the attacking half, while Ronaldo, completely spent, stood stationary outside the penalty area, conserving what little energy he had left for one final sprint.

But it wasn't just the Real Madrid players who were exhausted. The Ajax squad, despite their youthful energy, was also feeling the strain. Only those who had come on as substitutes, like Yang Yang, still had the stamina to keep running and pressing.

Yang Yang, who had been brought on at halftime, had worked tirelessly from the moment he stepped onto the pitch. He had covered short distances earlier in the game, but now, in the closing stages, he was forced to drop back and defend, frequently making sprints to track back and cover the flanks. The physical toll was immense, yet he refused to slow down.

As the final minutes approached, Yang Yang felt the weight of exhaustion bearing down on him. His legs were heavy, and every breath felt like a struggle. But he kept pushing, driven by sheer willpower. He remembered what Zax from the Dream Training System had taught him: the human potential is limitless, and as long as he had the will, he could keep pushing beyond his perceived limits.

Yang Yang knew he hadn't reached his limit yet. He was determined to give everything he had, to ensure that Ajax held on to their hard-fought position. The match wasn't over, and until the final whistle blew, he would continue to run, press, and fight—no matter how tired he was.

Roberto Carlos received the ball deep in the left flank, pushing forward with that familiar, powerful stride. But before he could get too far, Yang Yang rushed in, closing down the space and harassing the Brazilian left-back, forcing him to pass the ball sooner than he would have liked.

The ball zipped through the Real Madrid players' feet in a rapid sequence—Zidane, Raul, Portillo, Zidane again. But just as Zidane tried to thread his way into the penalty area, Vermaelen lunged in with a perfectly timed tackle, sending the ball spinning away from danger.

However, the clearance didn't travel far. Heitinga quickly followed up with another clearance, but this time the ball floated into an empty space on the right, in what seemed like a no-man's-land.

For most players, the instinct would be to clear the ball further up the pitch to run down the clock, but when Yang Yang saw the ball drop into that vacuum between Roberto Carlos and Cambiasso, his mind instantly recognized the opportunity.

"If I'm fast enough," he thought, "I can get there before them, and we can launch a counterattack—or at the very least, waste some valuable time."

Without hesitation, Yang Yang took off, his decision made in a split second. He sprinted towards the ball like a man possessed, his legs pumping, his eyes locked on his target. Roberto Carlos and Cambiasso, realizing the danger, both turned and chased the ball as well, but they hesitated just slightly, neither wanting to commit too early, unsure of who would reach the ball first.

Cambiasso, with fresher legs, looked the more likely to get there first, but Yang Yang's determination was absolute. He gritted his teeth, digging deep into his reserves of energy, and surged ahead, reaching the ball just before the two Real Madrid players. He deftly poked the ball forward, slipping between Carlos and Cambiasso in one fluid motion.

Both Real Madrid players were caught off guard by Yang Yang's burst of speed and commitment. They spun around to give chase, but by the time they reacted, Yang Yang was already ahead, sprinting down the right wing with the ball at his feet.

Solari, realizing the danger, rushed over to close Yang Yang down, but the Ajax winger was in full stride. He blew past Solari, leaving him in his wake, and charged towards the retreating Real Madrid defense.

Helguera and Mejía were backpedaling furiously, trying to hold the line as Yang Yang advanced. On the left, Wesley Sonck was keeping pace, ready to capitalize on any chance that came his way. The two Ajax forwards were forcing Real Madrid to retreat deeper and deeper into their own half.

With no more room to retreat, Mejía made a decisive move, trying to block Yang Yang's path. But Yang Yang, with his momentum carrying him forward, made a subtle feint, shifting his weight as if he were going to cut inside and pass to Sonck. Mejía bit on the fake, committing his body to the inside, only to realize too late that Yang Yang had instead pushed the ball to the right, bypassing him completely.

Yang Yang now found himself in a prime position, just outside the penalty area on the right. He knew that if he could get inside the box, he'd have a clear one-on-one chance, or at the very least, the option to cross the ball to Sonck. But as he drove towards the goal, Mejía, desperate to stop him, shoved him hard from behind.

Yang Yang staggered, his rhythm momentarily disrupted, but he managed to stay on his feet, pushing forward despite the pressure. He could feel Mejía right behind him, the defender's panic palpable as he grabbed hold of Yang Yang's jersey, trying to pull him back and prevent him from entering the box.

The force of Mejía's tug nearly toppled Yang Yang, but the momentum carried them both forward. Yang Yang's shirt tore under the strain, and as he stumbled into the penalty area, he finally lost his balance, crashing to the turf just inside the box.

The referee's whistle blew sharply, cutting through the tension in the stadium like a knife. The Amsterdam Arena erupted into deafening cheers, tens of thousands of Ajax fans chanting in unison, "Penalty! Penalty!"

Real Madrid players swarmed the referee, protesting vehemently, arguing that the foul had occurred outside the penalty area. They surrounded the official, their gestures animated, their voices raised in desperation.

Yang Yang, though winded and slightly shaken, wasted no time. He climbed to his feet, holding up the remnants of his torn jersey as evidence of the foul. The cameras zoomed in on him, broadcasting the scene to millions of viewers around the world.

The referee, maintaining his composure, signaled for the Real Madrid players to back off, warning them that further dissent would be met with yellow cards. His decision was final—Ajax had earned a penalty.

...

"From the slow-motion replay, it's clear that this is an undisputed foul. Yang Yang was clearly inside the penalty area when Mejía committed the foul, which makes this a definite penalty. Although Mejía wasn't the last defensive player, the decision stands."

"It should be noted that Real Madrid's eagerness to attack and their high pressing left them vulnerable at the back, giving Ajax the perfect opportunity to counter. But credit must be given to Yang Yang—his counterattack was razor-sharp, particularly in the way he maintained control and stability during high-speed dribbling."

"Many have already begun comparing him to Ronaldo, and from this counterattack, it's easy to see why. There's a glimpse of the legendary Brazilian in Yang Yang's play tonight."

"Since coming on, Yang Yang has completely changed the dynamics of the match. In just 45 minutes, he's demonstrated his immense value, strength, and potential. With two assists and this game-changing counterattack, Yang Yang has undoubtedly been the star of the night at the Amsterdam Arena."

"And now, the referee has made the decision—it's a penalty!"

"A penalty has been awarded to Ajax!"

"This is the 89th minute, with only three minutes of stoppage time to be added. This penalty could very well decide the outcome of the match. If Ajax converts this, they will knock Real Madrid out of the Champions League."

"This Ajax team, with an average age of just 22, has performed extraordinarily well this season. Yang Yang, who only began to make waves towards the end of the first half of the season, has been particularly impressive."

"But now comes the crucial question—Ajax's usual penalty takers, Van der Vaart and Ibrahimović, are both off the pitch. So who will take this decisive penalty?"

"Will it be Galásek, Sneijder, or perhaps Wesley Sonck?"