This is it. Today, in a matter of a few hours, Ajax will be up against its traditional foe in the European arena in San Siro. The match between Ajax and AC Milan has always been a matter of champion. During their first meeting, AC Milan defeated Ajax in order to win the European Cup. In 1995, Ajax beat AC Milan and as a result, Ajax was crowned as the king of European football.
The current Ajax is a mirror of itself in 1995; an underdog, young but impressive players and a mediocre club in term of financial meaning relative to the name of Real Madrid and Manchester United. Van de Vaart and Zlatan remind the Ajacied of Kluivert and Overmars, Chivu of Frank de Boer. Nobody had suspected Ajax to go on and win the European Cup back in 1995 but they defied the odd and went on to steal the spotlight from the Italian giant. Jari Litmanen will certainly remember the night when he lifted the trophy as an Ajacied. I only hope he will relive that night again, this year wearing the same jersey if not the same number.
That was back in 1995, about seven years ago. What was a blessing turned out as a curse. Later after winning the Cup, Ajax went downhill as its players and the then coach, van Gaal, left the team.
Now, in 2003, Ajax will again face AC Milan but this time, it’s not the final but it is the quarterfinal that will lead to the semifinal and eventually the final itself. Between these two rivals, between the teenager idealist and the elite, only one will be allowed to continue on dreaming of conquering the world. And if Ajax manages to dream on further at the expense of the Italian, let us just pray that the dream won’t be turned into another nightmare.
In any case, Ajax main goal is to reach the quarterfinal. The objective is complete and so, losing this particular match is not going to be a disappointment, at least not as disappointing when Ajax lost to Inter Milan twice during the group match. But to win, to win against one of European aristocrat will be sweet indeed. Imagine, seeing Inter Milan again after this in the semifinal, it is going to be a deja vu. In 1995, Ajax met AC Milan during the group stage only to meet AC Milan again in the final. In 2002, Ajax met Inter Milan in the group stage and will meet Inter again if AC is beaten. I hope the deja vu will work its charm.
Ajax, whether you win or lose, I will always be with you. Since when have I left you?
I shed tear with you in 1996. I didn’t leave you when Kluivert left. I stayed with you when the de Boer brothers when said goodbye to de Meer. I stood beside you when we heard van Gaal was heading to Barcelona. I celebrated with you when we were avenged against Feyenoord and PSV. I am still with you here and I will be with you when you fight against the Italian again. I will never leave you.
Hup Ajax Hup!
