Amsterdam Arena
August 23, 2017
The second leg against Rosenborg carried the weight of everything Ajax had worked for. Win, and they'd reach the Champions League group stage for the first time since 2014-15. Lose, and they'd drop to the Europa League—prestigious, but not the pinnacle.
The week between matches was meticulous preparation. Bosz analyzed every detail of Rosenborg's likely approach, knowing the Norwegian champions would need at least two goals.
"They'll press from the start," he told the squad during video analysis. "Expect aggression, physicality, desperation. But if we stay calm, pass through their press, we'll create chances."
Ajax had a league match between the two Rosenborg legs—away to PEC Zwolle on Sunday. Bosz rotated the squad, resting key players including Andrei. Ajax won comfortably 3-0, maintaining their perfect start to the Eredivisie season.
Eredivisie Standings (After 3 matches):
Ajax - 9 points (12 scored, 1 conceded)
PSV Eindhoven - 7 points
Feyenoord - 7 points
Utrecht - 6 points
Ajax was top of the league, scoring freely, dominating domestically. But European success would define the season.
On Tuesday evening, the Amsterdam Arena filled to capacity. 54,000 fans created an atmosphere of nervous anticipation. This was the biggest match of Ajax's recent history—a chance to return to European football's elite.
In the dressing room, captain Joël Veltman addressed the team.
"We're one half away from history. Forty-five minutes in the group stage, forty-five minutes from proving Ajax belongs at the top level again. Leave everything on this pitch."
Andrei sat in his spot, controlling his breathing, visualizing success. His pre-match routine had become established: stretching, hydration, mental preparation, checking the system one final time.
Match Importance: Critical
Current Form: Excellent (76.1/99)
Composure: 63.4/99 (adequate but tested)
Pressure Level: EXTREME
Ajax Starting XI (4-3-3):
GK: André Onana
DEF: Joël Veltman, Davinson Sánchez, Matthijs de Ligt, Jaïro Riedewald
MID: Frenkie de Jong, Lasse Schöne, Donny van de Beek
FWD: Hakim Ziyech, Kasper Dolberg, Andrei Luca
Rosenborg Starting XI (4-4-2 - attacking formation):
GK: André Hansen
DEF: Vegar Hedenstad, Tore Reginiussen, Jorgen Skjelvik, Birger Meling
MID: Pål André Helland, Anders Konradsen, Mike Jensen, Fredrik Midtsjø
FWD: Nicklas Bendtner, Alexander Søderlund
Rosenborg changed to a 4-4-2, both strikers up front, knowing they needed goals.
Kickoff.
The Norwegian champions attacked immediately, pressing high, physical and direct. They knew the aggregate score meant Ajax could sit back, so they had to force the issue.
In the 6th minute, they nearly equalized on aggregate. A long ball found Bendtner, who muscled past De Ligt and struck powerfully. Onana saved brilliantly, tipping it over.
"Concentrate!" Veltman shouted.
Ajax weathered the early storm, gradually establishing control. Their technical superiority became evident—crisp passing, intelligent movement, creating overloads across the pitch.
In the 22nd minute, Ajax struck.
Frenkie de Jong picked up the ball in midfield and drove forward. His pass found Van de Beek on the edge of the box. Donny's first-time pass split Rosenborg's defense, finding Dolberg's run.
The Danish striker finished clinically. 1-0 Ajax (3-1 aggregate).
The Amsterdam Arena erupted. That was surely the killer blow—Rosenborg now needed three goals.
But the Norwegian champions refused to surrender. In the 34th minute, they pulled one back. A corner kick caused chaos, and Reginiussen bundled it home. 1-1 (3-2 aggregate).
Still a two-goal deficit, but suddenly the tie felt less secure.
Halftime arrived with Ajax leading on aggregate but Rosenborg showing fight. In the dressing room, Bosz was calm.
"They're tired. Keep moving the ball, make them chase. The space will come."
The second half began with Ajax controlling possession more deliberately. No need to rush—they had the aggregate lead. Rosenborg pushed forward desperately, which created gaps.
In the 58th minute, Andrei delivered the decisive moment.
Ajax won possession in midfield. Schöne played a quick ball to Andrei on the left wing. He had space—Rosenborg's right-back had pushed too high.
Andrei drove forward, accelerating into the gap. Hedenstad recovered, closing the angle. Andrei could cross, could cut inside, could pass back.
Critical Decision:
Multiple options available
Vision: 68.6/99
Current game state: Need to kill the tie
He looked up. Ziyech was making a diagonal run from the right, dragging his marker. That created a pocket of space in the penalty area where Dolberg was drifting into.
Andrei hit a low, driven cross with his right foot—hard and fast across the six-yard box.
Dolberg arrived perfectly, sliding to make contact. The ball deflected off his shin and into the net—not pretty, but effective.
GOAL. 2-1 Ajax (4-2 aggregate).
Game over. Ajax was going to the Champions League group stage.
Assist recorded - Champions League (Crucial)
Vision: Elite decision-making
Execution: Perfect delivery
Overall Rating: 76.1 → 76.5
The remaining thirty minutes were a celebration. Ajax controlled the ball, Rosenborg had nothing left. The crowd sang, the players relaxed, the tension evaporated.
When the final whistle blew, pure joy erupted. Players jumped, hugged, cried. They'd done it—Champions League group stage secured.
ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP STAGE QUALIFICATION
Personal Contribution: 2 assists in playoff round
Status: Key player in historic achievement
Mental Attributes: +0.3 (confidence boost from major achievement)
The post-match celebrations were emotional. Bosz hugged each player, Ajax's management thanked everyone, the fans sang for twenty minutes straight.
In the mixed zone, journalists swarmed around the key players. When they reached Andrei, the questions came rapid-fire.
"Andrei, two assists in the playoff round. You've been crucial to reaching the group stage. How does it feel?"
"Incredible. This is what I came to Ajax for—Champions League football. To help the club achieve this goal is beyond words."
"You're eighteen years old, playing in the Champions League group stage. Did you imagine this a year ago?"
"Honestly? No. A year ago I was hoping to make FCSB's first team. Now I'm here, playing for Ajax, in the Champions League. It's surreal."
"What are your personal goals for the group stage?"
"To keep learning, keep developing, help the team however I can. And to enjoy every moment—these are the matches you dream about as a child."
Perfect answers—humble, grateful, mature beyond his years.
That night, Ajax organized a celebration dinner at a restaurant overlooking the IJ river. The entire squad, coaching staff, and management attended. Speeches were made, toasts raised, laughter echoed late into the night.
But Andrei slipped away early with Elena, needing quiet after the noise.
They walked along the canals in the warm August night, the city glowing softly around them.
"You did it," Elena said simply. "Champions League group stage at eighteen."
"We did it. The team."
"Don't diminish your role. Two assists in the playoff round—you were essential."
They found a bench overlooking the Amstel river and sat together, watching boats pass.
"Remember when you were deciding between Inter Milan and Ajax?" Elena asked. "When you were scared you were making the wrong choice?"
"Yes. Seems like another lifetime."
"You made the right choice. At Inter, you'd be in the Primavera still, hoping for a chance. Here, you're starting in the Champions League." She squeezed his hand. "Trust your instincts, Andrei. They're good."
"My instincts told me to bring you to Amsterdam. Best decision I ever made."
"Second best. First was choosing Ajax."
They laughed, the tension of the match finally releasing.
Relationship Status: Deepening
Support System: Fundamental
Life Balance: Healthy
That night, lying in their bed overlooking the canal, Andrei checked the system one final time before sleep.
SEASON PROGRESS - 2017-18:
Appearances: 7 (6 starts)
Goals: 2
Assists: 5
Average Rating: 7.8/10
Overall Rating: 76.5/99
Growth Since Arrival: +1.4 points (in 6 weeks)
Trajectory: Exceptional
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP STAGE - UPCOMING:
Draw Date: August 24, 2017 (tomorrow)
Potential Opponents: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Chelsea, Manchester City, etc.
The draw was tomorrow. Ajax would learn which European giants they'd face.
Andrei drifted to sleep imagining playing at the Camp Nou, the Bernabéu, the Allianz Arena. Stadiums he'd only seen on television, opponents who were household names.
The beautiful game kept opening doors he'd never dreamed existed.