UEFA Headquarters, Monaco
August 24, 2017
The Champions League group stage draw took place in Monaco at noon. Ajax's entire squad gathered in the team room at De Toekomst to watch the live broadcast together.
Pot 1 (Seeded Teams): Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Juventus, Bayern Munich, Monaco, Spartak Moscow, Benfica
Pot 2: Atlético Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, Sevilla, Porto, Manchester United, Shakhtar Donetsk, Napoli
Pot 3: Basel, Tottenham, Roma, Anderlecht, Liverpool, Olympiacos, Sporting CP, Ajax
Pot 4: CSKA Moscow, Celtic, Feyenoord, Qarabağ, Maribor, Besiktas, RB Leipzig, Apoel
Ajax was in Pot 3—meaning they'd face one giant from Pot 1, one strong team from Pot 2, and one potentially tricky opponent from Pot 4.
The squad watched nervously as the draw unfolded. Groups were filled one by one, each revelation met with reactions ranging from groans to relief.
Finally, Ajax's name was drawn. Group E.
First opponent drawn: Bayern Munich (Pot 1).
The room went quiet. Bayern Munich—one of Europe's absolute giants, German champions, possessing players like Robert Lewandowski, Arjen Robben, Franck Ribéry.
"Tough," Veltman muttered. "Very tough."
Second opponent: Paris Saint-Germain (Pot 2).
Shock rippled through the room. PSG—French champions, just having signed Neymar from Barcelona for a world-record €222 million. They also had Edinson Cavani, Kylian Mbappé, Marco Verratti.
"You're joking," someone said.
Third opponent: Anderlecht (Pot 4).
The Belgian champions—respectable but the easiest draw possible from Pot 4.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP E:
Bayern Munich (Germany)
Paris Saint-Germain (France)
Ajax (Netherlands)
Anderlecht (Belgium)
The room was silent, processing what they'd just witnessed. The group of death—two of Europe's elite clubs, both with realistic title ambitions.
Bosz broke the silence. "This is why we fought to be here. To test ourselves against the very best. Bayern Munich, PSG—these are the matches you remember for life. We'll compete. We'll make them work for every point."
The squad applauded, determination replacing shock.
Andrei felt his pulse quicken. He'd potentially face Neymar, Lewandowski, Thiago Alcântara, Mbappé—players he'd watched on television, players who were already legends.
Upcoming Fixtures (Announced later):
Matchday 1 (Sept 12): Ajax vs Anderlecht (H)
Matchday 2 (Sept 27): Paris Saint-Germain vs Ajax (A)
Matchday 3 (Oct 17): Ajax vs Bayern Munich (H)
Matchday 4 (Oct 31): Bayern Munich vs Ajax (A)
Matchday 5 (Nov 21): Ajax vs Paris Saint-Germain (H)
Matchday 6 (Dec 5): Anderlecht vs Ajax (A)
Six matches. Home and away against each opponent. Eighteen points available, though realistically qualifying from this group would require beating Anderlecht twice and stealing points from either Bayern or PSG.
After the meeting, teammates dispersed, discussing the draw. Andrei found Matthijs de Ligt, the teenage center-back who'd become a friend.
"This is insane," De Ligt said. "Bayern and PSG. We got murdered."
"Or we got opportunity," Andrei countered. "How many eighteen-year-olds get to play against Neymar and Lewandowski?"
"Fair point. Still terrifying though."
They laughed nervously.
That evening, Dutch media exploded with analysis. Every pundit had an opinion—some predicted Ajax would finish last with zero points, others believed the young squad might surprise.
Elena showed Andrei the headlines over dinner.
"'Ajax Drawn Into Group of Death'—Algemeen Dagblad"
"'Can Dutch Youngsters Compete With European Elite?'—De Telegraaf"
"'Bayern and PSG Will Destroy Ajax'—Various pessimists"
"What do you think?" Andrei asked.
"I think you'll surprise people. Ajax's style can trouble anyone—possession, pressing, movement. Bayern and PSG are favorites, obviously. But football isn't played on paper."
"We need at least third place to reach Europa League knockout rounds. That means beating Anderlecht twice."
"You will. Then who knows? Maybe you steal points from Bayern at home. Maybe PSG has an off night in Amsterdam." Elena smiled. "Stranger things have happened."
Early September 2017
The weeks before Ajax's Champions League opener were filled with Eredivisie matches. The domestic schedule was relentless—matches every three or four days, constant travel, accumulated fatigue.
Eredivisie Results:
Ajax 3-1 Willem II (Andrei: 1 assist)
Groningen 0-2 Ajax (Andrei: 1 goal)
Ajax 3-1 ADO Den Haag (Andrei: rested)
Eredivisie Standings (After 6 matches):
Ajax - 18 points (20 scored, 4 conceded)
PSV Eindhoven - 15 points
Feyenoord - 13 points
FC Utrecht - 12 points
Ajax was dominating domestically, but the Champions League would be different. Against Bayern and PSG, mistakes would be punished brutally.
Bosz managed Andrei's minutes carefully. The coach understood the risk of burning out an eighteen-year-old with constant play.
"You'll start against Anderlecht," Bosz told him the week before the opener. "After that, we rotate based on form and fitness. The season is long—we need you fresh in March, not exhausted in October."
"I understand, coach. Whatever the team needs."
"Good. Now go rest. Big week coming."
International Break - September 2017
The first international break of the season arrived, and with it came news that changed everything for Andrei.
Romania's senior national team coach, Cosmin Contra, was rebuilding after a disappointing qualifying campaign. Romania had failed to reach the 2018 World Cup, finishing third in their group behind Poland and Denmark.
With qualification for Russia 2018 now impossible, Contra was looking ahead to the UEFA Nations League (starting in 2018) and Euro 2020 qualifying. He'd been monitoring young talent, looking for the next generation.
On September 4th, Andrei received a call from an unknown Romanian number.
"Hello , Andrei. This is Cosmin Contra, Romania national team coach."
Andrei's heart stopped. "Hello , Mister Contra."
"I've been watching your progress at Ajax. Impressive performances in the Champions League qualifiers, good start to the Eredivisie season. You're developing well."
"Thank you, sir."
"We have two friendly matches this international break—against Spain on September 6th in Cluj, and against Netherlands on September 9th in Bucharest. I'd like to call you up to the senior squad. Experience training with the national team, see how you adapt to international football. No promises about playing time, but you'll be part of the setup."
Andrei couldn't breathe. The Romanian national team. At eighteen years old.
"I... yes. Thank you. It would be an honor."
"Excellent. Report to our training camp in Cluj on September 5th. Details will be sent to Ajax. Congratulations, Andrei. This is just the beginning."
After hanging up, Andrei sat motionless, processing what had just happened.
NATIONAL TEAM CALL-UP: ROMANIA SENIOR TEAM
First Call-Up: Age 18
Matches: Spain (A), Netherlands (H)
Status: Breakthrough to international football
Elena found him still sitting there twenty minutes later.
"Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I just got called up. To the Romanian national team."
She screamed—actual screamed—and threw her arms around him. "Oh my God! Andrei! That's incredible!"
"It's just training, probably won't play—"
"Stop. This is huge. You're eighteen and you've been called up to the senior national team." She pulled back, eyes shining. "Your mother needs to know immediately."
The call to his mother in Iași was emotional. Ana Luca cried openly on the phone.
"Your father would be so proud, dragul meu. So incredibly proud. The national team—you're representing Romania at the highest level."
"I haven't played yet, Mama. Might just train with them."
"Doesn't matter. You're there. That's what counts."
After the call, reality set in. He'd be training alongside established internationals—players like Alexandru Maxim, Nicolae Stanciu, Ciprian Tătărușanu. Players he'd watched on television representing Romania.
And he'd potentially face Spain—the 2010 World Cup winners—or Netherlands—one of Europe's traditional powers, filled with talent despite missing the 2018 World Cup.
Current Status:
Age: 18 years, 6 months
Club: Ajax Amsterdam
Overall Rating: 76.5/99
National Team: Romania Senior Squad (first call-up)
Next Challenges:
Champions League debut vs Anderlecht (Sept 12)
Potential Romania debut vs Spain or Netherlands (Sept 6-9)
The beautiful game was accelerating faster than Andrei could process. From Iași to Bucharest to Amsterdam to the Romanian national team—all in fourteen months.
Elena held his hand as they sat on their terrace that evening, watching the canal reflect the setting sun.
"It's happening so fast," Andrei said quietly. "Sometimes I feel like I'm being swept along by a current I can't control."
"Then stop trying to control it. Trust the current. It's taking you exactly where you're meant to be."
"What if I'm not ready? What if I fail?"
"Then you learn and try again. But Andrei—you won't fail. You're too talented, too dedicated, too smart. Just keep being yourself."
He kissed her, grateful beyond words for her steady presence.
Tomorrow, he'd fly to Cluj to join the Romanian national team. Next week, he'd make his Champions League group stage debut. The world was expanding exponentially.
But tonight, he had this—Elena beside him, the canal flowing peacefully below, Amsterdam embracing them both.
For now, that was enough.