A select force of men chosen to launch a surprise attack on the unsuspecting enemy. One of the chosen being Ajax the Lesser, a Greek hero, son of Telamon, king of Salamis. The story of the infamous Trojan war forms an apt metaphor for the namesake Dutch club, looking to cause ruptures within club football’s most prestigious competition. Ajax’s Champions League story so far has captured the hearts of the footballing world.

After understandably finishing second behind German giants Bayern Munich in group E, nobody expected Erik ten Hag’s team to progress further than the last 16. After all, the Eredivisie isn’t considered one of Europe’s top 5 leagues. Although throughout the group stage, Ajax showed moments of what they were capable of. Most notably taking a point from both their games against Bayern. The task ahead looked ever more difficult when they were drawn against 13-time winners of the competition, Real Madrid.

The prospect alone of a two-legged tie against the European veterans would be enough to satisfy many ‘smaller’ clubs. Just the chance to walk out at the Bernabeu to the famous champions league anthem would suffice. But Ajax don’t see themselves as a small club. Of course, they are used to being consistently the best team in the Netherlands, but that doesn’t gain the respect they thrive. To be recognised outside their domestic division, they need the set Europe alight.

The current vision at Ajax is to bring back the glory days of old. Michels, Cruyff, Rijkaard, Bergkamp, Kluivert. But most importantly, Total Football. The club have invested well. Experienced arrivals of Dusan Tadic and Daley Blind along with the vast array of youthful talent they possess provides an excellent balance for a squad looking to further themselves. Erik ten Hag has a tactical philosophy of liquid football. It’s no coincidence his time a Bayern II moulded this approach. During his time at the Allianz, tactical mastermind Pep Guardiola was first team coach.

The dream double header started frustratingly for the Dutch side. Being arguably the better side throughout the first leg at the Johan Cruyff Arena, they fell short in a match marred with VAR controversy. A last gasp winner from Marco Asensio put Real firmly in the driving seat of the tie, with the match finishing 2-1 to the Galacticos.

The return leg at the Bernabeu unfolded into one of the biggest upsets the competitions has ever seen. Within 18 electrifying minutes Ajax held the advantage with a 2-0 lead on the night. The blistering start knocked the wind out of Madrid’s white sails. A consecutive European man of the match performance from Dusan Tadic, with a goal and two assists paved the way to a memorable 5-3 aggregate victory. Ajax’s giant slaying was rewarded with a quarter-final spectacle against The Old Lady, Juventus.

Once again Ajax dominated the home leg in every aspect of their play. This dominance was thwarted by Juventus’ only shot on target in the game, unsurprisingly coming from Cristiano Ronaldo scoring his 125th Champions League goal. David Neres produced an energizing display thereafter, curling the ball in past Wojciech Szczensy to keep Ajax in the fight with the game finishing one a piece.

An uphill struggle faced them once again in Turin. Ronaldo converted first goal give Juve the advantage in the tie. Ajax’s young side remained calm in what was an evenly contested second leg, the hard work paid off when Donny van de Beek levelled. Erik ten Hag’s side dug deep in the second half and 19-year-old captain Matthijs de Ligt powered his header home, silencing the Bianconeri and sending Ajax to their first Champions League Semi Final since 96/97.

Regardless how the story unfolds from here, Ajax’s season will certainly be one to remember. Still in the running for the domestic league title and potentially a place in the final of the Champions League, with only 180 minutes against Tottenham Hotspur in their way. If they produce the football we have seen they are capable of, there’s no reason that isn’t a realistic aim.

There is worry of having such a young, talented squad being watched my millions around the world on the biggest stage. Reminiscent of Monaco in 2017, a youthful squad that was picked apart by Europe’s elite, leaving them to falter. With midfield starlet Frenkie de Jong is already on his way to The Nou Camp this summer and the finances available in the modern game, it’s hard to visualise the likes of de Ligt, Neres, Ziyech and co remaining at the Johan Cruyff beyond the end of the season. All we can do is enjoy it while it lasts.

Good luck Ajax.

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