Ajax Training Complex, Amsterdam
October 16-30, 2017
The return to training felt different after Bruges. Andrei had perspective now—football was his passion and profession, but not his entire identity. The distinction was subtle but crucial.
Peter Bosz noticed immediately.
"You look refreshed," the coach observed during the first session back.
"I needed the break."
"Good. Too many young players think constant work is the answer. But rest is when your body actually improves. Remember that."
Ajax's schedule remained relentless. In the two weeks following the break, they played four matches:
October 21: Ajax 3-0 FC Twente (Eredivisie)
Andrei: 1 goal, 1 assist
Match Rating: 8.2/10
October 24: VVV-Venlo 1-2 Ajax (Eredivisie)
Andrei: 1 assist
Match Rating: 7.4/10
October 28: Ajax 3-1 Feyenoord (Eredivisie - De Klassieker)
Andrei: 2 assists
Match Rating: 8.7/10
Huge victory over Rotterdam rivals
Updated Eredivisie Standings (After 12 matches):
Ajax - 31 points (+34 GD)
PSV Eindhoven - 31 points (+29 GD)
Feyenoord - 25 points
AZ Alkmaar - 23 points
Ajax and PSV remained locked together at the top, separated only by goal difference. Every match was crucial, every dropped point potentially decisive.
But the biggest test loomed: Bayern Munich away on October 31st.
Bayern Munich - Background
FC Bayern München was European royalty. Five European Cups/Champions Leagues, 27 Bundesliga titles, a history of legendary players from Beckenbauer to Müller to Lahm. They were a machine—efficient, powerful, relentless.
This season, they were particularly strong:
Bayern Squad (2017-18):
Coach: Jupp Heynckes (legendary manager in his fourth stint)
Key Players:
Robert Lewandowski (ST) - Polish striker, 30+ goals per season
Arjen Robben (RW) - Dutch legend, still devastating at 33
Franck Ribéry (LW) - French winger, experienced winner
Thiago Alcântara (CM) - Spanish playmaker, world-class technique
Javi Martínez (CDM) - Spanish defensive midfielder, physically imposing
Mats Hummels (CB) - German international, intelligent defender
Manuel Neuer (GK) - Best goalkeeper in the world (when fit)
They'd won their opening Champions League match 3-0 and sat top of Group B. The Allianz Arena was a fortress—Bayern rarely lost at home in Europe.
Ajax was the massive underdog. Again.
The tactical preparation was meticulous. Bosz and his staff analyzed every detail of Bayern's system:
Bayern's Strengths:
Attacking width with Robben/Ribéry cutting inside
Lewandowski's positioning and finishing
Midfield control through Thiago and Vidal
High defensive line exploited by pace
Bayern's Potential Weaknesses:
Aging wingers (Robben 33, Ribéry 34) - pace declining
Space behind fullbacks when they push high
Occasional defensive disorganization during transitions
"We can't outplay them technically," Bosz admitted to the squad. "They're better than us man-for-man. But we can hurt them on transitions. When we win possession, immediate vertical passes. Exploit space behind their high line."
The tactical plan centered on Andrei's pace. Against Bayern's high defensive line, his speed could be devastating.
"You'll start on the left," Bosz told him. "When we counter, run. Don't wait for perfect passes—just run, and trust your teammates to find you."
Personal Life Balance
In the days before Munich, Andrei maintained the balance he'd discovered in Bruges. Training intensely but resting properly. Eating well but allowing occasional treats. Working hard but protecting time with Elena.
She'd been working on a long-form piece about Ajax's youth development philosophy for a major Dutch publication. They'd spend evenings together, her writing, him watching match footage, comfortable in shared silence.
"Nervous about Bayern?" she asked the night before the trip to Munich.
"Yes and no. Excited, mostly. These are the matches you dream about as a kid."
"You scored against PSG. You can score against Bayern."
"Bayern is different. More organized, more efficient. PSG has individual brilliance; Bayern has collective excellence."
"Then you'll need to be excellent collectively." She closed her laptop. "And Andrei? Whatever happens in Munich—you've already proven you belong at this level. One match doesn't change that."
Her words settled his nerves. She was right—he'd already scored at the Parc des Princes. Whatever happened in Munich, he'd already validated himself.
Pre-Match Mental State:
Confidence: 85% (healthy, not arrogant)
Composure: 63.7/99 (steadily improving)
Focus: Excellent
Physical Condition: 92% (well-rested)
Champions League Group Stage - Matchday 4
Bayern Munich vs Ajax
Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
October 31, 2017
The Allianz Arena was an architectural marvel—a stadium that glowed red at night, 75,000 capacity, intimidating and beautiful simultaneously. Ajax arrived the day before, training at Bayern's Säbener Straße complex under gray German skies.
Walking through Munich, Andrei felt history everywhere. This city had produced champions, witnessed legends. And tomorrow night, he'd compete against one of those legendary clubs.
The squad dinner was quiet, focused. Veterans like Schöne and Veltman had played in these stadiums before—they understood what was required. Young players like Andrei, De Ligt, and Frenkie de Jong were still wide-eyed, absorbing everything.
"Stay calm tomorrow," Matthijs de Ligt said to Andrei over dinner. "Bayern will press early, try to intimidate us. Weather the first twenty minutes, and we'll have chances."
"You've played here before?"
"Under-19 match last season. We lost 4-0." De Ligt smiled grimly. "But that taught me—they're not unbeatable. Just very, very good. Respect them, don't fear them."
Matchday - October 31, 2017
The Allianz Arena glowed red as Ajax's bus arrived. 75,000 Bayern fans created a wall of noise—drums, songs, coordinated chants that shook the stadium foundation.
Ajax's 2,000 traveling supporters occupied one corner, a tiny pocket of red and white in a sea of red.
In the dressing room, Bosz gave his final instructions.
"They'll dominate possession. Accept it. We defend compact, force them wide, then counter when opportunities arise." He looked at his attacking players. "Andrei, Hakim, Kasper—when we break, commit fully. Sprint like your life depends on it."
Bayern Munich Starting XI (4-2-3-1):
GK: Sven Ulreich (Neuer injured)
DEF: Joshua Kimmich, Jérôme Boateng, Mats Hummels, David Alaba
MID: Javi Martínez, Arturo Vidal
ATT: Arjen Robben, Thomas Müller, Franck Ribéry
ST: Robert Lewandowski
Ajax Starting XI (4-5-1 defensive):
GK: André Onana
DEF: Joël Veltman, Davinson Sánchez, Matthijs de Ligt, Nicolás Tagliafico
MID: Hakim Ziyech, Lasse Schöne, Frenkie de Jong, Donny van de Beek, Andrei Luca
ST: Kasper Dolberg
Same formation as Paris—defensive solidity, rapid transitions. Ajax was designed to frustrate and counter-attack.
The teams walked out to an incredible atmosphere. The Champions League anthem echoed through the Allianz Arena, mixing with 75,000 voices creating a sound that was almost physical.
This was European football at its apex.
Match Pressure: EXTREME
Opposition Quality: Elite (Bayern is a tier above PSG)
Personal Stakes: Proving consistency at highest level
Kickoff.
Bayern attacked immediately with overwhelming force. Their passing was breathtaking—quick triangles, constant movement, finding space that didn't seem to exist.
Robben received the ball on the right wing and cut inside onto his famous left foot. His shot curled toward the top corner—Onana saved spectacularly, tipping it over.
"Stay focused!" De Ligt shouted, organizing the defense.
Wave after wave crashed against Ajax's defense. Lewandowski's movement was phenomenal—he was everywhere, finding pockets, dragging defenders out of position. Müller's runs off the ball created constant problems.
In the 12th minute, Bayern scored.
Thiago Alcântara played a gorgeous through ball that split Ajax's defense. Lewandowski timed his run perfectly, staying onside by inches. One touch to control, one strike past Onana.
Clinical. Efficient. Bayern Munich.
1-0 Bayern.
The Allianz Arena erupted. Ajax had to survive.
The next twenty minutes were defensive heroism—blocks, tackles, last-ditch clearances. Onana made three world-class saves. The entire team defended as a unit, suffering together.
Somehow, Ajax reached halftime only one goal down.
First Half Statistics:
Possession: Bayern 74% - Ajax 26%
Shots: Bayern 18 - Ajax 1
Corners: Bayern 9 - Ajax 0
Ajax surviving through pure willpower
In the away dressing room, players collapsed—exhausted already from forty-five minutes of relentless defending.
Bosz was pragmatic. "Perfect. We're still in this. One goal down, one counter-attack away from equalizing. Keep believing."
The second half continued the siege. Bayern pushed for a killer second goal, Ajax defended desperately.
But in the 61st minute, the moment came.
Vidal attempted an ambitious pass from midfield. Frenkie de Jong read it perfectly, intercepting the ball cleanly.
Immediately, instinctively, Frenkie looked up and saw what Ajax needed—space. Acres of space behind Bayern's high defensive line.
Andrei had been waiting. The moment Frenkie won possession, he turned and sprinted.
The pass came—a sixty-yard diagonal ball, lofted perfectly over Bayern's defense. Andrei was chasing it, using every point of his 76-rated pace.
Hummels was tracking back, shouting warnings. Boateng was covering centrally. But both German internationals were slow compared to an eighteen-year-old with fresh legs and determination.
Andrei reached the ball first, controlling it at full sprint. Suddenly, impossibly, he was through on goal.
Just him and Ulreich, Bayern's backup goalkeeper.
Critical Moment:
1v1 with goalkeeper
75,000 Bayern fans screaming
Mental test: Can he deliver again?
Time seemed to slow. Andrei remembered PSV—the missed chance, the doubt. He remembered Paris—the redemption, the joy.
This was different. This was Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. This was the ultimate test.
Don't think. Just execute.
Andrei struck the ball with his right foot—low, hard, aimed for the near post. Ulreich dove desperately.
The ball flew past his outstretched hand and buried itself in the net.
GOAL. 1-1.
Time stopped.
Then Andrei was sprinting away, sliding on his knees, Ajax's 2,000 traveling fans going absolutely berserk. His teammates chased him down, piling on top, collective disbelief and joy.
He'd done it. Scored at the Allianz Arena. Against Bayern Munich.
GOAL SCORED - Away at Bayern Munich
Significance: Massive statement
Composure: Proved elite mentality (+0.5)
Overall Rating: 78.0 → 78.7
System Analysis:
Two consecutive away goals vs European giants
Status: Proven at absolute highest level
Trajectory: Elite tier reached
The Allianz Arena fell silent except for Ajax's corner. Even Bayern fans had to respect the quality—the perfect counter-attack, the pace, the finish.
Bayern pushed desperately for a winner, throwing everything forward. In the 78th minute, Robben's shot crashed against the post. In the 84th, Lewandowski's header was saved brilliantly by Onana.
Ajax defended with everything—bodies thrown into blocks, desperate clearances, pure determination.
When the final whistle blew, Ajax's players collapsed in exhaustion and disbelief. They'd earned a draw at the Allianz Arena.
Final Score: Bayern Munich 1-1 Ajax
Match Rating: 8.6/10
1 Goal (crucial equalizer)
Defensive work rate: Exceptional
Impact: Game-changing
The Bayern fans applauded both teams—a respectful acknowledgment of Ajax's quality and fight. In German football culture, hard-earned draws were respected.
Arjen Robben, the Dutch legend playing for Bayern, found Andrei after the match.
"Great goal," Robben said in Dutch, shaking his hand. "You've got something special, kid. Keep working."
"Thank you, Mr. Robben. That means everything."
"Just Arjen. And remember—talent gets you noticed, consistency makes you great. You have the talent. Now prove the consistency."
Post-Match
In the away dressing room, euphoria reigned. Ajax had taken four points from Bayern and PSG—the two favorites in the group. Qualification for the knockout rounds was suddenly very realistic.
Champions League Group B Standings (After Matchday 4):
Bayern Munich - 10 points
Ajax - 8 points
PSG - 7 points
Anderlecht - 0 points
Ajax was second. Incredibly, genuinely in position to advance to the Champions League Round of 16.
In the mixed zone, German and international journalists swarmed.
"Andrei, second consecutive away goal against European giants. How do you explain your success?"
"Team effort. Frenkie's pass was perfect, the defensive work from everyone gave us the platform. I just finished the chance."
"You're eighteen and scoring at the Allianz Arena. Do you feel the pressure of expectations?"
"I try not to think about expectations. I focus on the next training session, the next match, constant improvement. The rest takes care of itself."
"There are reports that several Premier League clubs are watching you. Would you consider a move?"
"I'm completely focused on Ajax. We're second in our Champions League group, top of the Eredivisie. Why would I think about anywhere else?"
Professional answers. Humble. Focused. Exactly what scouts and clubs wanted to hear.
The flight back to Amsterdam was jubilant. Players who rarely celebrated were smiling, singing, enjoying the moment.
Andrei sat with Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong—three eighteen-year-olds who'd just taken points off Bayern Munich.
"We're doing something special," Frenkie said quietly. "People will remember this season."
"Don't jinx it," De Ligt replied. "We haven't qualified yet."
"We will. We're too good not to."
Andrei stared out the window at the darkness below, processing everything. Two goals in consecutive away matches against PSG and Bayern. At eighteen years old. It felt impossible, yet it had happened.
Elena texted: Watching from Amsterdam. You're incredible. Absolutely incredible.
His mother texted: I'm crying, my dear . Your father would be so proud. I AM so proud.
Cătălin Sarmale texted: We need to talk. Several clubs have made inquiries. Big clubs.
That last message hung in the air. Big clubs. Plural.
Andrei knew what was coming—January transfer window, summer transfer speculation, decisions about his future. Success had consequences.
But that was tomorrow's problem. Tonight, he'd scored at the Allianz Arena.
Tonight, he was living the dream.
Season Statistics (Mid-Season Update):
Club Appearances: 18 (15 starts)
Club Goals: 7
Club Assists: 10
International Caps: 2
Overall Rating: 78.7/99
Status: One of Europe's most exciting young talents
The beautiful game kept delivering moments beyond imagination.
And Andrei Luca, the kid from Iași, was becoming one of its brightest stars.