Players from both sides lined up to shake hands. Captains exchanged the coin toss.
It was the home side, Ajax, who kicked off first.
And with that, the second leg of this crucial Europa League tie was underway.
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Around the world, broadcasters were announcing the lineups.
In Asia, countless fans crowded around phones and laptops, watching live streams of this clash between two storied clubs.
Commentator Zhang Jun's voice echoed in living rooms:
> "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Europa League spotlight match: Manchester United away at Ajax! Let's go over the starting lineups of both sides!"
> "First, the home team: Ajax."
> "Goalkeeper: Vermeer.
Left back: Blind.
Right back: Koppers.
Centre-backs: Vertonghen and Alderweireld.
Defensive midfielder: Siem de Jong.
Central midfielders: Eriksen and Enoh.
Front three: central striker Bulykin, with wingers Sulejmani on the left and Özbiliz on the right!"
Zhang Lu, the analyst beside him, nodded.
> "Yes! Ajax defeated Manchester United 2–1 in the first leg at Old Trafford. Now, they're at home with their strongest starting XI. They're going for the win tonight!"
Zhang Jun continued:
> "And now, what fans are most eager to see—Manchester United's starting eleven."
> "Sir Alex Ferguson has fielded a fully rotated lineup."
> "But all eyes are on the 17-year-old midfielder—Alessandro Dybala."
> "He'll be partnering with Cleverley in midfield. Cleverley will push forward, and Dybala will sit deep."
> "In goal: Lindegaard.
Centre-backs: Michael Keane and Phil Jones.
Full-backs: Rafael and Fabio—the Brazilian twins.
Wide midfielders: Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia. Two rare first-teamers in today's lineup."
> "Up front: Welbeck and Chicharito.
Formation: the traditional Manchester United 4-4-2!"
> "And now, the whistle blows—we're underway!"
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Ajax began on the front foot.
This was Total Football in motion.
Both full-backs pushed past midfield, wingers spread the pitch wide, and midfielders flooded into space. Their formation morphed into an aggressive 2-3-2-3.
The ball found its way to Christian Eriksen.
As soon as he received the pass—
Bang!
A firm shoulder-to-back collision.
> "Dybala!"
Zhang Jun's voice rang out, eyes lit up on the broadcast.
On the screen, the moment Eriksen touched the ball, Alessandro Dybala had surged forward like a predator.
Though Eriksen sensed the pressure and turned to shield the ball, Dybala's collision disrupted his balance.
Eriksen stumbled.
The ball slipped past his feet.
Dybala didn't bother trying to recover it—his job was done.
The loose ball rolled straight to Michael Keane, who calmly controlled it.
Eriksen grimaced, rubbing his back. He turned to retreat, no time to complain.
But as he jogged back, he glanced over at the teenager who had just made that challenge.
> Wasn't he supposed to be United's weak link?
Eriksen's brow furrowed.
Meanwhile, Keane looked rattled and punted the ball upfield under no pressure.
Goal kick.
"Chris!"
Alessandro called out in frustration, gesturing for Keane to relax.
Then his gaze returned to Eriksen.
That was no ordinary midfielder.
In the youth leagues, Alessandro would've cleanly stolen the ball by now.
But Eriksen was savvy. He didn't let Dybala snatch the ball. He turned and used his body to shield it expertly.
Still…
> He didn't expect me to go in that hard.
Alessandro smiled to himself.
He hadn't fouled. It was a clean shoulder-to-shoulder. In most matches, that's legal contact.
Football isn't ballet—it's a sport that encourages physical duels.
If a referee called that a foul, you might as well stop the game.
Alessandro was a little disappointed he didn't win the ball cleanly—but it was a message.
And Martin Jol, watching from the Ajax technical area, got that message loud and clear.
The same coach who had pointed to Dybala before kickoff and said, "This is our breakthrough point."
Now he stared at the pitch, troubled.
> Did I… miscalculate?
And if he had…
> That mistake could cost us the whole match.
---
Ajax surged forward again.
Sulejmani received the ball on the left wing and feinted a cross—then suddenly cut inside!
With a quick movement, he delivered a sharp inverted pass toward the edge of the box.
An Ajax player was already making the run into the arc of the penalty area.
But—
Before the ball could reach its target—
A dark blue figure slid into view!
Alessandro Dybala.
Intercepted.
Clean.
On cue, commentators across different languages and nations all exclaimed the same name:
> "DYBALA!"
> "INTERCEPTION BY DYBALA!"
> "Manchester United's counterattack!!"
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