Passion, faith, and struggle!

From the first minute, the pressure was on, a hurricane of sound hummed through the Johan Cruijff Arena. The passion of the crowd was immediately transferred to the players.

That this pressure was also noticeable to the 'lamps' (nickname for the opposing team, PSV), was clear from the fact that it could have been 1-0 after just 2 minutes. Mazraoui, who gave his all from the first whistle, just lacked the power to put more force behind the ball.

After 20 minutes of play, the guests' cowardly play was punished. A perfectly placed cross from Ziyech fell precisely between the goalkeeper and the last defender. When clearing, the ball was expertly worked into their own net, which was followed by an outpouring of emotion in and on the field.

That more was demanded than just good football became clear shortly after halftime when Nous intervened. This time not on the edge, but just over it. In the replay, it turned out that the VAR also considered it a foul and even more than a yellow card. Red and continuing with 10 men, with half an hour left to play.

Where they had failed to play football for an hour, the farmers (nickname for PSV) pumped the first available ball high in front of the goal. Onana, who has kept us in the game more than once this season, came out too enthusiastically. The 1-1 fell, one man down and an opponent who had been sitting back for 60 minutes.

The Arena did what it has often done this season: serve as an extra man when needed. This time not as the twelfth, but as the 11th man. This resulted 10 minutes later in a beautiful counter-attack via Neres. On the byline, the Brazilian wonder was visibly brought down. Visible to us, visible to the players, but not immediately to the referee. The same VAR that had sent Nous off just before, now caused an ecstasy of joy, by ensuring that a penalty would still be awarded.

Dusan did what Dusan has done so often this year. Claim the ball when necessary and get the job done. Straight into the corner, 2-1 with 20 minutes to go. 20 minutes in which there was so much passionate support that not only the South, but the entire arena stood up and stayed behind Ajax. The fight that was delivered was grand. Full of surrender and conviction, together to achieve that one goal. When injury time began and the whining on the sidelines was allowed to continue for 6 minutes longer, David Neres still didn't think it was enough.

With a move only he can make, he shook off his direct opponent. Without hesitation, he shot the ball into the far corner along the ground. Goalkeeper had no chance, stadium exploded, bench ran onto the field and complete chaos in the stands.

Even before the final whistle, the pogo started. It was a party and it remained a party long after leaving the arena. It promises to be very beautiful weeks. Full of passion, belief and fight. On Wednesday we get to go again, let Sunday's fight be a harbinger for more difficult matches to come. It doesn't matter how, as long as we win, at all costs.

On to Emmen, on to the top spot.

AFCA || CBS