Soccer Nostalgia: Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast-Episode 185 (Interview with Mr. Jan Roskott of http://dutchsoccersite.org/ on Ajax Amsterdam’s victory in the 1994/95 Champions League)

This is the 185^th episode of my podcast, 'Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast’.

For this episode, I interview Mr. Jan Roskott of http://dutchsoccersite.org/ as we discuss Ajax Amsterdam’s victory in the 1994/95 Champions League.

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Mr. Roskottt’s contact info:

Email: jroskott@gmail.com

twitter: @DutchSoccerSite

Website: http://dutchsoccersite.org/

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Ajax Amsterdam’s triumph in the 1994/95 Champions League

When the 1994/95 season kicked off, no one could foresee that Dutch Champions Ajax Amsterdam would not only win the Champions League (undefeated) but would also retain the Dutch league title undefeated.

Former Assistant Ajax Manager Louis Van Gaal had been promoted on September 28, 1991 after Leo Beenhakker had left his post to rejoin Real Madrid.

Photo From: World Soccer, June 1995

(Louis Van Gaal)

In a few years, he would oversee the development of a young squad that would take Europe by storm during the 1994/95 season.

After winning the UEFA Cup in 1992, van Gaal led Ajax to win the Dutch Cup in 1993. That summer, former Ajax Great Frank Rijkaard returned home after many years in the Italian Serie A with AC Milan.

It was by the 1993/94 season that Ajax were ready and did capture the League title.

This enabled them to embark on this unexpected and magical Champions League campaign.

Van Gaal’s side was led by veterans, Captain Danny Blind and Frank Rijkaard.

The rest of the squad included young stars such as the De Boer brothers (Frank and Ronald), goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, Clarence Seedorf, Edgar Davids, the Finnish Jari Litmanen, Marc Overmars and the Nigerian duo: Finidi George and Nwankwo Kanu.

In this summer of 1994, Van Gaal would launch an 18-year-old youngster into the first team, who would be the revelation of the season at home and abroad, a certain Patrick Kluivert.

In addition, defender Michael Reizger, who had returned from his loan at Groningen, established himself as right-back ahead of veteran Sonny Silooy.

The Champions League group phase started in September and the very first match on September 14^th was at home to AC Milan, the defending Champions League winners.

Ajax would stamp its intent by defeating a struggling AC Milan (2-0) and make everyone take notice. This would be the first of three encounters between the sides (more on that later).

Photo From: Ajax, De Complete Werken, Aflevering 27 AC Milan

(September 14, 1994, Champions League, Ajax Amsterdam 2-AC Milan 0)

Photo From: World Soccer, June 1995

(September 14, 1994, Champions League, Ajax Amsterdam 2-AC Milan 0)

For matchday 2, on September 28^th, they defeated Greek side AEK (2-1) away from home to take an early lead in the group.

Its next two encounters in the group phase (Matchdays 3 and 4) were against the Austrians of Casino Salzburg. On October 19^th, in the away tie, Ajax came away with a scoreless tie. This was followed by another tie against the Austrian side at home (1-1) on November 2^nd.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 74, March 1995

(November 2, 1994, Champions League, Ajax Amsterdam 1-Casino Salzburg 1)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 75, April 1995

(November 2, 1994, Champions League, Ajax Amsterdam 1-Casino Salzburg 1)

It was on Matchday 5 (November 23^rd), that Ajax really showed its title winning potential as they defeated AC Milan once more (2-0) in Italy.

Ajax finished off the group phase on December 7^th, at home against AEK (2-0) to win the group and look forward to the Quarterfinals in Spring.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 71, December 1994

(November 23, 1994, Champions League, AC Milan 0-Ajax Amsterdam 2)

By the midpoint of the season, Ajax were running away with the League title and dominant in Europe.

Patrick Kluivert had already gained his first cap for the Netherlands. Virtually, most members of this Ajax team were in the Dutch National Team. Soon, Edwin van Der Sar would be promoted to be the starting goalkeeper of the National Team as well.

The Finnish star Jari Litmanen was scoring regularly and shining at the highest level. It was a rarity in those day for a player from Finland to grab the headlines.

The only blemish in an otherwise faultless season was Ajax’s elimination in the Dutch Cup at the hands of Feyenoord. It would be Ajax’s only defeat in the entire season.

The Quarterfinal opponents in March 1995 were the Croatian side Hajduk Split. On March 1^st, at Split, Ajax earned a scoreless tie.

For the return fixture at Amsterdam, on March 15^th, Ajax won (3-0) to advance to the semifinals.

Photo From: World Soccer, May 1995

(March 15, 1995, Champions League, Ajax Amsterdam 3-Hajduk Split 0)

In the semifinals, Ajax were paired with German giants Bayern Munich. In the first leg, at Munich, on April 5^th, Ajax earned a scoreless tie to gain the advantage for the second leg.

In the second leg at home, on April 19^th, Ajax demolished Bayern (5-2) to decisively qualify for the Final.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 76, May 1995

(April 5, 1995, Champions League, Bayern Munich 0-Ajax Amsterdam 0)

Photo From: World Soccer, May 1995

(April 5, 1995, Champions League, Bayern Munich 0-Ajax Amsterdam 0)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 76, May 1995

(April 19, 1995, Champions League, Ajax Amsterdam 5- Bayern Munich 2)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2559, April 25, 1995

(April 19, 1995, Champions League, Ajax Amsterdam 5- Bayern Munich 2)

The Final was on May 24^th, 1995, against …. AC Milan. By now, Milan had improved from its early season slump. Despite winning twice against the Italians, Ajax were not clear favorites for the Final.

Van Gaal, himself had felt that any team that was playing its fifth Final in seven seasons should be looked as favorites.

However, this Ajax had a date with destiny as did Kluivert, who came on as a substitute during the match. He would score the winning goal to cap off a dream season for him and his club.