Pienaar meets past master

AFC Ajax's superb UEFA Champions League run this season has evoked memories of their last triumph in 1995, not least when the quarter-final draw paired them with the team they beat in that final, AC Milan.

Head to head
In Tuesday night's first leg in Amsterdam, Clarence Seedorf, who as a 19-year-old shone against Milan in Vienna, will be expected to star for the Italian club while 21-year-old Steven Pienaar will hope to counter his threat.

Teenage revelation
A revelation since his arrival aged 18 from Ajax's South African feeder club, Pienaar has played no small part in Ronald Koeman's side's success this season. Meanwhile, the Surinam-born Seedorf's career since leaving Ajax has seen him achieve more European Champion Clubs' Cup glory with Real Madrid CF, and take starring roles for Sampdoria UC, Internazionale FC and now Milan.

Recalls young Seedorf
He may be long gone from Ajax, but his presence lives on - physically, in the shape of nephew Stefano Seedorf, and spiritually, in the shape of Pienaar. A superb performance in what proved the decisive win over AS Roma in December confirmed what has long been suspected - that Pienaar has the poise, skill and inspiration of a young Clarence Seedorf.

Precocious maturity
That precocious maturity is exactly what Ajax need to again destroy the hopes of an all-star Milan team. And just as Dutch immigrant Seedorf worked his way up the hard way, so did Pienaar. "I was raised by a single parent who was lucky to support me and my three siblings, " he has said. "I have an insight of what it is like growing up without knowing when your next meal is."

Coach's faith
It was one of Seedorf's former team-mates, Koeman, who saw Pienaar's talents and gave him a break. "Like all great talents, he is a player who does not only stand out because of his skills, he is an intelligent player who makes the right decisions at the right time," said Koeman. He could almost be describing Seedorf.

'Never too old'
Of course, Seedorf himself is still very much a man to be described in the present tense. Still only 27, and having helped Milan to their best run in the tournament since 1995, he said: "It is difficult to say whether I am in the form of my life. Every year you can grow as a footballer. No one is ever too old to learn things." His attitude alone would make him a worthy man to be the first to win the Champions League with three clubs.

Praise from Gullit
Ruud Gullit, a Dutchman who certainly knows a thing or two about winning things with the Rossoneri, has been particularly vocal in his praise of Seedorf. "He is a first-rate player who has already shown his worth playing with many important teams," Gullit said. "Now he looks to be more serene and more confident in his capabilities."

Example to follow
Seedorf responded to Gullit's words by saying: "Gullit is a star, he made us dream. He has written a chapter in Milan history, I'm honoured to follow his example." Something similar could be said of Pienaar as he traces Seedorf's steps in Amsterdam.