Capítulo 283: Chapter 283 The New Season Is Here! The European Super Cup Starts!
For Chelsea fans, the anticipation for the new season is overwhelming!
But before the 2017-2018 season officially kicks off, Chelsea took part in a series of friendly matches to assess the players' form. These matches were mainly for training purposes, so Su Luo didn't make an appearance.
The reason was simple.
Su Luo was a guaranteed starter in Chelsea's lineup for the upcoming season.
After all, it was Su Luo's brilliant performance that had secured Chelsea's victory in the previous season's Champions League final!
In Conte's eyes, Su Luo had solidified his position as a key player for the new campaign.
As July arrived, Chelsea played three friendly matches, winning 3-0 against Arsenal, losing 2-3 to Bayern Munich, and falling 1-2 to Inter Milan.
It became clear that without Su Luo, Chelsea's strength dropped significantly.
Conte, the head coach, could only acknowledge the situation.
Su Luo had become indispensable to Chelsea.
As time marched on, August soon arrived.
On August 2nd, Chelsea faced their first challenge of the new season: the UEFA Super Cup!
The UEFA Super Cup is a prestigious match between the Champions League winners and the Europa League winners from the previous season.
Chelsea versus Manchester United!
Under Mourinho's leadership, Manchester United had lost any real chance of winning the Premier League early last season, but they claimed the Europa League title in the end.
In the Europa League final, Manchester United easily defeated Ajax's young squad 2-0 to secure their place as Europa League champions.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement, Manchester United had been in a period of rebuilding. They had not only been absent from the Champions League, but had also failed to challenge for the Premier League title.
However, Mourinho's arrival brought hope to United fans, sparking dreams of revival.
As one of the biggest names in the Premier League, Manchester United fans still looked down on Chelsea.
Even before the match began, many United fans took to the internet to mock Chelsea.
"Chelsea? They're just the new kids on the block! This club has no history!"
"They're just a team built on money!"
"Chelsea wants to compare itself to Manchester United? Maybe in twenty years!"
"The UEFA Super Cup will be our chance to get revenge on Chelsea!"
At the pre-match press conference, Mourinho exuded his trademark confidence.
"Chelsea? I've coached that team twice. There's no doubt they're strong, but this is a one-off final. Anything can happen in 90 minutes."
"We've been preparing for this match since the season began, and I believe every Manchester United player is ready."
Conte, on the other hand, showed his usual boldness in front of the press.
"First of all, I want to congratulate Manchester United on their Europa League win. But to be honest, with the squad they have, they should've at least made the Champions League semi-finals last season. Unfortunately, they didn't."
"I checked the statistics for the UEFA Super Cup, and usually, the Champions League winners come out on top. So, I'm feeling confident going into this match."
Game day.
Skopje's Philip II Stadium was packed with fans.
Supporters of both Manchester United and Chelsea filled the stands, singing their respective team anthems even before the players took to the pitch.
In the commentary box, Zhan Jun began to announce the starting lineups for the match.
"Good evening to all our viewers! Welcome to the UEFA Super Cup. Tonight's clash is between last season's Champions League winners, Chelsea, and the Europa League champions, Manchester United."
"It's a Premier League showdown!"
"The match is taking place at the Philip II Stadium in Skopje, Macedonia."
"For Chelsea, coach Conte has gone with the same starting lineup that won the Champions League final…"
Chelsea Lineup:
Goalkeeper: Courtois
Defenders: Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Rudiger
Midfielders: Willian, Bakayoko, Kante, Marcos Alonso
Forwards: Hazard, Lukaku, Su Luo
For Manchester United, Mourinho set up his team in a 4-3-2-1 formation:
Manchester United Lineup:
Goalkeeper: De Gea
Defenders: Valencia, Bailly, Phil Jones, Ashley Young
Midfielders: Fellaini, Matic
Attacking Midfielders: Mata, Mkhitaryan, Rashford
Forward: Martial
"It's worth noting that Matic, who helped Chelsea win the Champions League last season, transferred to Manchester United this summer. And tonight, he starts against his former team!" Commentator Director Zhang added enthusiastically.
"Other than Matic, neither of these teams has made many changes to their squads this summer. I wouldn't be surprised if tonight's result is similar to last season's Premier League outcome. Hehehe," Zhang chuckled.
8:00 PM.
Both teams took to the field as the crowd roared with excitement.
With the referee's whistle, the UEFA Super Cup kicked off!
Manchester United were the first to launch an attack.
It seemed Mourinho had urged his players to go hard from the start tonight!
Just three minutes into the first half, Fellaini received a pass and sent it quickly to Mata on the right wing.
From there, Fellaini and Matic, both towering midfielders, rushed into Chelsea's penalty area.
Martial joined them upfront, giving United three dangerous attackers in the box!
Without hesitation, Mata sent a long cross into Chelsea's penalty area.
Fellaini out-jumped Rudiger and connected with the ball!
The ball flew like a rocket toward the goal!
1-0!
A stunning opening goal!
The fans were caught off guard.
"What a goal!"
"Manchester United has taken the lead!"
"Fellaini's header blasted past Thibaut Courtois, even clipping his fingertips on the way in!" Zhan Jun, the commentator, exclaimed in shock.
Director Zhang chuckled, "Well, we're in for an exciting game! Chelsea will have to go on the attack now, hehehe."
As expected, Chelsea quickly regained their composure after the restart.
Su Luo, Chelsea's star player, picked up the ball on the right side.
At this moment, both Ashley Young and Nemanja Matic moved in to pressure him!
However, Su Luo made a quick cut, changing the rhythm of the play. With a few skillful feints, he managed to break free and enter the penalty area!
Manchester United's defense was on high alert!
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