บท 186: Guardiola Attends in Person
After the first round of the Champions League group stage, fans of various teams and some star players engaged in heated discussions online.
"Premier League and La Liga are really strong. Their results are way ahead of other leagues!"
"The Premier League is definitely strong, but for La Liga, besides Barcelona and Real Madrid, the rest aren't that great!"
"Don't underestimate the mid-tier La Liga teams. If Atlético Madrid faces Premier League teams in the knockout stage, it won't be an easy win."
"True, I watch both La Liga and the Premier League. Simeone's Atlético Madrid is impressive, much like Dortmund before!"
Mentioning Atlético Madrid left Chelsea fans speechless.
In last year's UEFA Super Cup, Atlético Madrid thrashed Chelsea 4-1.
They not only took the Super Cup from the Champions League winners but also set the biggest winning margin in the UEFA Super Cup in nearly 20 years.
This score proved Atlético Madrid's strength. Underestimating them could lead to a heavy price.
Thinking about Chelsea's recent loss to Basel, considered an underdog before the match, Premier League fans were fuming and less confident.
The other three teams are hard to say, but Chelsea, in their current form, might struggle against Atlético Madrid again.
Besides the fans of Premier League and La Liga, some star players' fans also started arguing online.
"Ronaldo is amazing! He scored a hat-trick in just thirty minutes. Incredible!"
"Correction, Ronaldo completed his hat-trick in 28 minutes!"
"No wonder Ronaldo is the best. With this scoring efficiency, calling him the best in the world is not an exaggeration!"
"Absolutely! With Bale supporting him this season, I think Real Madrid has the Champions League in the bag!"
Ronaldo's fans praised their star player, and Messi's fans didn't hold back either.
"So what if he scored a hat-trick? Messi scored five goals in a Champions League match last year!"
"Ha, keep it low-key. As the only player in Champions League history to score five goals in one match, we should stay humble. No need to provoke the fans of a certain diving player who will never achieve this in their lifetime!"
"Who's the diving player? If you have the guts, say it clearly!"
"There are so many players in the top leagues. I didn't name anyone. If you're taking it personally, that's on you."
"This is the quality of Messi fans. If you have the guts, beat Real Madrid on the pitch. Personal attacks don't make you a hero."
"Yeah, and what's this if not a personal attack?"
Other fans were used to the constant bickering between Messi and Ronaldo fans and chose to find a quiet place to continue discussing football.
"Speaking of which, Lin's performance in this match wasn't that great!"
"One goal and one assist, isn't that good enough? Your expectations are a bit high."
"Indeed, that's a pretty good performance!"
"But compared to Messi and Ronaldo, it's a bit lacking. Both of them scored hat-tricks!"
It seemed that some fans were not satisfied with Lin's performance. Especially since Messi and Ronaldo both scored hat-tricks, Lin's one goal and one assist seemed less impressive in comparison.
"The group stage is long. One match doesn't mean much. As long as Lin keeps playing like this, he'll score plenty of goals!"
"You can't just look at the Champions League. Look at the league too. Lin has scored eight goals in four Premier League matches. Messi has six, and Ronaldo has two. Lin's goals equal the total of Messi and Ronaldo combined!"
"Wow, Lin is that good? But Ronaldo's goal count is a bit low. Only two goals in four matches?"
"Benzema has improved a lot this season, scoring two goals in the league. Isco and Bale have also taken some of the scoring load, with Isco scoring three goals and Bale one."
"Yes, Real Madrid's front line is very strong now. They don't rely on Ronaldo as much, which is good for both Ronaldo and Real Madrid. Ronaldo can focus more on the Champions League."
"So, it looks like Real Madrid has a good chance in the Champions League this season?"
"Ancelotti is known as a champion coach. He might really lead Real Madrid to win the Champions League!"
After the first round of the group stage, various experts and betting companies adjusted the odds for winning the Champions League.
Real Madrid's odds rose to first place, overtaking defending champions Bayern Munich.
Barcelona's ranking remained third.
In the Premier League, Chelsea's odds dropped to ninth due to their unexpected loss in the first round.
Manchester United's odds also fell, ranking seventh.
On the other hand, Manchester City's odds rose to fourth place, becoming the highest-ranked Premier League team, thanks to their winning streak in both the league and the Champions League group stage.
However, it's still early to talk about winning the Champions League after just one round.
After the Champions League group stage, Manchester City, buoyed by their big win, returned home to prepare for the challenge from Manchester United.
This city derby was the most important match of this Premier League round.
Considering the importance of the match and the large number of overseas fans of both teams, the Premier League scheduled the match for 3 PM.
This way, overseas fans, especially those in Asia, could watch the game during prime time in the evening.
Compared to other leagues, the Premier League is more flexible in this regard, considering overseas audiences, which is good for promoting the league.
With a seven-hour time difference, if the match were scheduled for 7:30 PM, it would be around 2-3 AM in Asia.
Who would watch football at that hour? Most people would be in bed.
Of course, other leagues have also adopted this practice. La Liga later followed suit.
While scheduling the match in the afternoon is good for overseas audiences, it's not great for the players.
Around 3 PM, the sun hasn't set yet, and one team will have to face the sun directly during the match, which can significantly affect the players.
Conversely, the team with their backs to the sun will have a significant advantage.
Before the match, Manchester United players called on their fans online to support them and witness their conquest of the Etihad Stadium.
Rooney stated, "Manchester will always belong to the Red Devils, and Manchester City? They're just noisy neighbors!"
Rooney criticized Manchester City as nouveau riche without the heritage of a big club, claiming Manchester United is the true Manchester team.
Van Persie posted, "Manchester City? They have some good players, but as a team, my teammates and I are clearly stronger!"
Van Persie also criticized Manchester City's financial approach, claiming they have good players but lack matching honors.
With Manchester United players firing the first shots, Manchester City players couldn't stay silent.
Aguero tweeted, "I have a strong feeling I will score today, and not just once!"
Yaya Toure stated, "The Red Devils? That's ancient history. Now it's the era of the Blue Moon!"
Kompany said, "I will join my teammates in freezing Manchester United's forwards. Whether it's Rooney or Van Persie, they won't score at the Etihad!"
With his teammates already talking tough, Lin decided not to join the fray.
He posted an aerial photo of the Etihad Stadium with the caption, "Tomorrow afternoon, Etihad Stadium, see you there!"
The rivalry was intense, and the city derby was always fiery.
Fleet Street media, like sharks smelling blood, began hyping the enmity between the two teams.
This was the 166th Manchester Derby. Before 2010, due to Manchester United's dominance, Manchester City had little chance of winning. Manchester United led overwhelmingly in their matches.
But after 2010, with the arrival of Middle Eastern investment, Manchester City rose, and the tide turned.
In the last seven matches, Manchester City won four times.
Two years ago, at Old Trafford, Manchester City even thrashed Manchester United 6-1.
Now, the roles have completely reversed. Manchester United is no longer as strong as before.
Beating Manchester City is no longer easy, especially at the Etihad Stadium.
However, Moyes seemed adept at facing Manchester City.
Before managing Manchester United, he led Everton to nine wins in twelve matches against Manchester City, earning the nickname "Manchester City Nemesis."
So, when interviewed before the match, Moyes confidently stated:
"Yes, I have found a way to deal with Manchester City. We will take three points away from home. I am very confident!"
When reporters pressed him for details, Moyes smiled mysteriously and gave no answer.
Pellegrini suspected Moyes was playing mind games and didn't fall for it.
In his pre-match interview, Pellegrini stated that Manchester City would stick to their game plan. As long as they played to their normal level, they were confident of winning, regardless of the opponent.
Reporters interpreted this response as lacking confidence.
Compared to Moyes' assuredness, they felt Pellegrini's response was not strong enough.
As a result, many media outlets predicted a Manchester United victory.
However, there were also plenty of experts and former players who backed Manchester City.
"This season, Manchester City is in hot form, with five consecutive wins in all competitions. Although these wins didn't come against top teams, the momentum is clearly better than Manchester United's. Analyzing the squads, Manchester City's lineup is at least as good as Manchester United's, if not better. This match will depend on the tactical plans and in-game adjustments of the two managers. If Moyes truly has a secret tactic for Manchester City, as he claimed, then Manchester United might have a chance. Otherwise, Manchester City is more likely to win!"
Arsenal's manager Wenger backed Manchester United, hoping a Manchester United victory would put his team at the top of the league.
But Chelsea's manager Mourinho believed Manchester United had too many issues to
gain an advantage at the Etihad Stadium.
"I don't want to criticize Manchester United's midfield, but it's clear to everyone that it's their weak point!"
When reporters asked Mourinho about Chelsea's severe forward problems, his demeanor changed instantly.
He brusquely cut off the question, insisting his team had no issues.
Despite his claims, anyone could see Chelsea's forward problems were severe, and no amount of denial could change that.
There were even rumors Chelsea was privately contacting Drogba's agent, possibly to bring the former star back to Stamford Bridge.
However, Drogba was 35, and whether he had any fuel left was uncertain.
Instead of relying on an old player, Chelsea should consider bringing in a proper forward.
Dortmund's Lewandowski and Atlético Madrid's Diego Costa were good choices, and they wouldn't be too expensive. Fifty million pounds should be enough!
But Chelsea already had many forwards: Torres, Eto'o, Schürrle, Demba Ba, Willian, and future star Lukaku!
They had many forwards but none that were effective.
It's unclear if Chelsea's style was limiting the forwards or if these forwards collectively forgot how to play when they joined Chelsea.
The media in other European countries also focused on this match.
Firstly, it was one of the most exciting city derbies in the top five leagues, and derbies always drew attention.
Secondly, both teams were in the Champions League. If they advanced past the group stage, other league teams might face them in the knockout rounds.
To prepare for the next phase of the Champions League, many teams sent scouts to watch the match.
During the match, cameras even caught Bayern Munich's coach Guardiola in the stands.
Bayern's next match was away at Manchester City, so they paid close attention to their biggest group stage rival.
Of course, if it were just scouting the opponent, Guardiola wouldn't need to come in person.
A senior scout or assistant coach could record the match, so there was no need for a long trip.
Guardiola's presence at the Etihad Stadium likely had personal reasons related to his relationship with Lin.
After being caught by the cameras, Guardiola didn't hide. He waved at the camera, and this was shown on the big screen in the stadium.
"Look, it's Bayern's coach!"
Lin was practicing his shots. Noticing his teammates' reminder, he looked at the big screen.
Just as he looked, the screen switched to show him looking, causing the crowd to laugh kindly. Lin smiled too.
The director must have done this on purpose, knowing Lin was watching.
Lin managed to see where Guardiola was sitting, so he went up to the stands to say hello before the match started.
"Leaving right after the match?"
"Yes, I have training with the team tomorrow."
"What time is your flight?"
"If you want to invite me to dinner, there should be enough time!"
"Sure, but only if I win this match first!"
"Then do your best. Dinner's on you tonight!"
Guardiola laughed, hugging Lin and patting his back in encouragement:
"Go play well. Don't feel pressured because I'm here!"
Lin rolled his eyes at him:
"Don't worry, I'll just ignore you like you're not even here!"
"You hurt my feelings. I wanted to cheer for you, but now I might support Manchester United instead!"
"If you dare, the City fans around here will beat you up!"
"They wouldn't be that harsh. I'm a famous person, after all."
"All the more reason. Beating you up would make them famous!"
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