In fact, although the defending champion Barcelona was not in this season's Champions League semi-finals, if one traced the origins of the three managers in the semi-finals, they could not be separated from Barcelona.
Perhaps ordinary fans would not think of it, but the media naturally knew.
Inter Milan manager Mourinho.
Bayern Munich manager Louis Van Gaal.
Liverpool manager Comain.
The three used to be under Louis Van Gaal's management of Barcelona, and the other two assisted Comain.
Comain was a member of the coaching staff, and Mourinho was a translator and assistant.
Things changed with the passage of time. No one expected the three to meet in this season's Champions League semi-finals. It had to be said that fate was fickle and full of drama.
As for Lyon, because they had the lowest reputation and were the least favored, no one cared about them.
When it was Comain's turn to attend the Champions League pre-match press conference, he talked about his past history, the time he worked with Louis Van Gaal.
"Louis Van Gaal is a great manager. He has his own unique position and style. I have seen and learned a lot from him. Every work experience has been a great help to me, and working with Louis Van Gaal is no exception. I am very happy to meet him in the Champions League semi-finals. There are no problems between us. If Bayern Munich advances to the finals, I will bless him and his team. "
After becoming the Liverpool manager and leading the team to win the Premier League title, Comain's image to the outside world began to change.
Not only did he become a little more humble, but he appeared to have a more gentlemanly demeanor.
There was no need to make an enemy of the world, and there was no need to be as overbearing as Mourinho. Comain preferred a gentle and humble image to avoid Liverpool's huge public pressure.
He knew that he could not make an enemy of the media alone like Mourinho and isolate the locker room from the media through his own "war," so he hoped to win the media's favor with a humble attitude and let the media be merciful.
He knew that the outside world would observe successful teams and successful people from different perspectives and look forward to and wait for successful people and teams to make mistakes and then criticize them.
But before he failed, he still didn't want to have a sharp conflict with the media and worsen their relationship.
As for those of the same trade, he was even less interested in starting a war. Even if there were grudges between them in the past, he was willing to bury the hatchet. If it really didn't work, then what the eye didn't see, the heart didn't grieve over.
Due to Comain's attitude, the reporters did not pursue the past between him and Louis Van Gaal. Instead, they changed the topic to the competition itself.
"In Liverpool's elimination of Real Madrid and Barcelona, Liverpool adopted defensive counterattack tactics and achieved great success. Does this indicate that Liverpool will adopt the same tactical strategy against Bayern Munich?"
Comain replied calmly, "We will target our tactics according to the opponent's style, techniques, and tactical characteristics. Liverpool will not stay the same. Bayern Munich is not Real Madrid, nor is it Barcelona. Liverpool will welcome the match with a new attitude tomorrow night."
"So, Liverpool will try to turn the tables at the Allianz Arena?"
"It will be difficult because it's Bayern Munich's territory. I can only say that Liverpool's original intention will not change. We will strive to win at the Allianz Arena."
"Regarding Bayern Munich's two key players, Ribéry and Robben, has Liverpool thought of a way to restrain them?"
"Of course we will pay attention to the opponent's offensive core players, but I still say the same thing. Football is a team game. The overall offensive and defensive restrictions are the most important."
.....
The next night at the Allianz Arena, the Bayern Munich fans created a magnificent scene of cheering in the stands.
In contrast, the Liverpool fans who came from afar were drowned in the crowd.
The Liverpool and Bayern Munich players stood in the players' tunnel, ready to take the field for the game.
Qin Xiong and Robben caught up with each other at the back of the team. When the two met, they hugged each other.
Robben put his arm around Qin Xiong's neck and laughed, "I didn't expect to meet so soon, and in the Champions League semi-finals."
Qin Xiong asked with a teasing look in his eyes, "Are you happy?"
Robben grinned and said, "Of course I'm not happy. But thinking about it, I'm still a little excited."
"Why? Is it not enough to be my opponent? "
Qin Xiong and Robben could be said to be "love-hate relationship." From the Netherlands to England, then to Madrid, now they were back to the state of hostility.
Robben leaned over to Qin Xiong's ear and whispered, "Whether it's you or me, when we finally step on the stage of the Champions League final, have you ever thought about what it will be like?"
Qin Xiong's mouth curved into a beautiful arc. He understood the subtext in Robben's words.
He looked at Robben's eyes, and the two men laughed at the same time.
Bernabéu!
This season's Champions League final will be at Bernabéu!
In any case, whether it was Robben or Qin Xiong, in fact, they could not forget the years when they fought side by side at Bernabéu.
Because at that time, they almost reached perfection and became the King's Team that made the European heroes tremble in fear!
After being kicked out by Real Madrid or taking the initiative to turn around and leave, returning to Bernabéu to play was always a special feeling. In addition, it was the stage of the Champions League final, at the doorstep of the king of the Champions League, which was even more exciting.
Qin Xiong and Robben finally shook hands, patted each other on the back, and walked into their respective teams.
Under the lead of the referee team, the players of the two teams walked into the Allianz Arena with their heads held high.
The Champions League theme song began to reverberate in the stadium. The atmosphere in the Allianz Arena was extremely hot.
Looking around the stadium, Qin Xiong's eyes were full of infinite fighting spirit.
Every day, he worked hard to become stronger, and his goal had never changed.
He wanted to be the best.
Now, there were already fans who said that Qin Xiong was only one World Cup away from being crowned king!
But Qin Xiong did not see it that way.
The reality would be like this. Even if you tried your best, you would still be helpless in the end.
For the World Cup, he could only do his best, but the hope was really slim.
But in the club arena, the situation was completely different.
He could achieve greater glory!
Plunder all the championships that he could touch!
He had to be remembered and praised as a legend.
Ten years later, twenty years later, fifty years later, when people recalled today's history, they had to remember the victors and the most glorious figures of this era.
Qin Xiong, who had already won three Champions League titles, did not seem to have an outstanding advantage in glory compared to too many legendary players in history. Qin Xiong, who had been crowned Ballon d 'Or twice, was not considered the absolute king of this era.
Three Champions League titles were not enough.
Two Ballon d 'Or awards were not enough!
Then go and plunder more!
More!
More!
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