Before Qin Xiong returned to London, he already knew the results of his punishment.
Qin Xiong and Keane were both sent off with red cards due to the fiery clash with the Manchester United captain, Keane. The Football Association's final punishment was that Qin Xiong and Keane were suspended for three matches at the same time!
Wenger considered that Qin Xiong had already been suspended for one match and needed more time to rest when he returned to London to participate in a FIFA match in the middle of the week. Therefore, it was normal for Qin Xiong to be rested for the 27th round of the Premier League. It would count as his suspension. Coupled with the FA Cup match on the 19th of the month, Qin Xiong's three matches of suspension, only two of them were in the Premier League and one of them was already "serving his sentence." Wenger finally decided not to appeal.
Manchester United was very dissatisfied. Ferguson was very dissatisfied with the Football Association's decision because Manchester United was going to play in the Manchester derby in the 27th round. The lack of Keane would have a direct impact on the team's morale. Moreover, the defensive line of Manchester United had already become very fragile when Keane was in his prime. They still could not find a suitable successor. Even though Keane was old, he was at least reassuring.
Chelsea's momentum this season shocked the European football world, but they were still unable to replace Manchester United's position in the English game. The reality was that Chelsea had not really achieved anything substantial, while Manchester United's collection of honors was dazzling.
Therefore, the game between Arsenal and Manchester United had the greatest impact on the team's morale.
Arsenal, who lacked players, was unfortunately forced into a draw by Manchester United at home. Fortunately, the next round shortened the gap with Chelsea, which boosted the team's morale.
In the 27th round of the Premier League, Chelsea's game started first. Mourinho led the Blues to beat Everton 1: 0 in the away game and obtained an economical victory.
Arsenal stayed at Highbury to welcome Crystal Palace, who were in the relegation zone. Qin Xiong sat in the VIP seats in a slim-fit coat. He watched the team massacre Crystal Palace 5: 1 and continued to put pressure on Chelsea with a two-point deficit.
.....
There was no match in the middle of the week. Qin Xiong and the team were involved in the preparation. The team's recent preparations were divided into two parts. One part was for the substitutes to actively prepare for the weekend's FA Cup. The other part was for the main players to mentally prepare for the UEFA Champions League knockout round 18 next week. They would be visiting Munich to challenge Bayern Munich.
In the weekend's FA Cup, Arsenal's substitutes and the mixed team of the youth team put on a heart-wrenching match at Highbury. When Sheffield United cooperated to counterattack against Arsenal, Arsenal's players on the field were clearly inferior to the main lineup in terms of experience and ability to fight in a tough battle.
The final score was 1: 1.
Arsenal needed another rematch.
Wenger did not care too much. Anyway, according to Arsenal's situation in the Champions League and the Premier League, the FA Cup was bound to be a training ground for the players. He did not care even if he sent more reserve team or youth team players. Being able to play one more game was also good for the players' growth.
.....
On February 21st, Arsenal parachuted into Munich.
Qin Xiong had been adjusting for more than a week. Although it was impossible for him to return to his best physical condition, other than the impact of the Premier League not having a winter break, it was also because he did not get a reasonable rest last summer. But he had made reasonable adjustments in a short time and was able to cope with the next stage of the intensive competition schedule.
He and Fàbregas were in the same room. It was his first time in Munich. He stood at the window overlooking the night view. It was his habit to go to a new place and enjoy the fresh scenery.
Fàbregas came to his side and looked at the scenery outside the window. He asked, "Have you been to Germany?"
Qin Xiong could not help but smile and nod.
The Champions League final last season was held in Germany, but it was not in Munich.
Fàbregas seemed to think of the Champions League final and asked with great interest, "How did you feel when you won the Champions League?"
Qin Xiong rolled his eyes and smiled. "I was the king of the world!"
Fàbregas laughed, then opened his arms and roared outside the window. He turned around and said to Qin Xiong, "Is it like this? Everything you see is insignificant, and you are stepping on the world! "
Qin Xiong did not know whether to laugh or cry. In the end, he nodded and said, "It's like a kind of addiction that you can't stop. After the first time, you want to experience it a second time, a third time, and keep repeating it!"
Fàbregas put his arm around his shoulder and looked at the night view outside the window. He stopped smiling and said solemnly, "Then we'll experience it once this season!"
His voice was powerful and resonant. Qin Xiong replied with a single word in a sonorous and forceful manner.
"Okay!"
.....
February 23rd, Munich's Olympic Stadium.
Arsenal and Bayern Munich began the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals here.
Qin Xiong stood in the players' tunnel and did not look at the Bayern Munich players. His fighting posture was very obvious and full of fighting spirit.
Arsenal's players were the same.
As the referee team walked into the stadium, Arsenal and Bayern Munich carried out the ceremony before kickoff.
"The exciting knockout stage of the Champions League will start in full force today!
Arsenal, who stopped in the top 16 last season, won the group with an undefeated record in the group stage this season, but they were unlucky in the draw. They were drawn against the German team, Bayern Munich. Arsenal's momentum in the Premier League was frightening, but their results in the European competition were not ideal. It was not known if they would repeat the same mistake this season.
Bayern Munich went through a change of manager this season. Bayern Munich led by Felix Magath had a stable performance in the domestic league and cup, but it was humiliating to be defeated by Juventus in the Champions League group stage. It was not known what kind of strength they would show in the Champions League after the winter break and the adjustment in February.
Now, I will introduce the starting lineup of both sides.
Bayern Munich starting lineup: 451.
Goalkeeper: Kahn.
Defenders: Sagnol, Lucio, Kovacs, Lizarazu.
Midfielders: Salihamidzic, Hargreaves, Ballack, Frings, Ze Roberto.
Striker: Mackay.
Arsenal starting lineup: 451.
Goalkeeper: Lehmann.
Defenders: Lauren, Toure, Campbell, Ashley Cole.
Midfielders: Ljungberg, Vieira, Qin Xiong, Silva, Pires.
Striker: Henry.
The game is about to start. Let's wait and see what kind of wonderful performances the two teams will play in this game. "
Silva recovered from his injury, Toure returned from the African Cup of Nations, and Arsenal's lineup for the Champions League was more complete than before. This was the biggest good news.
As the referee blew the whistle, Bayern Munich kicked off first.
Mackay passed the ball back, and Ballack and his teammates rushed past Henry to step into the front field.
As Ballack dribbled the ball forward, he got closer and closer to Qin Xiong.
Qin Xiong moved. He saw the rhythm of Ballack's dribbling and went forward to intercept. He did not put his foot down, but he harassed him closely!
The German superstar was in a physical confrontation with Europe's hottest rising star. Although Qin Xiong was at a disadvantage in the physical confrontation, he had won a better opportunity for Vieira to intercept!
The first leg of the Champions League 18 final between Bayern Munich and Arsenal had officially begun!
Mars collided with Earth!
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