Although La Liga ended on May 14, Barcelona, like Arsenal, successfully defended their title in advance at the end of April. Unlike Arsenal, which was one round earlier, Barcelona was three rounds earlier!
Therefore, Barcelona would not be at a physical disadvantage at all. They were full of energy and came to Paris, France, with Arsenal at the end of the season after adjusting to their limits.
However, Barcelona did not have time to hold a league title celebration. They rushed to Paris immediately after the league ended.
Ronaldinho's appearance seemed to have ignited the fanaticism of the football fans in the city. He was not like Henry, who came to Paris like a warrior.
He was full of a free and unrestrained aura, as if he was a born optimist, giving people a sense of relaxation and joy.
It was his attitude that brought a certain amount of pressure to Arsenal.
Perhaps it was the bearing of a king, or the essence of Samba football, free and romantic, unrestrained and unrestrained.
After Arsenal's internal team mentality adjustment, Barcelona arrived in Paris one step later. Now the two teams were really in a state of preparation.
The countdown to the Champions League final had also rung.
Although many media outlets wanted to interview the players before the game, the Arsenal Football Club issued a media gag order to restrict the players from accepting personal interviews.
This was the most important game in the history of the Arsenal Football Club. The club paid unprecedented attention to it. No one wanted to create trouble for themselves, especially in the media.
The day before the Champions League final, Qin Xiong's agent, Freddy, and countless sponsor representatives behind him gathered in Paris to watch the Champions League final live.
There was no doubt that Qin Xiong's second Champions League final in his career was crucial. It would determine whether he could become an indisputable superstar player!
In terms of popularity, Qin Xiong was a well-deserved superstar in Asia.
But at the competitive level, in European football, whether Qin Xiong could break through the last layer of window paper and become a Green Shade superstar.
This second Champions League final would be very important.
If he lost, then he still had time to move forward. After all, he would only turn 21 in another month.
But if he won, his popularity and future would be limitless.
He would also be the first player of the new generation to officially step into the ranks of superstars!
Kaka, Ronaldo, Rooney, Messi, Torres, and other players were still supernovas and top-tier star players. They were still some distance away from being superstars.
Qin Xiong, as the new king of European football in 2005, had come to the threshold of the superstar door.
Superstars and kings were two different things.
But to be kings, one must first become a superstar!
Similar opportunities did not only appear in front of Qin.
For example, Henry and Ronaldinho would be the ones in front of the media's "Challenge to be crowned king!"
In the afternoon, Wenger and the Barcelona manager, Black Swan Rijkaard, attended separate press conferences before the Champions League final.
Rijkaard's tone was slightly low-key, but there was confidence in the low-key.
"Barcelona has been improving in the past two years and is now close to perfection. We have won a lot of games and won some trophies, but everyone knows that the Champions League is the highest achievement for a European club. We hope to return to Barcelona with the trophy, but Arsenal is not a team that will give us the victory. I am not surprised by Arsenal's achievements in England. What is different from the previous situation is that they not only have a killer like Henry, but also Qin Xiong, a rising star who cannot be ignored. The final will definitely be very difficult. Barcelona will do their best to win. I hope the boys will not underestimate the enemy and play Barcelona's style. Show our football philosophy on the field and let the fans all over the world see Barcelona's style."
Wenger also complimented his opponent at the pre-match press conference.
"Barcelona is one of the top teams in European football. Over the course of a season, Barcelona often dominates the headlines. Their games are exciting to watch and the players are talented. They present gorgeous football in front of the fans. Their chances of winning the title are very high, which is understandable. This is Arsenal's first Champions League final, and Barcelona has already won the Champions League. But I hope this will not bring pressure to the players, but a motivation to fight for the club's first Champions League trophy. As for how to limit Ronaldinho, I think Barcelona is strong as a whole, not a particular player. If we focus on Ronaldinho, it will be an unforgivable mistake! He will be a big threat and a headache for us, but we can't just look at Ronaldinho alone. Eto 'o, Giuly, Deco, they can also create difficulties for Arsenal and even kill the game. "
The pre-match press conference of the two managers quickly made the headlines of the football news.
The Champions League battle between Barcelona and Arsenal was about to start.
May 17, 2006.
Arsenal and Barcelona arrived at the Stade de France in Paris in the evening.
The players of the two teams returned to the locker room to adjust their emotions after warming up.
There was a cultural program in the stadium to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Champions League. This year was the 51st Champions League final, so the final venue was back in Paris, France.
In the locker room, Arsenal's players had already packed up their equipment for the game.
Wenger stood in front of everyone and gave a rare locker room speech before the game.
"246 days, 124 games of the Champions League, and we are here, Paris, France, at the Stade de France!
Everyone outside is saying that this is Arsenal's first time in the Champions League final, that we lack experience, that we are not as confident and calm as Barcelona.
I think this is a big mistake!
No team is born a champion. They all have a glorious history after a period of struggle.
I have to admit that Arsenal's history in Europe is not worth mentioning. Our foundation in Europe is like a blank sheet of paper. This is the reason why others look down on and mock us.
But I think this is a good thing.
This makes us the writers of history, the changers of fate!
The shapers of the foundation of a great club!
Everyone here has been recorded in history and has become a part of the glory of Arsenal Club.
But today we have the opportunity to rewrite history, to engrave our names on the club's monument, to write the most glorious chapter in European football.
This is my chance, and yours.
We should be rational, sober, full of motivation, and not timid to face today!
I am proud of you!
Please make every Arsenal player proud! "
Wenger's speech did not incite a wild and unrestrained response from the entire team. On the contrary, every word of the professor's went straight to the heart, so that the Arsenal players were neither overly excited nor pessimistic. They were in the right frame of mind to face the game.
Wenger walked out of the locker room, and then Henry stood up, Qin Xiong stood up, and Arsenal's players stood up one after another, full of fighting spirit!
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