At the same time, in Inter Milan's locker room, Li Ang was also saying the same thing.
"I've been looking forward to this game for a long time, guys. I believe you're just like me, looking forward to it! Once we get past Barcelona, we'll step into the UEFA Champions League final stage again! "
"Since a year ago, when we were eliminated in the quarterfinals, I've been looking forward to making a comeback! Because I'm very unhappy. Because of last year's elimination, the media has been constantly saying things like, 'Inter Milan can't make it,' 'Inter Milan has been eliminated. Look, this is their true strength.' … How about it, are you familiar with it? I bet many of you must have heard such words before, right? "
Some of the players could not help but nod.
After last season's elimination from the UEFA Champions League, the media was full of such words. No one would talk about Inter Milan's glory of standing at the top of Europe in the 20052006 season. They would only say that Inter Milan was now a loser and was eliminated.
Li Ang's face showed a smile. "I've been waiting for this day, waiting for us to reach the UEFA Champions League final again. On the highest final stage, we'll use the championship title to shut up those bastards who doubted us for no reason! Now, this is the semifinals! Our opponent is Barcelona, who we defeated in the past. Now, this loser wants to step on us to pass. Who do they think they are?! Let's use practical actions to tell them! That's just wishful thinking. Back then, they could only watch us on the champion's podium. Now, we can also defeat them! "
"Defeat Barcelona!"
"Get the tickets to the final!" Li Ang raised his arms and roared with an excited expression.
"Victory!"
"The final!"
The players responded to him with excited roars.
"That's why I believe in you. You must have been looking forward to this game for a long time, right?! "
He asked loudly.
"Yes!!" the players answered loudly.
"That's good. Guys, go. Use your feet to tell them that we can step on them to win the championship, and we can also step on them to win again!" Li Ang raised his arm and roared.
After that, the door to the locker room was violently pushed open, and the Inter Milan players rushed out, panting heavily. They did not look like they were going to a match, but more like they were entering a battlefield!
*****
"According to the information we received, Juan Carlos came to Barcelona overnight. Obviously, after becoming a father and experiencing mental torture and joy, as well as physical exhaustion, Carlos is obviously not in a good condition. However, we now see Carlos's name in the starting lineup!"
"Coach Li Ang insisted on sending Juan Carlos, but is his insistence right this time?"
Before the start of the game, when the starting lineup of both sides was introduced, Carlos's appearance in the starting lineup became the biggest surprise. The commentator analyzed it for everyone.
"We all know that Li Ang is a person with a strong personality, a strong character, and a self-centered person. Of course, this may be the reason why he became a top championship manager at such a young age. However, this time, he chose to trust Carlos, who is obviously not in his best condition. This time, will his insistence be right? You know. His opponent this time is Barcelona, who is determined to take revenge. You know, this is Camp Nou! "
The players got up and walked out one after another.
Banderas looked at the backs of the players and said to Li Ang. "Juan looks a little nervous." Carlos was a little quiet today.
"Nervous?" Li Ang shook his head. He had a different opinion. "To be exact, he should be excited."
Excited? Why?
Banderas did not understand.
Li Ang did not explain anything. If there was anyone who knew Carlos the best, it was none other than him.
He remembered the first time he met this kid. At that time, he was the manager of Real Madrid's under-17 A team, and Carlos was a player of Getafe's youth team. Carlos left a deep impression on him in that game.
In a situation where the whole team had given up, this kid was still holding on.
This was a kid with an incomparably strong personality. As long as Carlos was on the field, he would fight to the end.
Since the team doctor, Lucatli, believed that Carlos's physical condition met the requirements to play, Li Ang was not too worried. Besides, he also observed that although Carlos still looked a little tired, he was in good spirits. He was like a steel bar. It looked very inconspicuous, but it was very resistant to pressure.
"This kid is now the father of a child," Li Ang said suddenly.
Banderas was stunned. Then, he understood Li Ang's meaning. He nodded and walked away.
*****
"The players from both teams are on the field! Juan Carlos has indeed appeared in the starting lineup. We do not deny Carlos's strength. This young man is undoubtedly the best defensive midfielder in the world of football today. However, we all know what this player has experienced in the past two days. The mental pressure, the exhaustion after the excitement, the fatigue after the journey. I don't think Carlos should be in the starting lineup now. However, it is clear that Manager Li Ang has chosen to trust Carlos, just as he has always trusted this player. So, in this important game, will Li Ang's trust be rewarded? "
In the press box, the reporters were also discussing.
Some of the reporters had a smile on their faces. They were all waiting to see Li Ang and Inter Milan make a fool of themselves. If Carlos did not perform well and Inter Milan lost the game, they would definitely launch a storm of criticism.
When Li Ang was at Sporting de Gijón, he had a bad relationship with many of the Spanish media. Now, the manager of a Serie A powerhouse club was naturally called the enemy of the Spanish reporters. They could not wait to 'beat the dog that was down.'
"Barcelona's starting goalkeeper today is still Valdés. In the rear defensive line, the right-back is Zambrotta, the left-back is Abidal, and the center-back combination is Gabriel Milito and Marcos. Their captain, Puyol, is still injured and can't play. In the midfield, Harvey and Yayaturay, as well as Messi and Iniesta. In the front line, it is Henry and Eto 'o."
Li Ang was happy when he saw Barcelona's starting lineup. Unlike Inter Milan's midfield, which still had Montari, a strong and energetic player, Barcelona's midfield only had one defensive player, Yayaturay. Moreover, in Li Ang's view, Yayaturay was good at offense and defense. However, this also showed that Yayaturay was not a pure defensive player. With such a midfield configuration, Rijkaard's thoughts were clear. He did not think about defense at all. He wanted to take down Inter Milan in one bite.
PS: Third update, League-Leader [Tang Da Chui Chui Chui Chui] 110,000 reward 411.
Begging for a monthly ticket. Thank you, everyone.
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