"Inter Milan is going to stand at the top of Europe more than once!" Wenger read the reports on the media. The French professor, who had always been good-tempered, sneered. "This Chinese manager is really as arrogant as the rumors say."
He was currently sitting on the bus from Arsenal's hotel to their home ground, Highbury.
Wenger was fully prepared for the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan. In the two-legged knockout round, the home game and then the away game schedule was not very advantageous. However, because of this, Wenger was particularly interested in the home game. He hoped that the team could get a good result on their home ground and establish victory for the second leg away trip!
He had carefully studied Inter Milan's games. Li Ang's team was not a traditional Serie A team. This team emphasized more on ball control and their offense was very smooth. Of course, Inter Milan's defense was also very good.
Such a team was not easy to go up against, but Wenger was confident in his team.
Compared to this brand new Inter Milan, his Arsenal was more mature. Wenger had been coaching this team for more than a decade. He was familiar with each of his players, and Arsenal's style of play had gradually matured over the past decade. They were of the same origin. Moreover, Henry, Pires, Ljungberg and the rest of the veterans had a very good rapport with each other. This was Arsenal's wealth.
About ten minutes later, Arsenal's bus arrived at Highbury Stadium. Amidst the cheers of the fans, Arsenal's bus slowly drove into the stadium's parking lot.
*****
Two minutes later, Inter Milan's bus arrived. Li Ang was the first to get off the bus. He stood by the door and watched his players come out one by one. He high-fived them. Inter Milan had been waiting for this game for too long.
At this time, a helicopter flew over Highbury Stadium and hovered in the air.
Looking down from the helicopter, countless fans gathered at the entrance of Highbury Stadium and were entering the stadium.
"Today's Highbury Stadium will be packed to the brim. This is the first time in Arsenal's history that they have advanced to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. The Arsenal Factory is looking forward to surpassing Inter Milan and advancing to the final!" A beautiful blonde broadcaster said in a live broadcast from a helicopter.
From time to time, the sound of static could be heard from the walkie-talkie on his shoulder. A policeman looked up at the helicopter flying over his head. He then drew a cross on his chest. "God bless Arsenal!"
There was a small disturbance at the entrance of the stadium. An Arsenal fan without a ticket tried to sneak into the stadium and was arrested by the police.
"Come on, Arsenal!" The fan shouted as he was led into the police car.
"Come on, Arsenal!" The policeman murmured as he glanced at his colleagues driving away in the police car.
"B15, is there a situation on your side?" The boss's question came through the walkie-talkie.
"B15 is normal! Over! " "There are a few Italian drunkards. I have to deal with them." The policeman scolded in a low voice.
In the square, several Inter Milan fans, who were obviously drunk, were confronting the Arsenal fans. The police ran over and called for backup through the walkie-talkie.
"Damn those Italians!" After a while, the Italian drunkards were forcibly brought into the police car. The policeman cursed in a low voice.
*****
In the away team's locker room at Highbury Stadium, the Inter Milan assistant manager, Banderas, was shouting. "Guys! Hurry up! Hurry up! "He was urging the players to seize the time to go out and warm up.
The players changed their clothes and hurried out.
"Pablo! Don't be so nervous. "Li Ang said to his assistant." Be careful not to infect the players! "He joked.
"This is the Champions League semi-final!" Banderas said. He could not hide the nervousness and excitement in his heart. Two years ago, he was the assistant manager of Real Madrid's under-17 A team. Now, he was the assistant manager of Inter Milan's first team. Now, he was on the stage of the Champions League semi-final.
"Yes, the Champions League semi-final." Li Ang also smiled. The manager of Real Madrid's under-17 A team, who had been kicked out by Real Madrid, was also very emotional when he heard his old partner say that. Of course, it was more because of his lofty ambitions.
Li Ang then stood on the sidelines and watched the players warm up. He did not speak. He did not wait for the players to finish warming up and returned to the away team's locker room first.
About three minutes later, the players finished warming up and returned to the locker room.
Li Ang looked at the players and his first sentence amused everyone. "Did the Arsenal people glare at you just now?"
The locker room was full of laughter. They understood why the manager said that. The manager's wild words before the game had caused a huge controversy. However, the Inter Milan players felt very energized and refreshed! The manager used such a declaration to express to everyone that he rejected Real Madrid's invitation and wanted to stay at Inter Milan to sprint for glory with the players. While stabilizing the morale of the players, the manager, Li Ang's confidence in the championship also made the whole team very excited.
*****
"The Arsenal people have been saying that they have made history …" Li Ang continued. "Yes, this is the first time they have reached the Champions League semi-final. This is indeed making history! What about us? "
"We want to regain our glory!" The Inter Milan Team captain, Zanetti, said.
Inter Milan once stood at the top of Europe during the great Inter Milan era. Three years ago, they had also reached the Champions League semi-final. Therefore, they were not making history now, but on the road to regain their glory!
"That's right!" Li Ang nodded. "The significance of the semi-final for us is that it is the only way for us to return to the stage of the final!"
"I'm very happy to see that everyone is in good spirits!" Li Ang had a smile on his face. "My request for this game is very simple …"
"Victory!" The players suddenly shouted together.
"That's right, victory." Li Ang laughed. "I don't want anything but victory. Arsenal is a difficult opponent. This is their home ground. I don't want to say more about this. I'm sure all of you are very clear about this. What I want to say is that no matter who the opponent is, no matter how strong they are, they can't stop us from moving forward. They can't stop us from embracing victory! " He paused for a moment and continued, "It may be difficult, but it may be easier than we think. But I ask everyone, from the first minute of the game, to have the belief that we will win. Don't be afraid, and don't be arrogant. When the whistle blows at the end of the game, then celebrate to your heart's content …"
"Only those who have the last laugh and persevere to the end are qualified to taste the most delicious fruit!"
After another pause, Li Ang looked at his players. He smiled, a confident smile, and said to everyone, "Go, tell those Arsenal people who have made history what it means to regain lost glory! Tell them that we have booked the final! Tell them that the new Serie A champion is different from the defending Serie A champion. "
There was a burst of howling and laughter in the stadium. Their manager did not forget to take a dig at their old league rival, Juventus.
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