"Eto 'o — Eto' o! Shoot! The ball's in, the ball's in! Unbelievable! They scored two goals in five minutes and equalized the score! It was like lightning … Nottingham Forest couldn't react at all! "
"The game's format has been reversed in an instant! Nottingham Forest's advantage is gone! Tony Twain's team defended for 50 minutes and didn't manage to hold on to their one-goal lead … They're too conservative! "
"If not for the Norwegian referee sending off a player, the game wouldn't have been like this. Nottingham Forest's performance before the equalization was convincing. They were so close to becoming the winner … What a pity. "
The commentators from various countries expressed their opinions on the goal. Those who were inclined towards Barcelona naturally applauded, while those who were inclined towards Nottingham Forest felt wronged for Twain.
In the VIP box on the upper level of the Stade de France, when Evan Doughty saw Eto 'o score the goal to overtake the score, he did not care that there were others around and slapped his thigh. Sitting beside him, Allan lightly shook his head. The great situation had slipped away from their eyes just like that …
Sophia, of course, knew what had happened on the field. She turned to look at George Wood sitting beside her.
Her son stared at the field, expressionless. No one knew what he was thinking.
※ ※ ※
"Nottingham Forest requests for a substitution. Number 9, Nicklas Bendtner, to replace Chimbonda, who has cramps … This is Manager Tony Twain's last substitution. It's still an adjustment to the forward line. This situation is really ironic. Everyone says that Forest Team is a symbol of conservatism and utilitarianism, but in this match, two of Manager Tang En's substitutions were to substitute offensive players for defensive players. If not for a player being sent off, I'm afraid Forest Team's performance would not be much worse than Barcelona's. "
Nicklas Bendtner strode onto the field. There were still nine minutes before the game entered injury stoppage time.
Could he really become the hero who saved the team at the last minute?
Who knew …
Barcelona, who had reversed the score, began to retreat to defend, while Nottingham Forest attacked. Twain's substitution told his men to stop defending at the last minute and attack.
Albertini gritted his teeth and persevered. He could no longer run, but he still rushed up for a long shot. The long shot was of high quality. It brushed against the crossbar and flew out, causing Valdés to break out in a cold sweat.
"Nicklas Bendtner! Header! "
This time, the Danish kid's close-range attack was too direct, but Valdés caught him.
Rijkaard could not sit still. He walked out of the technical area and stood on the sidelines with his arms crossed, staring nervously at the field.
Those two goals were not so much the result of his substitutions, but rather his good luck. Before the goal, although Barcelona had been pressing the Forest team on the field, the number of threatening shots was not as many as the Forest team. There were not many real opportunities at all.
Tang En could not sit still either. He stood on the sidelines, waving his hands and roaring for the team to press forward and press forward.
"Stop f * cking defending! Attack! "
Arteta dribbled the ball in the middle and forced a breakthrough. He fell to the ground after breaking into the penalty area. Loud cheers rang out from the stands.
"A penalty kick!" Tang En jumped up from below.
But the referee whistled and gave Arteta a yellow card, indicating that he had dived!
"You're a f * cking blind referee!" Twain could not care less about the punishment. He opened his mouth and scolded off the field. Seeing that the players were going to argue with the referee, he changed his words and shouted, "Stop arguing! It's a waste of time! "
With the last few minutes of the game about to end, Barcelona, which represented art and beautiful football, was pressed into their own penalty area by Nottingham Forest, which symbolized utilitarianism, and could not get out.
"This time, it's Eastwood … Pass … Still pass?! Too small. He's playing too small! "
"Pepe dribbled the ball forward. He bypassed Ronaldinho! Eto 'o chased him … Foul! Looks like the Cameroonian is going to get a yellow card. "
"This is Nottingham Forest's free kick in the front field … Paul Gerrard rushed up! That's crazy … "
"Gerrard did not manage to get the ball. The football is still at the feet of the Forest players. He did not run back to his own goal but continued to stay in the front field … The entire Forest team is going crazy!"
If not for the rules not allowing it, Tang En even wanted to rush up and shoot.
The Barcelona players saw that Paul Gerrard did not return to defend and wanted to snatch the ball to directly shoot from a distance. If they could score such a goal in the Champions League final, their names would surely go down in the history books.
Eto 'o relied on his aggressive tackling to snatch the ball from the feet of the Forest players. He looked up and saw that Paul Gerrard was desperately returning to defend, so he wanted to shoot.
At that moment, Albertini rushed out from the side and fiercely tackled him, sending him flying along with the ball!
"Albertini! A timely foul! "
"This foul should be a red card!"
Towards the end of the game, the commentators from two different countries were also clearly divided. The English commentator supported the Forest team, while the Catalan and Spanish commentators stood on Barcelona's side.
Perhaps it was because the game had reached the end, but the referee finally stopped killing and only showed Albertini a yellow card. This made the Barcelona players somewhat dissatisfied. They surrounded the referee to ask for an explanation, but in reality, they wanted to use this opportunity to delay the game.
Albertini stood up and gestured to the referee to look at his watch, reminding him of the tricks of the Barcelona players.
※ ※ ※
The final moments of the game were very chaotic. One side was thinking of ways to delay the game, while the other side was going all out to equalize the score. Both teams were hot-tempered, and conflict was almost certain. Almost every foul would lead to a confrontation between the players from both sides.
Tang En watched the situation go out of control from the sidelines, feeling helpless.
He could already predict the outcome.
History returned to the right path at the most crucial moment. No matter what method was used, it would still end the same way. It was just like how people never cared about the process, only what the outcome was. No matter how much the "bug" in the Forest team changed the process, as long as the outcome did not change, then people would think that history had not changed.
Tang En looked up at the sky. The strong lighting filled the entire stadium, and he could not see anything. The night sky was suffused with white. He just looked up until he heard three whistles from the field, followed by the cheers that rang out.
※ ※ ※
"The game is over! Barcelona is the new European champion! Congratulations to them! They've defeated Nottingham Forest … It was a tough battle! But no matter what, they're the victors now, the kings of Europe! "
"Congratulations to Barcelona! The current Barcelona team looks like an invincible and invincible fleet! "
"The European champion — Barcelona! They've proven that the predictions of those who were optimistic about them before the game were correct. Their strength is outstanding, and their victory is well-deserved! "
Cheers rang through the Paris night sky.
Tang En retracted his gaze and stood up from his seat. Beside him, the substitutes' bench and the manager's seat were silent. The people from Nottingham Forest seemed to still be unable to accept this defeat.
They had been in the limelight for a season, killing everything in their way. No matter how strong their opponents were, they had to bow their heads in submission. Now, they were finally defeated.
No, they were defeated?
At the very least, Tang En would not admit it.
"Don't be so silent. Follow me up to comfort the players," Tang En said to Kerslake, who was covering his face beside him.
※ ※ ※
The young Arteta was squatting on the ground, propping himself up with both hands to prevent himself from falling. There were obvious tear stains on his face. He had just been crying.
Before Tang En and Kerslake walked onto the field, Albertini was already doing what they had to do.
As the team's captain and a veteran who was used to seeing great storms, both victory and defeat occupied the same proportion in his career. He had long known how to face such a defeat.
Now, he was comforting his teammates on the field one by one. After comforting Arteta, he went to comfort Leighton Baines, Paul Gerrard, Nicklas Bendtner … After comforting them one by one, Tang En and Kerslake, who had walked up, seemed somewhat redundant.
Tang En wanted to say something, but when he looked at the players lying on the ground, he opened his mouth but still could not say anything.
He could only walk up, pat their shoulders one by one, and pat their heads.
It was useless to say anything more at this time. Words of comfort and encouragement could be saved for when they had calmed down.
After simply comforting everyone, Tang En turned and walked toward the tunnel where the reporters gathered.
"Mr. Tang En, please accept an interview!" There, he was stopped by countless reporters.
"There's nothing much to say. We beat Barcelona and lost to the referee. It's that simple." Tang En was a little impatient and wanted to leave, but he was stopped again.
"About the referee, forgive me for being blunt, Mr. Tang En. Van der Sad's foul should have been a red card. According to the rules … "
"That's right. According to the rules, it was indeed a red card." Tang En nodded. "But if all the calls are so rigid, why do we still need people to be the main referees? Why don't we find a fucking robot, or put hundreds of cameras outside the stadium and watch the slow-motion replay of the game to referee the game? I don't want to criticize this referee's standard, but it's a pity that this referee of the Champions League final has no idea what the art of refereeing is! "
"We were down a player in the first 18 minutes of the match. Under such circumstances, we still led Barcelona until the 76th minute. I'm proud and satisfied with my team's performance. Is Barcelona very strong? Perhaps, but that's only to others. To me, they are far inferior to my team. I don't think a team that could barely achieve victory at the last minute when they have so many world-class stars, is very strong. I present the Champions League to Nottingham Forest. No matter how you look at it, we are the champions. "
Facing countless microphones, recording pens, and cell phones … Tang En raised his arms high and said, "This is the third championship trophy in the history of Nottingham Forest Football Club. Thank you!"
With that, he no longer cared about the reporters' shouts and persuasion to stay, turning to leave the mixed zone.
※ ※ ※
In the box, Evan Doughty was shaking hands with Barcelona's chairman, Joan Laporta. The latter's smile was especially bright, shaking Evan's hand hard.
Evan Doughty could only force a smile, trying his best to be polite and graceful in front of his opponent. While he was dealing with the safety of his opponent, his eyes glanced at Sophia, who was standing alone at the door of the box. Her son, George Wood, had already left the box, which was full of hypocrisy and flattery.
※ ※ ※
Tang En saw Wood at the door of the changing room.
"Why aren't you accompanying your mother?"
"I want to come down and take a look."
"This match … What do you think?"
"My luck was a little off."
Tang En laughed through his nose. "Luck? Maybe … "He pointed behind him." They're still crying on the field. You go ahead. "
Wood nodded and walked past Tang En.
Tang En pushed open the changing room door and saw Edwin van der Sar sitting alone inside. Because he was sent off with a red card, he could not even go to the substitutes' bench. He could only sit in the changing room and watch the match through the television broadcast.
Seeing Tang En walk in, Edwin van der Sar stood up from his seat. "I'm sorry …"
Tang En waved his hand to interrupt his apology.
"There's nothing to apologize for. You did a good job. Without you, we might not even have made it to the finals. Go out and be with the team. Don't sit here alone. "
Edwin van der Sar walked out obediently, leaving Tang En alone in the changing room. He sat down and leaned against the wall. He unloaded the heavy burden on his body and let out a long sigh.
Even though he had vented his frustrations through the interview in the mixed zone, his feelings of disappointment had not been alleviated in the slightest.
In front of people, he needed to play a variety of roles and always wore a mask of one kind or another. Now that there was no one else in the changing room other than him, he could finally show a hint of dejection.
He rubbed his hair. The hairstyle he had combed before the match was messy like a bird's nest.
Logically speaking, as a manager who had only started out halfway and led a team to participate in the Champions League for the first time, it was already a great success to be able to make it to the finals. Anyone else would probably be more happy. Being second in the Premier League and the runner-up in the Champions League was a very good result for a team like Nottingham Forest.
But Tang En just could not accept it. He did not have much of a chance to win the Premier League title because Chelsea was too strong and the difference in points between the two sides was too great. He had pinned all his hopes on the Champions League. The Forest team had overcome all obstacles along the way to the finals. They were only one step away from success … No, only half a step away! Half a step … For a period of time, he felt that his hand had already grasped the handle of the Champions League. In just another ten minutes or so, he would be able to bring the big ear cup home …
If he was going to fail, then wouldn't it be better to let him be eliminated in the Champions League group stage? Why did he have to play him like this?
You motherf * cking God … God of a b * tch …
Tang En wanted to smash something, but he did not want the players to come back later and discover the abnormality in the changing room. So, he could only sit in the chair and sulk.
After some time, he heard the door to the changing room open.
David Kerslake appeared in front of him. "Tony? Tony? "
"Hmm?"
"It's time to go out and collect the award …"
"Collect the award? What award? "Tang En asked in a very displeased tone.
"Uh … Silver medal …" Kerslake was frightened by Tang En's tone.
"I'm not going!"
"Tony …"
"What's there to collect? The mark of shame of the losers? The silver medal for bullsh * t? There's only one champion. What's the point of giving out the silver medal? To sell it for money?! To go out and smile as a foil to the victors? To make their champions look even more glorious? To sell their smiles and their bodies like prostitutes?! I'm not going! Isn't Barcelona great? Let them play on their own! " Tang En roared at Kerslake in the empty changing room. His angry voice echoed in Kerslake's ears.
"Tony, this isn't good …" Kerslake was frightened. Other than persuading him mechanically, he did not know what else he could do.
"Why isn't it good? This is great! It's such a big stage. It's brilliant. It belongs to the champion team. How great is that! Why should a group of losers like us go and join in the fun? "
Tang En sat down and did not speak again. Only the sound of his heavy breathing could be heard in the changing room. Kerslake stood in front of him. He could not leave, nor could he persuade him …
Just then, the club chairman, Evan Doughty, walked in.
"What's the matter?"
Kerslake saw the chairman as if he had seen his savior. "Mr. Chairman … Tony, he's not going to collect the medal …"
Evan looked at Tang En, who was sitting in the chair and sulking. He then said to Kerslake, "You go out first. He'll be out soon."
Kerslake nodded and turned to leave.
After he closed the door to the changing room, Evan then said to Tang En, "Tony, this isn't good. You're making it hard for your assistant … "
"I know … I just wanted to vent a little, but he just had to bump into the muzzle." Tang En's tone was not as fierce as before. "I'm very sorry …"
"Come down and say this to David yourself. It's really not easy being your assistant. Other than helping you with your work, I also have to help you vent your anger … "
Tang En scratched his head.
"I can understand the anger in your heart, because I'm just as unhappy about this d * mn game as you are. But … don't give people something to attack you with. Don't make too many enemies. Tony … listen to me. Go out and collect the award. The players are all looking at you … "
That last sentence persuaded Tang En. Yes, no matter how unhappy he was about this game, how angry he was, he could vent his dissatisfaction in this changing room, but he could not let the players who fought for 90 minutes bear this anger. As a manager, it was really not right to lock himself in here to get angry and leave his own men behind.
He stood up from the chair. "Alright, I'll go out. But I'm not giving face to the UEFA, I'm … "
Evan patted him on the shoulder and interrupted him. "I know, you're doing this for your team. Go. "
※ ※ ※
The big shots of the UEFA finally waited for Tang En to come out of the tunnel. When Tang En came out, he immediately became the focus of the media's attention. It looked like when he was late, everyone had already fully understood his dissatisfaction with this game.
Barcelona's players and coaches were still celebrating their victory. They did not care about the feelings of a loser, nor did they care if Tang En was late.
Tang En glanced at those people without a trace of a smile on his face.
He had made up his mind not to give face to the UEFA.
One by one, the Forest players went up to receive the silver medals. They were listless and only responded politely to the consolation of the UEFA officials.
Tang En was the last to go up. As the youngest manager that the UEFA had previously focused on publicizing, he did not appreciate it at all. He went up with a straight face, shaking hands with the UEFA president, Johansson, who was in charge of handing out the cards, as if his father had died. Unlike the others, he did not lower his head and bend over to let the other party give him the card. Instead, he directly took it with his hand, clenched it, and turned to walk down.
He had no impression of what Johansson had said. It did not enter his ears at all.
Evan Doughty could only shake his head helplessly when he saw this scene from below. He knew very well what kind of person Tang En was. He was already giving face by coming out to accept the award.
But it was not over yet. Just as everyone was prepared to look forward to the champion going up to the stage, the cameras followed this temperamental manager.
As Tang En walked down, he saw the Barcelona people cheering with their arms raised high, as well as the four on-duty referees standing by the side of the stage ready to go up to receive the award. Then, he made a move that surprised everyone, which was faithfully recorded on the live television screen.
He turned to see a young ball boy standing by the side of the field, holding a digital camera, notebook, and marker pen. It looked like he was waiting there, ready to take a photo with his idols and ask for autographs. Tang En had seen many people like this, so it was not surprising. He walked straight over and hung the silver medal in his hand around his neck. Then, under the surprised gaze of the young ball boy, he turned and left without hesitation.
The television commentator simply did not know what to say when he saw this scene on the screen.
The UEFA officials had just given him the silver medal, and he casually gave it away. Wasn't this too disrespectful to the UEFA?
After Tang En disappeared into the tunnel, the broadcast immediately cut to the presenting officials. Sure enough, every one of them had an awkward smile on their faces.
Who would have thought that Tony Twain would do such a thing in front of so many people?
Evan Doughty covered his face.
Tony, you b * stard …
(To be continued. If you wish to know what happened next, please log on to WWW. CMFU. com. More chapters. Support the author. Support original reading!)
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