While everyone was still excitedly discussing last night's exciting game, the Nottingham Forest players were already doing their morning training at Stamford Bridge.
For this training session, Tang En did not let the team conduct any closed-door training. Reporters from all walks of life gathered at Stamford Bridge, hoping to see what the Forest team had been up to these days behind closed doors.
The results disappointed them. Tang En would not conduct any tactical drills in such a public setting. Other than simple shooting drills, it was letting the players run laps.
Of course, they would not completely lose hope. After the training, there was also a pre-match press conference attended by the two managers. At the press conference, Tang En and Mourinho would both answer the reporters' questions. At that time, they could ask whatever questions they had and let the two unruly and unapproachable managers answer them.
Unlike when they came to Chelsea to play in the league tournament, the Forest players' expressions were a little more solemn. They all knew what kind of game it was. It was an important game for their managers, for the team they played for, and for themselves.
George Wood was always the most serious person in training. Even if it was running laps, he would run at the very front, attracting everyone's attention. At first, some people thought he was deliberately showing off. Later, they realized he was like that no matter what the situation was, and they got used to it.
Seeing him run so energetically, no one suggested letting him rest. The game was in the evening, and everyone was very confident in Wood's stamina.
The reporters who were taking pictures on the sidelines quickly got tired of the boring laps training. They did not come here to watch a group of people run.
A few daring reporters came up, intending to interview Tang En on the spot. In fact, this was allowed. But because Tang En always gave people a feeling of being unapproachable, the reporters were not sure if Tang En would accept their interview this time.
When Tang En realized there were a few more people beside him, he shifted his gaze from the field to his side.
They were all reporters, including two old acquaintances — Pierce Brosnan and Tang Jing.
Tang En looked at these people very unfriendly, then turned his face back.
"Isn't it 15 minutes of open time?" he muttered.
"There are still five minutes left." Beside him, Dunn knew what he meant and replied with a laugh.
"Hmm …" Tang En rubbed his chin. "Let those kids run for another five minutes."
When the fitness coach led the team past the coaching staff and was about to hand the team over to Tang En, he saw Dunn make a gesture for him to continue. He was a little surprised, but he still did as he was told.
Someone in the team let out a sigh. They had become the victims of the confrontation between the boss and the media. Only George Wood's expression remained the same as he led the way with his head held high.
"What did this kid eat when he was growing up …" Ribry looked at Wood's back and frowned. "Monster!"
Within these five minutes, there were finally reporters who asked Tang En questions. They were all about the semi-finals that night. For example, how did the Forest team plan to deal with Chelsea? Would the Forest team still insist on defensive counterattack? Who was on the Forest team's starting list?
Towards this, Twain was completely perfunctory.
"Tonight's match? You'll find out at night. Is there a need to ask now? "
This answer really made the reporters feel helpless.
"Mr. Twain, you'll know when the match starts. But our readers also need some news to keep them looking forward to tonight's match. "A BBC reporter came out to take the lead.
As he said this, the other reporters nodded in agreement.
Tang En was unwilling to fall out with the media. After all, he still had many uses for them in the future. He glanced at the training ground. The players were still running laps. It was an unplanned physical training …
"Ah, I see. Actually, there's nothing to talk about. We and Chelsea are 'old rivals.' I know Mr. Mourinho as well as I know my wife. Of course, that is if I have a wife. "His words amused the reporters present. "Similarly, I believe Mr. Mourinho knows me as well as he knows his wife. It can be said that this is a match with no secrets to speak of. The competition between the two sides is real strength, and not some other messy stuff. Do you understand what I'm saying? "
The reporters nodded.
"So, you see, our training is no different from usual. Speaking of which, I actually hope to switch with Mr. Ferguson. We played Arsenal in last season's semi-finals, and we're playing Chelsea this season. We're always going around in circles within the country. It really doesn't feel like we're playing in the Champions League. I even want to take this opportunity to travel abroad. "
There was another burst of laughter. The atmosphere looked good.
Just as the reporters felt that there was a show today and that they could get more information, Tang En raised his arm and pointed to the watch on his wrist. "I'm sorry, but the open interview time is over, my friends."
At that moment, everyone seemed to wake up from a dream. Tang En had been rambling on and on for a long time just to run out of time.
When the annoying reporters were reluctantly escorted out of the stadium by the security guards, Tang En let the team stop running laps for training. He then let them sit together to rest, while he stood in the middle to speak to everyone.
"Five minutes shouldn't be enough to squeeze you dry, right?" Tang En pointed to Ribéry, who was panting heavily. "You'll be a substitute if you keep pretending, Franck."
Ribéry's breathing immediately smoothed out, and the people next to him laughed.
The starting list had been announced, and Ribéry, who was in good form, was impressively on it.
"I don't need to say more. You all know what the game tonight is. If anyone still thinks it's just a normal league game, you can raise your hand now. We still have time to wake you up. Answer me loudly. What the f * ck is tonight's game? "
"The Champions League!"
Everyone roared in unison.
"Very good! This is the knockout round. We've worked hard for a season. Once we lose, it'll f * cking be for nothing! When the time comes, no one will sympathize with us. I believe you've fully understood the cruelty of this world. Flowers, applause, and glory only belong to the victors. The losers have nothing! I'm not in this line of work to be a foil for others. You're not playing football to be a stepping stone for the victors! Nottingham Forest's football is about winning. Football that can't be won is good for nothing! Good for nothing! "Tang En stomped hard on the turf under his feet, as if he could make Stamford Bridge sink. "We've never lost to Chelsea. The one who's feeling afraid is Chelsea, not us. Let's show them our football tonight! "
After the morale-boosting speech, Tang En let Dunn stand up to explain the specific tactics to the players. Dunn, who was more professional, was clearly more suitable for this kind of work than himself.
Dunn stood up and took the tactical board. He explained the tactics for the game to each player around him, as well as their respective tasks. Even the substitutes were included. This kind of meticulous work was suitable for people like Dunn.
In fact, explaining the tactics was a strenuous and unrewarding task. Before Dunn, it was Kerslake who did it. After Dunn arrived, he could not wait to throw the job to the newcomer, Dunn.
Because the players all had their own ideas and hoped to have such a performance on the field, it was impossible for the tactics to take care of everyone's preferences. Therefore, there would inevitably be people who were dissatisfied with the tactical arrangements. And this dissatisfaction was basically vented on the manager who came to lay out the tactics for them. If Tang En needed Anelka to defend and Dunn went to look for Anelka, the French striker would certainly give Dunn a hard time.
If it were a hot-tempered manager, the chances of both sides quarreling would be high. Dunn's character was slightly soft. He was the most suitable person to do this kind of work. He only treated it as a job. No matter how the players treated him, those looks were not in his eyes or heart.
Of course, the manager could also do this work himself. But Tang En's idea was: Since I've found the assistant managers, I'm not doing it for a salary. I'll let them do whatever they can. Capable people do more work.
Dunn spent half an hour telling all the specific tactics and details to all the players. After that, the team continued to train. This time, without the presence of the media, Tang En carried out a tactical drill. He ran through all the tactics that had just been laid out to see how well everyone had grasped them.
After the training ended, the players were led by the assistant managers to the locker room to shower and change. Tang En went directly to the press conference venue. There, there were reporters and opponents waiting for him.
※ ※ ※
The two rivals met at the entrance of the press conference. It looked like it was a chance encounter.
"You're not afraid of closed-door training, are you, Mr. Tang En?" Mourinho was the first to raise an issue. "Do we still have any secrets between us?"
Hearing that, Tang En laughed through his nose. "A team that has never lost to Chelsea would be afraid of Chelsea. Thank you for your joke, Mr. Mourinho. Even though it's a little cold. "
Not having defeated Tang En was Mourinho's sore spot. Tang En hoped to use this to anger his opponent. However, it was clear that Mourinho was also an expert in psychological warfare. He was unmoved and only shrugged. "Whether it's a joke or not, we'll know during the game."
"You're right. Since we'll know during the game, what's the point of talking nonsense here? Let's just go out for a drink. "Tang En pointed to the exit and turned to leave.
"I don't think the reporters inside will agree." Mourinho pointed to the door of the press conference.
"Hmm, what you said makes sense." Tang En made a 360-degree turn and then turned back. He made a gesture. "Please, Mr. Mourinho."
Mourinho did not stand on ceremony. He pushed the door open and walked in. Tang En followed closely behind.
Because of the arrival of the two main characters, the press conference venue quickly quietened down. After the two of them were seated, everyone raised their hands impatiently.
Tang En and Mourinho looked at each other at the same time with great tacit understanding. Such an enthusiastic media made them a little troubled.
At such a sensitive press conference before a match, Tang En had always adhered to one principle: Tai chi. If he could push it away, he would push it away. If he could avoid it, he would avoid it. If he could, he would beat around the bush. If he could, he would beat around the bush. Anyway, there was only so much time. It would be fine once it was over.
He sat down and leisurely watched the host "call the shots."
Overall, the questions were very fairly distributed to the two managers. No one would feel that they had been left out, and no one would feel annoyed by answering too many questions.
Most of the questions that Tang En and Mourinho needed to answer were "Will a certain star player appear in the starting list tonight?" "How's a certain player's recent condition?" "I heard that a certain player is injured. Will it affect tonight's match?" These were very normal questions.
Tang En was not surprised because he knew that the real core part had yet to come. According to convention, the media would always ask about the news that was needed for the regular pages first to ensure that there would not be a large empty page in tomorrow's newspaper that looked too unsightly. Only at the end would they ask some very sharp and unkind questions to put the managers in a difficult position.
He was somewhat absent-minded as he dealt with the "regular questions" thrown at him. At the same time, he was calculating in his mind how long it would be before he "got off work." It was not until Tang Jing was finally called after raising her hand for a long time that she stood up.
"Hello, I'm Tang Jing, a reporter from China's Titan Sports. I have three questions. " Tang Jing stood up and said in English, "First, Nottingham Forest has not lost to Chelsea since Manager Tang En took charge. This is the third time that both sides have faced each other this season. Does Manager Tang En have the confidence to continue this unbeaten record? Second, if I remember correctly, before this season, Manager Tang En had already said that Forest Team's goal for this season was to be the Champions League champion. I would very much like to ask Manager Tang En where your confidence came from at that time. Third, the outside world has been saying that you and Mr. Mourinho are at odds. Do you intend to admit this? "
Immediately, everyone's eyes turned to this female reporter from China.
He really did not expect Tang Jing to ask these three questions. Tang En looked at her in surprise, while Mourinho, who was beside him, turned his gaze to Tang En.
"Please answer, Mr. Tang En." Seeing that Tang En did not speak, Tang Jing reminded him with a smile.
"Tsk. First, I don't think losing to Chelsea is a good thing. If we can maintain an unbeaten record against this team, of course, it's a good thing. I think this question of yours is nonsense. No manager would answer such a question by saying 'I think we might lose.' Secondly, I'll tell you that my confidence is a dream. Do you believe me, Miss China Reporter? One day, when I woke up, I felt someone whispering in my ear, 'You'll definitely win the Champions League this season.' Do you believe me? "
Some reporters could not help but laugh.
Tang Jing turned around and glared fiercely in the direction of the laughter.
"You asked me where my confidence came from, and I told you it came from my team. Are you satisfied with this answer? We should have become the Champions League champion last season. My players have that ability. I'm their manager, and I know this very well. I know it better than anyone here. "
"As for the third question …" Tang En turned his head to look at Mourinho and found that Mourinho was also looking at him, so he immediately turned his head back.
"My personal relationship with Mr. Mourinho has nothing to do with this match. I refuse to answer," he said, looking at Tang Jing and enunciating each word.
"How is it unrelated? If this match was changed to another opponent, how confident would you be in winning? What are your chances of winning? "Tang Jing was not resigned to it and continued to ask.
"You've used up your three slots for questions, Miss Tang," Tang En said with a cold face, not intending to continue tangling with Tang Jing.
It was Mourinho who came out to smooth things over between the two of them. "I think this lady … is mistaken about the crux of the problem. The crux is not who our opponent is, but what kind of match it is. For Chelsea, no matter who the opponent is, as long as this is a crucial match, they will never allow defeat. "
Tang En sat at the side and did not speak, but he tacitly agreed with Mourinho's statement in his heart. It was rare for him to find common ground with Mourinho.
Tang Jing glanced at the silent Tang En next to her and accepted Mourinho's answer. She sat down and no longer raised her hand to ask questions.
She had intended to ask Mourinho the third question, but there was no need for it now.
The presenter keenly sensed that the atmosphere of the press conference had moved towards an abnormal point, so he wisely stopped the press conference.
After coming down, Tang En specifically walked in front of Mourinho. "I can't believe we have something in common. I also agree with your answer to that woman. How about it? Seeing that we actually have something in common, do you want to go for a drink together? "
Of course, he was not sincerely inviting Mourinho to go for a drink. He was just putting on a show to appear very gentlemanly. At the same time, it was a bit of psychological warfare before the crucial match.
Mourinho also knew what Tang En was thinking. If he answered "okay," it would certainly embarrass Tang En. But he would not do such a thing. It was not that he did not want to embarrass Tang En, but that he did not want to drink with Tang En at all. Just like no one would like to date someone they hated.
"Although I really want you to pay for the drinks, I think if we can sit down and drink together one day … Mr. Tang, when do you think that will be?" Mourinho said.
"When?" Tang En asked.
"After you and I both retire." Leaving this sentence behind, Mourinho swaggered off.
※ ※ ※
"After days of waiting … the match is finally about to begin!" Kerslake excitedly muttered to himself in the bus.
On his side, through a window, was the Stamford Bridge stadium that had fallen into a frenzy.
The blue of the Chelsea fans and the red of the Nottingham Forest fans came from all directions and then gathered in this stadium. They surged, then dispersed, then accumulated their strength and rushed towards the opponent again, rippling with passion all over the sky …
This was the charm of the world's number one sport. No matter what the identity of these fans was in daily life — a company executive in a suit and leather shoes, a vulgar commoner, a refined professor in a university of higher learning, or a quiet teenager — after stepping into this stadium, they all became the same kind of creature dominated by the most primitive emotions — the fans.
For them, there was no reason to speak of. Only by defeating the opponent could they calm down.
Alcohol was the best catalyst for this kind of emotion. Countless people raised their glasses high and shouted their slogans in support of the team, desperate to make the opponent retreat.
"Chelsea! Chelsea! We're the champions! We're destined to be the European champions! "
"Talk after you pass us, dogsh * t!"
"The Double belongs to the blue Chelsea! To hell with the red! "
"We're the strongest team! Nottingham — Forest, Forest! "
"Used to be, country bumpkins from Nottingham!"
"You're not even used to be, poor London nouveau riche!"
"We're just f * cking rich! Richer than you bunch of paupers! "
…
Such verbal provocations and battles took place in every corner of the stadium. The police acted as if they were facing a formidable enemy, desperately trying to maintain order at the scene.
"I like this kind of noise." Getting out of the car, Tang En looked at the messy square around him and nodded in admiration. "Clear and audible swearing, the smell of sweat, saliva, and alcohol … It's great!" He raised his fist to the waiting Nottingham Forest fans. This action caused a burst of cheers from the Forest fans' camp. These people liked to see Tang En strut around on the opponent's territory. Needless to say, how exciting that would be!
Of course, receiving praise from his own people would naturally incur the jealousy of the opponent. On the other side, there was a lot of cursing and booing directed at Tang En from the Chelsea fans' camp.
Nottingham Forest was a very special team among the 20 teams in the Premier League. When other teams fought on the territory of their nemesis, the players would always be the first to bear the brunt of the cursing and booing from the opposing fans. Only this team had nothing to do with the players. The one who was cursed the most and most fiercely was definitely their manager, Tony Twain.
There were even fans of some teams who came up with many cursing songs directed at Tang En.
Hearing the cursing and booing from the Chelsea fans, the Nottingham Forest fans immediately took action. They roared at Tang En. Although it looked like they were speaking to Tang En, their voices were so loud that everyone in the stadium could hear them clearly.
"Hey, Tony! Go and bring us another f * cking victory! "
"You're not afraid of that guy Mourinho, are you?!"
"Tony, if you can take down Chelsea, I'll treat you to a drink when we get back! You can drink as much as you want! "
Tang En led the players to walk in between the fans of both sides. The Nottingham Forest fans constantly tried to break through the police's obstruction and come up to pat Tang En on the shoulder, pinning their hopes on this man.
On the other side, there was a dense forest of middle fingers and mouths ready to scream "F * ck."
It was truly a clash of ice and fire.
Tang En walked in between the flames and the ocean with a smile on his face, all the way to the visiting team's locker room.
Although he looked calm on the outside, in reality, his heart had already exploded like a volcano erupting, waiting for the right moment to burst forth with fiery red hot magma and boil the ice-cold seawater into steam.
"Boss is so handsome …" Gareth Bale could not help but sigh as he looked at Tang En's back from the back of the team.
※ ※ ※
Changing, warming up, returning.
The pre-match preparations were all done. Tang En now stood in front of the 11 fully geared up players. Behind him were the substitutes, coaches, and team doctors.
"Coach Tang has already laid out the specific tactics for you in detail. How we're going to play was also decided during the training session a week ago. We're in good shape. There's no problem with our stamina, and there aren't any major injuries. We've prepared for so long, and all the preparatory work is done. "Tang En clapped his hands." What's left? A ninety-minute game, and … a victory. "
Then he motioned for everyone — the starting eleven players in front of him and the substitutes and coaches behind them — to form a circle with him as the center, with their arms around each other's shoulders and their heads bowed. Standing in the middle, he looked at these people and said to them, "Remember, it doesn't matter how Chelsea leads us in the league tournament. It doesn't matter if they have any hope of winning the league title now. It doesn't matter how strong they are. They're definitely not our final opponents. This is the semifinals, guys. Our goal is not a small Stamford Bridge. Athens is where we should go. Don't stop until you set foot in the Olympic Stadium of Athens! Don't stop until you pick up the UEFA Champions League trophy! Don't stop until I say 'OK!' Any opponent who dares to stand in our way, whether it's Barcelona, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, or Chelsea … Kill them all! "He waved his hand violently, as if he was chopping down a sharp blade in his hand.
"Kill them!"
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
