The Spanish tour guide, Martin, who was fluent in the Chinese language, brought a group of curious Chinese tourists to a tavern near the Bernabéu.
As soon as they entered the door, they looked up and saw a huge Real Madrid team logo on the wall directly opposite.
There was no loud music, and no hot girls. Unlike what Martin said, there was only a big screen TV and a lot of fans looking up at the TV.
"This is my uncle's tavern. All of you who come here are … 50% off!" Martin did not consult his uncle and made the decision on his own. If his uncle did not want to, then he would pay for the difference out of his own pocket. In order to watch a Real Madrid game with peace of mind, he had paid a lot.
After settling the group of Chinese tourists, Martin squeezed into the crowd, asked for a glass of beer, and looked up at the TV with the others.
On the TV, the stands were already full of people before the players from both sides came out. Those who could watch the game live made those who could only sit in front of the TV very envious. Martin looked at the TV screen and kept smacking his lips.
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The Bernabéu stadium, which could accommodate 80,000 people, was full. You could not even find an empty seat. Although the game had not yet started, the fans here were already very enthusiastic. They sang loudly, shouted, and applauded. The crowd was very noisy. The towering floodlights illuminated the field. The staff were busy laying the UEFA logo flag on the center circle. The reporters waited on both sides of the tunnel exit waiting for the players from both sides to come out. In front of them was a glittering silver trophy. It was the highest honor in European club competitions — the UEFA Champions League.
This was not a replica from the club's Hall of Fame. This was a genuine Big Ear Mug.
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The players had finished warming up and returned to their respective dugouts. The managers of both sides were making final preparations for the most important game of the season.
It was not the time to go through the tactics again. They did not have that much time. At this time, some managers liked to keep silent and leave the time to the players; some managers liked to talk endlessly and preach their own set of tactics. These short few minutes often determined the direction of the first forty-five minutes. And the first forty-five minutes. Therefore, in such a game, the players of any team would inevitably feel nervous.
Even teams like Real Madrid and Nottingham Forest were no exception.
Raúl González entered the locker room for the first time. Since his retirement, he had never entered the locker room before a game. But he did it today, which meant that today's match was really special.
Michelle stood aside. It was time for Raúl to speak. The former captain still had a huge influence in the locker room.
Raul did not make a long speech. "This is the last match that I've always dreamed of. It's a pity that I can't fight alongside you on the field." He looked at his former teammates and said affectionately. "But I'm very happy that my teammates can finally stand here. Looking at you, I suddenly want to be ten years younger … To be able to lift the tenth Champions League for the club has always been my dream. Now, I have to entrust this dream to all of you. "
He said goodbye to Michelle and walked out of the locker room.
Real Madrid's locker room then fell into silence. As Raul's teammates, they couldn't forget Raul's unwillingness to retire a season ago. That year, Real Madrid lost the league title and stopped at the semi-finals of the Champions League. That was the pain before Real Madrid's re-emergence, the darkness before the dawn. Unfortunately, Raul was caught up with it.
He had the chance to renew his contract for another year, but he chose to give up at the last minute. At the age of thirty-six, he would be thirty-seven if he played another year. He really didn't know what else he could do on the field. Sit on the bench and be the club's pet doll for people to admire? He was not the kind of person who was willing to sit on the bench. He had the heart of a champion. A person with such a heart would never be willing to accept this reality.
So it was better to retire.
Now he might have some regrets … Even if he was on the bench, as long as he could wait for such a game, he might be willing to sit on the bench for a season.
But these were just people's guesses. No one knew what Raul was thinking now.
He turned out of the locker room and walked slowly to the VIP box in the stands alone. He sat with his family and prepared to enjoy the game.
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Unlike the serious atmosphere in Real Madrid's locker room, the atmosphere in Nottingham Forest's locker room was a little more casual. The players were either sitting or standing, looking at their boss who was standing against the wall. They were like a group of soldiers waiting to go to the battlefield, looking forward to their commander standing up and loudly reprimanding them, telling them that there was nothing to be afraid of and that everything would be fine as long as he was there. After this battle, we'll go home.
Tang En stood against the wall and looked at the group of players in front of him. There was a different kind of emotion welling up from the bottom of his heart. It was as if he was not leading a team, but an army. There were veterans who had fought with him for years. Their faces were unshaven and they had not been home for many years. They had cigarettes in their mouths and had cynical expressions. They had long disregarded life and death. There were also baby-faced recruits who were so nervous that they could not even hold their guns. Their lips kept trembling, as if they were muttering to themselves and praying to God. They were facing the most important battle in the war. If they won the war, there would be a fundamental reversal. His main force would head straight for Berlin, and the armored forces would crush all obstacles on the way like ants. But if they lost, they would be completely wiped out, and no one would come back.
For a moment, he was in a trance. He opened his mouth and wanted to say, "Survive. After the battle, I'll take you home."
Tang En hurriedly shook his head and dispelled the illusion in his mind.
Everything in front of him became clear again. The players were still players. They were not World War II Allied soldiers with steel helmets askew, dirty military uniforms with open collars and missing a few buttons, unshaven beards and cigarettes in their mouths. This was the bright, clean and modern locker room of the Bernabéu stadium, not the trenches where dirty water flowed and rats ran all over the ground.
However, the feeling on the battlefield did not dissipate. Instead, it became more and more intense.
Tang En scratched his head. "I really don't know what I should say, really. I just had a dream. It was very short and ended, but it still left a deep impression on me. "
His words aroused great interest among the players. They did not see the boss sleeping just now. Why did he say he had a dream? Was it still a dream to fall asleep standing up?
"I found out that we were all on the battlefield. Planes roared past overhead." Tang En made a hand gesture. "Behind us was the sound of the engines of the armored troops. There were explosions everywhere. It was very noisy. I was surrounded by all of you. The enemy had occupied a high ground. We were going to launch our final charge. If we take that place, the main force behind us can smoothly advance. If we can't, we'll all die there! "
"A seemingly absurd dream." Tang En waved his hand and dispelled the foggy dream. "But that feeling is still there. It tells me it's not a dream. In a few minutes, the most important game of our professional careers will begin. Today is a matter of life and death for us. I'm not exaggerating. Not at all. We either live to pick up the trophy, or … die and be forgotten. "He shrugged." It's that simple. There is no third path for us to take. Live or die. It's champion or failure here. Think about how we got here before. I've forgotten about those two champions! They are of no help to today's game. "
Tang En pointed to the luxuriously renovated locker room. "This is the Bernabéu's locker room. It's much more beautiful than the one in the City Ground stadium. But don't be fooled by its bright appearance. We're in hell now. Guys, please believe me. We can get our asses kicked by others here. Or we can give it our all and walk towards glory. "
Tang En retracted his wandering gaze and stared at the players in front of him. He stared into their eyes.
"We can walk out of this hell with our heads held high. But I can't do it for you now. In fact, I'm too old … "He touched the gray hair at his temples. "Sometimes when I forget to dye my hair, I get a shock when I wake up and see myself in the mirror in the morning."
Actually, 45 years old was not considered old. But Tang En had a heart attack once, which greatly depleted his life energy. After that serious illness, he looked older than his actual age …
"And when you gradually grow old like me, everything will leave you, even the championship trophy. Actually, this is a part of life. But only when you lose it will you realize how precious it is. Because it's a memory in your life that can never be replaced! No matter how many years have passed, you can proudly say in front of others, 'I experienced that kind of game and obtained the final victory!' "Tang En puffed out his chest and raised his head, his expression proud.
"That's how life is, and so is football. What I'm saying is, whether it's in life or football, don't give up on any glorious moments, even if such moments require an extremely high price to pay. This is a war, guys. Every minute, every ball, you need to fight for it! Yes, I don't deny that we don't have a dazzling star lineup like Real Madrid. Compared to them, we're like country bumpkins from the countryside. But football is a sport of eleven people! It's a sport of teamwork! Compared to them, the advantage we have is that we're a whole, a team! I believe that everyone in this team will fight to the death for the sake of the team's victory! To fight for every ball! "
Tang En began to wave his arms and his tone became heavier.
And the players followed his tone, the flames in their eyes began to burn.
"I know that the winner of any battle belongs to those who fight together and are not afraid of sacrifice. It's the same in a football game. When you're a whole, when your hearts are filled with the belief that you must win, there will be no one in this world who can stop you. I also know that we're a hundred times stronger than that shining third wheel, because we're a whole! I also know that teamwork is the dividing line between winners and losers! It's the dividing line between life and death!! "Tang En roared loudly, and his players followed him and made similar sounds.
"Let me tell you, in any battle, the person who always cares about teamwork will win the final victory!" He suddenly snapped the marker pen in his hand. The sound of the snap rang in everyone's heart.
"If you're in a state of disunity, just like this pen! When you're in a difficult situation, when you're facing the most powerful enemy, when you're in the worst situation, you can always rely on the teammates around you! Now, look at the teammates around you. Look at them, look into their eyes! They'll be the most trustworthy people in these 90 minutes! You're comrades-in-arms in the trenches, partners who go through life and death together! When you're running, you know they can pass the ball to your feet. When you lose the ball, you know they'll snatch it back for you. When you face the opponent's offense, you know you're not alone, because you still have them behind you! If you give up, you'll put them in a very dangerous situation. You're willing to risk your life to protect and help your teammates, not because I'm asking you to, but because you know that when you're in danger, they! Your teammates! They'll do the same!! " His voice was short and powerful, like hitting metal, making a sonorous sound. Accompanied by his hand gestures, it was inspiring.
"This is … teamwork, gentlemen."
Tang En spread his hands and looked at everyone. His tone was slightly gentler. The continuous agitated speech made his face red and his breathing rough. However, it looked like his nuclear-powered heart was still very strong. At this moment, his life was not in danger.
Following his agitated words, the players turned their heads to look at their teammates around them. From their eyes, they read the same message: hey, buddy, we're teammates.
"Now, you have a chance to leave behind the most precious treasure in your lives. You have a chance to fight for the same goal with the best players in the history of professional football! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you miss it, you'll never get it back! Play it as if it's the last game of your life! "Tang En pointed to the locker room door." No matter how strong the enemy is, they're no match for you. Because they're just a pile of loose sand, and you're the best team in the history of professional football! "
"We're the strongest!!" One of the players could no longer suppress the excitement in his heart and roared out.
"I love football so much, I love this sport so much. Because you guys can always bring me back to my younger days. Seeing you guys running and fighting in the game, I think about how meaningful my life is because I can still enjoy such passion! This is all the motivation for my work! I hope tonight, you guys can still bring me back to my youth … Don't worry about my heart. " Tang En held the left side of his chest and shook his head. "It's still beating strongly, as strong as yours. It yearns for victory, it yearns for the championship. This has never changed! Please remember, guys, this is the nuclear-powered heart of a champion! And you guys are the source of all the motivation for this heart!! "Tang En pointed to his heart, and then to the players in front of him.
"What are they saying outside … The current Nottingham Forest is not qualified to win the championship, not qualified to achieve the Treble! Because we don't have a big star, we look weak. Now I'm happy that we have a chance to laugh at their ignorance and stupidity. " Tang En laughed. "We're born to go against people. If we're not qualified to win the championship, then who else in this world is!" Tang En widened his eyes and looked around. "Who else is qualified?! Who else is more qualified than us!? "
After taking a short break, he continued, "Now, let's win our championship and let them talk. I'm done talking. What should you guys do? "
One by one, the seated players stood up from their seats. They raised their arms and shouted, "Win the championship! Championship! Championship! "
"Treble! Treble! We're going to win the Treble!! "
The loud roar echoed in the locker room. It was constantly magnified by the narrow space and stirred in everyone's hearts. Tang En looked at the excited players with a serious expression.
Even George Wood, who had always been cold, turned his head to look at his teammates who were so excited that they could not control themselves. He pursed his lips tightly, and there was a raging fire burning in his eyes. In fact, deep in his heart, the fire was burning even more fiercely.
In the beginning, the purpose of playing football was to earn money to treat his mother's illness. Now, he enjoyed the passion of constantly pursuing victory.
Just like what Tang En said, he loved football precisely because he loved this passion. It was simply like a drug in his life that he could not get rid of …
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Florentino Pérez shook hands with Evan Doughty on the podium of the Bernabéu. In his own stadium, although he behaved politely, he could not hide the sense of superiority and arrogance that came from his heart. After all, he was the best president of Real Madrid in the past 20 years. Calderón, Boruda and Sanz were like clowns under his brilliance.
Real Madrid and Nottingham Forest were indeed not on the same level. In this dazzling white palace made of marble, he was like a proud king, sitting on his own throne, quietly waiting for the other party to come.
Evan Doughty, on the other hand, was like a foreign envoy who came on a pilgrimage. He was humble and polite, but inferior.
Evan did not like this feeling. Where he was, almost everyone's wish was to see Real Madrid win. It would be best if Nottingham Forest could be an outstanding opponent and then become the foil for Real Madrid's Treble. It was like a red flower needed green leaves to grow.
This feeling made Evan Doughty feel very lonely. Even Allan Adams, who was sitting beside him, could not bring him any sense of security. The two of them were like sheep trapped in a pack of wolves, waiting to be slaughtered.
It was not until he saw Tony Twain coming out of the tunnel and walking to the away team's technical area that his discomfort gradually disappeared.
We're not here on a pilgrimage to the greatest club in the 20th century. We're not interested in visiting the five-star toilets here. Tony, remember this. Don't forget it. In 90 minutes, don't let me shake hands with Florentino like this again!
Pull him down from that damned throne!!
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