Chapter 183 Chapter 183 He mentally tagged Pirlo
Over the next month, Real Madrid played a total of eight matches, including four league games, two legs of the Copa del Rey fourth round match against Murcia, and two Champions League away games.
In the league, Real Madrid defeated Hercules, Atletico Madrid, Sporting Gijón, and Athletic Bilbao, gaining 12 points and continuing to lead the La Liga standings with a total of 32 points.
Mourinho's Copa del Rey opponent, Murcia, was a third-division team with a significant gap in strength. He made extensive rotations during the match, and the team ultimately won one home game and drew one away game, successfully advancing to the fifth round.
In their two Champions League group stage matches, Real Madrid drew 2-2 with AC Milan and thrashed Ajax 4-0, earning four points in the group.
After five rounds of Champions League group stage matches, the qualification situation in Group G has been finalized.
Real Madrid topped their group with 13 points from four wins and one draw, while AC Milan finished second with 8 points from two wins and two draws. Ajax had 4 points from one win and one draw, and Auxerre had 3 points from one win and four losses. Which team will qualify for the UEFA Cup as the third-placed team will depend on the results of the final group stage match.
Real Madrid, competing on three fronts, seemed to be in a very good position on all three fronts. However, after the match against Ajax, the "card shuffling scandal" began to ferment under the impetus of the media and some people with ulterior motives.
The incident stemmed from Alonso and Ramos being sent off with red cards during the match against Ajax.
In this match, both players took turns receiving their first yellow cards, and then, near the end of the match, they both received their second yellow cards for stalling the game, resulting in a red card and their expulsion from the field.
The unusual behavior of the two players is widely believed to have been orchestrated by Mourinho in order to reshuffle the deck.
Here we need to explain the rules regarding yellow cards and card shuffling in the Champions League.
If a player accumulates three yellow cards in multiple matches, he/she will be suspended for one match in the next game; if a player accumulates two yellow cards in the same match, he/she will be sent off and suspended for one match in the next game.
Regardless of the form of suspension, all yellow cards are reset to zero after the suspension.
To avoid being suspended for crucial matches due to accumulated yellow cards, players will try to clear their yellow cards in advance. The method is to deliberately accumulate enough yellow cards before an unimportant match, and then complete the suspension in the next unimportant match, so as not to miss the crucial match later.
This is an unspoken method that many teams do, and Mourinho, who is always well-versed in the rules of the game, would naturally take advantage of it.
As key players for the team, Alonso and Ramos both received yellow cards in the previous group stage. With Real Madrid already top of the group and qualified for the knockout stage, Mourinho arranged for them to be suspended for the next home game against Auxerre, so that they could enter the knockout stage cleanly.
The media even found evidence that Mourinho had instructed them to do so.
At the end of the first half, Mourinho whispered something to Alonso. In the 20th minute of the second half, Mourinho covered his mouth and said something to substitute goalkeeper Dudek on the bench. Then Dudek pretended to give Casillas water and whispered something to Casillas in front of the goal. After a while, Casillas found an opportunity to pull Ramos aside and give him some instructions.
The first yellow cards Alonso and Ramos received were quite inexplicable. With the score already 4-0 and the game about to end, the two deliberately delayed the game and received their second yellow cards, resulting in a red card and their expulsion from the field.
Before leaving the field, Ramos even shook hands with the referee in a friendly manner, while Mourinho, off the field, was also caught on camera smiling as if his plan had succeeded after Alonso and Ramos were sent off with red cards.
Real Madrid naturally denied the media speculation.
Casillas stated that Mourinho did not issue the order to shuffle the cards through Dudek. Dudek only came to bring him water and inquire about his stomach ailment. His conversation with Ramos was merely a routine reminder to Ramos to pay attention to defense.
Mourinho, true to his usual style of arguing and quibbling, shifted the blame directly to the referee, claiming that the referee had given Real Madrid cards arbitrarily.
Ultimately, this incident involved exploiting a loophole in the rules, a common occurrence in football. As long as Real Madrid doesn't admit it, no one can do anything about it.
However, the public outcry this incident generated far exceeded everyone's expectations, even prompting UEFA to formally intervene in the investigation.
Mourinho is saying there must be a conspiracy involved, because Real Madrid's next match is El Clásico against Barcelona.
Fino didn't pay much attention to the "card-washing scandal." No matter how much the incident escalated, Real Madrid did not violate the rules, and UEFA could only punish them from a fair play perspective, most likely with a fine.
His focus now is on Alonso's birthday.
November 25th is Alonso's birthday, between his Champions League match against Ajax and his La Liga match against Barcelona.
Fino prepared two gifts, each more thoughtful than the last.
The first item was a pair of custom-made cufflinks. He designed one style himself and then had a designer from a jewelry brand he collaborated with refine it. The overall design was understated, elegant, and subtle, perfectly matching Alonso's temperament.
The second is a colored pencil drawing by Fino, in which Alonso is holding a wine glass and leaning against a stone half-wall, smiling—that's how Fino saw Alonso when they met on the terrace of the Positano Hotel.
Before he knew it, Fino had been learning to paint for almost two and a half years. Even though his time and energy were fragmented, his learning progressed steadily. Now he paints quite well, though he is far from being a professional in the field, but it's enough to entertain himself.
To prepare this birthday gift, Fino spent many nights in his studio. He referenced a large number of Alonso's photos online, drew many different expressions and poses, and then selected the one he was most satisfied with and had it framed.
On his birthday, Real Madrid still had training. After training, Alonso didn't organize any birthday party. He wanted to spend a quiet and simple birthday with Fino.
Fino had already made the cake in the morning and put it in the refrigerator to chill. Before going to Alonso's house, he went home first to get the cake.
Dinner was cooked by the two of us.
Fino has always loved cooking, and Alonso is a homebody who is also very good at cooking. The two chatted and laughed in the kitchen and quickly worked together to prepare a sumptuous dinner.
They naturally had a pleasant conversation during the meal, and Alonso told stories about his time at Royal Society.
Alonso comes from a footballing family; his father, Peric, was also a football player and a Real Sociedad legend. Growing up surrounded by football, Alonso and his brother developed a strong interest in the sport and later both joined Real Sociedad.
While playing football, he did not give up his studies, because at that time he was not sure if he could make a name for himself in the world of football, and he had to prepare for both possibilities.
At the age of 18, he achieved remarkable results in both his studies and football, gaining admission to the University of the Basque Country and joining Real Sociedad's first team.
“During the winter transfer window of the 2000/01 season, Real Sociedad fell into the relegation zone, and I was loaned out to gain experience. I approached Toshack, the manager of Real Sociedad at the time, and volunteered to help Real Sociedad avoid relegation.” Alonso’s eyes were filled with nostalgia for the past.
"And then? Were you moved by Tosak?" Fino asked, her eyes sparkling with a smile.
He certainly knew what was going to happen next, but the point of the conversation wasn't the content itself, but rather that one person was willing to express themselves and the other was willing to listen.
“Toshack was impressed by me. He not only recalled me during the winter transfer window, but also gave me the captain’s armband.” Alonso’s smile carried a hint of slyness and pride. “After the season ended, I fulfilled my promise. Real Sociedad successfully avoided relegation, and two seasons later, we finished second in La Liga, securing a place in the Champions League.”
Fino clapped her hands gently and exclaimed sincerely, "I knew you could do it. You have a big heart and are the most trustworthy partner. You deserve the captain's armband."
Alonso continued, "When I first stepped onto the Champions League stage, I was about the same age as you are now, a few months younger, not quite 22. We were drawn with Juventus in the group stage, entered the knockout stage as the second-place team in the group, and were eventually eliminated by Lyon in the round of 16."
Even though time has passed, Alonso's words still carry a sense of regret. That was his last season with Real Sociedad. The following season, he would move to England and don the red jersey.
Fino understood the regret in his words, leaned forward across the table, and patted his hand on the table.
“But I don’t regret transferring to Liverpool.” Alonso looked at Fino, took Fino’s hand and continued, “Real Sociedad is too small, it can’t attract good players, and qualifying for the Champions League was just a flash in the pan. Next year we’ll be fighting relegation again. I want to go to a bigger stage, I want to see a wider view, and I want the whole world to know Xabi Alonso!”
Fino nodded; he fully understood Alonso's decision.
I started my career at AC Milan. Even though Milan was already declining when I joined the first team, it still had the heritage of a top club. That was the kind of fertile ground for talented players to grow. With the support and care of my teammates who were full of honors, I quickly rose to the ranks of top stars and had already achieved everything before I was even 21 years old.
Meanwhile, Alonso, who is about the same age and equally talented, can only languish in small clubs.
After transferring to Liverpool, Alonso quickly proved himself on a bigger stage, helping Liverpool win the Champions League title again after 21 years in his first season there.
Their opponent was none other than Fino's former club, AC Milan...
Fino avoided the topic, only affirming Alonso's choice: "You did the right thing. Real Sociedad is not worthy of your talent or your ambition."
...
They had a great time chatting that night, and towards the end of dinner, Alonso even opened a bottle of PX (Pedro Jiménez) sherry.
He knew that Fino didn't drink much, but PX Sherry was a dessert wine with a low alcohol content, a rich, sweet, and silky taste, and a small glass after dinner was a particularly wonderful treat for the taste buds.
He highly recommended that Fino give it a try.
Fino shook his head: "I have a very low alcohol tolerance, and drinking will only make things worse."
Alonso chuckled softly: "Would you like to pour a little and try it? It tastes really great; I brought it back from Jerez specifically for this."
Fino hesitated for a moment: "My alcohol tolerance is really terrible, worse than you can imagine. I don't want to embarrass myself on your birthday."
"Just a little bit won't make you drunk. And so what if you do get drunk? You can choose a room you like."
Fino hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Alonso only poured a very shallow layer on him.
Fino took a small sip, and the taste was indeed wonderful. It had a rich aroma, with notes of dried fruit like raisins and figs, as well as hints of chocolate and honey. The texture was thick and smooth, sweet but not cloying.
“It’s really great!” Fino looked at Alonso with sparkling eyes.
“I’m glad you like it.” Alonso nodded with a smile. “Take a couple of bottles home later, and have a glass after a meal now and then. You’ll love the taste.”
After Fino finished his drink, Alonso didn't refill it. He just wanted Fino to taste his favorite wine, not to get him drunk. How could such a beautiful night be wasted on drunkenness?
He poured himself a drink while continuing to chat with Fino, and soon realized that Fino seemed a little off.
Fino has stopped talking much.
He leaned to the right, his right elbow resting on the table, his right hand half-clenched and supporting his temple, his eyes slightly glazed, looking at himself with a hazy smile.
He was exceptionally handsome and beautiful, beyond compare.
"Fino, are you drunk?" Alonso found it unbelievable. Even though Fino had told him that he had a low alcohol tolerance, he couldn't imagine that he could be this drunk.
Fino didn't speak. He felt a little hot, so he reached out with his left hand to unbutton the second and third buttons of his shirt. With a gentle tug, he revealed his delicate collarbone.
Alonso: ...
This really tests one's self-control.
The young man in front of him was so handsome that he couldn't resist taking out his phone to capture his dreamy, smiling face.
He glanced at the time; it was almost 11 o'clock.
So he walked over, patted Fino on the shoulder, and leaned down to ask, "Fino, it's already past 11 o'clock. Would you like to stay the night?"
Fino stared at him blankly for a few seconds before reacting and slowly nodding.
Alonso carried him into the master bedroom, helped him change into his pajamas, and laid him in a blanket filled with his scent.
After lying down, Fino quickly closed her eyes.
Alonso sat on the edge of the bed and watched him for a long time, then kissed him on the forehead, whispered goodnight, and left the master bedroom.
He didn't forget to turn on a small nightlight for Fino.
After returning to the living room, he took pictures of the birthday present Fino had given him, along with a picture of Fino smiling dreamily at the dining table, and attached them to his social media post. Then he began to organize his thoughts.
[A wonderful evening on my 29th birthday, it felt like we were back in Positano when we first met. We always have so much to talk about, but the little guy's alcohol tolerance is really low, so even though we were still enjoying ourselves, we had to let him rest. Thanks to @FinoCabrini for the company! (heart emoji)]
He set the posting time to 1 a.m. the next day, then mentally tagged Pirlo, and went to his room to rest in a good mood.
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Author's Note: Thank you everyone for your support! [starry-eyed]
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