Strangely, it wasn't just Grant who had this bizarre idea.
Before the start of this match.
While both teams were still warming up on the field.
In the Sky Sports studio.
Before fans began their official match commentary, longtime friends Göran Lineker and Jon were also discussing this issue.
“Jon, Leeds United are playing West Ham United the day after tomorrow. Although their results this season have been so-so, those Hammers are always a force to be reckoned with when facing strong opponents. And with the league competition so fierce right now, do you think Leeds might just give up on the FA Cup…” Lineker said with some concern.
“Hmm…maybe.” Jon nodded solemnly. “Last year, Lee chose to give up the FA Cup after the schedule became increasingly tight, and maybe the same thing will happen this year…after all, our league isn’t like other leagues where the top teams are so closely matched…”
Seeing that Jon's analysis was the same as his own, Lineker was a little disappointed: "Sigh... if that's really the case, wouldn't you, a Chelsea fan, be grinning from ear to ear?"
“Not really.” Jon shook his head with a smile. “Of course I’m happy Chelsea won. But if they only beat Leeds United, who fielded a completely reserve team, then Grant was just lucky.”
“That’s true.” Lineker nodded in agreement. “After all, Chelsea are pretty much out of contention in the league, and Grant can only try to please the owners by winning the FA Cup and League Cup…”
Jon: ? ? ?
····
On the grass of Elland Road Stadium.
Li Shiguang is personally leading the players in pre-match warm-ups, leaving Simeone, whose job has been taken over by Li Shiguang, somewhat idle.
I strolled around the field a few times.
Simeone suddenly leaned over to Li Shiguang and Rivaldo, gesturing towards the opposite half of the field with his lips: "Boss, why does that bastard Grant keep glancing this way every now and then? Is he trying to poach players from our team?"
Following the direction of Simone's mouth.
Li Shiguang subconsciously looked across the field and indeed saw Grant craning his neck to look at his half of the field.
Interestingly, after Grant realized he was being watched, he immediately looked away, turned his head, and began to pretend to direct his players to warm up.
Li Shiguang pursed his lips. Back when Mourinho was in charge, in this kind of situation, they would at least exchange a slight smile and a nod...
To everyone's surprise, Grant simply turned his head away without even offering a polite smile.
That jerk has no manners at all!
Even if Simone is right and wants to poach people from me, you should at least leave a good impression. Otherwise, who the hell would sell people to you?
But it is quite obvious.
In this respect, Li Shiguang is overthinking things.
The reason Grant kept glancing at Leeds United's half was simple: he wanted to gauge Li Shiguang's starting lineup based on the intensity of the Leeds United players' warm-up.
So when Li Shiguang turned to look at himself.
Feeling guilty, Grant's first reaction was to avoid Li Shiguang's gaze, rather than offering a polite smile and greeting...
····
Twenty minutes later.
Both teams' players have finished warming up and returned to their respective locker rooms.
Today, Li Shiguang is preparing to give a long-awaited pre-match speech to boost the morale of the players and let them know his determination to win the FA Cup.
Before the warm-up, Simeone had already announced the starting lineup in the locker room, so all eleven starting players had changed into their gear and were sitting in their seats, looking at Li Shiguang, who was standing in the center of the locker room with a serious expression, as if he hadn't been there for a long time while waiting for the game to start.
The locker room gradually quieted down. Seeing that everyone's eyes were on him, he seemed to feel that his facial expression made the atmosphere in the locker room a little dull.
Li Shiguang quickly clapped his hands vigorously, a warm smile appearing on his lips, and began to speak.
"Relax...relax, guys...don't be so serious! This isn't the final..."
Hahahahahaha...
With Li Shiguang's teasing remark, the atmosphere in the locker room became much more relaxed than before, and the players burst into laughter.
“But I still have to say... this is an important match!” Then, Li Shiguang changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over each player’s face, “Sitting in this locker room are players who have been with the team since I took over Leeds United, such as your captain, Vincent. There are also players who just joined our group a few days ago, such as Alexander.”
"Over the past three years, thanks to everyone's joint efforts, we have accomplished many miracles and won some honors! League Cup, League One title, Premier League title... Guys, together we have created many, many things that our Leeds United predecessors could not!"
"The year before last and last year, perhaps due to insufficient strength, or perhaps due to the overly dense schedule, I had no choice but to give up the FA Cup. But this year! We are strong and well-equipped! We are invincible! In the league and the Champions League, we are leading the pack, and at least so far, we have achieved very good results!"
"So I think the time is ripe! This year, I don't want to give up the FA Cup again! Leeds United's last FA Cup victory was in the 1971-1972 season, 36 years ago..."
As Li Shiguang's speech progressed, his voice grew louder and louder.
Visible to the naked eye.
In the locker room, the players, whether starters or substitutes, gradually became flushed.
In the locker room where only Li Shiguang's voice could be heard, the players' breathing gradually became heavier.
"Guys, 36 years! The more than 50,000 fans sitting in the stands outside have been waiting for 36 years!" Li Shiguang's face was also flushed. As he said this, he clenched his teeth and shouted in a low voice as if he were forcing a roar from his throat, "Guys, I don't think we can make them wait any longer... This year, let's win this damn FA Cup, is that a problem!?"
"No problem!!!" came the players' shouts from the locker room.
"So now, right next door in the away team's dressing room, sits a bunch of Londoners—our first formidable opponent on our road to winning this FA Cup! Ladies, tell me, what should you do!?"
After Li Shiguang finished speaking, the locker room fell silent.
Immediately afterwards.
Captain Kompany stood up, glaring fiercely at the doorway as if the Chelsea players were standing right outside, and roared, "Tear them apart!!!"
"Tear them apart!!!"
This is a response to him and Li Shiguang.
Twenty-odd burly men were enough to create a deafening roar in the locker room...
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