Four days later, Leeds United, who made extensive rotations, drew 1-1 with Maccabi Haifa in the Middle East, advancing to the Champions League group stage with an aggregate score of 5-1.
At the same time, the second round of the Premier League also kicked off.
Because Leeds United are located in the Middle East, the highly anticipated FA match between Leeds United and Arsenal, originally scheduled for this round, has been postponed to mid-December.
While Li Shiguang was enjoying the sun in the Middle East with the entire Leeds United team, Mourinho was being interrogated by the English media. The reason was simple: Chelsea had lost to Middlesbrough away in this round of matches.
The match had a fantastic start for Chelsea, with Shevchenko scoring just 15 minutes into the game.
But once they took the lead, Mourinho's football philosophy began to take effect. Against Middlesbrough, a team that is usually in the middle of the table, he actually had Chelsea retreat to their own half, trying to hold onto the one-goal lead for the remaining 75 minutes!
Reality dealt Mourinho a heavy blow; after holding on for most of the game, Middlesbrough equalized in the 79th minute.
Unwilling to accept a draw, Chelsea pressed forward again, but in stoppage time, Viduka found an opportunity to steal a goal, effectively ending the game.
At the post-match press conference, facing questions from the media, Mourinho once again displayed his "Special One" nature, berating every reporter who stood up to ask a question.
When Li Shiguang, who was in the Middle East, saw this interview video, he couldn't stop laughing and exclaimed that Mourinho could definitely rank in the top three Premier League managers just when it comes to criticizing people!
The day after the match against Maccabi Haifa, Simeone led the entire Leeds United team back to England.
Li Shiguang did not return with the players this time. He took another flight to Monaco, where he met up with Allen and attended the Champions League group stage draw ceremony that evening.
Normally, for a draw ceremony like the group stage, either Simeone or Allen should have been the obvious choice.
But Li Shiguang couldn't resist the urge to go, after all, it was the Champions League draw ceremony! He had watched it on TV countless times before, and now that he had the chance to participate, he naturally wanted to go in person.
After yesterday's qualifying round, all the teams participating in the group stage have been determined. According to the Champions League group stage grouping rules, the 32 teams participating in the Champions League finals will be divided into four tiers. Leeds United, a team that has already left the European stage, was naturally placed in the fourth tier.
After several hours of long-haul flight, Li Shiguang finally arrived in Monaco at around 4 p.m. After meeting up with Allen, the two grabbed a quick bite at the airport and rushed to the draw ceremony.
According to Li Shiguang's previous thinking, there shouldn't be many big shots coming to watch the group stage draw today. But as soon as he entered the draw ceremony, he saw Florentino with a full head of white hair and another old man who looked to be in his seventies or eighties talking about something.
"Hi~ Mr. Perez!" Li Shiguang was a little surprised. Wasn't this old man already retired? Why did he still have the leisure to participate in this kind of event?
Hearing someone call his name, Florentino, who was having a good time chatting, turned around and saw Li Shiguang smiling and waving at him.
"Haha, Li, I didn't expect to see you here." Florentino was a little surprised: "What brings you to the group stage draw ceremony?"
Li Shiguang quickly walked over, first nodding to the somewhat familiar-looking old man next to him, and then replied, "In any case, this is my first time participating in the Champions League since taking over Leeds United, so I took the opportunity to come and see. And who is this?"
Just as Florentino was about to introduce himself, the old man next to him extended his right hand to Li Shiguang: "I am Lennart Johansson, hello Mr. Li."
It was him!
Lennart Johansson, a Swede, is the president of UEFA!
Li Shiguang still has great respect for this evergreen figure in world football. Unlike Platini, who succeeded him as UEFA president a year later and then engaged in corruption with Blatter, Lennart, who has served four terms as UEFA president, is known as a model defender of European football.
So he quickly grasped Lennart's hand, and apologized with a wry smile, "Ah! I'm sorry, Mr. Lennart, I didn't recognize you earlier."
Rentat waved his hand and laughed, "Haha, it's alright. I've heard Mr. Perez mention you before; you manage to handle both the club's operations and the team's training all at once. I'll have to come and learn from you sometime!"
Faced with Lenta's praise, Li Shiguang was a little embarrassed and waved his hand modestly.
While the three were chatting happily, it seemed that the stage was ready to draw lots, and everyone was being invited to take their seats as soon as possible.
Subsequently, Li Shiguang did not wait long in his seat, as Leeds United were drawn into Group C by the host in the third round.
After the lottery was completed, all the group information appeared on the big screen.
Looking at PSV Eindhoven, Bordeaux, and Galatasaray, who were in the same group as Leeds United, Li Shiguang breathed a sigh of relief.
What great luck!
It seems like advancing from the Champions League group stage shouldn't be a problem!
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