Chapter 289
The final at Wembley Stadium attracted a full house of fans.
The VIP stands were filled with many big-name stars, whether retired or still active, causing the cameras on the field to scan their faces from time to time, appearing on the huge screen above the stadium.
"Luis Figo! Real Madrid's former right-wing star! He is now in the VIP stands! Next to him sits his former teammate from mortal enemy Barcelona, Guardiola, who is also the coach of Bayern Munich who was eliminated by Real Madrid in the semi-finals. Both of them are in the stands for the final today!"
Obviously, Guardiola was not very happy when he was brought onto the big screen by the camera. He curled his lips, and in contrast to the Portuguese man who was smiling brightly next to him, he had to perfunctorily raise his hand to signal, which made the camera move away with satisfaction.
Guardiola drooped his lips: "If you hadn't asked me to come, I wouldn't have come to watch this game, Luis."
"Come on, this game is so interesting. Anyway, you guys are all done now and don't have many games left." Figo bumped Guardiola's shoulder and laughed, "Don't be petty."
Didn't Cristiano just score a hat trick against you not long ago? Two rounds, five goals, ugh, it really hurts. Figo gave Guardiola a look whose meaning was clear.
Guardiola: “…”
If the man sitting next to him had not been Figo, he would have definitely gotten up and left.
"Shut up Louis," he said.
He heard Figo chuckle beside him.
Guardiola rolled his eyes and added, as if to make amends: "If I were petty, I wouldn't have accepted your invitation to sit here."
"Oh really, that's great, my friend." Figo nodded and squinted his eyes in sarcasm. The pre-match stadium programs were always numerous and lively, but for them, these appetizers were not as interesting as the players' warm-up.
The two chatted casually, and not long after, there was some noise in the stands. Figo and Guardiola looked over at the same time, and saw that the two coaches Wenger and Ferguson were also sitting in the VIP stands.
"Wenger is here too. It seems that their relationship is better than I thought." Guardiola glanced and then looked away.
Figo met Ferguson's gaze, smiled, nodded slightly to the old man, and then turned back.
After hearing his friend's words, he said, "Maybe Arsenal hasn't given up on Cristiano yet?"
"Hmm?" Guardiola raised his eyebrows and looked at Figo, "Arsenal wants to buy Cristiano?"
"Who knows?" Figo curled his lips. "Cristiano is always in high demand, isn't he?"
Guardiola nodded thoughtfully: "But does Arsenal have enough money? They were snatched away by Manchester United at the beginning. But I heard that Cristiano has not renewed his contract with Real Madrid. If he is a free agent, then this summer window is indeed a good opportunity."
"Many clubs think so," Figo said. He paused and suddenly turned to Guardiola. "You call him Cristiano? When did you become so familiar with him?"
“…” Guardiola choked and rolled his eyes. “You led me away.”
Figo felt a little relieved.
"Hey!" Guardiola was so angry that he laughed. Does he really look like a guy who would lead others astray? Figo looked like the worried patriarch.
Figo suddenly sat up straighter, leaned forward slightly, and looked focused: "Look, they are about to go on the court!"
As soon as he finished speaking, there was a commotion at Wembley Stadium, and the main players of the two teams ran out of the player tunnel one after another.
Figo recognized Cristiano almost at first sight, because only his boy would always jump high on the spot when running out of the field with the ball boy.
The little caddy followed behind Cristiano and imitated him, jogging twice quickly, then jumping high off the ground with his legs together.
The fans on the field screamed and shouted for the teams and players they supported.
On the Real Madrid half of Wembley Stadium, two huge white flagpoles were erected. On one flag was printed the Arabic numeral "4" in black on a white background, representing the captain of Real Madrid, and on the other flag was printed the Arabic numeral "7" in black on a white background, representing the king of Real Madrid.
It takes several adult men to wave the two huge flags, which are several meters high, but the effect is indeed majestic enough.
The huge cheering scene was surging with the evening breeze of Wembley, making the banners displayed by Barcelona opposite look particularly conventional and small.
“The game begins!”
The horn of the Champions League final was officially sounded, and countless broadcasting machines were aimed at the field.
This season, Barcelona did not show the strong competitiveness in several encounters with Real Madrid as in previous seasons, but in this final, Barcelona seemed to be putting all its efforts into a beautiful comeback.
"Messi made a very beautiful pass from behind! To Neymar! Neymar made a pass and Suarez got in front of the goal!!!"
"The ball was confiscated by the goalkeeper! Real Madrid had a false alarm!"
Less than five minutes into the game, Barcelona almost broke through Real Madrid's goal.
Suarez's tackle was very aggressive, which challenged Real Madrid's defense several times, forcing them to tighten up their defense.
However, even so, just after the first half, Barcelona took the lead with Iniesta's cross into the penalty area and Suarez's shot.
"Barcelona 1-0!! Champions League final!! First half! Suarez's shot in the penalty area gave Barcelona the first precious goal!"
"Suarez's confrontation and finishing abilities are very strong. Of course, Leon Messi's organization and passing are also indispensable!"
The commentator spoke rapidly, and although the Argentine was not seen on the offensive end or in the assist list, he was still keenly aware of the role of a figure at the beginning of this round of attack.
Messi ran towards Suarez and the others, nodded and briefly celebrated. He actually hoped to score a goal of his own in this final, which might help him move to second place in the scorer list - after all, the gap between Ibrahimovic with eight goals and ten goals is not that far, right? Of course, he doesn't expect to surpass Cristiano this season. The Portuguese's 16 goals in the Champions League are simply a monster.
Barcelona maintained their attack, with Suarez's high pressing forcing Ramos to foul in Real Madrid's frontcourt.
"Ramos committed a tactical foul and knocked down Suarez! Interrupting Barcelona's attack!" the commentator exclaimed.
Ramos's actions were very sharp and decisive. He stood up immediately after tackling Suarez. When the referee trotted over and took out a yellow card, he just nodded calmly.
This is the cost and the risk. Even if they got a yellow card, they could not let Barcelona continue to win.
During the half-time break, Zidane re-designed the tactics in the locker room based on the situation on the field, while outside the field, the fans' cheers were not to be outdone.
Guardiola covered his mouth and said to his friend: "Your kid was closely watched in this game and didn't have many chances to get the ball. Real Madrid is in trouble."
Figo shrugged and said: "It seems so at the moment, but which team would not defend Cristiano? You know it best. Does it really always work?"
Guardiola: “…”
Are the Portuguese really always so indebted? He really didn’t want to talk to Louis anymore!
Ferguson and Wenger, who were also sitting on the VIP stand, were talking about the same topic.
They were sitting next to their respective disciples. Ferdinand and Giggs sat behind Ferguson. Rooney was muttering about Barcelona's close defense of Cristiano: "This is boring--"
Rooney tutted his words: "Ronnie didn't even touch the ball a few times, it was hard to turn around, it's so uncomfortable to play like this."
Giggs pushed Rooney's hair, which was thinning day by day, and sneered: "Are you worried about him? Don't be anxious, just wait and see."
Ferguson listened to the discussion behind him. He raised his head slightly but inconspicuously, attracting the attention of his old rival.
"What are you thinking about?" Wenger raised his eyebrows. "Aren't you worried about your little Portuguese? He seemed invisible in the first half. If Real Madrid loses... he will be under a lot of pressure."
Ferguson heard the unspoken hint in Wenger's words, smiled and replied: "Should I be worried about him? He is the most intelligent player I have ever seen. Yes, he was blocked in the first half, but did you see what he did? Even if he didn't get the ball, he was still running."
Wenger paused slightly after hearing this, then narrowed his eyes.
He thought of the games they had played against the young Red Devils, and how the Portuguese always managed to seize his chances, even if it was only for a few seconds, which was enough for him to score a goal.
This is amazing and also makes the opponent afraid.
Ferguson knew what Wenger was thinking, and he revealed the answer: "He is testing the opponent's defense. He is looking for the weakest link in the opponent's defense."
"By the second half he will know how to get through. If Barcelona's defence doesn't realise what Cristiano is doing to them, they are in for a bad experience," Ferguson said.
He looked determined and proud.
Wenger shook his head and laughed. He still didn't think that the Portuguese could do what Ferguson said was incredible.
He admitted that Cristiano was indeed great, and until now, he was still one of the players he wanted most, but what did Ferguson say?
"Okay, let me wait and see." Wenger did not refute, just said this.
Ferguson knew that Wenger didn't take it seriously, and he didn't refute it either. He just crossed his arms, chewed gum, and when the camera capturing the stands swept in front of him, he gave a decent smile and waved his arms.
"Players enter the field! The second half of the game is about to begin!"
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