Extra 01
Extra 01 [Two in one (including deep water extra 56/56)]
In his first year back at Manchester United, the team won the FA Cup again, climbed to third place in the Premier League, and lost to Chelsea in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Such a result is already a very gratifying result for the Red Devils, who have failed to win the Premier League title for several consecutive years.
The favorite to win the championship, Real Madrid, suffered a major upset in this year's Champions League. The fans had high hopes that they would win the sixth consecutive championship, but they were stuck in the quarterfinals and had no chance to advance further.
Coach Zidane took the initiative to resign and left the club.
- In fact, in the summer window of last season, when Cristiano announced the termination of his contract, the Frenchman had already expressed his intention to leave the team, but was strongly retained by Florentino. After a season, the Frenchman was still determined to leave.
——It was as if he was eager to leave the team that no longer had any Portuguese players.
This is undoubtedly further misery for Real Madrid, which has already lost its main players for five consecutive championships.
The team's structure and lineup are unable to reach the efficiency and comprehensiveness that Cristiano once had in Real Madrid. Their goal rate has plummeted, and this alone has exposed the past defensive problems more thoroughly.
Real Madrid, once the dominant force in La Liga, averaged one goal per game. Even if they conceded goals, they always had more goals to make up for those mistakes, making the results of the game look much better.
But with the departure of the Portuguese, even if the goal efficiency of Benzema and Bale is added together, it cannot reach the peak level of Cristiano, not to mention Bale's injury. Real Madrid's offense is barren and weak.
What's even more tormenting is that fans always hold up banners and billboards at the Bernabeu demanding that Cristiano return to Real Madrid, and facing the media, Real Madrid has to be asked about Cristiano again and again -
Asked whether their poor level and results this season are related to the departure of the Portuguese, asked whether they miss the Real Madrid when Cristiano was there, asked whether they will try to buy Cristiano back again next season, or whether Real Madrid will be able to make better adjustments and progress next season without the Portuguese.
These questions often pop up in interviews before or after the game, and the Real Madrid captain has to answer them. Ramos just repeats the answers over and over again:
"The team is going through a period of reconstruction, which is normal."
"I believe we will adjust quickly, please give us a little more time."
"We are strengthening targeted training. We will try our best in the next game and we will win the game. Please believe us."
——He remembered that Cristiano would always speak so firmly when they were at their lowest point, and then in the next game, they would make a comeback, as if they had gained some kind of "spiritual power of words".
But Ramos has to realize that this may only work on Cristiano.
They lost their next game again, and that was the Champions League, even the second leg at the Bernabeu, they lost completely, lost to their arch-rivals Barcelona, which almost made them drowned in water bottles, various garbage and spit from the fans after the game.
In the Champions League quarterfinals, Real Madrid has not encountered such an embarrassing result in many years.
Perhaps the only consolation is that the Portuguese who transferred over from next door failed to win the Champions League trophy in his first year?
Ramos knew it was a terrible thought, but he couldn't control it.
He pouted, and after the first season without Cristiano ended, he ran to ask Florentino if they would buy a better shooter in the summer window? How does the team plan to strengthen its team? Their chairman told him everything would be alright and he had to trust the club.
Ramos pursed his lips. He had to trust the club, of course. What else could he do?
But he still misses the Real Madrid when Cristiano was there.
In Cristiano's second season back at Manchester United, Manchester United stepped up their reinforcement deals, which was like a signal to the football world that they were going to challenge for the top championship in Europe again.
Real Madrid's second Champions League season turned into an unbearable nightmare. They even stopped in the round of 16. Such a result made silence become a deafening noise.
The Red Devils overcame all obstacles and once again made it to the semi-finals where they failed last season. This time, they faced La Liga giants Atletico Madrid.
The Colchoneros won the first leg at their home ground with a 2-0 victory over the Red Devils. The two-goal lead and zero goals conceded away from home made Atletico fans ecstatic, which almost closed the door for the Red Devils in the Champions League.
This was one of the few big wins for Atletico Madrid against Cristiano's team, which made the fans ecstatic, as if defeating Cristiano was equivalent to winning the Champions League trophy.
After the Red Devils' disastrous defeat in the first round, Cristiano faced a sharp post-match interview. He sneered and curled his lips, and asked back: "I already have seven Champions Leagues. What about Atletico Madrid? Not even one Champions League trophy. If I were them, I wouldn't be so happy so early. See you in the next round."
Rooney, Evra and others sat behind the interview table next to Cristiano. It was originally going to be a heavy, introspective post-match interview. They were all prepared to apologize to the fans, but Cristiano's answer choked everyone in the group and made them speechless for a moment.
Rooney choked suddenly and his whole face turned red.
After Cristiano finished speaking, he stood up and left, and Ferguson blocked all remaining microphones.
Ramos, who was far away in Spain, followed the game and the post-match interviews. He could not control his desire to follow the game, and when he saw Atletico Madrid beat Manchester United 2-0, he took a breath and thought to himself, look, Cristiano, without me, without Real Madrid's midfield and backcourt, Manchester United can't resist Atletico Madrid's attack.
Then he saw Cristiano's post-match interview, and he almost smiled unconsciously. This was so Cristiano, he had totally guessed that Cristiano would say that, and it was not surprising at all.
The Portuguese has won seven Champions League titles, two with Manchester United and five with Real Madrid, an impressive resume.
He also has five of them, and there are also teammates who have been with Cristiano from the first year to the last year, but no one can say it as loudly as Cristiano's five Champions Leagues -
Cristiano is the only player to have scored in five consecutive Champions League finals, and is also the player with the most goals and assists in the Champions League.
He is the uncrowned king of the Champions League.
Ramos couldn't help laughing when he saw Cristiano's appearance in the interview. He looked so proud and complacent.
The puppy lying on his lap jumped up and ran away in fright.
Ramos is eager to watch Manchester United's next game. He doesn't know whether he is expecting Cristiano to make a comeback or miss the Champions League again.
But there was a voice in his heart that kept saying, you know he can do it.
The revelry of Atletico Madrid fans outside the stadium lasted almost all night. They proudly showed off and challenged in front of various cameras.
"Hey Cristiano, go to sleep on your seven Champions League crowns! You have to go back!"
"He is humiliating us, but that's not surprising, after all, he is going to be eliminated by us!"
"Cry, cry, go back to Manchester and cry!"
"It's 2:0, he's out!"
"Cristiano is still as crybaby as ever haha! He hasn't changed."
"Atletico's attack is something that this Manchester United team cannot resist. They are not ready yet!"①
The ridicule and sarcasm from countless Atletico Madrid fans were like snowflakes filling the sky.
Ferguson has banned any player from going online. He will not allow his players to be harassed by these remarks and add unnecessary pressure in the days before the second leg of the Champions League.
On the day when the second leg officially kicked off, many bloggers and TV stations operating football media gathered in the streets and alleys around Old Trafford, interviewing fans wearing Manchester United jerseys who could be seen everywhere on the streets:
"Manchester United are already 2-0 down, guys, what do you think of the next game?"
The fans not willing to be outdone came closer to the camera, they answered loudly and confidently, waving their fists and the ribbons in their hands -
"We have the best player in the world don't we? He is a player who can change the game and I have no reason not to believe in him."
"We will be the team that goes the last, don't forget who is in the team."
"It will be a tough game, but we are behind him."
Even though they all knew how bad this game was due to Manchester United's fall behind in the previous game, the fact that they had the Portuguese in the team gave them firm hope and confidence.
Old Trafford sings Cristiano's song.
When Griezmann saw Cristiano in the tunnel at Old Trafford, he went up to the Portuguese and gave him a hug.
——To be honest, he still failed to exchange for Cristiano's game jersey. After the first leg, he went to Manchester United's locker room to look for Cristiano, but before he even saw him, he was stopped by several fierce-looking guys, one wearing number 15, one wearing number 5, and another wearing number 11.
At this moment, when he was hugging Cristiano, these people were also staring at him.
These few people were particularly aggressive in defending him against tackles on the field.
Vidic, who was wearing the No. 15 jersey, lowered his voice and covered his mouth to Ferdinand, who was wearing the No. 5 jersey, and said, "Look at this kid. Is he the one who came to see Ronnie last time?"
Ferdinand looked at the little guy, squinted his eyes, nodded and said, "...It's him. They seem to have a good relationship? What did he come to see Ronnie for last time? I remember that Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid don't have a good relationship, right?"
"Who knows? I wanted to ask, but as soon as Ryan came over, the guy ran away." Vidic rolled his eyes.
Giggs, who was called out and wearing the No. 11 jersey, said "Hey", spread his hands and looked innocent: "Don't act like I'm the bad guy. I'm obviously kind and friendly, but this guy came at the wrong time. Maybe I was a little grumpy at that time."
"In fact... he was our neighbor in Madrid, and he and Cris did have a pretty good relationship." Kaka coughed lightly and cleared his throat to explain.
Vidic and the others blinked: "Oh——"
"Then why did he run that day?" Giggs asked puzzledly.
Kaka smiled: "The answer may be in the magic mirror."
Look at your expressions, none of you are friendly.
The second leg home game at Old Trafford begins.
Atletico Madrid coach Simeone stood on the sidelines with a relaxed look on his face, encouraging his players.
To be honest, the encounters with Cristiano almost always end in a frustrating defeat. If you ask Simeone who his most hated opponent is, it is undoubtedly Cristiano Ronaldo.
During his time as coach of Atletico Madrid, he was almost always overshadowed by the Portuguese, which made his coaching resume always lack some beautiful championship trophies.
but! Now the Portuguese have left La Liga. Last season, they defeated Real Madrid and won the La Liga championship. Now, in the Champions League, they have severely crushed the Portuguese in the first round and beat Manchester United 2-0!
It would be a lie to say he wasn't excited; he had to show off in every way possible.
Now that we are at Manchester United’s home ground, we can probably only pray for a miracle to happen at the Theatre of Dreams in our dreams.
Simeone was clapping on the sidelines, welcoming his players' performance on the field. They no longer had much pressure, and as long as they suppressed Manchester United's attack, that would be enough.
As he was thinking this, he suddenly saw the situation on the field change.
Arthur made a long diagonal pass from the wing into the penalty area. For the Manchester United midfielder who did not perform well in the last game, he was not fully guarded in front of him, and more defensive players focused on Kaka who was approaching the penalty area.
No one would have thought that the young midfielder would choose such a risky yet decisive long arc pass.
Cristiano accelerated forward from the back of the penalty area, then made a perfect header in the air and hammered the ball into the net at lightning speed!
Manchester United's commentator was so excited that he almost jumped onto the commentary desk!
"GO, GO, GO, GO - GOOOOOOALLL! Cristiaaaaaaano - Ronaldo!!!"
"It's him!! Number seven again!!!"
"Twenty minutes into the game! Cristiano Ronaldo used his unparalleled aerial header to score the goal for Atletico!!"
"The horn of counterattack has been sounded!! It is still unknown who will leave the stage in the Champions League semi-finals!"
"Simeone's face has darkened on the sidelines. I guess he has thought of some bad memories..."
Cristiano ran towards the stands. Junior and Luca also came to the game accompanied by Emma. He ran towards the two children and blew them kisses.
Junior jumped up and down in joy.
"They'll keep scoring!" he exclaimed.
In the second half, Cristiano once again headed the ball into the goal in the penalty area, but the goalkeeper jumped and knocked the ball out.
The Red Devils raised their arms excitedly to signal to the referee that the ball had crossed the goal line, while Simeone paced back and forth quickly on the sidelines, anxiously waiting for the final result.
"The goal is valid! Although the Atletico goalkeeper saved the ball, the entire ball had already crossed the goal line before that!"
"Cristiano scored two goals in a row! The total score is tied with Atletico Madrid!!"
"There are only 30 minutes left in the game!! Atletico Madrid must launch an effective counterattack to suppress the Red Devils, otherwise the ticket to the final will probably fly to Manchester!"
The Portuguese's two consecutive goals completely threw Atletico's defense into chaos.
When Kaka dribbled into the penalty area, the pressure and fear of the goal and the connection with Cristiano made Atletico's defenders make a fatal mistake - pushing Kaka from behind!
"Foul in Atletico's penalty area!! Kaka made a penalty!!"
As the Red Devils' first penalty taker, Cristiano took the penalty.
The weight of this penalty kick is self-evident.
If they score, they will reach the Champions League final.
If they don't score, they will have to continue fighting with Atletico until the next goal.
Cristiano took a deep breath, while Arthur and Rooney stood in the row behind the number seven, hugging each other nervously.
Manchester United has not reached the Champions League final for a long time, and this will be a battle that will make history.
When the referee blew the whistle, Arthur even squatted down with his head in his hands nervously, not daring to look, while Giggs, with an expression of victory in his hands, opened his arms and turned to the stands -
There were cheers and screams from the fans in the stands.
"The ball goes in!! Cristiano Ronaldo shoots!! The goalkeeper dives in the wrong direction!! The ball goes into the net easily!!"
"3-0!! Manchester United surpassed Atletico Madrid with a total score of 3-2!"
"It's Cristiano Ronaldo again!! At the crucial moment, in the face of adversity and despair!! The number seven wearing the red jersey once again stood up and dragged the team into the final stage!!"
“You can’t always rely on him! But you can always trust him!!”②
There was complete silence on the Atletico Madrid side.
From heaven to hell, from joy to despair, everything happened in just ninety minutes.
When the final whistle blew, Simeone had to wake up from his dream: their Champions League campaign was over.
Ramos, sitting in front of the TV, took a deep breath. Cristiano did it and Manchester United entered the final of the Champions League.
He turned off the TV. The game was exciting, so exciting that it made his whole body warm. He wished he was one of Cristiano's teammates on the same team as him. He knew how wonderful it was to turn a desperate situation around.
In the stands of the Theatre of Dreams, Junior and Luca excitedly jumped up from their seats almost at the same time, almost bumping into each other. Junior felt his heart was about to beat out of his chest. He listened to the screams and cheers of the fans around him - his father was a hero, a superman, and a god.
His father brought unparalleled joy and hope to the stadium.
Luca raised his chin with great satisfaction and pride. He looked at Kaka and then at Cristiano. Oh my God, he actually has two such incredible fathers. He must be the coolest kid in the world!
Well, let’s add Junior.
The post-match interview turned into a nightmare for Atletico Madrid, and Simeone had to stand up and face the defeat.
He sat behind the interview table, facing the various microphones in the audience, and pursed his lips and spoke:
"It's difficult to prepare yourself against a player like Cristiano Ronaldo, who is a goal-scoring beast and everyone knows what happens when he gets close to the box.
"He maintains incredible statistics and abilities, and it is difficult for defenders to limit his performance. He has top-notch skills - headers, shots, passes, running in space... What can I say about this? We have suffered a lot in the game against him."③
Simeone gave a wry smile and shrugged his shoulders. He thought to himself that he was not trying to excuse himself. If you think about it this way, losing to that Portuguese guy is not a shameful thing at all. Just look at how many teams' goals have not been kicked through by this guy? I'm afraid there aren't many - he means the kind of teams that are worthy of a name, not the kind of league teams that don't even have promotion or relegation.
Simeone exhaled: "Sometimes we won, sometimes we lost, that guy was a goal-scoring beast."
He repeated unconsciously, [That guy is a goal-scoring beast], almost gritting his teeth.
Absolutely.
He hated Cristiano and was absolutely sure that if he were asked to vote, he would not vote for Cristiano no matter who the other person was. Simone curled his lips and snorted heavily.
Ferguson was very pleased with Simeone's interview. He just wanted to say that although Simeone often made some inappropriate provocations, he was still an honest man.
——His little Ronnie is the best.
① is a street interview with fans after Juventus lost 0-2 to Atletico Madrid, ② is from teacher Zhan Jun, ③ is an interview with Simeone after the game (the more I learn, the more I feel that you, Rodrygo, are the top handsome, strong and miserable male protagonist in reality)
Thanks for the deep water, sister! More updates =3=
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