Chapter 351 I Ate the Ball

"Roman!"

Daria Zhukova walked into the living room and came to Abramovich, who was sitting on the sofa watching TV.

"Why aren't you going to eat yet?" she asked with a smile, sitting down next to Abramovich.

Abramovich laughed and said, "Don't worry, let's finish watching the game first!"

"Hehe, let me see you, when have you ever been so engrossed in watching a football game that you didn't even need to eat!"

"Of course!" Abramovich chuckled.

"When we Chelsea lost yesterday, all those reporters attacked us in every possible way, saying that they were pinning their hopes on Manchester United and Manchester City. Look, Manchester City is now in decline, right?"

After saying this, the Russian burst into laughter.

Daria Zhukova shook her head and smiled bitterly. What does their loss have to do with you?

"Hey, 3-2, didn't Manchester City win?"

"You don't understand this, do you?" Abramovich pointed at the TV and smiled.

"This is a two-round match. In the first round, Manchester City lost 0-1 away from home, and now it's 3-2."

"Even if that's the case, the total score is still 3 to 3." Zhukova still didn't understand.

"Sporting Lisbon has two away goals, which counts as half a goal, so now it's 3 to 3.5. Unless Manchester City scores another goal, they will definitely lose!"

Zhukova listened but still didn't understand, but she didn't ask any more questions.

Just at this moment, the game ended.

The referee blew the whistle to end the game.

At this time, BBC ace commentator John Motson also expressed his regret for Manchester City's elimination.

"We just got news from another stadium. In Bilbao, Spain, although Manchester United chased a goal, they still lost to Athletic Bilbao away with a score of 1-2."

"In two rounds of matches, Manchester United lost 3-5 and was eliminated!"

"As a result, Manchester United and Manchester City, who everyone had high hopes for, ultimately failed to turn the situation around and both left the Europa League. In addition, Chelsea and Arsenal were eliminated from the Champions League, and Birmingham, Fulham and other teams were eliminated from the Europa League. All Premier League teams were annihilated in the European arena!"

John Motson announced this regrettable news in a tone full of sadness.

It's not like the Premier League has been completely wiped out before, but it's been a long, long time since it's been like this. It's just March and the Premier League teams are out of the European arena.

It’s too early!

"However, we still have one hope, that is Southampton from the Championship!"

"After the live broadcast of this game, our BBC One channel will continue to broadcast the next Europa League game, Southampton away challenge the Bat Army Valencia!"

"This is the only remaining hope for the entire English football!"

"It's ironic that the hope that a Premier League team could not achieve now falls on a Championship team."

"But no matter what, we all hope that Southampton can represent English football and continue to extend this hope. At the very least, I hope they can win back even a little dignity for English football and the league!"

As John Motson's voice ended, the live broadcast of this game also came to an end and the advertising time began.

But the subtitles appeared, and five minutes later the next live broadcast of Southampton's game began.

"Hmm, Southampton?"

Abramovich sneered and shook his head.

"Manchester United and Manchester City both lost, can Southampton win?"

Among the three games, Valencia is the strongest and Southampton is in the worst situation.

The two Manchester giants lost so badly, it would be strange if Southampton could win!

"If Southampton can beat Valencia away and advance, I will eat football for dinner!"

Abramovich stood up, pointed at the TV and shouted angrily.

He just doesn't believe it!

…………

…………

"Welcome, Mr. Yang Huan, welcome to Mestalla Stadium!"

In the presidential stand of Valencia's Mestalla Stadium, Valencia's president, Manuel Llorente, extended his hand to Yang Huan from a distance and came forward, looking very warm and hospitable.

He had previously led his team to Southampton and escaped from St. Mary's Stadium with a score of 1-1.

"Thank you, Mr. Llorente!"

Yang Huan also stretched out his hand and shook it with his.

"Hello, beautiful Miss Zhuang!" Manuel Llorente also shook hands with Zhuang Ziqing who accompanied Yang Huan to the away game.

The style of the president of Valencia is similar to that of the Bats in La Liga, which is somewhat out of place.

He is tall, with a square head and round face, bald hair, and a little fat, but he gives people the impression of being a tough guy.

"Mr. Yang Huan, the last time you came to St. Mary's Stadium, you caused us a lot of trouble, but this time, in our Mestalla Stadium, you Saints can't expect to escape unscathed!"

Manuel Llorente said with a chuckle.

He sounded like he was joking, but in fact he was also provoking.

Yang Huan smiled faintly, "Mr. Llorente, we are not going to retreat unscathed until we have defeated Valencia!"

Llorente curled his lips and said with a smile: "That depends on whether you have the ability!"

Yang Huan smiled and said nothing more.

A quick glance at the stands of the stadium showed that Southampton fans were all arranged to sit in more marginal corners, but there were still quite a few of them.

The Mestalla Stadium has a total of more than 50,000 seats, and Southampton fans occupy about one-third of them.

And the Saints fans are all wearing new season jerseys, which looks very united.

"Mr. Yang Huan, you Southampton have always advocated offensive football. This time should be the same, right?"

"Of course!" Yang Huan nodded without hesitation, "We at Southampton only play one kind of football, and that is offensive football!"

After hearing this, Manuel Llorente laughed out loud, as if this was good news for him.

"I like you and your football, but tonight, we must make sure you can't attack!"

Yang Huan also laughed, "Then we'll have to see if you in Valencia have the ability to do that!"

"Well, let's wait and see!"

…………

…………

While Yang Huan and Manuel Llorente were arguing with each other in the stands, in the media area, Charlene Lahri sat in front of the microphone, took a deep breath, and then exhaled heavily.

This was her first time sitting in the commentator's seat. Her mind was in a mess and she had no idea what to say. What would she say if unexpected events occurred during the game?

Roger Moses just called her again and told her to speak freely, not to be restrained or feel pressured, and to say whatever comes to mind.

This must have been comforting to her!

If the commentator can say whatever he wants, then anyone can do it, right?

Charlene Lahiri closed her eyes and calmed herself down.

"Charlene, the players are about to play, get ready!"

A staff member not far away was reminding him, and then he was seen raising his hand and starting to count seconds.

Three…two…one!

Just die, it’s just once!

Charlene Lahiri opened her eyes, took a deep breath, and leaned toward the microphone.

"Hello, audience friends. I am Charlene Lahri. I am now at the Mestalla Stadium in Valencia, Spain. I will be the one to commentate on Southampton's away game against Valencia!"

"There are still a few minutes before the game starts. We can see that players from both sides have already appeared in the player tunnel and are ready to play!"

"I also got the starting lineups for both teams."

"Southampton has made some adjustments to its starting lineup. The goalkeeper is Neuer, and the defense is David Alaba, Gary Cahill, Varane and Carvajal. The three midfielders have not changed, still Strootman, Toni Kroos and Vidal, and the front trident is Neymar, Ibrahimovic and James Rodriguez!"

"Except for the main central defender Xavi Martinez who was suspended due to a red card, Southampton sent out all the main players in other positions. Before the game, Bielsa also said that Southampton would definitely try to beat the opponent away from home!"

"Before the game, there was some controversy about Southampton's starting lineup, mainly focusing on whether the team should attack or defend when playing away from home!"

"From the starting lineup, Bielsa chose Toni Kroos instead of Matic. It can be seen that although Southampton is playing away, they still adopt an offensive football strategy, which is also Southampton's consistent style!"

“Let’s hope Southampton can bring us a wonderful feast of attacking football and advance smoothly to the next round!”

Just as Charlene Lahiri was explaining Southampton's starting lineup, cheers were heard from the audience.

Led by the referee, the players of both teams slowly walked out of the court.

"We saw players from both teams entering the field!"

“I don’t know if you heard it, but I was at the scene and I heard the thunderous drums and cheers made by Southampton fans, which completely overwhelmed the Valencia fans!”

"Like I said just now, this is Southampton's best European result in more than a hundred years of history, so the Saints fans are very, very satisfied, but they also hope that the team can do a big job and make a difference!"

“More than 10,000 Saints fans came to the away game, which shows the support of Saints fans for Southampton!

The players of both teams quickly finished taking photos, shaking hands, and guessing sides, and returned to their own half to wait for the kick-off.

"Just now, Manchester United and Manchester City were eliminated from the Europa League."

"Southampton is now the only English team left in the two major European competitions, the Champions League and the Europa League."

"Let's pray for Southampton!"

As soon as Charlene Lahri finished her words, the referee blew the whistle to start the game.

As soon as the whistle sounded, Southampton's Ibrahimovic kicked the ball to Neymar.

The Brazilian immediately passed the ball back and rushed forward quickly.

The ball fell to Toni Kroos' feet, who adjusted it and passed it to the right, where Carvajal made a forward run.

Southampton immediately launched a fierce offensive.

"Southampton attacked aggressively after the opening, but Valencia refused to give in!"

"Stroman made a long pass, beautiful, James Rodriguez got the ball on the right, facing Mathieu, and tried to break through, but the ball was intercepted."

"Albelda, a turn and long pass, Valencia's quick counterattack!"

When Charlene Lahiri said this, she was already a little nervous.

"Feghouli receives the ball on the right, Valencia's counterattack is very fast, David Alaba is chasing back!"

"Feguli crosses!"

The ball was lifted high from the right, drew an arc, and fell to the top of the penalty area.

At this time, Southampton's two central defenders Varane and Gary Cahill made misjudgment when chasing back.

"Danger, it's leaking!"

Charlene Lahiri screamed in surprise.

At this time, Valencia striker Soldado passed through the two defensive areas like a ghost and rushed into the penalty area.

Neuer did not expect that the two central defenders would make such low-level mistakes!

He decisively decided to abandon the goal and attack at the first opportunity.

But it's too late!