Chapter 942 - 30: The Last Champions League!
Liverpool won the first leg and did not comment on the match afterwards. They are aware of the fate of those teams who mocked Real Madrid and mocked Chen Zhong after gaining an advantage in the first leg.
The most famous example is Atletico Madrid.
Even Simeone from Atletico Madrid has learned to shut his mouth at the right time and not provoke Chen Zhong or Real Madrid.
From the post-match news reports, it is clear that Slotte’s "desire to survive" is very strong.
He has to be strong indeed, given the lessons from Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, which are not insignificant teams.
This strategy initially worked. Alonso wanted to boost team morale, but perhaps because Real Madrid has won too many Champions League titles in recent years, even completing another feat of three consecutive wins before last season. Thus, they did not take the Champions League defeat to heart.
However, quickly, a weird trend spread from Real Madrid’s youth training to the first team. Young players felt that Chen Zhong’s era was coming to an end, and judging from the contract renewal with Chen Zhong at the beginning of the season, this may well be his last season with Real Madrid.
Chen Zhong will likely end his career at the Bernabeu and retire after participating in the World Cup at the end of this season.
So giving our "King Without a Crown," oh no, our king, one last gift seems normal!
Under these circumstances, Liverpool’s caution had no effect. Real Madrid players’ fighting spirit wouldn’t be dampened by their caution.
In fact, Slotte knew before the match that his strategy had failed. Real Madrid’s fighting spirit was reignited, although he couldn’t understand why, it didn’t hinder his caution.
After all, in the Champions League of the past decade or so, there is a mystery called "Real Madrid’s mystique"
Chen Zhong has performed numerous miraculous goals, not counting on two hands, along with inexplicable mysteries like Karius’s strange mistakes, further glorifying this mystique.
Even Zidane, who led the team to three consecutive Champions League titles, earned the nickname "Qi Xuanzong," illustrating Real Madrid’s heritage and confidence on the Champions League stage.
Time quickly reached game day.
In England, the night in Liverpool turned red, with tens of thousands of Liverpool fans already gathering outside Anfield.
They sang "You’ll Never Walk Alone," but unlike usual frenzy, this time the song carried some caution — the Kop stand loyalists even spontaneously urged extreme fans against making insulting banners targeting Chen Zhong.
The reminder "Don’t give Real Madrid ammunition" was pinned on fan forums, with even the most aggressive Reds supporters knowing beyond empowering that Chinese man, they had no effect.
And Atletico Madrid’s knockout of Manchester United in the second leg set an example for Simeone.
Do not mock or provoke these two top men in the world, as that might give you some odds of victory in the next battle.
Many Real Madrid fans were also present at this match, believing it would have a favorable outcome. Both teams’ fans frequently clashed, with Real Madrid fans trying to overtake Anfield and holding the majority. However, Liverpool fans were aware of the match’s importance and did not let them succeed.
"This is Anfield, where the second leg of the Champions League semi-final is about to take place."
"In the first leg, Real Madrid lost to Liverpool at home, trailing by 2 goals, marking the second time after Klopp left Liverpool that they beat Real Madrid in the Champions League."
"Before this match, many were curious about the outcome, as Chen Zhong has continuously performed miracles in the Champions League this season. Can he lead Real Madrid further in this match?"
"Let’s wait and see!"
"The match begins!"
On the stands, many Liverpool fans booed Arnold as he took the field; this youth academy prince left the team at the end of his career, changed his name, and only left the team €10 million. Even though he lightly kissed the emblem when departing, in Liverpool fans’ hearts, this man was unforgivable.
Arnold heard the boos from Liverpool fans but showed no reaction, much like everything he did upon departure, knowing what would benefit him most.
When the referee blew the starting whistle, the noise at Anfield reached its peak.
Liverpool players pressed forward like a red tide, while Real Madrid rarely positioned a 4-4-2 defensive stance — Chen Zhong even retreated to the defensive midfielder position for organization.
The tactics Slotte devised before the match were now implemented, trying to score a decisive goal at the early stage to solidify their victory.
But Alonso also anticipated this.
He adopted a defensive stance, skillfully dissolving Slotte’s offense, turning the first ten minutes of this match into a tactical whiteboard of the two coaches.
