Chapter 390 - 390
The Champions League Semi-final.
Manchester City versus Ajax, Manchester United versus Liverpool.
The two Manchester giants had truly stolen the spotlight, bringing immense excitement to the city of Manchester.
Tens of thousands of tourists flocked from all over the world just to catch a glimpse of the two Manchester powerhouses in action.
If—if both Manchester United and Manchester City defeated their opponents, a new record would be set in world football.
That record would be having the same opponents in the English League Cup final, the FA Cup final, and the Champions League final.
Such a scenario hadn't occurred in many years, and if you added the top two spots in the league standings...
...
Manchester City Training Base.
Luxurious decor, state-of-the-art facilities—truly worthy of being the world's most expensive training base.
The Manchester City players were gathered together, chatting.
"Do you think there's a possibility that we lose to Manchester United in the league title race, the English League Cup final, the FA Cup final, and the Champions League final—all of them?" Foden suddenly spoke up.
Before his words had even fully left his mouth, everyone's eyes turned toward him, filled with complex emotions.
The hot-tempered Vincent Kompany slammed the table. "If it really turns out like you said, then we'd truly become the noisy neighbors. And each and every one of us would be etched into the annals of shame—perhaps for thirty, fifty, even a hundred years, we'd never be able to wash away that disgrace!"
"And no matter how glorious our future achievements might be, people would only remember Manchester United stepping on our heads to claim the trophies!"
"What's the point of even playing then? We might as well just retire on the spot!!!"
Kompany's powerful voice echoed through the locker room, causing all the Manchester City players to instinctively put themselves in that scenario.
Then, one by one, they shuddered.
Indeed, two league clashes, the League Cup final, the FA Cup final, and the yet-to-be-confirmed Champions League final—that made a total of five matches.
If Manchester City failed to secure even a single victory, they might as well retire on the spot.
"And given our form in yesterday's match, do you think we stand a chance against Manchester United?"
Kompany scanned the room, offering his own answer first.
"No, not a single chance. We all know how strong Manchester United is, how strong Ling is. So don't carry a negative mindset. Instead, face every match with even greater seriousness!"
After a moment of silence in the locker room, the roars of the Manchester City players erupted.
...
At the same time, Liverpool Training Base.
"Many of you are from Liverpool. You know the rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester. If Manchester United and Manchester City really advance to the final, what do you think awaits Liverpool?"
Klopp was also pumping up his players.
"Mockery and insults!" Arnold said grimly.
As a native Liverpudlian, he naturally held no favorable impression of Manchester.
"Exactly! So in the Champions League semi-final four days from now, I need you to give it your all. Press all over the pitch, pin Manchester United's entire formation back into their own half, force them into mistakes, and then seize the opportunity to deliver the ball into dangerous areas."
Once the players' emotions were stirred, Klopp continued to pour fuel on the fire.
It must be said, Germans seem to have a natural talent for public speaking.
With simple words, expressions, and gestures, Klopp had the Liverpool players fired up and ready to go.
Back in his days at Borussia Dortmund, he was adept at this tactic.
It indeed yielded good results early in his coaching career, but the effectiveness would gradually diminish over time.
After all, players couldn't stay in a state of excitement forever.
...
At this moment, Mourinho didn't resort to motivational speeches.
He simply gathered the players, briefly outlined Liverpool's tactics, and explained what they needed to do to counter them.
The specific tactics had already been drilled during regular training sessions.
All that was needed now was to ensure the players understood and executed them strictly during the match.
By the time the recovery training and tactical meeting concluded, the setting sun had already painted half the sky red.
Ling strolled through the Carrington Training Base and found himself at the entrance of the cafeteria without realizing it.
He suddenly recalled a scene from two years ago and couldn't help but look up at the wall opposite, which was adorned with murals of many Manchester United star players.
Beckham, Scholes...
From left to right, the players' ages grew younger until the largest figure dominated the space.
"The mural artist at Manchester United is quite skilled. The painting looks about eighty percent like me," Ling murmured to himself.
It had been nearly two years since his rebirth, and he still vividly remembered that day.
McTominay had come to fetch him for training, and as they passed by the mural, Scott had wistfully wondered when he would be immortalized on that wall.
"Ling, the cafeteria has honey-roasted chicken today. It's definitely the best dish of the week. If you don't hurry, it'll be gone."
Scott McTominay walked out of the cafeteria, holding two chicken legs and mumbling as he went.
"Can't you share one with me?"
Ling looked at the chicken legs in Scott's hands, his smile tinged with nostalgia.
"Here, I haven't touched this one yet."
Scott handed over a chicken leg.
Ling didn't stand on ceremony and accepted it graciously, taking a hearty bite.
Back in the youth academy, the thing he looked forward to most every day was finding out what the cafeteria had prepared.
For a child far from home, there wasn't much entertainment in his life.
Every day was just training, studying, resting... the same routine day after day.
If it weren't for Scott's companionship, he might not have made it through.
Ling gave a thumbs-up and praised, "Scott, your taste is as impeccable as ever. Following your lead for food is always a sure bet!"
Scott chuckled softly.
Then, wiping his mouth, he waved goodbye to Ling. "I've got plans tonight, so I won't be joining you for dinner."
Ling knew Scott had recently started dating a girl, rumored to be the daughter of an asset management company director.
McTominay had even shown off a photo of the two together.
She was a very pretty girl.
So Ling teased, "Make sure you don't overdo it! Don't wear yourself out, or you'll be weak-legged during the match. If that happens, I'll definitely report you to the boss!"
Scott's right foot, which had been about to step forward, froze mid-air.
He seemed to be wrestling with his conscience.
In the end, reason triumphed over desire, and he turned back to Ling's side. "Actually, I'm feeling a bit hungry again. I'll join you for a little more."
Ling smiled without saying a word.
In the football world, opinions on pre-match abstinence vary.
Some believe that athletes engaging in such activities before a match can lead to fatigue symptoms like weak legs, low spirits, and drowsiness.
But others argue that it can actually enhance competitive performance.
However, in the end, it's a case of "everyone has their own truth." Take the World Cup as an example.
In the 1966 England World Cup, the England team strictly enforced a ban on sexual activity and ultimately won the championship.
In the 2018 Russia World Cup, the German team also imposed a similar ban.
The result?
They suffered a crushing defeat to Mexico in the first round and ultimately failed to advance from the group stage.
Scott McTominay, on the other hand, adopted the mindset of "better safe than sorry."
If their performance on the field were to decline because of this, the loss would be too great to bear.