Chapter 523: In a desperate situation
On May 25, the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul was filled with people.
AC Milan fans and Arsenal fans were sitting on opposite sides, singing their respective team anthems. The players from both teams were preparing for the game, and they all felt a little nervous after hearing the deafening sound.
This is the first time Wenger has led a team to the Champions League final. There are some ups and downs in his heart, but he is still calm on the face, talking to the players about their preparations before the game.
"The moment has come, boys, we are only one game away from the final championship." Wenger looked around at the crowd.
Some players were looking at him, some were concentrating with their eyes closed, and some were arranging their shoelaces, but everyone was listening to what he said.
"We have been working hard all season just for this moment. I know AC Milan is very strong, with Pirlo, Kaká, Shevchenko and Nesta.
But we are not bad either, we have Henry, Bergkamp, Vieri, Ljungberg and Fabregas. Henry, what do you think? "
Henry touched his newly shaved head and said: "Head, today I am going to shoot Milan's goal."
"Hahaha, I have to worry about AC Milan's goalkeeper. He will definitely be afraid of you, Henry."
"Yes, yes, Henry, don't worry, I will cover you."
Wenger was very satisfied with the team's morale. He then said to the young player Cesc Fabregas: "I put you in the starting lineup today. I know that the media has been very critical of you throughout the season.
But I believe in you and will do your job well. "
Team captain Vieira patted the slightly nervous Fabregas and said: "Don't worry, just go ahead and attack. I will stay behind to ensure the safety of the midfield and backcourt."
Fabregas felt the trust of the coach and the team's big brother, and nodded solemnly, saying that he would work hard to play well.
Wenger looked around again and saw that all the players were looking at him.
Always gentle and gentle, he tore off his tie, threw it to the ground, and shouted: "All the media were not optimistic about us before the game. They thought that we, Arsenal, were weak in the competition.
But today, we have come here, and we want to show the damn Milan people how our Arsenal used beautiful offense and tenacious defense to destroy Milan.
Come on, guys! Dry chopped Milanese. "
"Dry Milan..."
All the energetic players were immediately inspired with courage and fighting spirit, and they rushed out of the locker room one by one. Look at this, if this was a fighting game, Arsenal would probably have won the game by now.
The players from the two teams held the caddy's hand and waited in the aisle to play. The two sides looked at each other and could see the fire in each other's eyes.
It can be said that, except for a few national team games such as the World Cup and European Cup, the Champions League is a player's lifelong pursuit.
Everyone hopes to show themselves fully in the Champions League and win the final glory.
Henry looked at Shevchenko opposite and thought, is this my opponent tonight? Shevchenko also looked over. At this tense moment, Shevchenko was still smiling and seemed very relaxed.
It was finally time to take the field, and players from both teams slowly walked out of the aisle to the roar of the fans. When passing the Big Ear Cup, Shevchenko couldn't help but touch it.
Upon seeing this, Henry wanted to touch him too, but Bergkamp stopped him. Bergkamp shook his head and motioned Henry not to move.
The players from both teams have finished their appearances and the game is about to begin.
At this time, in the VIP box, Gilbert Jr., Ivanka, Keeley Hazell, and Arsenal general manager John Richard were already drinking red wine and watching the game.
Several TV broadcasts frequently showed footage of the VIP box. The Sky Sports commentator said: "Arsenal's owner, Director Gilbert Landrini Jr., has also arrived at the scene to be with his players."
"Yes," another commentator said: "Director Gilbert Jr. has a new movie to be released recently, but he still came to the scene to witness Arsenal being crowned king."
The British media naturally speaks to Arsenal, while the Italian media naturally speaks to AC Milan.
At this time, the commentator of Italian National TV, which was broadcasting the Champions League final, said: "Although Director Gilbert Jr.'s talent in movies is very Italian, what about his vision in football.
If you want to play football, you should come to Serie A. "
It seems that the commentator was dissatisfied with the fact that Gilbert Jr., as an Italian, went to support the team that acquired the Premier League. But he also doesn’t want to think about it. It is an indisputable fact that Serie A, known as the Little World Cup, is in decline.
The commercial value of the Premier League is much higher than that of Serie A. Little Gilbert is purely for the brand effect of football, which Serie A cannot do.
At this time, a billboard on the side of the field attracted special attention. It was actually a billboard for "Beginners", which had been placed in the Champions League final. Little Gilbert saw it clearly in the VIP box: "This advertisement is very effective. At least 50 to 60 million people have seen the billboard, right?"
"More than that," John Richard said: "During the semi-finals, the number of viewers reached more than 90 million, and now it is estimated to have exceeded hundreds of millions."
"Very good." Little Gilbert was very satisfied with the effect: "Although the advertising price is a bit expensive, the advertising effect is really good."
"Isn't this worse than the Super Bowl?" Ivanka asked.
"Not necessarily," Gilbert Jr. said: "No one has ever put a movie advertisement at the Champions League final. This is the first time. Let's see the effect."
Ivanka admires little Gilbert a little. If she remembers correctly, it was the first time that little Gilbert put a movie trailer at the Super Bowl halftime show.
Since then, it has almost become a routine for summer blockbusters to place commercials in the Super Bowl.
Before Little Gilbert, someone may have thought of such a method, but it was not implemented. So it was just an idea, but little Gilbert had the ability to turn his ideas into reality, and that was the difference.
"John, who do you think will win today's game?" Little Gilbert asked John Richard as the players on both sides were getting ready to kick off.
Of course, John Richard cannot say that AC Milan can win at this time, and the team is quite strong. He does not think that the team is uncompetitive.
So John Richard said confidently: "I believe our team will definitely win this victory."
"Okay, I'll wait and see." Little Gilbert smiled.
Who knows, less than two minutes after the two men finished talking, AC Milan's Kaka made a breakthrough and caused a foul after the opening, and got a chance to set the ball.
Pirlo then kicked the ball into the penalty area, and Maldini took advantage of the chaos to steal a kick and score the ball.
John Richard was very embarrassed. He was talking so arrogantly just now, but now he was scored a goal.
At this time, Keeley Hazel said instead: "It's okay, we're just one goal behind. Our team's offensive ability is very strong and we can catch up."
"Yes, yes, Professor Wenger will definitely make adjustments. Don't worry, boss." John Richard looked at little Gilbert's eyes and stood up to speak involuntarily.
Little Gilbert smiled softly: "Sit down, why are you nervous? I don't think the players are nervous, just watch the ball."
"Okay boss..." John Richard wiped the sweat from his face, sat down and prayed for some strength from the players.
But what happened next was completely beyond John Richard's expectations.
After taking a one-goal lead, AC Milan pursued the victory, but in the 27th minute, team forward Bergkamp was accidentally injured in a confrontation, and Wenger had to replace him.
Fortunately, the team's lineup is relatively deep, with Reyes and Henry still on the court, and Robin van Persie sitting on the bench, so the offensive firepower can be guaranteed.
But the team now has a problem with its defense. AC Milan's forward firepower is very fierce, and the impact of Kaká and Shevchenko has made Arsenal's defense crumbling.
In the 39th minute of the game, Henry broke into the penalty area and shot, but was blocked by Nesta. Arsenal immediately applied for a nod, but the referee believed that Nesta was passive and did not give a penalty kick.
The veteran AC Milan immediately launched a counterattack. Kaka broke through with the ball. Facing the double-teaming of three Arsenal defenders, he passed the ball to Shevchenko.
Shevchenko broke into the penalty area and passed the ball across the goal. Crespo easily scored and the score reached 2:0.
Now the atmosphere was awkward, John Richard was speechless, and instead asked little Gilbert to comfort him.
"It doesn't matter, John. Victory and defeat are common in military affairs, not to mention that we still lose!"
Before little Gilbert finished speaking, Keely Hazel covered her mouth and patted little Gilbert's shoulder and said: "Boss, AC Milan has scored again. It is now 3:0."
"Ah? This..." Little Gilbert looked at the huge 3:0 on the scoreboard and felt that he had a bit of bad luck today.
Ivanka doesn’t understand football, but the numbers on the scoreboard and the boss’s reaction tell her.
Arsenal is in dire straits.
(End of chapter)