Chapter 987 The Saliva Before the Red-Blue Battle

The Champions League semi-finals started in the middle of the week after the match between Manchester United and Everton. Manchester United's opponent in the Champions League semi-finals is also the Premier League title rival Chelsea.

Before the Champions League quarter-finals, Gao Xiaodong once said that he did not want to meet Chelsea in the semi-finals, and he wanted to play against Bayern.

However, Gao Xiaodong also became the crow's mouth. Bayern was closer to promotion than Chelsea in most of the 180 minutes of the game, but it was Chelsea who had the last laugh.

Losing 0:1 at home and reversing 2:1 away from home, Chelsea Blues showed his iron-bloodedness, tenacity and stability to the world.

The Red Devils Manchester United and the Blue Army Chelsea are exactly the opposite. Manchester United's football is passionate and passionate. Two old enemies with completely opposite football personalities come together in the semi-finals, which is destined to attract the attention of fans all over the world.

Historically, Manchester United has met the top three in London in the European War and successfully defeated their opponents; while Chelsea has met Premier League teams in the Champions League for 6 consecutive seasons, with a total score of only 3 wins and 3 losses.

The first time the Red Devils played in the English Civil War in European history dates back to the Cup Winners' Cup in the 1963-1964 season. They met the defending champion Tottenham in the first round. Tottenham, who were at their peak, won the first leg at White Hart Lane 2-0 at home, but Manchester United returned to Old Trafford in the second leg and responded with a 4-0. In recent years, in the final of the 2007-2008 season, it was the first time that Chelsea was defeated by a penalty kick; in the semi-finals of the 2008-2009 season, Arsenal was beaten 4-1 in two legs, and Evra even left the famous saying "It feels like adults and children are playing football."

Although Chelsea has played less in European competitions, it has faced more civil wars with English opponents. In the 1970-1971 season, Chelsea won the Cup Winners' Cup and eliminated Manchester City 1-0 in the semi-finals. Starting from the 2003-2004 season, the Blues have had to fight in the Champions League for six consecutive seasons, and Liverpool alone has encountered it five times. In addition to losing to Manchester United in the final of the 2007-2008 season, the Blues once eliminated Arsenal 3-2 in the quarter-finals of the 2003-2004 season.

Ancelotti and Ferguson are world-class coaches. They have both led their teams to the Champions League finals three times and won two Champions League trophies. Any direct dialogue between them will be engraved with the label of greatness. In the 1999 Champions League semi-finals, Juventus led by Ancelotti was overturned 3-2 by Manchester United at home with a 2-0 lead, thus achieving Manchester United's Triple Crown. After that, An Pang had an overwhelming advantage in the game against Sir Alex Ferguson.

When Ancelotti led AC Milan to meet Manchester United again, he eliminated Sir Alex twice and reversed the tone of the confrontation between the two. Since joining Chelsea last season, Ancelotti only lost last summer. A tasteless Community Shield. So far, Anshuai has the absolute upper hand in the direct dialogue with Sir Alex Ferguson in 12 games, 7 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses. He has the experience of eliminating the Red Devils in the Champions League twice in the past 6 years.

Gao Xiaodong and Lampard,

Rooney and Drogba are the representative figures of the two teams. In terms of strength alone, the combination of Gao Xiaodong and Rooney is about the same as the combination of Lampard and Drogba, but based on the Champions League record against each other. It is said that Gao Xiaodong led Inter Milan to eliminate Chelsea last season, and Rooney snatched a championship from Chelsea. The records of Gao Xiaodong and Rooney are obviously better than Drogba and Lampard.

This psychological advantage also allows Gao Xiaodong and Rooney to speak without any scruples.

Rooney said: Manchester United will definitely conquer Stamford Bridge. Although we are playing away from home in the first leg, Manchester United will definitely attack aggressively. We have to bring our performance against Schalke 04 to Chelsea. We have to improve defensively and I believe we can do our best. Maybe Chelsea had better results in the past few games, but in the Champions League knockout rounds, our goal is to advance.

Gao Xiaodong said: "Manchester United versus Chelsea will be another peak matchup. Although we meet every year, the Champions League is completely different. Meeting in the Champions League semi-finals is really bad luck for Chelsea because We will definitely advance.”

Ferguson's record against Ancelotti was not good, and he was more cautious in his words. "Both teams have the best players, the most experienced coaches and the most complete equipment. But Chelsea does seem to be more difficult on the front line." , whether it is Drogba or Anelka, it is not easy to score goals this season. Torres has not yet integrated into the team, and it is difficult to say whether he can make a breakthrough. Xiaodong, Rooney, and Hernandez are in good condition. I think we have the upper hand in terms of state, but when there is a strong dialogue, it is the details that determine the outcome. Whoever does the details well wins.

Gao Xiaodong and Rooney spoke arrogantly, and Chelsea head coach Carlo Ancelotti was equally rude. In an interview with reporters, he said: It was "destined" for us to meet Manchester United in the Champions League. Although some people think that whether I can continue to coach the Blues depends on this match, I am not nervous at all. Because I am always the winner when playing against Manchester United. I have many good memories of playing against Manchester United. I believe that we will advance this time. "

Ancelotti's words somewhat annoyed Ferguson. When being interviewed by reporters the next day, Manchester United coach Ferguson retorted, "I spent 50 million pounds to introduce Torres in the winter transfer. No one except Chelsea would be so crazy. I believe that Chelsea is so crazy about it." The madness of the Champions League can only make Ancelotti leave early."

In response to Ferguson's sarcastic remarks, Ancelotti showed no weakness, "This is not crazy, but a dream. Our Champions League semi-finals against Manchester United means that we are one step closer to the final."

Ferguson said that Torres and Drogba were in poor condition. Indeed, Torres has not scored in 10 games since joining Chelsea. Ancelotti said: "I don't care whether Torres scores a goal. The role of a forward is not only to score goals, but also to score goals." It's about whether we can beat Manchester United and advance to the final."

Ferguson immediately commented on Twitter and Facebook: It looks like Torres is a defensive forward.

Ferguson's disciples joked below that at Chelsea Drogba is responsible for scoring goals and Torres is responsible for being beautiful. There is nothing wrong with that.

Ancelotti immediately counterattacked, saying that Rooney was a defensive forward, while Gao Xiaodong was a midfielder shooter.

The Chelsea players below laughed and said that Rooney is a casual striker, the Sun's leading striker, and Gao Xiaodong is a striker who does not do his job properly.

On the eve of the match between Manchester United and Chelsea, when the war of words between the coaches and players of both sides was in full swing, Simon, the assistant of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, wearing a pair of sunglasses, mysteriously came to Mendes's villa in Portugal.

Mendes was not surprised by Simon's arrival. Even if Simon came, Mendes would not be surprised even if Abramovich visited in person.

Because Gao Xiaodong has not renewed his contract with Manchester United, the number of people who have come to visit Mendes recently is almost like a crucian carp crossing the river. There are countless excuses for visiting, but there is only one purpose, and that is to want Gao Xiaodong.

Mendes and Abramovich are very familiar with each other. When Mourinho was the coach of Chelsea, Mendes continuously sent his players to Chelsea. As Abramovich's representative, Simon didn't talk nonsense when he saw Mendes. He directly stated that Chelsea wanted Gao Xiaodong and asked Mendes if he could do it. The transfer fee, annual salary and other conditions were at Mendes' discretion.

Mendes smiled bitterly and said: "Mr. Simon, Xiaodong has only been at Manchester United for less than a season."

Simon smiled slightly and said: "Mr. Mendes, Xiao Donggao has only been at Inter Milan for one season."

Mendes said: "But Xiaodong won the Triple Crown at Inter Milan. These are the three most important championships, and they are all the championships he can win in Serie A. He has no pursuit."

Simon continued to smile: "Xiao Donggao will soon win the Triple Crown at Manchester United."

Mendes waved his hands repeatedly and said: "It's still early days. The league may be more stable and the FA Cup is more promising, but the Champions League may not necessarily pass Chelsea's level."

Simon said: "Mr. Mendes didn't mean what he said. There are 4 rounds left in the league and we are 8 points ahead. We have almost won the championship. Our opponent in the FA Cup final is Stoke City. Isn't the championship stable enough? Only the Champions League is more suspenseful." A little bit, but with the current state, Manchester United has a much greater chance of winning than Chelsea, and now the boss is considering whether to fire Ancelotti."

Mendes sighed and said, "Mr. Simon, it looks like I'm going to lend you some good advice."

Simon said: "Mr. Mendes, Xiaodong is guaranteed two crowns, and more than half of them are likely to win the triple crown. If you think it is not safe enough to enter the finals, it only means that Ferguson is too steady."

Mendes said with a sneer: "Even if Xiaodong wins the Triple Crown this year, I don't think Xiaodong will leave Manchester United. He said he would help Manchester United surpass Liverpool in an all-round way."

Simon smiled slightly, took out a check and placed it in front of Mendes, saying: "If Xiao Donggao can transfer to Chelsea, you can fill in the commission as you wish."

Mendez smiled and pushed the check away. "I can't bear it. I can't guarantee you anything about Xiaodong's transfer. This kid has his own opinions and I can't control it. As you know, I hoped he could go to Real Madrid last time. The platform environment is better than Manchester United was better, but this kid still chose Manchester United."

"You mean we have to convince Gao Xiaodong." Simon hesitated, not sure if his guess was right.

Mendes smiled and said nothing. Some things were better left tacitly understood than spoken out.

Simon can be an assistant to Abu, not to mention his ability and understanding. Seeing Mendes's expression, he immediately understood what Mendes meant. However, Simon's target for coming to Mendes is not just Gao Xiaodong. He smiled and said: " The boss is very dissatisfied with Ancelotti. If Chelsea are eliminated from the Champions League, Chelsea will definitely have to replace him. I wonder if Mr. Mendes has anyone he can recommend?"

Mendes was stunned for a moment and asked tentatively: "Mr. Abramovich wants Mourinho?"

Simon laughed, "Isn't it possible?"

Mendes shook his head and said: "No, now Jose wants to succeed in Real Madrid. Now he doesn't want to go anywhere, but Queiroz is not bad, think about it."

Simon shook his head and said: "Forget it, Mr. Mendes, we will do the work on Xiao Donggao, but we also need your cooperation."

Mendes shook his head and said: "Mr. Simon, I have professional ethics. Besides, Sir Alex Ferguson has a good relationship with me."

"alright, I got it."

Simon patted his head. Although he failed to get Mendes's promise, Simon understood Gao Xiaodong's current situation and Mendes's attitude, and he was in a very good mood. He didn't talk to Mendes anymore and just exchanged greetings. Back to London.