Green Field Eunuch

Chapter 311 They are still best suited for the Champions League Round of 16

After the 25th round of the league, the FA Cup and the Champions League will follow immediately.

In the fifth round of the FA Cup, Mancini hosted Brighton. He didn't take the opponent seriously, after all, Brighton was just a newly promoted team from the Championship.

Dan Yongzhuo sat on the bench watching his teammates perform. Facing such an opponent, his teammates did not falter and easily defeated their opponents 4-1, successfully advancing to the FA Cup quarterfinals.

Next up is the Champions League knockout stage, and everyone is on high alert.

The Champions League is of paramount importance, even more so than the league for Manchester City, and this sentiment is shared by the players.

The fans think so, and so does the club.

In addition to generating huge popularity, the Champions League also brings substantial revenue and significant club influence.

Manchester City's opponent is Real Madrid.

After the team started training, they focused on Real Madrid and Spanish teams. Shan Yongzhuo actually has a lot of experience playing against Spanish teams, such as Villarreal and Atletico Madrid. However, this is his first time playing against one of the Spanish duo clubs.

The team does have some experienced players, such as Aguero and Silva.

However, Silva doesn't have much to say about this Real Madrid team, as he has been with Manchester City for almost two seasons since leaving Valencia. Aguero, on the other hand, can say something, since he was at Atletico Madrid last season.

Aguero talked about many things, such as Real Madrid's attack and defense...

As for Shan Yongzhuo...

"I think it's okay."

"Real Madrid isn't invincible, we should be able to win."

"I've played against Mourinho's teams a few times, and I've won them all."

"Casillas is an excellent goalkeeper, and I may need to be more careful when shooting."

Shan Yongzhuo talked at length, but Mancini found it all rather uninformative.

Is Casillas good?

Everyone knows that.

Dan Yongzhuo knew he was talking nonsense, but there was nothing he could do. He was just a striker, facing the opposing defenders and goalkeeper. He wasn't a professional team analyst, so how could he know Real Madrid's characteristics? In any case, no matter what team he faced, he would definitely encounter their tight defense. For him, the game was the same.

So, there is no difference.

According to the Champions League schedule, the second-placed team in the group plays the first leg at home and the second leg away, so Manchester City only needs to wait for Real Madrid to arrive in Manchester.

The day before Real Madrid's departure, European media outlets began reporting on the matter in various ways.

The Champions League is undoubtedly the most watched competition in Europe. The group stage is already very attractive, and the knockout stage is even more attractive. The most important match in the round of 16 is Manchester City versus Real Madrid.

Media outlets have made predictions regarding the Manchester City vs. Real Madrid match, but most believe Real Madrid will be able to eliminate Manchester City and advance to the quarterfinals.

Marca, Real Madrid's mouthpiece, said: "Real Madrid has shown the aura of a king, suppressing Barcelona in the league and emerging as the group winner in the Champions League. Although Manchester City has Shan Yongzhuo, the overall gap cannot be bridged by one player."

"Real Madrid can eliminate Manchester City in a two-legged tie."

Of course, when such news reached the UK, it was met with disdain by the English media.

Although the English media may lack integrity, they have remained steadfast in their united front against external threats at this critical juncture.

The Guardian reported: "Real Madrid wants to eliminate Manchester City? Then they first need to solve the problem of Shan Yongzhuo. How to defend against Shan Yongzhuo? Without solving this global problem, eliminating Manchester City is nonsense."

Even the usually unreliable The Sun showed some restraint at this point: "Manchester City with Shan Yongzhuo cannot be eliminated, not even Real Madrid. Last season's Champions League semi-finals gave them a false sense of security. Let them return to reality this season." "They are still best suited for the Champions League round of 16."

The Sun is known for its harsh criticism, but this statement has garnered widespread praise from the English media.

Moreover, the English media also has Spanish allies.

Barcelona's mouthpiece, Mundo Deportivo, gave Manchester City and Shan Yongzhuo the highest praise: "With Manchester City on the field, Real Madrid's Champions League journey this season can be said to be over. Shan Yongzhuo will teach those arrogant Madriders the best lesson."

Diario Sport also reported: "It's impossible for Real Madrid to eliminate Manchester City because they can't solve Shan Yongzhuo's problem. Relying on Mourinho? God, he has never beaten Shan Yongzhuo."

"Of course, Shan Yongzhuo also needs to be careful of Ramos and Pepe. After all, when Real Madrid can't win the game by normal means, they will seek other tricks."

Several mouthpiece media outlets in Barcelona have been quite blunt in their statements. They don't care that Spanish teams are eliminated by English teams, and they don't even consider themselves Spanish.

Amidst all the commotion, Real Madrid arrived in Manchester.

Mourinho also gave an interview the day before the match.

Despite his concerns about the match, Mourinho expressed confidence in the game: "Shan Yongzhuo is indeed a phenomenal star, but I still believe that one player cannot determine the outcome of a match, a point that is increasingly being proven in modern football."

“We have a stronger squad than Manchester City, and a more mature style of play. We never idolize any one player; we are a cohesive unit.”

"We will defeat Manchester City with our collective strength."

At this point, Mourinho changed the subject again, "Of course, it is undeniable that Shan Yongzhuo is indeed the world's number one star. In my opinion, such a star should go to a team that is more suitable for him, rather than a team that puts all its hopes on him."

"The best players go to the best teams, that's only natural."

The reporters in the audience were buzzing with discussion.

Mourinho's words clearly had a divisive tone.

The best player?

Shan Yongzhuo certainly deserves it.

The best team?

Manchester City?

Most people don't think so.

At least in many people's subconscious, Real Madrid is indeed one of the best teams.

Even these proud English journalists had to admit that Real Madrid truly deserved to be called one of the best teams.

Of course, there are also differing opinions.

Mourinho overheard a little girl's voice amidst the murmurs in the audience: "Real Madrid only won the Copa del Rey last year, while Manchester City won the treble. Why would they go from a championship-winning team to another team..."

Mourinho's face darkened immediately upon hearing these words.

However, he couldn't refute it and could only end the interview in a huff.

"Damn it... If I had a single bet, I could win all the titles, instead of this pathetic treble won by Manchester City."

Of course, Mourinho could only say these things to himself.

(End of this chapter)