Football: I am only 16 years old, and you want me to retire and make a comeback?

Chapter 627 The Ultimate Battle, The Dog Coach on the Manchester United Substitutes' Bench

"Eh, Mr. Eric?"

Tang Ye didn't type the word "dog" because he thought he might have made a mistake.

"Yes, you can just take a dog out, a small one, and tie it to that pillar on the bench. You should know where that pillar is, right?"

“I know, but… Mr. Eric, this isn’t right, is it?”

Tang Ye was surprised.

Because he just couldn't understand why Ten Hag would make him bring a dog to the game.
Is this right?
"Don't ask why, just do it this way."

These were the last words Ten Hach spoke.

"This……"

After hanging up the phone, Tang Ye looked at the green training field in front of him and fell into deep thought.

"what happened?"

Dembele walked over and, seeing Tang Ye's expression, assumed that one of the team's coaches had tested positive again.

"Osman, are there places to buy dogs in Lisbon?"

"Buy a dog? Is that a proverb?"

"No, it's a puppy, the small kind."

Tang Ye gestured with his hands: "It has a heartbeat, and it barks."

"Um... what are you going to do?"

"I don't know either"

"You don't know either?"

……

With just one day left until the Champions League final, the official Champions League social media account released a two-minute video, which serves as a promotional video for this season's Champions League final.

The video features some of the most exciting goals from the Champions League knockout stage, including all 12 teams that participated in the restart. The official video uses edited clips to give fans a glimpse of the best goals from the restart.

The purpose of these goals was to lead into the content at the end of the video.

The Champions League trophy slowly moves upwards in the image, with Messi wearing a Barcelona number 10 jersey on the left and Tang Ye wearing a Manchester United number 10 jersey on the right.

Messi and Tang Ye stood facing each other, looking into each other's eyes, with the Champions League trophy between them.

[August 24th, the decisive battle for the top of Europe]

Baidu's No.1 trending search: Manchester United vs. Barcelona in the Champions League final.

NO.2: Tang Ye aims for the Champions League title.

NO.3: Tang Ye Messi.

The Sun's front-page headline: Barcelona has tightened security at their training ground, and any journalists attempting to approach the ground's perimeter will be driven away.

"In the latest training session, Setién had the team try a two-striker formation, which may be Barcelona's preparation for dealing with Manchester United," a reporter from The Sun said.

The Sun is at it again, with two reporters hanging from a tree to film a video of Barcelona's training session.

Of course, The Sun is fair; it leaked information about not only Barcelona's training ground but also Manchester United's.

"A reporter spotted a small French Bulldog at Manchester United's training ground. This bulldog is newly arrived, and it's suspected the team purchased it to relieve pressure during the final. Dembele performed well in an intra-squad scrimmage, scoring two goals… Subsequently, a tree where the reporter was located broke, so filming was halted."

"Both reporters from the newspaper have received proper medical treatment and are not at risk of disability."

……

Manchester United have announced that interim manager Steve McClaren has tested positive for COVID-19.

Mundo Deportivo's front page headline: Ten Hag returns! Manchester United submits information on players and coaches for the final to the UEFA committee.

Mundo Deportivo published in its latest issue a secretly photographed application to replace the Manchester United manager.

Eric!
This is the name of Manchester United's manager in the final!

It's that man!
He is back!

[Welcome back, Teng Sheng!]

【Wow, that fast? I remember just half a week ago, Ten Hah was still completely overwhelmed】

[It's been about half a week. Ten Hach is only 50 years old, no need to panic.]

When I saw that McClaren also tested positive, I thought Manchester United was going to collapse, but now it seems that it's Barcelona who will be in trouble!

Barcelona's official final pre-match poster: Legends live on.

Manchester United's official final pre-match poster: A new king ascends the throne.

"United!"

"TY! TY!"

The area outside the Stadium of Light was bustling with activity, as Manchester United fans who had traveled from afar packed the streets, crowding in front of the team bus and chanting the names of their favorite players.

Go TY!

"Manchester United are the Champions League winners!!!"

The fans were enthusiastic, but Tang Ye did not open the curtains as usual.

Because he is extremely nervous right now.

It wasn't just Tang Ye; all the Manchester United players on the bus were like that.

The Champions League final—that's what they're about to face.

Even though the opponents weren't particularly strong, Tang Ye and his teammates, who were participating in the Champions League final for the first time, still faced considerable pressure.

Click, click, click!

Pre-match press conference.

Since neither Ten Hag nor Van der Gagh were present, Tang Ye could only give the interview as the team captain.

The mask hurts my ears a little, but it's not a big problem.

"This is your first time participating in the Champions League final, Tom, and you're 21 years old. Did you ever imagine that you could win the Champions League at the age of 21?"

"Haha, of course there will be a result. To be honest, I think all football players have thought about this, because the Champions League title is too important."

Click!

The reporter's interview with Tang Ye lasted a full half hour, ranging from questions about team tactics to Tang Ye's chances of winning the Golden Boot.

Tang Ye was able to answer most of these questions fluently (although some were not so easy to answer), and it was clear that he had indeed learned a lot from Ten Hach.

"Barcelona's starting lineup is worth less than half of yours, so what do you think your chances of winning against Barcelona are?"

"Well... I don't think the starting lineup's market value tells us much, because Barcelona is a very good team. As for the win rate, I don't know the exact percentage, but I think it's at least over 50%."

"Then I wish you success in winning your first Champions League title in advance."

After receiving the reporters' blessings, Tang Ye stood up from his chair and nodded slightly to the reporters interviewing him below the stage.

……

Reprint: Starting lineups for the Champions League final announced, with Tang Ye and Messi leading the starting lineup, and Rodri facing off against Coutinho.

In the away team's dressing room at the Stadium of Light, Manchester United players stood shoulder to shoulder in a circle.

"This is the last game of the season."

Tang Ye's gaze swept over each of his teammates in turn, and based on his observation, the players in the team were all in pretty good condition.

"This is the closest we've ever come to winning the Champions League title. We absolutely, positively will win; there's no other possibility."

"Wang Wang!"

The French Bulldog in the locker room suddenly shouted, as if it had understood what Tang Ye said.

After Tang Ye's speech, the Manchester United players surrounded him even more closely, with Rodri's hand almost pressing a mark into Tang Ye's shoulder.

"3, 2, 1!"

"champion!"

"champion!"

"champion!"

"Wow!!!!"

Clap clap clap!

Tang Ye and Rodri led their teammates out of the locker room.

……

The staff in the players' tunnel were all wearing masks, and Tang Ye adjusted his captain's armband.

Messi walked towards him, and Tang Ye went over to give him a hug: "Leo..."

"Tom"

After the hug, the two shook hands.

This is not the first time Tang Ye and Messi have faced off. The two are already very familiar with each other, and for Tang Ye, Messi is even more approachable than Ronaldo (if it weren't for Ronaldo's sudden estrangement from him).

"It's not an easy game to play."

Messi sighed, and just then Tang Ye suddenly remembered something and looked up sharply: "That's right!"

"Ok?"

Under the bewildered gazes of Messi and Suarez, Tang Ye ran back to the locker room.

Oh, then he must have forgotten something. If it's Tom, maybe he forgot his chewing gum?
Messi quickly figured out the answer. After a while, the sound of running could be heard from the tunnel, followed by a few barks from dogs.

"Wang Wang!"

! ! ?

Tang Ye led a small white French Bulldog into the tunnel, where the Barcelona player and the French Bulldog stared at each other blankly.

"This is……"

Messi pointed at the French Bulldog, exchanged a glance with Suarez, and then looked at Tang Ye.

"Oh, its name is Eric."

Eric, that's the name Tang Ye gave to the French Bulldog.

"Eric?"

"Yes, he's our temporary coach for today. Mr. McLaren is having some trouble; it's unclear whether he'll be able to come."

"Wow"

Messi and Suarez looked at each other again and nodded slightly.

Even before the match started, the relaxed atmosphere within the Manchester United team put immense pressure on Barcelona.

hiss……

Manchester United seem very confident about today's match.

He's so confident that he instills fear in the Barcelona players!
……

"China Media Group! Good evening, viewers. This is a live broadcast for you..."

"As you can see, both teams' players are already ready in the player tunnel, and Messi is standing second for the Barcelona team!"

"Then, on Manchester United's side, Tang Ye is wearing the captain's armband, um..."

The narrator suddenly stopped talking because the director focused the camera on a small dog.

Why show the puppy on camera?

Because this little dog was being led by Tang Ye on a leash, and it was also in Manchester United's starting lineup.

"This, this is..."

At this point, the commentators had already connected the incident to Jensen's comment about "the Manchester United coaching staff tying up dogs," but they dared not say it.

Although there are references, putting those references into practice is a different matter entirely.

"What the fuck?"

"Is Manchester United serious? My God, haha ​​(in English)"

"I know TY will probably keep this French Bulldog on the bench, you know, just like Jason said (in English)."

"Hahaha!"

Dongqiudi live match report: Both teams' players are ready in the player tunnel, and Tang Ye is leading his dog.

When I saw this battle report, I didn't even realize what was happening. Damn, they really are dogs!

What are they trying to do? Are they really going to tie him to the bench?

Manchester United still comes first; entertainment value is always their top priority.

[Damn, I knew it! Why is the head coach Eric and not Eric Ten Hag? Turns out this dog's name is Eric.]

[A Taoist priest and three dogs—if you're a brother, come and fight me!]

The fans are clearly not very worldly; Tang Ye walking a dog gave them a huge fuss.

Never seen a pig leading a dog?

Following the referee out, Tang Ye led the dog to the away team's bench, hung the leash on a long pillar, and then squatted down to pat the French Bulldog's head.

"Wang Wang!"

This French Bulldog is very energetic and clearly was carefully selected.

It was also wearing a red Manchester United jersey with the number 99.

Come on, Manchester United!

"Barca! Barca! Barca!"

Fuck Manchester United!

Some Barcelona fans on the podium thought the dog was a mockery of Barcelona.

Actually, that's not the case; Manchester United simply had no other choice.

Because McLaren also tested positive.

All tactical coaches have to go home, but UEFA rules don't allow you to be without a coach.

This is not Manchester United's fault.

The problem lies with UEFA's rules.

Tang Ye was forced to walk the dog because Manchester United was pressured by the rules.

"Beep!!"

Snapped!
Suarez passed the ball back to Coutinho.

The Champions League final has officially begun!

……

Barcelona (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper: Ter Stegen
Defenders: Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba
Midfielders: Roberto, Busquets, Coutinho, Vidal
Forwards: Messi, Suarez

Head Coach: Setién

The Sun's paparazzi photos from the treetops were correct; Barcelona did indeed play with two strikers in this match.

However, judging from the past few Champions League matches, Coutinho's position is actually quite flexible, meaning that Barcelona can quickly switch between two strikers and three strikers.

The camera pans to the home team's bench.

Setién is an excellent coach, and his tactics are equally outstanding.

The camera then pans to the away team's bench, because the French bullfighter Eric is very small, so the camera needs to be zoomed in.

Barcelona's tactics are very effective.

So, Manchester United's tactics...

"Wang Wang!"

"French fighter Eric shouted."

Manchester United's tactics are very bizarre because the team's coach has transcended the realm of humanity.

Manchester United pulled a stunt, but the pressure on both sets of fans did nothing to ease it.

You're making a big mistake by focusing your attention on French Bulldogs!
The Champions League final is underway right now!

"..."

"Roberto, pass it to Messi!"

"Messi leads the ball forward!"

"Let's see how Manchester United responds to this Barcelona attack; Rodri is already on the move."

Luke Shaw was retreating, while Rodri was closing in on Messi.

Judging from Manchester United's current situation, it's clear that the coach must have given instructions, because even French Bulldogs know that defending against Messi requires at least two players.

Snapped!
Luke Shaw passed the ball to Coutinho, who was coming from the middle.

boom!
Coutinho had just gotten the ball when it was stolen from him the next second.

Frenkie de Jong!

After making the tackle, De Jong shielded the ball with his body to prevent Coutinho from winning it back.

Once possession of the ball was secured, De Jong dribbled forward himself.

De Jong dribbled the ball forward into Barcelona's half.

Team up with Dembele!
Dembele passed the ball back to De Jong, who completed a one-two pass, while Dembele himself ran forward to create opportunities for his teammates.

"De Jong is watching Tang Ye, he probably has the idea of ​​passing the ball, but Barcelona is putting a lot of pressure on Tang Ye!"

Just as the commentator described, Tang Ye was firmly locked down by two defensive players, and he couldn't find a breakthrough point by changing direction left or right.

Most teams would probably be at a loss for what to do at this point.

But Manchester United is Manchester United after all, and Rashford and Dembele are not to be underestimated.

De Jong, combining with Wan-Bissaka who came up from the right, successfully passed the ball to Rashford.

Rashford controlled the ball and cut inside!

Manchester United's long pass was somewhat sudden, and Rashford was not even surrounded by defenders when he cut inside.

By the time Semedo got close, it was too late.

Rashford dribbled the ball to the edge of the penalty area and then unleashed a curling shot.

Ter Stegen stood still, watching the ball glide past the post and into the net.

The ball went in!
……

(End of this chapter)