Football: Starting from the Ronaldinho template

Chapter 261: A Dinner with Old Teammates! Mr. Scott Hospitalized! Champions League Semi-Final Results! League Progress!
The next day, the sun shines brightly.

Qin Ming and his teammates returned to London to prepare for the Premier League match two days later.

Kearney Training Base.

Qin Ming finished stretching and massaging, and had just arrived at the court to take a walk when he saw Win's big head.

"Uh-huh!"

No puppy in the world could resist this.

Win came running over, wagging its head, and circled around Qin Ming's feet, its big tail swishing wildly.

"Let me take you for a spin."

Qin Ming patted Win's head and strolled in the bright sunshine.

This scene brought him a long-lost sense of peace.

After each match, he would feel exhausted, not only physically but also mentally.

Sometimes I just can't muster the energy.

Therefore, a balance between tension and relaxation is essential.

"Win, I heard you harassed Uncle Tom's Border Collie yesterday, and ended up getting dragged by the leash and wrapped up in a tree near the base?"

Qin Ming said casually.

Win wasn't sure if it could understand, but it responded with two "woof woof" sounds.

"If you ask me, you shouldn't be so naive. It's obvious that he doesn't like you. Besides being fast, you're just a silly goose around all day."

As soon as Qin Ming finished speaking, Win's tail lashed his calf.

You know what, it really hurts.

"Alright, alright, I won't talk about you anymore. Do you think we can win the league championship? If we can, shout three times; if we can't, shout twice."

Qin Ming got a little tired as he walked, and the sun made him feel weak, so he lay down on the bench by the field.

Win lay quietly to the side.

It only rushed over excitedly when it saw Walcott.

It likes this person who can race against it.

Unfortunately, it was kept in a cage during player training.

Otherwise, the consequences of a high-speed collision could be terrifying.

Buzz buzz buzz! Qin Ming took out his phone and saw it was Perisic.

"Ivan, what can I do for you?"

"Have you forgotten? We're all in Manchester, and we're having dinner together tonight!"

"I remember! Isn't it eight o'clock tonight? I'll head over now!"

"."

Manchester three hours later.

Qin Ming pushed open the door to the private room and saw many familiar faces.

"Ivan, Kevin, it's been a long time."

He hugged several people.

"haven't seen you for a long time."

Perisic and the others laughed.

Dost rubbed his bald head, reminding Qin Ming of the Dutch center forward's poaching moments from last season.

How are things going in the Bundesliga this year?

Once the dishes were served, everyone started chatting.

"Some problems arose after Christmas, and Bayern Munich and their opponents widened the gap in points, which is understandable."

Perisic sounded a bit annoyed as he spoke.

They won the double championship last season.

It's highly likely that they'll end the season empty-handed.

"Reaching the Champions League quarterfinals is already a historic achievement."

Qin Ming comforted him.

"Hey! You have no idea how energetic Kevin was in yesterday's game!"

Benaglio rubbed his wrist.

"You know Kevin's personality. You can get scolded if you're on his team, let alone if you're on the opposing team."

Qin Ming raised an eyebrow at De Bruyne.

"Qin, if it were you, you probably would have kicked even harder."

De Bruyne has now learned to joke around.

It was also the harmonious atmosphere with his old teammates that made him let down his guard.

“That’s true, I should be able to wear a hat, just like before.” Qin Ming pretended to put a hat on himself.

"Haha! Qin, you're still as funny as ever, no different from before!"

A little joke brought everyone closer together.

In the world of football, parting is commonplace, but maintaining friendships is not so easy.

All relationships need to be maintained.

Moreover, as a person's status rises, it is common for them to enter new circles and forget their former friends.

However, Qin Ming cherished this friendship.

why?
Because after he traveled through time, he created wonderful memories with Perisic, Benaglio, Dost, and others.

He didn't want to forget these things.

And whenever I chat or meet with these friends, memories are unconsciously stirred up.

It's like a bottle of fine wine; the more you drink it, the better it tastes.

“Do you remember the Irish pub? Mr. Scott was hospitalized recently and was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. When we visited him in the hospital, he couldn’t remember who we were.”

Arnold, who came through Wolfsburg's youth academy, had a lot to say about this.

"Do you know what he said?" Perisic asked, keeping everyone in suspense.

"what?"

Qin Ming was genuinely unaware of this news.

“He said, ‘The new Law on the Protection of Minors has been promulgated and implemented, and it is strictly forbidden for businesses to sell alcohol to minors under the age of 18.’ At that moment, I knew he still remembered you.”

Perisic drank a glass of water as if it were a drink.

"I'll go see him when I have time." Qin Ming was feeling a bit down when he first arrived, so he thought he'd have a few beers to relieve the pressure.

That's how his story with Scott began.

Later, he learned that Scott was a die-hard Wolfsburg fan, born in the year Wolfsburg was founded, and had witnessed everything about Wolfsburg.

He was a striker and the leader of the Wolfsburg loyalist group.

By the way, he's also an Irish pub owner, and he has a lot of jerseys hanging in his pub. The only one he keeps in the lounge is a Wolfsburg number 13 jersey from the 14-15 season.

That's the final version of the Wolfsburg vs. Schalke 04 match.

Qin Ming also signed it.

Looking back now, it's quite poignant.

Mr. Scott, who was very knowledgeable about Wolfsburg's history last season, is now suffering from incurable Alzheimer's disease.

In the future, he will gradually forget the scenes he loves most.

This is a very cruel thing for a fan.

De Bruyne was also a little sad. He had been taken to that bar by Qin Ming, even though he wasn't particularly close to Scott.

"Alright, let's not talk about that anymore. My son Lorenzo was born. What gifts have you prepared?"

Perisic changed the subject.

"I remember it very clearly. In the EFL Cup semi-final, we played Tottenham, and I did a cradle dance celebration after scoring a goal."

Qin Ming even imitated it once more.

"what is this?"

Perisic said matter-of-factly, "Fine, I'll give my Premier League Player of the Month trophy to Lorenzo as a gift. Kevin doesn't have one of those."

As Qin Ming spoke, he winked at De Bruyne.

"What are you planning to give my child?"

Who knew that De Bruyne wouldn't take the bait and would instead turn the tables on him.

Qin Ming: “.”

After catching up with his old teammates, Qin Ming felt much better. He took them all to the airport and then returned to London.

The next day he watched the Champions League semi-final draw online.

UEFA Events Director Marchetti presided over the draw.

The large screen at the venue first played a video showing the journeys of the four teams that made it to the semifinals.

Arsenal defeated PSG to top their group, then beat Benfica twice in two legs, and finally avenged their loss to Barcelona.

Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid
Apart from Real Madrid, none of the other three teams have ever won the Champions League.

After the turn of the millennium, Real Madrid won the title three times in total, in 2000, 2002, and 2014.

Therefore, if Arsenal or one of the other three teams were to lift the Champions League trophy, it would be a historic moment.

Soon after, Inter Milan legend Stankovic, the guest of honor for the draw, took the stage.

Similar to the quarterfinals, there is no rule against teams from the same association to avoid each other in the semifinals; the team drawn first in a group will play at home.

The first team drawn was Manchester City, who will play the first leg of the semi-final at home against Real Madrid. The second leg will be played at the Bernabéu Stadium.

The rest is self-evident.

Arsenal drew Atletico Madrid, a tough opponent.

The moment the draw results were announced, the camera first focused on Real Madrid's public relations director, Butragueño, but Butragueño showed no expression.

The camera then focused on Manchester City executive Begiristain, who was seen touching his chin with a slight smile before quickly regaining his composure.

That brief smile was quite intriguing.

Because the moment the draw results were announced, it was widely believed that Manchester City had drawn a bad draw.

Representatives from Atletico Madrid and Arsenal were not captured on camera, but it is generally believed that Arsenal has a higher chance of winning.

why?
Because Barcelona had beaten Atletico Madrid 2-1 three times, and Arsenal eliminated Barcelona.

But those in the know understand that Arsenal were outmaneuvered by Atletico Madrid.

The Guardian: With the Premier League and La Liga locked in a fierce battle, will the Champions League final be another all-Chinese affair?
Marca: Arsenal's Champions League journey may be over. Simeone's Atletico Madrid are good at pressing and perform much better in the faster-paced Champions League than in the league!

Dongqiudi: Breaking News! Can Arsenal overcome Atletico Madrid and once again reach the final stage? Let's tune in on April 29th!
Will all La Liga teams be eliminated?
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[It looks bad. I feel like the Premier League will be completely eliminated, and the final will be an all-La Liga affair!]
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[Zidane is something else. After taking over from Ancelotti, I thought he would have a slump for the season, but he came out strong and reached the semi-finals, and is also closing the gap with Barcelona in the league.]
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If Real Madrid wins the Champions League, Cristiano Ronaldo will likely take home this year's Ballon d'Or.
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[Since Messi doesn't have many accolades, if Arsenal can win the league and the Champions League, plus the Community Shield and the EFL Cup, they'll become quadruple winners?]
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[Daydreaming?]
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Arsenal's squad simply can't handle Atletico Madrid. Even Real Madrid wouldn't be able to withstand them. One team employs extreme pressing, while the other relies on an inexplicable, unpredictable style of play. Wenger should focus on the league.
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[The competition hasn't even started yet, what's the rush?]
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I believe Arsenal can make up for the disappointment of ten years ago.
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【.】

Qin Ming was not surprised to see the results of the draw.

They returned to the training base the next day.

The teammates started discussing it.

"To be honest, I would still prefer to face Manchester City. Their technical style... well, we are more familiar with them and have won against them a few times."

"Cazorla said."

"Anyway, let's at least prepare first. Let's watch Atletico Madrid's match videos and see if there are any points we can target."

Since the result of the draw is already determined, there's no point in thinking about it anymore.

"Of course, surrendering before the match is not our style. Even if we die, we'll die standing!"

Monreal has a very loud voice.

"Go! Go!" Qin Ming shouted, throwing a punch.

Monreal spoke his mind, saying that being cowardly before the battle is always despised.

The match hasn't started yet.

Who knows the final outcome?

Two days later.

A person's life can never stop, and so can a player's season.

The 34th round of the Premier League has begun.

Arsenal face Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium.

To the Gunners' slight disappointment, Crystal Palace's cheerleaders weren't there, so they couldn't get a good look at them.

Moreover, the match wasn't very exciting.

Having just played against Barcelona three days ago, they had no choice but to rotate their squad.

Fortunately, Gustavo partnered with Elneny, and with these two solid defensive midfielders, Crystal Palace found it difficult to advance to the edge of the penalty area.

In a counter-attack in the 63rd minute of the match.

Iwobi received a long pass from Gabriel, dribbled to the right side of the penalty area, and chipped the ball into the middle.

Welbeck scores with a header.

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace!
This score remained unchanged until the end of the match.

On the other side, Leicester City defeated West Ham United 3-2, and Manchester City beat Chelsea 3-0, also securing victories.

The point difference between the two teams remained unchanged.

There are five rounds left in the Premier League.

Arsenal currently lead Leicester City by 4 points and Manchester City by 5 points, with the point difference remaining unchanged.

Leicester City and Manchester City fans are urging West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland, and other teams to help them stop Arsenal.

West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland do indeed have ideas.

They currently have 38 and 36 points, just 2 points away from the relegation zone.

Every match after that was a do-or-die battle.

Therefore, despite Arsenal's weak opponents, everyone knows that relegation-threatened teams can unleash performances far exceeding their usual level at the end of the season.

They might even deliberately commit fouls to make you hesitant to go all out.

When Wenger was in his office discussing tactics with Pat Rice, the two talked about the FA Cup.

According to the schedule, they will play West Bromwich Albion on the 21st, Sunderland on the 24th, and the FA Cup on the 27th.

The Champions League semi-final is on the 29th.

How to do?
In fact, Wenger already had the answer.

"Let's rotate the squad for the game against Crystal City. Let's find some good players from the reserve team to play, and give the young players a chance to train."

Wenger put down the pen with the Arsenal crest on it.

He gave one to Qin Ming before, and kept several for himself.

I wonder when we'll be able to collaborate again.

Last time it was the Undefeated Cup, next time it would be the league title or the Champions League title, both would be worthy of their joint commemoration.

4 month 21 day.

Qin Ming and others who were rotated out of the previous match started the game and scored an early goal against West Bromwich Albion, who are outside the relegation zone.

The two teams are vastly different in terms of their strength on paper.

Qin Ming almost single-handedly withstood the challenge from several defenders, repeatedly chipping the ball over the goalkeeper in front of the penalty area before combining with Cazorla in an aerial relay.

He then broke into the penalty area and slotted the ball into the net.

"Qin Ming has scored his 33rd league goal, practically securing the Premier League Golden Boot!"

"Unless Vardy scores 7 goals in the last few rounds of the competition and Qin Ming doesn't score a single goal!"

"Let's take a look at the top scorers list. Qin Ming is number one with 33 goals, Vardy has 26 goals, Harry Kane has 24 goals, Sanchez has 23 goals, and Aguero has 23 goals!"

"Before Qin Ming, and after the millennium, only Suarez, Van Persie, Ronaldo, and Henry scored more than 30 goals in a single season!"

"."

Full time! Arsenal 3-1 West Bromwich Albion!

"Qin Ming, Sanchez, and Mertesacker have scored!"

With four rounds remaining in the league, Qin Ming is just one goal away from achieving Alan Shearer's and Andy Cole's combined 34 Premier League goals!

"Can he become the record-breaker of the new century?"

"I think it's a sure thing!"

(End of this chapter)