When playing football, you should call it GOAT.

Chapter 101 You think I'm that blonde babe?
Deportivo La Coruña locker room.

A stifling silence filled the locker room.

Goalkeeper Molina leaned against the locker, still wearing his gloves, staring at the floor without saying a word.

Naibette sat on the bench, sweat still dripping from his forehead. He wiped his face hard with a towel and then clutched it in his hand.

Andrade leaned against the wall, arms crossed, brow furrowed.

He glanced at Valeron every now and then, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just sighed.

Valerón kept his head down, as he was repeatedly harassed by Pedretti and Bernardi in the first half, greatly reducing his chances of having the ball.

Duscher bit open a bottle of water with his teeth, took two gulps, and then slammed the bottle down on the ground. The plastic bottle bounced up and rolled away.

Sergio glanced at him, said nothing, and simply nudged the bottle aside with the tip of his shoe.

Tristan sat in the corner, his jersey half-lifted, revealing a red mark on his ribs—a mark left by Abidal during a defensive play.

He rubbed the patch of skin, his eyes hardening.

Manuel Pablo and Romero sat side by side, neither of them looking up.

When Roy dribbled past Manuel, he turned too slowly and was left two body lengths behind; while Romero almost scored again because of a rash tackle by Giuly.

The entire room felt as if all the oxygen had been sucked out, with only the hum of the air conditioner echoing in the air.

Irueta stood at the door, scanning everyone in the locker room.

He hadn't even spoken yet, but everyone knew that the next fifteen minutes wouldn't be easy.

Irueta frowned.

This team is more difficult to deal with than I imagined—not because they have superstars like Zidane and Figo, but because they are like a precision machine, with every part working together seamlessly.

Deschamps' Monaco is more pragmatic than Rijkaard's Barcelona, ​​and more disciplined than Real Madrid's star-studded football.

Roy is a game-changer, but he doesn't drift away from the system like some big names; Morientes is a pivot, but he's willing to be a wall for the team; even wingers like Giuly and Rothen give their all when defending.

Irureta jabbed Roy's name heavily with the tip of her pen.

“Looking at their style of play in the first half, the four forwards moved in a coordinated manner, like gears meshing. When Roy dropped back, Morientes immediately moved forward, and when Giuly cut inside, Givet overlapped in sync. This wasn’t based on individual ability, but on the result of thousands of rehearsals on the training ground.”

"Deschamps has combined the tactical discipline of the French with the technical style of the Spanish. He is more difficult to play against than Barcelona. Rijkaard is just Laporta's puppet. He doesn't even have the autonomy to make substitutions. In some ways, he is also more difficult to deal with than Real Madrid. They don't have those self-important superstars who disrupt the team's cohesion."

The terror of this Monaco team lay in their overall movement rather than individual talent, much like Simeone's Atletico Madrid later on.

Deschamps did not deliberately suppress Roy's "superstar mentality," but Roy's individual skills always served the team's tactics.

He suddenly raised his voice to the whole team.

"Remember! This isn't playing against eleven players, it's playing against a war machine! But even the most perfect machine has its weaknesses!"

Irureta ran his finger across the gap between Monaco's two defensive lines.

“Pedretti and Bernardi’s coverage is limited, as long as Valerón can pass the ball before they double-team him.”

"Listen, that number 10, Roy—we can't let him get away with this anymore!"

"Duscher, Sergio, double-team him the moment he gets the ball! Don't be afraid to foul, but be smart and don't concede free kicks in dangerous areas."

"Naibette, when you go for the ball, leave half a step of space and force him to the outside. Andrade will cover behind you."

33-year-old veteran Nabett was completely outmaneuvered by Roy in the first half.

Irueta gritted his teeth: "If necessary, I'll give you a yellow card for a foul, and then I'll substitute you off."

As for the two full-backs...

"Manuel, Romero, move inside quickly! He likes to dribble pasta, but as long as we provide adequate support, he'll have no choice but to pass back."

Irureta then turned to Valeron.

"Juan (Velleron), Pedretti is sticking to you too tight, we'll change tactics in the second half!"

If Deportivo La Coruña cannot be freed, they will only drift further and further away from victory.

"You position yourself forward as usual, specifically to set up a wall for Valeron! If he passes to you, immediately pass back and play a two-on-one."

"Luke and Sanchez, stop clinging to the flanks! Cut into the half-spaces, bring Evra and Givet in, and create a passing corridor for Valerón."

"Diego (Tristan), if necessary, drop back to support, use your body to hold off Squillaci, and give Valerón space to move forward."

"If they pull back their defense, Valerón will suddenly surge forward and unleash a long-range shot! Roma's long-range shot is likely to fumble, Tristan should watch out for the follow-up shot!"

"If we can't break the deadlock, we'll pass in at a 45-degree angle! Sergio, you make a run into the box and head it in! Andrade, you go up for the set pieces too!"

He then looked around the team and slowed his speech:
"Start with the forwards, implement a high-pressing tactic!! Press Pedretti and Bernardi closely! Make them kick the ball long, don't let them organize comfortably!"

"The full-backs need to be careful when attacking from the front; Roy and Giuly's counter-attacks are faster than knives!"

"And another thing! The home fans are our twelfth man! Play tougher, let the referee know this is Riazor!"

As Irureta spoke, his eyes swept across each player in the locker room with the sharpness of a hawk.

His gaze lingered on Tristan and Duscher, these two tough guys, for a couple more seconds, silently conveying a message: it's time to let the Monacoians see the true Spanish iron will.

The Champions League is not only a contest between players, but also the ultimate test of a coach's tactical wisdom and on-field command. On this highest level of European football, every tactical maneuver is like a game of chess between masters, and every substitution can be the deciding factor. The coach's strategic planning from the bench often determines the course of the match more than individual performances on the field.

In Monaco's locker room, Deschamps had just finished outlining the tactics.

He turned to Ribery, Pulso, and Adebayor on the bench and said, "Be ready at any time. In this kind of intimidating home ground, it's all about who's tougher!"

At this moment, Roy suddenly stood up, clapped his hands to quiet everyone down: "Brothers, listen to me. If we can score another goal in the second half, we'll be two goals ahead; if we can hold onto the current score, we'll at least go back home with a one-goal advantage."

He paused, his eyes scanning each teammate with a smile: "Relax and play! What kind of bullshit home stadium is this? Do you think the fans can guard the goal for them by shouting themselves hoarse? Football is played by 11 people on the field, not by tens of thousands of people shouting in the stands. The louder they shout, the more fun it will be for us when we score!"

Caniggia leaned against the wardrobe, her long, golden hair slightly disheveled.

As he watched Roy give his instructions, he suddenly remembered many years ago—when Maradona also stood in the Argentine locker room in the same way, using the same fierce tone to motivate the whole team.

Outside stood the seemingly invincible Brazilian team, boasting stars like Dunga, Careca, and Waldo.

Although Roy and Maradona don't look alike at all, their fearless spirit and the way they slightly raise their chins when they speak are exactly the same.

The second half of the match at Riazor Stadium was filled with the smoke of battle.

Deportivo brought on Uruguayan striker Pandiani to switch to a two-striker formation, while Monaco brought on experienced Pulso in the 65th minute to replace Morientes and maintain their attacking threat.

Roy was particularly conspicuous on the field. Every time the handsome number 10 player touched the ball, he was surrounded and attacked. Duscher bit his ankle like a vicious dog, while Naibette stood in front of him like an iron tower.

But this Monaco key player still managed to break through the wall of defense: in the 68th minute, after withstanding Duscher's savage charge, he delivered a precise through ball, and Pulso's shot was saved by Molina with a diving save.
In the 73rd minute, the air at Riazor Stadium suddenly froze.

Roy received a pass from Pedretti near the center circle, and Duscher pounced on him like a hungry wolf.

The Monaco number 10 deftly flicked the ball, his tall frame nimbly completing the turn in a fluid and graceful manner.

Just as Duschel was momentarily stunned, Roy suddenly accelerated.

His long strides and dribbling were as swift as a cheetah, prompting Naibette and Sergio to hastily double-team him.

Just as the three defenders were about to close in, Roy flicked the ball gently with the outside of his right foot, sending it through Naibette's legs. This nutmeg drew gasps from the stands.

The most exciting moment arrived—Roy combined his body with speed.

Naibette squeezed through the gap between the two men, grabbing his jersey but failing to hold on, and was forcibly pulled away.

As Roy dribbled toward the penalty area, the entire Riazor stadium held its breath.

Romero staggered over to cover, his face contorted with embarrassment—he knew that once Monaco's number 10 broke through, there would be open space behind him.

Roy, however, seemed completely at ease. He slowed his pace, deliberately letting Romero get within two meters, and then suddenly stopped and changed direction.

The Spanish full-back could only awkwardly extend his leg to commit a foul.

In the stands, Deportivo La Coruña fans collectively gasped.

They knew all too well the consequences of letting Roy pass: one-on-one with Molina, a shot from that distance would be a sure thing.

"Beep!"

The referee blew his whistle and raised a yellow card.

Roy slowly got up, patted his shorts which were covered in grass clippings, and then made an exaggerated shrug.

He looked around, a faint smile playing on his lips, as if to say, "See? You can't stop me unless you foul."

This breakthrough combines speed, power, and technique: first, a nimble turn to get rid of the opponent, then a domineering physical confrontation, and finally a delicate change of direction to finish.

The few Monaco fans in the stands had already stood up and applauded.

The home fans' boos came like a tidal wave, but Roy calmly straightened his torn jersey, then elegantly held his right hand to his ear, making a "I can't hear you" gesture.

He then pointed to the scoreboard, where the 0-1 score was particularly glaring on the electronic screen.

This provocative action instantly ignited the anger of the entire audience, and debris flying down from the stands kept security personnel busy.

On the other side, Valerón was also struggling. Pedretti was constantly marking him, while Bernardi cut off all passing lanes.

The Deportivo's playmaker only made one key pass before being substituted, far below his usual level.

The match heated up again in the final stages, entering a fierce and intense phase, with the atmosphere at Riazor Stadium becoming increasingly tense. Monaco's attacks came wave after wave, but Deportivo's players built an ironclad defense with their bare hands. The eyes of the Deportivo players revealed unwavering determination.

Manuel Pablo even blocked Rothen's powerful shot with his face during a defensive play, and blood from his nose immediately stained the team badge on his chest.

After a simple bandage, the veteran returned to the field, and the stands erupted in thunderous applause.

In the 78th minute, Giuly made a series of breakthroughs on the right wing and crossed the ball. Pulso outjumped Andrade to head the ball towards goal, but Molina made a diving save to tip it over the crossbar.

After the corner kick was taken, Abidal and Naibette engaged in a fierce battle in the penalty area, pulling at each other's jerseys. In the end, the referee showed both of them yellow cards.

Three minutes later, another conflict broke out on the field.

Duscher brought down Roy with a vicious sliding tackle in midfield, and the Monaco players immediately erupted in anger.

Evra was the first to rush up and shove Duscher, while Pulso pointed at his nose and started cursing. The crowd immediately surrounded the referee to put pressure on him.

Slow-motion replay showed that Duschel's studs were indeed visible in front, and the referee did not hesitate to pull out a yellow card.

Roy staggered to his feet and suddenly shoved Duschel hard in the chest.

"You motherfucker"

He was pulled away by his teammates before he could finish speaking.

Duscher grinned and deliberately provoked in English: "I can tackle Beckham without hesitation, who do you think you are?"

Irureta, standing on the sidelines, protested angrily, believing that Roy was putting on an act.

87 minutes.

The tension escalated completely. Duscher received the ball near the center circle with his back to goal, and just as he was about to use his body to shield Bernardi and turn, Roy charged in like a red lightning bolt.

The Monaco star showed no intention of pulling back, launching a sliding tackle from the side, his studs landing precisely on Duscher's right ankle.

"what!"

A scream echoed across the stadium as Duscher writhed in agony on the grass, clutching his ankle, his face contorted in pain.

His sock was ripped open by the cleats, and bloodstains could be vaguely seen seeping out.

The referee's whistle was sharp and piercing, but Roy had already stood up nonchalantly and brushed the grass clippings off his shorts.

He looked down at Duscher, who was curled up in a ball, with a cold smile on his lips.

"You think I'm some blonde bombshell?" He blinked. "It's okay, I'll call and apologize—or give me your phone number now?"

When the referee rushed over, Roy had already raised his hands in an innocent gesture.

On the eve of the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, Duschel's vicious tackle resulted in a metatarsal fracture for England captain Beckham. This foul, dubbed the "killer tackle," nearly cost the then-dominant Beckham the World Cup.

Duscher's attitude after the incident caused a huge uproar. The Argentine player not only refused to apologize publicly, but also stated in an interview: "That's football, I'm just doing my job."

His hardline stance angered the English media and fans, with The Sun even running the headline "Football Villain" on its front page for several consecutive days.

Two weeks after the public pressure intensified, Duschel finally apologized to Beckham by phone. However, this belated apology failed to quell the controversy and instead led more people to question its sincerity. It's worth noting that this incident also cemented Duschel's reputation as a "stadium butcher," becoming the most infamous label of his career.

The team doctor on the sidelines rushed onto the field with his medical kit, while Deportivo La Coruña players angrily surrounded him.

"Are you fucking looking to die?"

Naibette grabbed Roy by the collar, but was shoved away by Evra who arrived just in time.

"You should retire, you old man!"

Evra retorted, further fueling Naibette's anger.

The referee first showed Roy a yellow card.

In the chaos, Evra and Naibette were shown two yellow cards in quick succession, but it was clear to everyone that this retaliatory foul was far from over.

During stoppage time, Scaloni and Givet got into a scuffle during a throw-in, exchanging trash talk head-to-head.

The referee had to issue two yellow cards in succession to calm the situation down.

By the time the final whistle blew, a total of seven yellow cards had been issued, and the jerseys of both teams were stained with sweat, grass clippings, and blood.

Although the score remained unchanged, this fierce battle made everyone remember the indomitable spirit of both teams.

Monaco left with a valuable away victory, while Deportivo proved their dignity with a tenacious defense.

Max turned off the TV, leaving only the last glimmer of light from the screen before it went completely out of the room.

Deportivo La Coruña remained as fierce as ever, while Monaco's relentless attack almost made people forget that they were playing away from home.

But Roy, the man who always appears in the most critical position at the most crucial moment, has once again rewritten the scoreboard.

Meanwhile, in his office in Barcelona, ​​Rijkaard gently pressed the power button on the remote control.

His eyes gleamed with a mixture of admiration and regret: Roy was displaying the football aesthetics he had always envisioned—Michels-style total football, a rapid attack as dazzling and deadly as a tulip.

Laporta did promise to do everything he could to make the transfer happen, but in the end, the Dutch coach could only watch the slow-motion replay of the stoppage-time winner repeatedly, as if looking at an unfinished sketch of a masterpiece.

The cruelest joke of fate is that Roy not only refused to join Barcelona, ​​but also completely changed the life trajectory of another genius – Ronaldinho, the magician who should have been wearing the red and blue jersey, ultimately began his legendary chapter at Manchester United.

Rijkaard could only watch from the sidelines, frowning, as Riquelme performed his flamboyant yet cumbersome tango, an ill-timed solo dance in the fast-paced modern football.

After each exquisite escape from the spot, a few impatient sighs would rise from the stands: this was clearly a battlefield expecting lightning, but instead a poet determined to carve time had arrived.

The post-match interview area was equally tense.

When facing reporters, Roy leaned against the wall with his hands in his pockets and his signature calm smile on his face: "There are always two kinds of people on the football field - those who win the game with skill and those who disrupt the game with fouls."

He leaned forward slightly and looked directly at the reporter who asked the question: "As for Duscher? He's the kind of person who puts 'ending Beckham' on his resume, so he should know best the limits of this kind of confrontation."

When asked about the controversial tackle, Roy's expression suddenly turned serious: "That was the 87th minute, a battle in the center circle, when we were only leading by one goal."

He gestured to illustrate the scene, saying, "As a forward, if you can't create a goal immediately, you should at least use your movement to help defend. I guessed the ball's trajectory correctly, that's all."

"But since everyone's discussing it, and Deschamps has indeed asked us to press high up the pitch like hungry wolves, should I interpret the coach's tactical arrangements as 'retaliation' as well?"

The reporters chuckled, but Roy had already turned and walked toward the tunnel, waving behind his back: "See you in the second leg. Hopefully, then we'll be discussing football itself."

His last sentence was clearly addressed to an Argentinian who was receiving treatment.

Deschamps, on the other hand, was much more cautious: "The match was intense, and some actions did go beyond the realm of competition, but obviously we didn't start it. I don't encourage any malicious fouls. But Roy is a fighter, and his patience is limited when the opponent starts to frequently use tactics outside the realm of competition to influence the game."

When the reporter mentioned Duscher's "feat" back then, Deschamps sneered: "Some people become famous for their ruthlessness, but true stars rely on their strength."

Irureta angrily denounced the referee's standards: "Roy should at least have received a red card! His action was completely aimed at the player; this isn't football, it's malicious retaliation!"

However, when a reporter asked Duscher about past controversies, he immediately changed the subject: "We're talking about this game today, not history."

The veteran coach held up one finger: "If they can steal one at our home ground, why can't we steal two at Louis II Stadium?"

The number of fingers increased one by one, "even three!"

He deliberately imitated Roy's provocative gesture before the match, "to remind the Monaco kids that the ball is round, and being too arrogant can easily lead to a fall."

Belleron leaned against the wall of the mixed zone, his curly hair damp with sweat in clumps, his expression tired but calm.

"Roy is really on fire today."

"That goal," he shook his head, a helpless smile on his face, "is like watching Rivaldo's bicycle kick at Camp Nou, what can you do but applaud?"

"Next time in Monaco, we'll let the football speak for itself."

When asked about being restricted:

“Pedretti was marking very closely. That’s the Champions League; you have to adapt to all kinds of defensive intensity.”

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Fluminense striker Romario chases and assaults fans on training ground; club mired in relegation battle sparks conflict.

Fluminense striker Romario chased and attacked a fan, Gomez, after Gomez threw a live chicken onto the training field (a sarcastic reference to the team's perceived weakness). The team is currently second-to-last in the Brazilian Serie A, and the relegation battle sparked the conflict.

—Reims

Valencia leads Europe with a rock-solid defense that has conceded only one goal in 13 games. The team is on a six-game winning streak, and goalkeeper Canizares' 606-minute clean sheet is approaching the all-time record. Ayala's solid defense and the excellent combination play between the two holding midfielders, Baraja and Albelda, helped the team defeat Real Madrid and Barcelona, ​​achieving their best start in 84 years.

—Marca

Arsenal suffered a 1-2 defeat to Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League, accumulating only one point from three matches and teetering on the brink of elimination. Lehmann's mistake led to the second goal, but Wenger refused to blame him, emphasizing that the team still had a chance to advance: "We hit the crossbar and showed our fighting spirit. Next, we must win at home against Dynamo and Lokomotiv." The opposing manager admitted that Arsenal had the superior quality but lost due to bad luck. The Gunners need a miracle to replicate Newcastle's comeback.

—Standard Evening Post

Inter Milan suffered a shock 0-3 defeat to Lokomotiv Moscow away from home. Interim coach Verdelli described the match as "bizarre, with many chances but fatal counter-attacks." Zanetti admitted he couldn't explain the crushing defeat and promised to fully support new coach Zaccheroni in rebuilding the team. President Moratti revealed that he had tried to motivate the dressing room before the match, but after the humiliating loss, no one wanted to say anything.

— Gazzetta dello Sport

"Good evening, Monaco! Or should I say, good morning? After all, Roy's world-class goal has kept the entire city of Deportivo La Coruña up all night!"

"Three wins out of three, nine points in hand, it seems our lads have turned Riazor Stadium into their own backyard!"

"Irureta must have been counting sheep tonight: one Roy, two Roies, three... Oh no, he broke down in the first half stoppage time!"

— Radio Monte Carlo (RMC Monaco)

(End of this chapter)