Chapter 1 Naples and Manchester United

The Champions League match between Naples and Manchester United was heavily hyped by the media before the game.

But this match had nothing to do with Chen Yingxiong. He could only sit in the VIP box of the Stadio San Paolo and watch.

It wasn't easy being a spectator, especially when your team was in such a dangerous situation and you were powerless to help.

Whether or not Napoli's chances of advancing from the group stage could be turned around depended entirely on this match.

The game was thirty minutes in, and the score was still 0:0. Manchester United had clearly heard about the power of Napoli's home ground, so Ferguson's team was very cautious in the away game and didn't go all out.

Faced with Manchester United's tight defense, Napoli didn't have many options. At times like these, Napoli needed a strong center forward. If they had one, breaking through a dense defense wouldn't be an impossible task.

But the strong center forward wasn't there.

"Napoli's only advantage is that they are playing at home. But this advantage really doesn't make their supporters feel safe... I believe Napoli fans must miss Chen Yingxiong a lot, although many of them certainly won't admit it, haha!" The commentator said, laughing to himself.

The whole world knew about Chen Yingxiong's terrible relationship with the Napoli fans.

Although it had improved somewhat, the impression was still that he and the Napoli fans were tense.

This could be heard from the boos that still rang out every time Chen Yingxiong scored.

Chen Yingxiong rolled his eyes at the commentator's voice.

Cabrela, who was sitting next to him fulfilling her bodyguard duties, noticed the indifferent expression on Chen Yingxiong's face, but his hands were clenched tightly.

Chen Yingxiong watched every one of the team's Champions League matches. He went to the stadium for home games and watched on TV for away games. Cabrela sat next to him, whether it was a home game or an away game.

Cabrela had seen this action countless times.

She wanted to comfort the nervous Chen Yingxiong. Although she didn't know why she had this thought, she just felt that she should comfort him.

"Don't worry, it's still a draw," she said.

Chen Yingxiong heard her words and turned to look at her.

"Thank you for your comfort," he said. "But I'm not nervous."

"You've been clenching your fists. That's a sign of nervousness." Cabrela pointed to his fist.

Chen Yingxiong looked down, released his fist, and then clenched it again forcefully.

"I'm charging up," he told Cabrela.

"Charging up?" Cabrela frowned. This woman usually had a serious expression on her face and didn't smile, so even frowning made her look particularly beautiful, with a special charm. Her expression made her look very vivid.

Chen Yingxiong laughed. "Yeah, charging up. Have you ever played video games? Like fighting games?"

"No," Cabrela honestly shook her head.

"Oh, it's a setting in fighting games where you can charge up."

"What happens when the power is fully charged?"

"It's even more powerful than normal! The whole person shines, like a super warrior!"

"So..."

"So I'm charging up now!" Chen Yingxiong released his fist again and clenched it forcefully.

"Is it full yet?"

"Not yet. It'll be full by the end of the group stage. Then... then I'll transform into a super warrior and settle the score with them!" Chen Yingxiong turned his gaze back and continued to watch the game. "I'm going to let them know how terrifying a hungry bear can be..."

※※※

The first half ended with a 0:0 draw between Napoli and Manchester United. News from another stadium was that Valencia, playing at home, was leading Glasgow Rangers 1:0 at halftime.

If Valencia won this match, they would surpass Glasgow Rangers with five points, and if Napoli couldn't win, they would probably still be at the bottom of the standings.

This was certainly not what Napoli fans wanted to see, especially with Valencia's lead.

Since Valencia played at home when they faced Napoli, they had an advantage. If they were leading now, they would be even more comfortable, and if Napoli lost to Valencia away, they would be completely out of the running.

So this match had to be won, especially with Valencia winning against Glasgow Rangers.

The Napoli fans were in low spirits during halftime because of this.

During halftime, Cabrela was chatting with Chen Yingxiong, and like the other fans, their topic was the match.

"Aren't you worried that your team won't win?" Cabrela asked.

"I believe they won't let me worry and disappoint me," Chen Yingxiong replied.

"Why?"

"Because we're teammates, and they promised to let me go to the knockout stage. If you promise something, you have to do it, or don't worry about it." Chen Yingxiong paused here because he suddenly thought of his bet with Chen Xing.

If you promise someone something, you must do it!

This time, he had gotten himself into trouble...

Oh dear, this is a headache.

Recently, he had been busy scoring goals in the league to relieve the pressure on the team in the Champions League.

Chen Yingxiong hadn't paid attention to the latest developments in Chen Xing's acquisition of Liverpool for a long time. He didn't know the specifics.

Logically, there should have been a result in October. It was already November 2nd, why was there still no news? Could it be that he had failed and Chen Xing was too embarrassed to call him?

He planned to go online after this match to see if there were any final results regarding the Liverpool acquisition.

But for now, he should focus on the match in front of him.

※※※

Ten minutes into the second half, Napoli seized an opportunity.

To be precise, Raul seized that opportunity.

Manchester United's center back Vidic made a mistake. He failed to intercept Hamsik's through ball to Raul.

After succeeding in breaking the offside trap, Raul received the ball behind Manchester United's defense, made some slight adjustments, and then shot!

Just as Vidic missed the ball, the commentator in the TV became excited: "He missed it! He missed it! He missed it! He didn't block the ball! Raul! Raul! Raul—"

In his roar, Raul kicked the ball towards the goal. The ball drew an arc, bypassing Van der Sar's fingers and flying into the far corner of the goal...

"Raul!!!" The Italian commentator was hoarse, his voice sounding like he was crying. "goooooooooooooooooooooooooL!!! goooooooooooooooooooooL!!"

"Napoli scores! Raul scores! They lead Manchester United 1:0 at home!!"

A huge cheer erupted in the stands, a very pure cheer, without any boos.

Raul wasn't Chen Yingxiong. He was well-liked.

Watching the ball fly into the goal, Chen Yingxiong also jumped up from his seat and raised his arms, shouting, "Well done! Fucking well done!!"

No one was surprised by his swear words, because at this time, even in the VIP box, there were many similar swear words.

The entire Stadio San Paolo became a sea of ​​joy at this moment.

Everyone was shouting, "Raul! Raul! Raul! Raul!!" Such sounds became the main theme of the Stadio San Paolo, making it difficult to hear anything else.

The Napoli fans shouted so loudly because they knew very well what this goal meant for the team.

If Napoli could win against Manchester United at home, they would have a chance to qualify from the group stage!

After scoring the goal, Raul didn't kiss his hand in a dashing manner. In such an important match, scoring such a crucial goal, even Raul couldn't remain calm. Or rather, he was also infected by the crazy atmosphere of the Stadio San Paolo!

He ran all the way with his arms open, and then, with a group of teammates, plunged headlong into the bench.

That became the liveliest area.

※※※

"Napoli takes the lead at home! This is a very critical moment! If Napoli can win this match, they will have five points and will be in a favorable position in the battle for qualifying from the group stage!"

"Raul! Raul! He proved that he deserves the title of King of the Champions League! He is the undisputed top scorer in the Champions League! This is his sixty-eighth goal in the Champions League! Since joining Napoli, Raul didn't immediately find his form, but his goals, although few, are very important!"

"This is Raul! This is Raul! This is Raul Gonzalez of Real Madrid!" The Spanish commentator was particularly excited because Raul performed well, and they were proud. "He is a legendary scorer from Real Madrid! No matter where he is, he will become a legend!"

※※※

The huge aura that erupted from Napoli's Stadio San Paolo after Raul scored stunned the Manchester United players. The eardrums of each of them were shocked by the huge cheers. Such a fanatical home atmosphere was rarely seen even at Old Trafford.

Ferguson sat on the coach's bench. Raul's goal didn't make him stand up, but the cheers of the Stadio San Paolo moved him.

He could now understand why all the teams that came to this stadium said it was a devil's home ground.

Fighting in such an atmosphere, Napoli looked invincible.

They really were all supermen.

It was really not easy to play in this kind of away game...

※※※

After the match restarted, the atmosphere on the field hadn't cooled down yet, and the Napoli fans were still shouting and singing at the top of their lungs.

After clapping his hands and sitting down, Chen Yingxiong still couldn't help but slap his thigh and kept cheering.

The entire Stadio San Paolo was in great excitement.

However, Mazzarri was only excited for a while, and now he had calmed down. In fact, he calmed down even earlier. While the players were celebrating the goal madly, he had already pulled them one by one, reminding them to pay special attention to defense next, and to be careful to prevent Manchester United's counterattack.

Indeed, the trailing Manchester United launched a fierce attack on Napoli's goal. The game after taking the lead was even more difficult.

Every minute, the hearts of the Napoli fans were hanging, fearing that the goal would be broken.

Mazzarri also made adjustments, strengthening the defense and abandoning the attack.

For Napoli, a one-goal victory was the same as a three-goal victory.

As long as the team could win and get three points.

Although playing a defensive game was a bit too conservative, the current Napoli had no other way. Continuing to attack with Manchester United would greatly increase the possibility of losing the match. Playing a defensive game might be a bit embarrassing, but the result would be good.

※※※

Finally, when the referee blew the whistle to end the match, the entire Stadio San Paolo erupted.

Because they defeated Manchester United!

In a situation where they were almost not favored, they defeated Manchester United at home!

And Ferguson's team suffered their first Champions League defeat of the new season!

While the Napoli fans were still cheering in their seats, Chen Yingxiong had already stood up from his seat.

"I smell the scent of fresh meat."

Chen Yingxiong grinned at Cabrela, who was looking up at him next to him.