ps, July 2nd, asking for guaranteed monthly tickets!

I'll write my thoughts on the finals after I get back from the hospital... These three chapters are automatically updated. I have to take my wife to the hospital for a check-up today.

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After Phil Gibbs and his companions settled into their designated spots, they unfurled the banner of their organization. The flagpole had been confiscated during entry security, so they had to hold the banner open manually for everyone to see, and they couldn't wave it around.

But that didn't matter, as long as the banner was there.

Not long after the banner was unfurled, the Liverpool and Real Madrid players came out to warm up.

The Real Madrid fans grew excited.

Especially the hardcore fans in the south stand of the Bernabéu, who erupted in huge cheers, clapping, singing, and chanting slogans in unison.

Just like the English fans. Compared to other Real Madrid fans, they were much more professional.

Mourinho had praised the fans in the south stand and used them to criticize other Real Madrid fans. He felt that Real Madrid fans weren't enthusiastic enough at their home games, too quiet to transmit strength and support to the players on the field. Only the fans in the south stand were like true Real Madrid supporters, roaring and singing from the first minute to the last.

These fans were one of the reasons why the Bernabéu stadium hadn't been captured for two years.

They were singing loudly when they suddenly spotted the opposite stand.

In the stand directly opposite them, they couldn't see the people clearly, but a large red flag was very conspicuous, with a golden bear head on top.

Wasn't that the group of Liverpool fans they had encountered outside the Bernabéu?

Ha!

What a narrow road for enemies!

This time, they would definitely teach them a lesson!

After spotting their opponents, their singing became even louder.

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The Real Madrid players warming up found it a bit strange. The cheers from the stands seemed louder than usual today.

At the same time, Phil Gibbs also noticed the Real Madrid fans in the opposite stand.

From the banner they hung up, Phil Gibbs recognized the group of hardcore fans.

He didn't know what the Bernabéu stadium was usually like, or if it was different this time, but he keenly sensed that the cheers were directed at them.

They must have recognized his group.

But the Red Giants weren't afraid of them.

When it came to shouting, the English fans had no rivals! This group of Spaniards who could only open their mouths with the help of megaphones were nothing to them!

"Lads! They're provoking us." Phil Gibbs raised his hand and pointed to the opposite stand.

Those around him looked over after hearing his words and saw the name they had seen before.

"Extreme South Stand"!

"Singing battle?" Tom Jackson sneered. "Let's sing! Lads!! The game hasn't started yet, it's time for us to defend Liverpool's glory!"

The Red Giant fans also began to sing, chanting Liverpool's anthem, long and powerful, competing against the Real Madrid fans.

This time the Real Madrid players were even more confused—the game hadn't started yet, it was just the pre-match warm-up, why were both sets of fans suddenly so energetic?

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The players didn't know that their supporters were already competing.

After finishing their warm-up, they returned to the locker room to change into their match jerseys and listen to the coach's final instructions.

Then they would go out to play the game.

Generally, the coach would say a few words at this time to boost the players' morale.

But the Liverpool players didn't need any boosting. O'Neill had already pumped them full of morale these past few days.

Earlier, Chen Hero had his arm around Škrtel in the tunnel, joking with him. That wasn't just for the media, it was a genuine expression of ease and confidence.

But on the Real Madrid side, Mourinho had more to say. He repeated the things the players should pay attention to, making sure everyone knew what they should do.

No one objected to or was surprised by Mourinho's caution.

Now Mourinho had absolute authority in the locker room. Everyone listened to what he said.

He was so careful and cautious, so there must be a reason for it.

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Thus, when the two teams returned to the field, the game was about to begin.

The Bernabéu stadium announcer was introducing the starting players for both sides. When the names of the Real Madrid players were read out, the Bernabéu resounded with cheers. Ronaldo received the loudest cheers, indicating that he was now the number one star here.

When it was the Liverpool players' turn to come out, there were boos.

But these boos weren't overwhelming. It could be said that apart from the south stand, the boos weren't very loud in other places. For the Liverpool players who had traveled all over the world, what hadn't they seen? The boos in the Bernabéu stadium were hardly intimidating to them.

For someone like Chen Hero who had walked out of hell, it was even less worth mentioning.

"Is this the atmosphere at the Bernabéu?" Suárez muttered behind Chen Hero.

His tone wasn't surprise, but contempt.

Yes, it was contempt. Suárez looked down on the home atmosphere of the Bernabéu!

Not only him, but the other Liverpool players were initially surprised, then realized that it was really like this. Apart from a few hardcore fans, most of the Bernabéu fans didn't show much animosity towards the visiting Liverpool fans.

This may have something to do with their mentality. The Real Madrid fans believed that Liverpool was doomed to lose, so they naturally wouldn't waste too much energy on someone who was destined to die—booing was also very tiring.

But in any case, their attitude gave the Liverpool players even more confidence.

Defeating Real Madrid at the Bernabéu, accomplishing something that many people hadn't been able to do in the past two years, was even more appealing than advancing at this moment.

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When Ronaldo and Chen Hero shook hands, neither of them looked at each other. Chen Hero looked at the stands in the distance, while Ronaldo simply turned his head to the other side.

Their so-called "handshake" was just the tips of their fingers touching together, then quickly separating.

If this counts as a handshake, then we can believe that "hugging" can indeed lead to pregnancy…

The TV broadcast cameras were also following these two people.

Everyone knew that Chen Hero and Ronaldo didn't have a good relationship—then again, which opponent did Chen Hero have a good relationship with?

Everyone wanted to see what sparks these two could create.

They really didn't disappoint.

The two just shook hands and showed a strong sense of hatred. This game was estimated to have new highlights.

In the previous match, Ronaldo scored a crucial away goal for Real Madrid, and Chen Hero wasn't willing to be outdone, using a corner kick to equalize the score.

In terms of goals, the two were tied.

But neither of them would be willing to settle for this draw. They would definitely continue their competition in this game.

The contest between two top strikers was the most eye-catching.

Especially two top strikers who didn't get along. Everyone wanted to completely defeat the other, to overwhelm the other. There would definitely be a fierce battle!

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In the coin toss, the Liverpool captain lost to the Real Madrid captain Casillas, so Liverpool got the kickoff.

In fact, Chen Hero preferred the kickoff rather than choosing sides, because it meant he had the opportunity to threaten the opponent's goal from the beginning, instead of waiting for the opponent to attack first.

"I like to attack right from the start…" Chen Hero was saying to Suárez, who was standing next to him, waiting for the kickoff. "This way, we will have the initiative in the first attack. The first attack must be good, because we must use this opportunity to convey a message to the other side…"

"What message?" Suárez was a qualified straight man, asking immediately.

"We're not here to be fucking guests!"

After Chen Hero said this, he heard the referee blow the whistle to start the game.

He didn't waste any words. He kicked the football out directly, then stepped into Real Madrid's half, running straight towards the Real Madrid goal.

As for what was happening behind him, he didn't need to care. He just needed to run forward, to a good position, and his teammates would be responsible for passing the football over.

All he needed to do was kick this ball into Real Madrid's goal!

He ran all the way to the front of Real Madrid's defense before stopping. At this time, Gerrard just happened to send a long pass to the wing.

Gareth Bale on the wing raised his foot and hooked Gerrard's football back, then dribbled the ball to the bottom line to break through!

Liverpool's attack was very simple, but very direct.

Real Madrid obviously didn't expect that their first attack after the start of the game would be like this. They thought Liverpool would organize in the backcourt, and then launch an attack when they were ready.

They never expected that Liverpool would be so eager to give up their possession!

Since you're so eager to send the ball to us, then we certainly won't be polite!

Ramos rushed up to defend Gareth Bale.

After seeing Ramos come up, Bale quickly flicked the football to the outside, and then accelerated towards the bottom line.

Ramos didn't tackle, but just tightly blocked the inside line. It would be great if he could force the ball out of the bottom line directly.

Moreover, the closer to the bottom line the cross was, the harder it was to cross, and the quality was not high.

He believed that as long as he could force Bale to the bottom line, the opponent's attack would come to an end!

So on the edge of the bottom line, when Bale forcibly crossed, Ramos didn't even stretch out his foot to block it, but instead dodged slightly—he didn't want the football to hit him and fly out of the bottom line, giving the opponent a corner kick.

He believed that Bale also had this plan, because it was difficult to cross well from this angle, and it was not good for the teammates in the middle to head the ball. It was better to earn a corner kick.

Just after he let the football pass, he turned his head to look at the goal.

Then he saw Chen Hero's figure leaping high!

And… Pepe, who was pressed under him!

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"Hero—" The commentator exclaimed.

Many people changed their words hastily, they were just chatting about other useless nonsense.

They never expected that Liverpool's first attack would actually reach Real Madrid's goal, and it was quite threatening!

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In the commentator's hasty roar, Chen Hero leapt high, overpowering Pepe with a header!

However, Pepe still interfered with him below, and his posture was too awkward—he was heading the football over Pepe, stretching his neck very long. It was already very good to be able to head the football, let alone head it in…

The football flew over the crossbar… no corner kick, no goal.

But even so, it was enough to make the Real Madrid fans pat their chests and worry for a while.

The Liverpool fans were disappointed, they hugged their heads with regret.

The first attack was so threatening, how great would it have been if it had really gone in? It would have immediately offset Real Madrid's away goal advantage, and at the same time taken the lead in the aggregate score…

But unfortunately, the football was just over the crossbar.

However, Chen Hero, who headed the ball high, didn't hug his head with both hands like the Liverpool fans, looking regretful.

Instead, he grinned at Real Madrid goalkeeper Casillas, who was in front of him, still a little stunned by this attack: "Hello!"