Chapter 104 Geneva Lakeside

The Chapecoense club's air disaster had barely passed, so UEFA didn't hold the draw ceremony too grandly.

A garden party.

Lake Geneva under the moonlight was intoxicating.

Simeone wore a black trench coat, his right arm around Pochettino, his left hand stroking his slicked-back hair.

The two were good partners in the Argentine national team when they were younger.

It's just that their football philosophies differed; one was of the Bilardo school, and the other was of the Bielsa school.

The origins of the two schools could fill a book.

"I watched the recording of the North London derby; your adjustments and substitutions were too passive."

"I can't get into that kid's rhythm. I'll help you get revenge if Atletico Madrid ever has the chance to meet Arsenal..."

"Hey, Lee! Long time no see!"

The Atletico Madrid coach's eyes lit up, and he subconsciously reached for his crotch, leaving the Tottenham coach standing there.

He walked excitedly towards Lee Kang, opening his arms.

"Koke and Saul often mention you! If the three of you formed a partnership, no opponent could pass through Atletico Madrid's forty-meter zone in their half."

"Hmm... next door is the Classic Midfield, so let's call us the Steel Midfield! What do you think?"

"You are the absolute core of the Mattress Makers!"

"Stamina! I have a training method that can unleash your full potential!"

Griezmann pouted and muttered, "He can already form a partnership with Koke and Saul in the Spanish national team..."

Simeone took a deep breath, almost unable to resist slapping the guy: next time, I must change the player representative to Koke!

Lee Kang released his embrace.

God's perspective inexplicably began to deconstruct Atletico Madrid's local coordinated strangulation...

He had watched all of the Mattress Makers' Champions League group stage recordings during this time.

In the 2016-17 season, the five most balanced teams in Europe were still: Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea.

...

When the figures of Wenger and Zidane appeared.

The Atletico Madrid master and apprentice didn't exchange pleasantries with Lee Kang for too long, turning to walk towards Manchester City's shy and restrained player representative, De Bruyne.

"Hey! Kevin! What are you doing here alone? Pulling leaves?"

"Never mind, you keep pulling!"

Simeone stroked his slicked-back hair and turned to walk towards Jorginho of Napoli.

Griezmann was puzzled and whispered, "Boss, didn't you say De Bruyne could become one of the top five in the world in the future..."

"Shut up, this guy's temperament is different from ours. He might even stomp his feet like a child when he's angry!"

"Boss, where do we have so much money for signings?"

"We'll have it when we sell you!"

"Hey! Jorge! Why are you drilling into the women's pile..."

...

While others were still exchanging pleasantries.

Guardiola sat on a wooden bench, writing furiously, his expression sometimes bewildered, sometimes fanatical.

Champions League Round of 16: Manchester City vs. Monaco.

He was studying how to break Monaco's butterfly-shaped 4-4-2.

"Double-line distribution, butterfly formation, the endpoint seems to be on both sides, but in reality, the greatest threat is in the middle!"

"No! Not the middle, the half-space area!"

"Monaco's speed of midfield and frontcourt rotation is still a bit slow... Do you have any good suggestions?"

"It's Kylian, I've seen your recordings!"

"You don't always need to run so fast; you can't be disconnected from the midfield. Slow down! Appearing in the half-space area at the right time will create the best opportunities!"

"Yes, you have to learn from Messi."

Mbappé was a little confused.

Didn't the crazy Manchester City coach know he was a Monaco player?

Giving him tactical advice?

He was participating in a Champions League dinner for the first time, didn't know anyone, and had to hide here out of boredom.

He didn't expect to meet Guardiola.

...

Buffon was nowhere to be found.

Wenger and Zidane, two Frenchmen who knew each other well, were reminiscing about the old days.

God's perspective's deconstruction process stalled.

As always, whenever Atletico Madrid's center-back, Godín, moved forward... it would stall.

Lee Kang came back to his senses.

He found himself by Lake Geneva.

The lake under the night was like a painting, with the moon and stars quietly woven into the scroll.

The night breeze swept across, creating shimmering ripples.

It was just like a gentle yet lively young girl.

Huh?

How did a young girl appear next to him?

It was Esli!

Which girl doesn't long for spring?

She was much bolder than Yuzhen and Asuka-chan.

"Lee, I really enjoy watching your games!"

"I'm an Arsenal fan... no, whichever team you're on, I'm a fan of that team!"

The night breeze gently lifted her white dress.

The girl's cheeks were flushed red.

Lee Kang smiled.

What appeared in his mind was the appearance of another girl: Esli's mother.

Buffon was right.

Her mother was more beautiful when she was younger.

"Lee, I bought the Leverkusen number 10 jersey, the Spanish number 6 jersey, the Arsenal number 10 jersey..."

"I..."

Poor Esli.

Ever since the opportunity for contact last year was strangled by Voller, she couldn't wait to pour out all her feelings tonight.

She had to seize the opportunity to communicate well.

The night wind carried a foul odor, interrupting the girl's confession.

A loud voice rang out from behind.

"Lee, hurry back, there are too many damn bugs here!"

"Strange, how are there so many bugs in the middle of winter!"

"Oh! Sorry... you two continue."

Buffon pulled up his pants, grinned, and strode away.

Lee Kang couldn't help but reach out and flick away a bug from Esli's hair, bidding farewell and leaving.

He had to be self-disciplined.

He couldn't just play with girls during his free time.

It's definitely not because she's not as beautiful as her mother!

In the bushes not far away.

Two paparazzi were holding cameras, ecstatic.

"John, I fucking told you there would be big news at UEFA headquarters. Although we don't have the qualifications to enter and interview, we're earning more than those big reporters on this trip!"

"God, Lee's sexual orientation is fine! I originally thought he was going to have a private meeting with Buffon!"

"What the hell are you thinking?"

"Damn it, the security guards are coming, run!"

...

Halfway through the dinner.

Several UEFA officials didn't miss the opportunity, taking microphones and giving platitudes in turn... between the lines, they were all subtly mocking the former president, Platini, and assuring all Champions League teams that the refereeing team would definitely be fair and just.

Everyone just clapped perfunctorily.

Lee Kang met Tuchel in a corner.

The other party looked much haggard.

The internal conflicts within the Bumblebees' club management were too intense.

A plain black tracksuit formed a stark contrast with the temperament of the other coaches.

Which team was the unluckiest in the Champions League Round of 16?

Borussia Dortmund.

On the way to away games, either their bus was smashed or their tires broke down. This level of bad luck... who knows, maybe their bus will explode someday.

Strictly speaking... it was Tuchel who was unlucky.

He had also experienced many similar off-field incidents when he was coaching Mainz.

"Lee, are you getting used to London?"

"I'm very happy to see you go to a suitable lineup system for yourself!"

"Arsenal's methods during transition attacks are too simple. I want to give you some advice."

"Wait a moment, my tracksuit pocket is quite large, and it has a lot of stuff in it."

Tuchel patted Lee Kang on the shoulder.

Then he took out a document from his pocket.

The two intergenerational successors of the "Total Football" philosophy began a tactical discussion on the spot.

...

The next day.

Lee Kang and the Arsenal staff returned to London.

Soon after.

They would usher in the Premier League's mid-season finale!