Chapter 15 Three O'Clock in the Afternoon

It was three o'clock in the afternoon.

Li Kang followed the club and boarded a flight to Manchester.

"Li, could you often see Messi when you were at La Masia?"

Kramer put down his game console and asked curiously.

Li Kang shook his head.

Kramer's expression was slightly regretful.

This guy was a famous Messi fanboy.

His personal social media account's profile picture was a photo with Messi.

Kramer's most famous feat was during the 2014 Brazil World Cup final, when he collided with Argentine defender Garay and fell to the ground. After a check-up by the team doctor, he was diagnosed with a concussion.

After getting up, he returned to the field and immediately ran to the referee to ask: "Is this the World Cup final?"

The referee thought he was joking.

After playing for more than ten minutes, his teammates also felt that he was not normal.

German coach Löw quickly replaced him...

Just like that, Kramer lifted the Hercules Trophy.

Brandt said, "After browsing social media for a year, I always thought that Manchester United's poor performance brought a lot of pain to their fans... But looking at it, a large number of veterans retired during the rebuilding period, and they still managed to get fourth place in the Premier League."

....

Two hours later.

The Leverkusen bus slowly drove into Old Trafford Stadium.

Hundreds of loyal fans waved their team flags on both sides of the road.

Schmidt, led by the stadium staff, arrived at the pre-match press conference.

The media reporters simply applauded and turned their attention back to Manchester United coach Van Gaal.

After all, how could Schmidt's popularity compare to a world-renowned coach.

A reporter asked: "Mr. Van Gaal, in the past season, Manchester United's long pass attempts..."

Van Gaal's face darkened.

"In the past season, you have always liked to evaluate my tactics. Manchester United has 60% possession. Do you think you can get such data by relying on long passes? Our long passes mainly use the width of the field to transfer..."

As he spoke, he picked up a stack of formation analysis diagrams from the table.

He began to explain Manchester United's tactics with both pictures and words.

Completely disregarding Schmidt in the distance.

The reporters were dumbfounded...

The Manchester United coach was too stubborn!

It was like stabbing himself in the stomach with a dagger to prove to everyone how many bowls of noodles he had eaten!

...

Fifteen minutes later.

Van Gaal was tired of talking and handed the tactical data in his hand to the press officer, signaling him to pass it down for everyone to see.

He looked at the group of Premier League reporters with disdain.

"The job of Manchester United coach is the most difficult job in the world!"

...

Schmidt had already run away.

He took his assistant coach back to the locker room in a puff of smoke.

"Damn it, this is an open-book exam, isn't it?! Stupid world-renowned coach! We have to make a response quickly!"

"Li, go out first after you change your jersey!"

Bang!

Li Kang had just walked out of the locker room.

The door was slammed shut by the assistant coach.

"What's going on? Leverkusen's number 10 was actually kicked out of the locker room? This is a great number!"

Van Gaal loosened the red tie on his chest and walked up to Li Kang.

After looking him up and down, a puzzled expression appeared on his face: "Young man, have I seen you somewhere before?"

Manchester United assistant coach Giggs quickly urged: "Boss! We have to go... pre-match preparation..."

Van Gaal nodded and turned to leave.

After taking a few steps, he turned his head again and said, "The nights in Manchester County are a bit cold, you better go back to the locker room and get a coat!"

Giggs looked helpless.

His own coach's attitude towards young players was exactly the same as Ferguson's.

Li Kang nodded politely.

He couldn't get back to the locker room for a while.

He could only follow the signs to the bench.

As soon as he walked out of the tunnel.

He was shocked by the magnificence of Old Trafford.

Looking around.

It was all a red ocean.

The four sides of the broadcast were playing the passionate Champions League theme song.

This Theatre of Dreams, which has witnessed the century-old rise and fall of Manchester United and carries countless glories.

At this time, it was like a red, barbaric beast, completely swallowing the small him.

....

"Ctv5! Ctv5! Good evening, viewers!"

"Welcome to the first leg of the 2015/16 season Champions League play-off!"

"Manchester United vs. Leverkusen!"

"It's rare that this Champions League qualifier has attracted broadcasts from 26 TV stations around the world! The number of viewers is close to the Champions League 1/8 knockout stage!"

"The team that gains a score advantage over two legs will directly advance to the Champions League group stage!"

"I am Duan Xuan, the commentator for this game!"

"I am He Wei!"

-[Why is it these two again, I want to watch Zhang Zhida and Teacher Zhan Jun's commentary!]

-[Fake fans say: This is the first time I've seen Manchester United have to play in the qualifiers, have the Red Devils fallen to this point?]

-[The current Manchester United is in a period of reconstruction... a transition period, let me give you an analogy: Manchester United fans' current attitude is the same as when we watch the national football team!]

-[Didn't Van Gaal win big in the double red meeting and the Manchester derby last season? He took a group of young players to get fourth place in the Premier League! Are Manchester United fans still not satisfied?]

-[Let me just say this, Manchester United is now in internal and external trouble, it's useless for anyone to be the coach! Just like when the national football team loses, everyone sprays the coach, but the group of players are really bad!]

-[Are there still Van Gaal's simps? He's just trash! I'll just put it this way: if he gets fired, Manchester United will be back at the top of the Premier League and at the peak of the Champions League in minutes! (Dog head to protect my life)]

....

The Champions League theme song stopped abruptly.

The referee team led the players from both sides out of the tunnel.

There were a few more youthful faces in the Manchester United squad.

"Van Gaal's starting lineup changes a lot every game, and he likes to use young players! He has built Manchester United's youth storm!"

"Manchester United has lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation!"

"Goalkeeper: De Gea!"

"Left back: Rojo!"

"Center backs: Smalling and Blind!"

"Right back: Barrella!"

"Defensive midfielder: Carrick!"

"Central midfielders: Lingard, Herrera, Fellaini, Depay!"

"Forward: Martial!"

In the Leverkusen command area, Schmidt was dumbfounded.

This lineup... is completely different from what that Van Gaal guy said!

Why are attacking cores Rooney and Mata on the bench?

"Leverkusen has lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation!"

"Goalkeeper:..."

....

With the referee's whistle.

The game officially began!

Leverkusen possession.

Kiessling passed the ball back to Çalhanoğlu.

The latter began to slowly organize the formation and advance.

Manchester United's formation did not retreat.

The midfielders and forwards kept running back and forth, pressing frantically.

"Van Gaal is one of the representatives of attacking football. In his football philosophy, pressing is the core!"

...

Çalhanoğlu received a pass from his teammate in Manchester United's half, forty meters from the goal.

Fellaini rushed over immediately!

Flying tackle!

Bang!

Clean tackle!

Herrera, who had come up to support, stepped on the ball with his left foot!

His right foot sent a diagonal pass!

The ball left the ground.

Flying to the right side!