Chapter 254: Ten Hag's Mindset Explodes: You Have Someone to Save You, I Don't

"Mmm..."

Ten Hag squinted his eyes.

Tang Ye deliberately glanced at him just before taking the set piece; the expression on the Villarreal attacking midfielder's face struck him as somewhat strange.

It was just a bit strange.

Yet he couldn't pinpoint exactly what was strange about it.

"Beep!"

The hearts of all the fans watching the live broadcast hung in suspense; at this moment, Tang Ye began his run-up!

Was it Tang Ye taking the kick?

It was Tang Ye!

At the instant of contact, Tang Ye locked his knee tightly.

【Cristiano Ronaldo's Knuckleball Free Kick Template】!

Boom!

The ball on the grass shot forward at tremendous speed.

It soared toward the highest point, passing through the gap between the heads of Herrera and Smalling.

This was the trajectory Tang Ye had chosen!

Surging along this path to its apex, the ball paused momentarily in midair before beginning its descent.

Throughout the entire process, the ball exhibited absolutely no spin, rising and then falling just like an elevator!

Goal!

Where was De Gea?

De Gea stood on his goal line without any reaction!

"You can do this too?"

Bruno whipped his head around to look at Tang Ye beside him.

Having scored the goal, Tang Ye did not run off to celebrate; instead, he plopped down right onto the grass.

"Goooo——aaaaa——llllll!!!"

"Goal!"

"Oh my god!"

"Tang Ye!"

"A direct free-kick goal!"

"De Gea's vision was blocked; he had no idea where Tang Ye struck the shot from!"

"Villarreal takes the lead!"

【You have obtained 15 Counterattack Points】

【Scoring your second goal, you obtain an additional 30 Counterattack Points】

Tang Ye, still seated on the ground, was quickly surrounded by his teammates on the field; Bruno tightly embraced Tang Ye's neck while Ale's hand ruffled Tang Ye's hair.

"Huff, huff"

"Vamos!"

Tang Ye raised both arms high, then leaned directly against Musacchio.

"Fuck!"

"Fuck!"

Ten Hag punched the air repeatedly, venting all the fury in his heart.

Manchester United should have been the side with the advantage!

Yet in the final moments, they conceded a last-gasp goal to the Yellow Submarine!

Dongqiu Di Live Match Report: Tang Ye scores directly from a free kick, Villarreal 3:2 Manchester United; are the Red Devils of Manchester cruelly killed by a stoppage-time winner from the Submarine?

【Scared me to death; I thought we were really going to penalties】

【Wait, Tang Ye can do this too?】

【Manchester United successfully tested the goods, and incidentally helped Barcelona test them once as well】

【Ball King!】

【Europa League Champions!】

With a direct free-kick goal, unsurprisingly, the Barcelona executives watching the live broadcast were already ecstatic.

Thanks to this final, otherwise they would never have known Tang Ye possessed this ability!

In this match, Ten Hag intentionally targeted Little Tom; deprived of numerous one-touch passing opportunities, Tang Ye could only defeat his opponent by unveiling even more of his capabilities.

Simply put, Ten Hag's special tactics forced Tang Ye to bring out every single one of his abilities.

Ten Hag had directed this match that served as the trial for Tom!

"Tom!"

The players and coaches on Villarreal's bench all rushed onto the pitch, lifting Tang Ye, who was sitting at the top of the arc, straight into the air.

Tang Ye had suddenly revealed the ability to score directly from a free kick, something neither Escrivá nor Martí had known about.

But now was not the time to ponder this.

Villarreal needed to celebrate!

They absolutely had to celebrate!

"Viva Tom Tom!"

"Viva Tom Tom!"

The Yellow Submarine fans were jumping up and down in the stands, while the Manchester United fans finally put down their loudspeakers blasting English listening exercises.

"Kick off!"

"Hurry up and kick off!"

"Beep beep beep!!"

The Manchester United fans shouted on the field, and Ten Hag was also urging the referee.

Villarreal's celebration was forced to stop.

It was now the 116th minute of the match; Escrivá substituted González on for Tang Ye.

"Tom!"

"Viva Tom Tom!"

The fans chanted Tang Ye's name!

Escrivá and Tang Ye high-fived: "Amazing."

"Haha! Sebastian told me to lead him to win the final."

Although his body was still exhausted, Tang Ye was in an excellent mood right now.

It wasn't just because of that super cool free kick he had just taken, but also because he had fulfilled the promise he made last month.

He had made an agreement with his teammates.

His teammates would carry Tang Ye to victory in the penalty shootout, and Tang Ye would carry his teammates to victory in the Europa League final!

On his way to the substitute bench, Tang Ye's eyes involuntarily glanced toward Ten Hag's position.

The two still hadn't spoken a word; remembering that his side was trailing, Ten Hag quickly turned his attention back to the match.

I'm really sorry...

My most respected Mr. Sitting Like.

Tang Ye chuckled, returned to his seat on the substitute bench, and sat down.

"The match time has now reached the 119th minute!"

"The Manchester United forwards are completely exhausted, and Rooney, who came on as a substitute, hasn't shown any good performance!"

"We can almost declare Villarreal's victory in advance!"

Chasing back two goals after falling behind by two, then killing off the opponent with a direct free kick at the very end.

Although...

"When did Tom learn how to take knuckleballs?"

Martí whispered quietly to Escrivá beside him.

Escrivá waved his hand: "Just say whether we killed them or not."

Rather than researching when Tang Ye started training his free kicks, it would be better to research how the team should celebrate next.

Manchester United's fate is sealed!

Next comes Villarreal's celebration time!

"Beep, beep beep——!!!"

"Damn!"

The final whistle blew, and Ten Hag's unwilling roar came from nearby.

Tang Ye deliberately avoided Ten Hag's gaze and climbed over the chairs in front together with Sansone.

He spread his arms wide!

Running onto the pitch!

Following in the footsteps of Escrivá and Martí!

Bang!

Tang Ye collided with Musacchio, and his upper body suddenly fell backward.

Musacchio quickly grabbed hold of Tang Ye.

Then the two ran toward the center of the field again.

"Mateo, slow down, slow down!"

"What's wrong, what's wrong?"

"I f***ing can't... run anymore."

Tang Ye propped his hands on his knees, caught his breath, and then relied on his willpower to start running again.

"Villarreal! Villarreal! Villarreal!"

The fans were loudly singing the team name of the Yellow Submarine!

At the same time, on the stadium's big screen:

【Villarreal Win】

"Thanks to Tang Ye's direct free kick goal in the second half of extra time, Villarreal defeated Manchester United with a score of 3:2, claiming this season's Europa League championship!"

"Along with the previous Copa del Rey title, this is also Villarreal's first-ever Europa League championship in the club's history."

"Let us congratulate them!"

Clap clap clap clap!

Applause thundered across the stadium as Tang Ye and passing teammates exchanged high-fives one after another.

The award podium had already been set up; the Villarreal players stood to the side, waiting for the Manchester United players to receive their runner-up awards.

"That trophy is so long."

Although Tang Ye was clapping, his attention had long been drawn to the Europa League champion trophy placed beside the award podium.

The Copa del Rey champion trophy is wide, while the characteristic of the Europa League champion trophy is that it is long!

Standing on the glass pedestal where the trophy was placed, the highest point of the Europa League trophy had nearly reached Tang Ye's nose!

"How do you feel right now?"

Bruno shouted into Tang Ye's ear.

Tang Ye immediately shouted back: "However you feel right now is exactly how I feel!"

After all the Manchester United players had stepped down, it was time for the Yellow Submarine players to receive their awards.

Bruno immediately grabbed Tang Ye's arm.

"Bruno, don't be nervous, I know the drill, I won't rush up there."

Bruno was clearly worried that Tang Ye would rush onto the podium ahead of Escrivá, but that was simply an unnecessary worry.

Having experienced this many times before, Tang Ye was now extremely familiar with the procedure.

As Escrivá led the players toward the podium, Tang Ye stood behind Bruno, rubbing his hands together.

He was already a bit unable to wait!

"Thank you, thank you."

"Good luck, Tom; hope to see you in the Champions League next season."

The UEFA President hung the champion's medal around Tang Ye's neck; the latter nodded with a smile: "Thank you, although I don't know your name."

"Haha, good luck."

After shaking hands one by one with the UEFA officials on the podium, Tang Ye jumped down.

"Mr. Ferran, hurry, hurry!"

"Don't rush, don't rush."

Urged on by Tang Ye, Escrivá took hold of the champion's trophy.

The trophy was truly huge; when Escrivá held it in his arms, a section still protruded out.

"Wow!!!"

"Wow!!!"

Amidst the cheers of the fans, the Yellow Submarine players got into position on the podium.

This time, Tang Ye once again chose a spot relatively close to the center, because Bruno would definitely stand in the very middle shortly, and being near the center would allow Tang Ye to get his hands on the trophy faster.

Bruno carried the trophy toward his teammates, with Escrivá and Martí following behind.

"Wow~ wow~ wow~~"

The players on the podium were jumping up and down.

Bruno arrived at the top.

"Ready?"

"3, 2, 1!"

"Vamos Villarreal!"

Bang!

Bang bang!

Bang bang bang bang!

Golden fireworks exploded on the podium, and a line of small text popped up at the bottom of the CCTV live broadcast room.

【2016-17 Season UEFA Europa League Champion: Villarreal】

Check Dongqiu Di pinned post: Villarreal overturns a three-goal deficit against Manchester United to claim the club's first-ever Europa League title.

This was Villarreal's final match of the season!

In this match, Villarreal secured their second title of the season!

"Vamos Villarreal!"

Aleix suddenly lifted the trophy high, and the fans in the stands let out a collective "Wow."

"Haha, Sebastian, can I have it now? Can I have it now?"

He took the trophy from Aleix's hands. "Oof!"

Feeling it carefully, the Europa League champion's trophy and the Copa del Rey champion's trophy should be about the same weight.

However, the Europa League champion's trophy was a bit longer, so it felt heavier when held.

But compared to March, Tang Ye in May had grown stronger.

"Come on, Nicola, let's do it together!"

"I'll count!"

"2, 1!"

"Vamos Villarreal!"

"Wow!!!"

The fans erupted in cheers in coordination with Tang Ye.

Confetti rained down on Tang Ye's head, but unlike Sansone, he did not shake his head to flick it off.

!

Because Tang Ye absolutely loved this feeling!

With a slight reluctance, Tang Ye passed the trophy to Rodri, then jumped down from the stands.

Bang!

He ran toward the away section!

"Come back!"

"Tom, come back!"

Tang Ye didn't hear Matti's shout, so Matti quickly ran over and chased Tang Ye back.

He grabbed Tang Ye's shoulder in one swift motion.

"What's wrong, Matti?"

"You have another award ceremony, another one!"

Matti pressed both hands on Tang Ye's shoulders and directly turned him around.

The solo award ceremony for the Finals MVP—Tang Ye had completely forgotten about it!

"Hurry, hurry!"

Matti pushed Tang Ye toward the location of the MVP award podium.

Just like with the King's Cup, the Finals MVP and the Knockout Stage MVP were different.

The Finals MVP came with its own separate trophy!

Holding the MVP trophy in one hand, Tang Ye had photographers behind him snapping pictures furiously.

At this moment, Tom's teammates arrived!

"Tom!"

Ale, Bruno, and Musacchio all three together, with Ale holding a bottle of mineral water in his hand.

"Come, come, come!"

Ale asked Tang Ye to hand over the MVP trophy.

Then he poured water into it.

"Okay, okay, just a little bit is enough, just a little bit is enough."

Tang Ye raised the trophy and, under the focus of the cameras, drained the mineral water inside the MVP trophy in one gulp.

"Phew!"

Shaking his head, Tang Ye walked together with his teammates toward the area below the stands.

"How does it feel!"

Ale shouted.

"What, what feels like what?"

"What does it feel like to drink water from the MVP trophy?"

Thinking while walking: "Hmm... I drank from one before when I was at Utrecht, but I feel the water I drank back in Utrecht was a bit colder."

"Is the water in the Netherlands colder?"

"It's because Spain is warmer than the Netherlands!"

Ale pushed Tang Ye as they walked toward the area below the stands.

Tang Ye got ready.

He suddenly raised his trophy high: "Roar!"

"Wow!"

Again!

"Wow!"

Tang Ye pretended to walk back, but actually turned around suddenly and flung the trophy toward the direction of the stands.

"Wow!"

"Tom!"

"Best Midfielder!"

"Viva Tom Tom!"

"The Hero of the VCF! (The Hero of Villarreal)"

Bang bang!

"Viva Tom Tom~"

Bang bang!

"The One of the VCF! (The Savior of Villarreal)"

Haha!

Walking had become a bit tiring, so Tang Ye sat down on the grass.

Just like when he won the King's Cup before, he placed the trophy on the empty ground in front of him.

The fans in the stands were still singing, and Tang Ye's mood was now extremely relaxed.

The last match of this season had ended.

Undoubtedly, whether for the Yellow Submarine or for Tang Ye, this had been an almost perfect season.

Hiss—

Recalling carefully, the season rewards for Tang Ye would likely be settled in at most two weeks.

At this time last year during the season settlement, Tang Ye had directly received nearly 3,000 Counterattack Points.

This season Tang Ye's performance was even more outstanding, and the honors the team obtained overall were even better.

He just didn't know how many Counterattack Points he would receive as a reward?

"Tom!"

Bruno let out a roar, handed the championship trophy in his hand to Tang Ye, and then sat down beside Tang Ye with a "thump."

"Bruno, how can you still have the energy to run? I'm already sitting on the ground and don't want to get up."

"Eleven years!"

"What thing?"

Bruno leaned his mouth close to Tang Ye's ear: "I've been with this team for 11 years and haven't won a single trophy."

He held up two fingers: "Two this season—the Copa del Rey and the Europa League."

Bruno clenched his right fist and punched Tang Ye's arm hard: "Thank you, Tom."

Tang Ye punched back: "Thank you, Bruno!"

"Why the hell are you thanking me?"

Tang Ye reached out and tugged at the captain's armband on Bruno's arm: "You're the best!"

The chanting continued as Bruno led the Yellow Submarine players around the pitch to thank the fans for their support.

The Manchester United fans and players had already left the stadium, and the staff began preparing for the award ceremony.

Check Dongqiu Di pinned post: 2016-17 Europa League individual awards announced; Tang Ye wins the Golden Boot, Ale gets the Silver Boot.

From the group stage through the knockout rounds to today's final, Tang Ye scored a total of 12 goals in all Europa League matches this season.

He was the only player among them all to break into double digits for goals!

He scored more goals pretending to be a striker than actual strikers did.

You might think it's absurd.

But that's Tom!

The hero of Villarreal, the savior of Villarreal!

【Barring any surprises, Tang Ye will also win the Europa League Player of the Season.】

【And let's add the La Liga Player of the Season too!】

【The Europa League Player of the Season is a lock, but I feel the La Liga one will still go to Messi.】

【I'm already a die-hard Villarreal fan; I know every player and every tactic the team uses.】

【Fake fans say: Yellow Submarine's tactics are attacking football and long balls behind the defense; real fans say: Yellow Submarine's tactic is Tang Ye.】

After receiving the Europa League Golden Boot from the UEFA President, Tang Ye bumped fists with the football association chairman: "Second time meeting, Mr., now I know you."

Holding the MVP trophy in one hand and dragging the Golden Boot with the other, Tang Ye returned to the area below the stands.

The "Long Live Tom" chant continued!

Tang Ye temporarily placed the MVP trophy on the grass and held the Golden Boot with both hands.

He lifted it above his head!

"Is this your first Golden Boot?"

Escrivá walked over and waved to the fans in the stands alongside Tang Ye.

"Doesn't seem like it; I won one of these when I was a kid too—the Golden Boot for the provincial elementary school tournament."

"Wow, impressive."

The corner of Escrivá's mouth twitched.

So Tang Ye had liked sneaking into the penalty box to poach goals even when he was a child.

No wonder his positioning skills are so good now!

"..."

Walking toward the press conference room while shaking his head.

Having lost the final after leading by two goals, Ten Hag grew angrier the more he thought about it.

Fan Fan Dejiahe stood right beside Ten Hag: "We can only accept this fact now; there's nothing we can do. Erik, I know your emotions are all over the place right now, but there's no helping it."

"We should have won!"

Ten Hag stopped in his tracks, spreading his hands wide: "2-0! We started at 2-0; my tactics were better than theirs!"

Fan Fan Dejiahe sighed.

It was clear that Ten Hag was truly angry now.

A few months ago, after losing the EFL Cup, Ten Hag had said that he needed to win at least one trophy in his first season.

After the EFL Cup loss, Ten Hag set his sights on the FA Cup, but in preparing for the league, they lost the FA Cup as well.

Finally, the target became the Europa League title.

And today, they lost!

They lost after leading by two goals!

Even someone with a mindset as steady as Ten Hag's couldn't accept this situation!

At that moment, voices of players came from around the corner.

"Haha, I told you we would beat Manchester United."

"Manchester United is strong, but not our match, wow!"

"..."

Ten Hag remained silent, saying nothing.

The Yellow Submarine manager Escrivá and the defender Musacchio walked past him.

Manchester United is strong, but not our match...

Ten Hag breathed heavily, his mind growing angrier the more he thought.

So, almost instinctively, he turned around and pointed at Escrivá walking away in the distance.

"I have someone to save me, you..."

Halfway through the sentence, Ten Hag suddenly fell silent.

Damn it!

He realized why he had lost today!

"Damn!"

"You have someone to save you, but I don't!"

Boom!

Ten Hag smashed his fist into the wall beside him.

……

PS: This 15,000+ word update covers the finals and the award ceremony in one go!

Brothers, please vote for your monthly tickets at the start of the month!!!

(End of Chapter)