Chapter 323: Champions League Round of 16 Draw: Will Tom Face Villarreal

Check Dongqiu Di pinned post: The UEFA Champions League Round of 16 draw ceremony will be held tomorrow night at 19:00.

News about the Champions League Round of 16 draw immediately captured the attention of football fans.

It was just as lively as the Europa League Round of 16 draw last season!

Unfortunately, this season's Europa League has lost half its excitement because Tom is no longer there!

Let's take a look at the current Champions League situation.

Manchester United advanced with six consecutive wins in the group stage, making them a well-deserved seeded team, while their opponent will be one of the other group runners-up (unseeded teams).

According to the rule avoiding teams from the same league, there are six possible opponents Manchester United could face in the Round of 16.

They are Bayern, Juventus, Yellow Submarine, Miners, Porto, and Real Madrid.

Hiss—

Taking a deep breath, Tang Ye looked at the various draw possibilities listed by fans on Check Dongqiu Di until his head spun.

Last season he played in the Europa League, and the difference in intensity between the Europa League and the Champions League can only be described as heaven and earth apart.

Of the six possible opponents, damn it, not a single one is easy to bully!

Ding-dong!

His phone suddenly rang; Tang Ye quickly went to the bedside table, unplugged his phone which had been charging on the cabinet, and picked it up.

It was a message from Bruno.

【Bruno: Be careful, Tom, you're done for if you draw us!】

Damn!

Bruno was showing off!

Although Bruno is a good person, he is simply too full of himself, so Tang Ye must teach him a good lesson.

Holding the phone with both hands, he typed rapidly with his two thumbs.

【Tang Ye: Bruno, we are very strong right now; if you draw us, you will lose terribly.】

【Bruno: Haha, Matteo told me he will mark you out of the game.】

【Tang Ye: If he marks me out of the game, I'll steal his fishing rod, and then Matteo will have to catch fish with his bare hands.】

【Bruno: Wow, then I'd better tell him to be careful.】

After chatting with Bruno, Tang Ye tossed his phone onto his bed.

Although he had spoken many harsh words, to be honest, Tang Ye absolutely did not want to face Yellow Submarine in the knockout stage.

In the knockout stage, two teams compete for one spot to advance; if the teams are strangers to each other, that's fine.

But if they are good friends...

Hiss—

Taking a deep breath, Tang Ye shook his head quickly.

Only one of Manchester United and Villarreal can advance?

That is simply too cruel!

On the other side, at the Villarreal training base, Yellow Submarine players who had just finished their evening party emerged from the facility.

Bruno called out to Musacchio and showed him his phone screen: "Matteo, Tom said he's going to steal your fishing rod. You'd better call for some backup then."

"Hmm, so Bruno, will you help me or help Tom when that happens?"

Musacchio quickly scanned the content on the phone.

"Of course I'll help Tom."

"Haha, damn it."

Musacchio shook his head, pointing at the screen: "But Bruno, are you serious? You said you want to face Manchester United?"

"What's wrong with that?"

"Haven't you watched Manchester United's matches?"

Walking forward together, Musacchio and Bruno continued: "Tom has become even stronger; he's now ridiculously powerful, and we'll get crushed."

"Haha, I know, I was just joking."

"A one-in-six probability is very low; we won't draw Manchester United."

Musacchio shook his head with a smile: "So you were just talking tough; my fishing rod is safe."

Arriving at the entrance of the office building, Bruno mounted a Trek bicycle; the freewheel emitted a crisp "click-click" sound.

"You walk slowly; I'm slipping away first."

"Screw you, Bruno; I'm going to buy a bicycle too."

Check Dongqiu Di pinned post: The Champions League Round of 16 draw ceremony is about to begin; will Tang Ye face his old and new clubs in the Round of 16?

【As long as it's not Real Madrid or Bayern, anything else is fine.】

【Yellow Submarine should be easy to play; let's draw Yellow Submarine.】

【There are many strong teams among the group runners-up; I feel GG Bond is in danger.】

【Brothers, don't be fooled; the Champions League draw always has a script; whatever fans want to see, UEFA draws exactly that; Manchester United will most likely really play against Yellow Submarine!】

With five minutes remaining before the draw ceremony officially begins, CCTV has already started broadcasting.

The footage on China Central Television displayed highlights from past Champions League seasons.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Müller, Messi, and Agüero appeared one after another; these players all represented the teams behind them.

Real Madrid, Bayern, Barcelona, Mancheng, and others—these are all teams about to participate in the Champions League Round of 16 draw.

And of course, there is also Manchester United, where Tom plays.

The screen showed Tang Ye's goal from the match against Benfica, then cut to a close-up of him raising both hands, accompanied by the Manchester United crest and team name: manchesterunited.

All 16 knockout-stage teams and their 16 star players were displayed, and the image finally froze on the UEFA Champions League logo.

【uefachampionsleague】

"China Media Group! Good evening, dear audience friends..."

"This knockout-stage draw ceremony is being held in Nyon, a small Swiss town that serves as the headquarters of UEFA. On stage is the host of this draw ceremony, who is also the current Director of the UEFA Media Office, the Portuguese Pedro Pinto!"

As the host delivered his opening remarks, the live camera panned to the audience below.

The head coaches of all 16 knockout-stage teams were in attendance at this draw ceremony, and fans immediately spotted Ten Hag and Escrivá whispering to each other.

For some reason, Ten Hag and Escrivá were actually sitting together.

"Haha, that's true, but our group was very favorable; otherwise, we couldn't have advanced with a perfect record."

"No need to be modest, Erik; you are indeed highly skilled—I can see that."

A smile graced Escrivá's face.

Ten Hag felt somewhat pleased by the praise.

Not knowing what else to do, he took his mobile phone out of his pocket.

At that moment, Fan Fan Dejiahe suddenly sent him a message.

It was a file, with the remark: "2017-18 Season Villarreal Tactical Analysis Video."

【Fan Fan Dejiahe: Here's the data you requested. But Erik, are you sure you want to learn tactics from the Yellow Submarine? I feel their tactics aren't as good as ours.】

Damn it!

Michel shouldn't have sent him the data at this moment!

"... Ahem, well, haha."

Ten Hag put his phone back into his pocket, then spread his hands toward Escrivá.

Before Ten Hag could explain, Escrivá immediately jumped in to answer: "Haha, it's nothing, nothing at all!"

Although Fan Fan Dejiahe had sent the message in Dutch, which Escrivá did not understand,

the file's remark was in English, which he did understand!

"Yes, exactly, um, I have a habit of studying opponents in advance. Since we might meet in the knockout stage, I looked up your team's data ahead of time."

Feeling that Escrivá had misunderstood him, Ten Hag offered a more detailed explanation.

"It's just... you know, just a casual look."

Escrivá nodded hurriedly.

He certainly had not misunderstood Ten Hag.

How could a coach as formidable as Erik possibly learn from a minor figure like him?

Ding-dong!

The phone in his pocket suddenly vibrated, and Escrivá took it out.

【A YouTube creator you follow has updated with a new video: How to Learn Team Management from Erik Ten Hag (Part Seven)】

"Th-this... Ferran?"

Ten Hag stared with wide eyes.

This time it was Escrivá's turn to feel awkward; the Villarreal head coach quickly turned off his phone screen: "It's just, well, Erik, you know, I have a habit of watching YouTube and Twitter. Not often, really, just when I have nothing else to do. Some videos are quite interesting; I just treat them as entertainment."

"Haha, yes."

Ten Hag nodded quickly.

At this moment, at the Manchester United training base.

"Gulp! Gulp!"

Tang Ye took two fierce sips of juice from a glass through a straw: "Rod, why is Mr. Erik chatting with Mr. Ferran?"

"Isn't it just a casual conversation? Nothing much, right?"

Rashford leaned back against the sofa, one hand resting on Tang Ye's shoulder.

"No, Marcus, you don't know. During last season's Europa League draw, those two were sitting together as well."

Tang Ye was correct.

At last season's Europa League knockout-stage draw ceremony, Ten Hag and Escrivá had also been sitting together.

Tang Ye remembered that scene very clearly.

Both Mr. Erik and Mr. Ferran had been seated in the second row!

"Perhaps they have a good relationship in private."

Rashford offered his guess.

"A good private relationship, huh..."

Tang Ye wore an expression of deep thought.

A Dutchman coaching an English team.

A Spaniard coaching a Spanish team—they should have absolutely no connection whatsoever!

So why would they be familiar with each other?

Familiar enough to sit together at every gathering?

Frowning deeply, Tang Ye tried to think of a suitable answer.

But the draw ceremony did not give him much time to think.

"It's starting, Tom!"

Rodri suddenly slapped Tang Ye's thigh, snapping Tang Ye's attention back.

"Juventus must avoid teams from the same country, Roma, and also avoid Barcelona, whom they faced in the first-stage group phase. In that case, they have six options to choose one from."

"Look at Xavi Alonso's luck."

The camera cut to Xavi Alonso on stage; Alonso drew a ball from the glass bowl, unscrewed it, and found the slip of paper inside.

He unfolded the paper.

"Tottenham Hotspur (Spurs)" 【Match 1: Juventus vs. Spurs】

Check Dongqiu Di pinned post: Round of 16 draw, first pairing, Juventus versus Spurs.

【Isn't Juventus done for? Spurs were so fierce last season.】

【Doesn't matter; if Juventus is done, they're done. I just want to know who GGBond will play.】

【How about Porto?】

【Porto isn't weak; honestly, it's better to play Yellow Submarine.】

For the second draw, Xavi Alonso pulled out Barcelona.

Then came Barcelona's opponent.

"Chelsea!"

……

!

Moving to the third draw, Xavi Alonso first pulled out Villarreal.

Here it comes!

Leaning on the sofa, Tang Ye instantly grew tense; Rashford placed his hand on Tang Ye's thigh: "It's fine, Tom, we won't draw them."

Among all the non-seeded teams, Rashford actually preferred facing Villarreal.

But since Tom didn't want to play Villarreal, it was best not to meet them.

Tom was a good guy; Rashford hoped this draw wouldn't disappoint him.

Alonso put his hand into the glass bowl again.

He opened the small white ball and took out the slip of paper.

Unfolded it.

"Manchester United!"

"……"

After a moment of silence, once it registered, Tang Ye suddenly turned his head to look at Rodri: "Damn, Rod, we're really playing against Bruno and the others."

Rodri held his head in both hands, clearly not knowing what to say either.

"It's fine, it's fine, Tom."

Rashford patted Tang Ye's shoulder, and Mata also came over to check on Tang Ye.

Rashford, Mata, and Tang Ye all had good relationships; they often listened to Tang Ye tell stories about his time at Yellow Submarine last season.

Tang Ye liked his friends at Yellow Submarine very much.

This draw result was simply too terrible for him!

Rashford observed Tang Ye's expression; the latter was frowning, looking somewhat unhappy.

Then he suddenly spoke up.

"Damn, I heard fans say the knockout stage draw is pre-recorded and then released; turns out it's true."

"UEFA is so disgusting!"

Mata: "Haha!"

The live camera cut to Ten Hag and Escrivá sitting together; the two head coaches looked at each other.

Originally, the look in Escrivá's eyes as he gazed at Ten Hag was full of admiration; now, a hint of wariness was added.

The logic was clear.

In next February's Champions League knockout stage, only one of them, he or his idol Erik, could survive!

Thinking of this, Escrivá shifted his gaze away from Ten Hag, then shook his head.

This draw result was very, very bad for Yellow Submarine.

But as for Manchester United...

Considering Erik's terrifying strength.

It would probably be easy for Manchester United to defeat them!

……

The draw ended, and Ten Hag immediately called Fan Fan Dejiahe.

"Damn, what kind of result is this? We're playing Villarreal?"

"Damn!"

Fan Fan Dejiahe comforted him: "It's fine, Erik; among the group runners-up, Yellow Submarine is relatively weak."

"But you forgot, Michel, their form is very good."

Those meticulously designed tactics of Escrivá floated through his mind, and Ten Hag involuntarily shuddered.

Escrivá!

That was a very formidable guy!

It was he who cultivated Tom's ball-control ability!

Waving his hand, Ten Hag expressed his dissatisfaction with the draw result.

"Honestly, it would be better to play Juventus and Porto..."

Recalling what he had seen on Escrivá's phone: "Villarreal is probably already celebrating!"

Ten Hag's words made Fan Fan Dejiahe feel confused, so he pressed further on the phone: "Why celebrate, Erik? We're not that easy to deal with, are we?"

"Escrivá has been studying us; they may have already completely mastered our tactics."

"Damn, for them, this draw result is the best possible!"

Escrivá's luck was simply too good.

He correctly guessed Yellow Submarine's Round of 16 opponent, thereby starting his research early and mastering many things ahead of time.

"How to Learn Team Management from Erik ten Hag (Part Seven)..."

They've f*cking reached Part 7!

God knows what stuff he has learned!

Ten Hag knew he was formidable.

Hiss—

If Escrivá were to learn his methods...

Wouldn't Manchester United be in deep trouble!

Thinking of this, Ten Hag's hands began to tremble!

Manchester United could not sit idle and await destruction!

Opening YouTube, Ten Hag slowly typed the letters "Escriv" into the search bar, and relevant results popped up almost immediately.

【How to Learn Team Management from Escrivá (Part Five)】

【How to Learn Team Management from Escrivá (Part Four)】

Mm!

They actually exist!

A smile appeared on Ten Hag's face.

He was nearly fifty years old, but he had to admit, these young people were truly useful.

Times were developing; he must make good use of these resources on the internet!

【Blogger: chinano. 1ggbondforever】

Hmm...

It was an American IP address after all.

Let's see what's going on.

"Why was Villarreal able to achieve success last season?"

!

An American IP speaking Chinese, then pairing it with English subtitles.

This video blogger was a strange fellow.

However, his very first sentence deeply attracted Ten Hag!

Why was Villarreal able to achieve success last season!

Hurry and see what's going on!

"The reason Villarreal is so awesome (good) is mainly because Escrivá built the team around Tang Ye (Tom). Tang Ye's technical characteristics are extremely extreme; it's purely a big-core style of play. This is also why Tang Ye has so many fans. No matter which team such a player goes to, he should be played as the core, because he can indeed produce effects that others cannot..."

Haha!

Having watched only the very beginning of the video, Ten Hag burst out laughing directly.

He had thought this group of young people on the internet had researched some new stuff.

So it was just this!

However, one had to admit, this Chinese-speaking American really understood football!

At least he understood far more than that bunch of sh*tty English reporters!

【Like】

【You followed the blogger: chinano. 1ggbondforever】

Pinned: Champions League Knockout Stage Draw Results Released; Real Madrid and Barcelona Encounter Strong Opponents; Tang Ye Faces Off Against His Old and New Clubs.

【So all of China's luck was given to Manchester United, right? This draw position is invincible, damn it】

【China: I'm f*cking playing Germany, damn it; Manchester United: I'm f*cking playing Yellow Submarine, haha】

【Ten Hag is going to laugh until he's numb】

【It's not exactly a great draw either; Yellow Submarine was only four points behind Atlético Madrid this season, they're very fierce】

Although Villarreal did not continue last season's momentum this term, they still maintained a very high competitive level.

But according to fan analysis, Manchester United's overall strength was still slightly stronger!

This season's Manchester United was, after all, second place in the Premier League!

All sorts of clues pointed to one result.

Tom was about to lead his new friends to defeat his old friends!

Time arrived at December 20th, the third day after the Champions League knockout stage draw concluded; under Ten Hag's leadership, the Manchester United players headed to Bristol.

EFL Cup Quarter-Finals, the opponent was Bristol City!

On the bus, Tang Ye recalled last night's events: "Rod, I played a few games against Bristol City on FIFA last night..."

"And you say you aren't addicted to games."

"It's not like that, it's not like that, you misunderstood me, Rod."

Tang Ye hurriedly explained himself.

"I didn't know this team, so I wanted to understand them."

"Did you know, Rod, they're from the Championship? Looking at it that way, our chances should be quite good."

Rodri wore an expression of contemplation.

He had always been skeptical of Tang Ye's method of learning tactics from games, yet what Tang Ye had just said was undeniably true.

Bristol City was a Championship team.

"It's hard to say."

Rodri narrowed his eyes slightly: "For them to reach the quarter-finals, they must be somewhat formidable."

"Still, they're not as formidable as us."

Tang Ye said.

The previous match against West Brom had helped him and Rashford regain their confidence.

In this match, Manchester United must secure victory no matter what!

It's the quarter-finals already!

Looking into Rodri's eyes.

Mm!

Rod was brought to Manchester United by Tang Ye; he was Tang Ye's subordinate, so Tang Ye ought to take responsibility for him.

Tom was going to lead his subordinate Rod in a charge toward the first championship trophy of his Manchester United career!

(End of Chapter)