[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-foresight":3,"chapter-foresight-foresight-chapter-220":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","FORESIGHT",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1847468,2452,"Chapter 220 220: Champions League Semifinals, Second Leg","foresight-chapter-220",220,"\u003Cp>On April 29th, the entire Arsenal squad assembled, ready to depart for Spain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the World Cup approaching, football fever had swept across Europe — billboards, TV screens, and even airports were plastered with World Cup and Champions League promotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nowhere was that atmosphere stronger than in Madrid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Arsenal landed, they were greeted not with hospitality but hostility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the team bus rolled out of the airport, Real Madrid fans lined the roads, waving scarves and jerseys, chanting loudly, and flashing the famous white crest toward the windows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai turned to glance at them briefly, then looked away, unfazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had the lead, yes — but with Suarez out injured, the pressure was still enormous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing Real Madrid without their most dangerous forward meant one thing: the midfield and defense would carry the burden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After checking in at their hotel, Wenger clapped his hands to get everyone's attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Right, drop your bags off and meet back at the bus. We'll head straight to the training ground.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A short while later, everyone was back downstairs, boarding the bus again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their temporary base was Getafe's training ground — a solid facility, though not the first choice. Atletico Madrid had offered it in the past, but since they too had reached the semi-finals this year, it was off-limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their semi-final with Chelsea would take place the following day, on May 1st.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Training was strictly behind closed doors. No media, no spectators, no leaks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plenty of journalists had requested access — some even pleaded for interviews — but Wenger turned them all down without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sessions themselves didn't differ much from normal. The intensity was there, but the mood among the players was… lighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all knew what Wenger's attitude signaled — this Champions League run was, realistically, nearing its end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without Suarez, Arsenal's offensive bite had dulled. Continuing any further was going to be an uphill battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, the Arsenal team bus, escorted by police cars, made its way toward the legendary Santiago Bernabéu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the Champions League semi-final — the eyes of the world were watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Helicopters hovered above, capturing live footage for global broadcasts. Even the production setup felt grander than usual; UEFA had upgraded almost everything for the last four teams standing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the bus drew closer to the stadium, the noise swelled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wave of chants, songs, and roars washed over them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Real Madrid's supporters were in full voice, singing their club anthem with spine-tingling passion. Every note carried a hint of intimidation, every chorus a warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the sea of white, pockets of red could still be seen — the traveling Arsenal fans, brave and proud — but their numbers were dwarfed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a quick change in the locker room, the players jogged out to warm up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment they stepped onto the pitch, the boos began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shrill. Relentless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every Arsenal player could feel the hostility pressing down like a weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in the dressing room, Wenger gathered his men once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's the same message,\" he said, voice steady. \"Go out there and enjoy it. No pressure, no rigid standards. Whatever happens, make sure you walk off that pitch without regrets.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vermaelen, wearing the captain's armband, nodded firmly. He was starting tonight — Kai would not be captain on the pitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The team filed into the tunnel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, the Real Madrid players arrived, looking composed — maybe too composed. Whether it was confidence or acting, Kai couldn't tell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their squad depth was frightening, and even though Pepe's reckless challenge had taken Suarez out, Real hadn't really suffered. Arsenal, on the other hand, had been crippled by that loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai scanned the Madrid lineup. Strangely, a few of them seemed to avoid his eyes. Whenever he looked at one of them directly, they quickly turned away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weird, he thought, frowning slightly, but he didn't dwell on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The referee began walking toward the pitch. It was time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Both teams are stepping out onto the pitch! This is it — the second leg of the 2013–14 UEFA Champions League semi-final! Real Madrid hosting Arsenal here at the Bernabéu!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Martin Taylor's voice carried the electricity of the occasion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the first leg, Arsenal edged a 2–1 win at the Emirates. Now they face a monumental challenge away from home. Can they hold off Madrid's comeback? Can they keep the dream alive?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alan Smith chimed in, his tone thoughtful. \"And it's worth keeping an eye on Kai. He was instrumental in that first leg — his defensive discipline and vision really stood out. The question is, can he repeat that performance here at the Bernabéu, and maybe once again frustrate that famous BBC trio?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Martin laughed softly. \"Well, with Suarez out, Arsenal will need every ounce of structure and spirit they can muster. Holding on tonight might just be the victory they need.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the anthem began to echo through the stadium, the players took their positions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lineups\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Real Madrid (4-3-3):\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Goalkeeper: Casillas\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Defenders: Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Coentrão\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Midfielders: Khedira, Modrić, Di María\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forwards: Bale, Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arsenal (4-2-3-1):\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Goalkeeper: Szczęsny\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Defenders: Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Def. Midfielders: Kai, Ramsey\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Att. Midfielders: Walcott, Cazorla, Rosický\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forward: Podolski\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai stood in his own half, surrounded by a wall of jeers. He didn't need to look around to know what they meant—he was deep in enemy territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other than a faint chant from the small pocket of Arsenal fans high in the corner, the Santiago Bernabéu was roaring for Real Madrid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three years at the top level, and here he was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a scrawny centre-back fighting for minutes to one of Arsenal's most trusted players. And tonight, he had a role that could define the entire match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't quite describe the feeling running through himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Excitement, nerves... but more than that, an unshakable hunger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Real Madrid. The biggest stage imaginable. And he was right in the middle of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a deep breath, eyes fixed on the white shirts across from him. This—this was why he'd worked so hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beep!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The referee's whistle pierced through the noise, and Real Madrid kicked off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Podolski and the front line surged forward immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madrid began their trademark keep-ball routine, Modrić dropping deep to dictate the tempo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the Croatian get comfortable, Kai barked out sharply,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Press! Don't give them time to breathe!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Arsenal players reacted at once, pushing high and closing the passing lanes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It worked. Real Madrid's rhythm started to wobble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with Modrić pulling the strings, Madrid's defenders looked hesitant—nobody wanted to risk losing the ball that close to goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Martin Taylor: \"Arsenal are pressing high, and that's a clever move. Modrić is the heartbeat of this Madrid side. Once he settles into a rhythm, they become twice as dangerous.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alan Smith: \"Spot on, Martin. Arsenal are trying to break that rhythm early, and it's making Madrid's backline a little uneasy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Modrić found Bale on the flank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a deft touch, Bale nudged the ball into space, ready to accelerate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ramsey stayed tight on him, matching his run. The Welshman couldn't fully open up, but he managed to reach the byline and whip in a cross.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cristiano Ronaldo, Kai, and Mertesacker all leapt at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ronaldo's jump was higher—but Kai had already timed his leap perfectly, meeting the ball first and heading it clear to safety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tsk!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ronaldo landed with a frustrated hiss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hated it. Kai always seemed to read the ball just that fraction of a second earlier, always reaching the peak of the arc before anyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could see where the ball was going—but Kai? Kai knew exactly when to rise for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Please do leave a review and powerstones, helps with the book's exposure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feel like joining a Patreon for free and subscribing to advanced chapters?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Visit the link:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[email protected]\u002FGRANDMAESTA_30\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Change @ to a\u003C\u002Fp>",1311,"2026-06-09T07:00:21.491Z",1,"novelbin.me","3d659031f5a62953ae7ef203d8aee94b5580449f6bdb5cfbd3cd884b9c9367d5","foresight-chapter-221","foresight-chapter-219",405,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fforesight-cover.jpg"]