[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-start-with-r9-template":3,"chapter-start-with-r9-template-start-with-r9-template-chapter-18":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Start with R9 Template",{"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},1388697,1840,"Chapter 18: Swansea's Parked Bus","start-with-r9-template-chapter-18",18,"\u003Cp>Time flew by, and soon it was August 19th.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swansea, Wales, Liberty Stadium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second round of the Premier League was in full swing, with Swansea hosting Manchester United at home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Cardiff City's relegation to the Championship in the 2013-14 season, Swansea had become the only Welsh team currently competing in the Premier League, naturally drawing attention from most local fans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to the complex thousand-year history between Wales and England, the relationship between their fans had become particularly hostile, evident from the intense atmosphere on the pitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the very start of the match, both teams engaged in fierce confrontations, desperately fighting for possession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing on the sidelines was Swansea's head coach, Bradley, who had just led the team through a relegation battle last season.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Known for his generally cautious coaching style, even while playing at home today, he insisted his team adopt a compact defensive approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only did they pack players in front of their penalty area to cut off Lukaku's connections with his teammates,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they also deployed two quick forwards up front, ready to launch rapid counterattacks from any clearances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This forced Manchester United's midfield and defensive players to hesitate pushing too far forward, as they had to conserve energy for defensive duties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the match descended into a stalemate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the 26th minute of the match, Pogba received a yellow card for an overly aggressive tackle after losing possession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swansea's fans were provocatively gesturing toward the pitch, attempting to incite anger among Manchester United players.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the sidelines, Mourinho gestured with palms pressed downward, signaling his players to remain calm, continue attacking, and create more set-piece opportunities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone had once told him a saying:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When the caravan passes, a pack of dogs barks. Look at those dogs—they can only barks, but the caravan moves on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since then, Mourinho had never cared about opponents' doubts, retaliating only with cold, hard facts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not far behind him, Ling and Ibrahimovic sat side by side, intently discussing the match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both were substitutes again...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though for entirely different reasons: the former lacked sufficient ability, while the latter had not fully recovered from injury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling wasn't particularly bothered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After receiving Mourinho's assurance that morning, he had immersed himself fully in training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even brought gifts to Carrick, asking if he could share some long-passing expertise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faced with the diligent youngster's request, the kind-hearted Carrick had no reason to refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, Ling followed Ibrahimovic for Taekwondo practice before daily training and trained long passes with Carrick afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every day was intensely fulfilling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling's gaze fixed on the pitch, mentally placing himself in the action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the 43rd minute, United's players seemed influenced by Mourinho, their anxious moods gradually stabilizing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mata received a pass on the wing and decisively cut inside, slipping a diagonal pass to the right flank before defenders closed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valencia, overlapping on the wing, took two touches before whipping a cross from the right edge of the penalty area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ball arced like a brilliant rainbow, dropping near the penalty spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lukaku, tightly marked for most of the match with few touches, finally unleashed his pent-up frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaped high, overpowering his marker, and snapped his dark head fiercely toward the ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swansea goalkeeper Fabianski—formerly Arsenal's second-choice keeper, renowned for quick reflexes—flung himself sideways, barely tipping the ball over the end line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gasps of disbelief rippled through the Liberty Stadium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swansea fans broke into cold sweats before taunting with renewed vigor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Face it—you can't score!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Piss off back where you came from!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the pitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lukaku spat in frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even a sure goal was saved—what rotten luck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stay focused! Remember the pre-match tactics!\" Matic shouted to his teammates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As five tall United players flooded the box, the cramped area descended into chaos, bodies jostling in tight spaces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mourinho's preference for height had long become a trademark of his tactical style.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With players in position, Mata raised three fingers and swiftly took the corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, Lukaku jumped high again near the penalty spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still wary after the earlier powerful header, Swansea defenders pressed close, disrupting his movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no one anticipated the ball sailing through the air toward the far post.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>United center-back Bailly, completely unmarked, headed it forward effortlessly into the net.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roar!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Manchester United fans who had traveled with the team erupted like a boiling pot, wildly waving flags and cheering to celebrate this hard-earned goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The previously arrogant Swansea fans instantly turned ashen-faced, falling silent and closing their mouths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the sidelines, Mourinho wore a faint cold smile at the corner of his mouth as he glanced toward the opposite stands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to last season's offensive struggles, he had specifically designed new set-piece tactics aimed at breaking deadlocks in tightly contested matches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, Bradley frowned deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Conceding a goal just before halftime not only disrupted his tactical plans but would also affect the players' morale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gestured for the team to strengthen their defense and hold on until the break.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the pitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The previously evenly matched situation had completely turned one-sided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manchester United, seizing the momentum, continued to launch fierce attacks in the forward line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, with little time left in the first half, they failed to score another goal before the referee blew the whistle for halftime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Swansea players breathed a sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though only a few minutes had passed, it felt unbearably long, as if they wished they could press a fast-forward button.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was mainly because the earlier goal had been too devastating, crushing their morale and distorting their movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They almost wished they had fallen behind earlier...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Manchester United players, elated by their lead, cheerfully headed toward the tunnel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as soon as they pushed open the locker room door, they were met with a voice as cold as ice, and their smiles instantly vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am very dissatisfied with your performance!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Swansea finished 15th last season, just three places above the relegation zone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But in the entire 45 minutes of the first half, we only managed six shots, three of which posed no threat at all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aside from that, you accomplished nothing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After reprimanding them for a while, Mourinho took a sip of water from his cup and continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Strengthen the defense in the second half. Wait for the opponent to push forward, then look for opportunities to counterattack quickly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Manchester United players hurriedly nodded in agreement, afraid of drawing his ire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mourinho didn't press further, briefly reviewed the match, and then turned to Ling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If the score remains unchanged by the 75th minute, I'll sub you in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Swansea's defense on the wings isn't strong. After you break through, make timely crosses and don't give them time to reorganize.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay, Coach.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling suppressed his excitement and replied softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he felt somewhat guilty for thinking it, he secretly hoped the team wouldn't score.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That way, he would get his chance to play, showcase the results of his recent training, and earn more opportunities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this regard, everyone is selfish, and he was no exception.\u003C\u002Fp>",1176,"2026-06-05T22:48:22.783Z",1,"novelbin.me","2f120bac50275b7187174a7a98b0d0343dad09ee0e03072ee2ecc14e7453dab3","start-with-r9-template-chapter-19","start-with-r9-template-chapter-114",371,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstart-with-r9-template-cover.jpg"]