Chapter 101: What? The round-of-sixteen opponent is
Grimaldi Conference Center, North Gate.
Media reporters stared fixedly at the end of the street.
Security personnel formed two rows, standing ready outside the cordon.
Two business cars emblazoned with the Champions League logo sped over!
The crowd began to stir!
"Messi!
"!
"o!
"!
"Ibrahimovi?
"!
Security personnel were extremely vigilant.
The business car pulled over to the side of the road.
Griezmann and Simeone stepped onto the carpet.
Their height and build made them look like a father and son.
The restless crowd instantly fell silent, mixed with sighs of disappointment.
Some fans almost booed!
Since December 2011, when Simeone took over Atlético Madrid, European football has gained a fiery side that fans love and hate!
Those who like him become obsessed with his iron‑blooded defense.
Those who dislike him resent his dirty tackles.
Diego Costa used to be its emblematic figure.
Besides Atlético Madrid's front line, no one could make Real Madrid's back line collect a full set of yellow cards in half a game.
As for the rising Griezmann in recent years, there's no need to say more.
Although his play isn't that dirty, in life he's too naive, often used as a pawn by certain groups, and his social media accounts constantly post irrational remarks.
This has earned him the dislike of many fans worldwide.
Simeone touched his big back hair, waved at the fans, ignored the reporters, and strode toward the rear vehicle.
"Li! Mr. Wo Le Er! Mr. Tuop! We meet again!"
At that moment, the Atlético Madrid head coach looked like a gentleman; he was about to say something more to Li Kang, but Tuopu Laotou stopped him with a grab.
Griezmann's expression showed some surprise: his own head coach is a very proud person, and even when meeting big‑name stars, he wouldn't be this warm and proactive!
Simeone's expression didn't change much; he nodded, smiled politely, and said: "See you later! My friends!"
Having said that, he turned and left.
Tuopu Laotou sighed: "Last season, Leverkusen was eliminated by Atlético Madrid!"
"I don't want to encounter such a tough opponent in the round of sixteen."
Wo Le Er laughed: "Hurry up; if you walk a few steps later, the scene will get awkward."
On the red carpet, everyone walks; if you're not famous, you'll be embarrassed.
A fan base needs time to be cultivated.
Although Li Kang performed stunningly in the Camp Nou match, the brilliant moments still need time to spread.
In the distance, a line of business cars was speeding over.
Li Kang had just stepped into the conference center when he heard waves of frantic shouting from behind.
He didn't stop to look back.
The receptionists warmly came forward to greet him.
They led the Leverkusen trio toward the venue.
The round‑of‑sixteen draw rules are simply summarized as follows:
1. Group winners face group runners‑up;
For example, Leverkusen will not be drawn against another group winner like Real Madrid.
2. Teams from the same group and same association will not meet;
For example, Leverkusen will not encounter fellow Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, nor will it meet Barcelona from the same group.
3. It is a two‑legged home‑and‑away knockout format.
For example, if Leverkusen draws Juventus, they would play one leg at Turin's Allianz Stadium and the other at Leverkusen's BayArena; if the aggregate score is level, the away goals count is used; if away goals are also level, then extra time is played… if still undecided, it goes to a penalty shoot‑out…
They entered the venue.
Wo Le Er took Li Kang's phone, set it to silent, slipped it into his own briefcase, then made the "call after finishing" gesture, and walked with Tuopu Laotou toward the club representatives' seats.
Li Kang picked up his number placard and found his seat.
Is this the front row this time?
The uncle beside him, why does he look a bit familiar?
It turns out to be Buffon.
Last season's Champions League runner‑up Juventus's goalkeeper.
"Li, I've heard Morata mention you."
Buffon didn't show much enthusiasm, but he smiled warmly.
While they were talking,
Behind them came a noisy clamor, and the flashbulbs went crazy!
The two turned their heads.
It was C Luo.
He kept smiling in front of the camera, step by step walking to the front row of the player representatives' seats.
It was quite a coincidence.
His seat was also next to Li Kang's.
No pleasantries.
C Luo restrained his smile, his expression returned to stern, he calmly nodded, which counted as a greeting.
Buffon suggested: 'Li, if you show more enthusiasm, he won't be so cool!'
C Luo's mouth corner twitched...
The number of people entering kept increasing.
Li Kang saw David Silva, Eden Hazard, Yin Bu, Sanchez... and the many famous coaches on the club representatives' seats.
The UEFA Champions League theme suddenly stopped.
Master of ceremonies Pedro Pinto, wearing a purple suit, ran onto the main stage!
Chirped a bunch of platitudes.
Everyone lacked interest, the scattered applause seemed to be trying to drive him off stage quickly.
After a moment.
The lights dimmed.
Several staff carried two large tables, quickly set up the venue.
When the lights came on again.
A young woman, holding two transparent glass tanks, walked slowly toward the main stage, each transparent glass tank containing eight mini footballs.
Li Kang felt she looked a bit familiar.
She was the female partner in the Koenigsegg car advertisement—Esli.
Buffon suddenly sighed: 'Her mother was beautiful when young... Have you seen that Romeo and Juliet? Anyway, our ages differ by twenty years!'
Li Kang nodded seriously, he decided to return to the club to find time to have a look.
Esli put down the glass tanks, her gaze furtively glanced at the player representatives' seats, smiled, and then left from the side backstage.
Buffon nudged Li Kang with his elbow, smiling: 'That little girl is looking at you, youth is really great!'
Immediately after.
The two old UEFA officials went on stage and spoke at length with platitudes.
Just like a lullaby.
Making everyone feel drowsy.
After a long while.
Two tall figures appeared on the main stage!
Breaking the dull atmosphere.
Making the atmosphere of the draw ceremony reach its climax!
Thunderous applause!
Kaka!
Henry!
The two were indeed the guests of this round of sixteen draw ceremony!
"The draw ceremony is about to begin!"
Coach representatives' seats.
Tuopu Laotou couldn't help but become nervous, adjusting his sitting posture a few times, his heart began to pray: 'Give me Porto or Zenit! In the group's second place, there are only these two soft eggplants!'
The head coaches of Porto and Zenit had roughly the same idea.
Mourinho's expression was solemn.
Wenger's smile was brighter than in previous years.
Guardiola kept writing and drawing on the scratch paper, detached from the proceedings.
Enrique was full of confidence.
Simeone was eager to try.
What about Real Madrid's head coach? Benitez had a bitter expression, his worries came from outside the pitch.
The draw ceremony officially began.
Kaka didn't dawdle for long.
AC Milan did not qualify for the UEFA Champions League proper this season.
Real Madrid's strength is about the same against any opponent.
There was no psychological pressure at all.
He reached out and pulled out a small ball, then snapped it open!
He unfolded the slip of paper inside and aimed it at the camera.
"Eindhoven!"
On the other side.
Henry's pressure was greater.
Likewise he pulled out a small ball and snapped it open!
"Barcelona!"
"The first matchup result is out: Eindhoven vs Barcelona!"
Someone felt sad.
Someone felt happy.
The group's top soft eggplant was actually pinched by Barcelona!
Eindhoven's head coach Cocu shook his head helplessly—who could have imagined that after fighting to finish first in the group, they'd still meet Barcelona!
Enrique's expression was very restrained; he deliberately put on a troubled look.
He couldn't laugh.
Laughing would be disrespecting the opponent.
Unless he couldn't hold back.
The livestream room.
Bullet comments flew across the screen.
-【This match has no suspense; Eindhoven's entire team's transfer value isn't even worth half a leg of Neymar!】
-【Barcelona has it locked; as long as Camp Nou doesn't rain again... even if it rains they can still win!】
-【Poor Eredivisie, in our lifetime we won't see them rise!】
-【If it were Ajax, it wouldn't be so certain.】
Henry's mood was complicated.
He and Wenger shared a father‑son bond, together they created the Premier League's invincible myth.
It's a pity that he once helped Arsenal draw Barcelona twice.
This year, no matter what, he had to draw...
As the mini footballs were snapped open one by one.
The Champions League round of 16 matchups were revealed one by one.
"Lyon vs Atlético Madrid!"
"Manchester City vs Porto!"
At that moment.
Simeone's expression showed slight regret; this season's Atlético Madrid, nobody fears them.
Tuopu Laotou was so nervous his legs trembled!
There are still plenty of tough nuts left undrawn!
If Juventus or Paris Saint‑Germain comes up...
When the fourth draw result came out.
The whole venue erupted in an uproar.
"Chelsea vs Paris Saint‑German!"
Mourinho furrowed his brow.
Blanco smiled.
-【I announce, the Champions League quarterfinals or semifinals will happen early!】
-【Paris's head coach smiling looks worse than crying!】
-【Mars colliding with Earth!】
-【I still wanted to see Li Mingdeng go up against Yin Bu and Fabregas, but it seems this season we can't fulfill both wishes!】
The draw ceremony didn't linger too long.
Kaka continued to snap the ball.
"Real Madrid!"
Henry's heart gave a thump.
He gazed far toward Wenger.
The director's camera happened to give a close‑up of the two of them.
The King of Highbury took a deep breath, decisively pulled out the little ball, and snapped it open!
"Wolfsburg!"
"The fifth matchup result is out!"
The player representatives' seats.
Buffon said softly: "The chances of us meeting are high! Milan has lots of fun places... when the time comes..."
Li Kang smiled and nodded.
The main stage.
Kaka unveiled a new slip of paper.
"Leverkusen!"
Henry gathered his strength and gave a mighty pull!
Smack!
"Arsenal!"
"The sixth matchup result is out!"
Henry looked at Wenger again with delighted eyes.
But he saw on his mentor's face a hint of bitterness!
What's going on?
Isn't Leverkusen good enough?
They could defeat Nou Camp because it was raining!
The live broadcast room.
Bullet comments flew.
-【We still have to rely on you, Henry! Good draw!】
-【In the past ten years, the chance of Arsenal meeting Barcelona in the Champions League has been as high as 80%; this season, the curse of always finishing sixteenth is about to be broken!】
-【Judging by overall strength, Leverkusen finds it hard to beat Arsenal, unless Li Mingdeng again summons wind and rain!】
-【You're joking? Can Čech catch a heavy shot with one hand?】
Tuopu Laotou let out a sigh of relief.
This draw result is better than getting Juventus, although it's only slightly better.
As long as Arsenal's lineup is injury-free, their fighting power is extremely formidable.
On the front line is Sánchez, in midfield is Cazorla, and guarding the goal is Čech.
What's more, on the bench there's a true British star—Wilshere.
The upcoming match results.
All have come out.
"Benfica versus Juventus!"
"Bayern versus Zenit!"
Several UEFA officials took the stage and spoke platitudes for half an hour.
Only then did the round-of-16 draw ceremony announce its end.
When leaving the venue.
Buffon put his arm around Li Kang's shoulder and said, "Your two grandfathers still have to accept media interviews! I'll take you to rest!"
Cristiano Ronaldo was about to leave the field, hesitated a moment, and said to Li Kang, "He's just taking you to the rest area."
Buffon first participated in the Champions League in 1997.
The partners of the annual draw ceremony have changed batch after batch, with most becoming special guests like Kaká and Henry.
The only familiar faces are Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
He easily brought Li Kang to the rest area and introduced him to the player representatives of the powerhouse clubs.
Zenit's Hulk wore an arrogant expression.
Chelsea's Hazard was busy getting a hamburger from the buffet area.
Arsenal's Sánchez sat in the corner, lost in thought.
Manchester City's David Silva lay back on the sofa playing a mobile game.
The many stars weren't particularly impressed by Leverkusen's number 10.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi had no time to come to the rest area, as they still had to accept media interviews.
Yin Bu is likewise a media darling; his statements are clickbait.
The venue of the draw ceremony press conference.
Wenger was surrounded by French reporters.
In his youth he was a household‑name star in Ligue 1, and as a coach he strongly pushed for reform of French youth training.
At the end of the 1980s, he brought a little black pearl from Africa back to Ligue 1.
That little black pearl was George Weah!
The man who went from CTV5 to CTV1!
"Mr. Wenger! In this year's Champions League round of 16, you didn't meet Barcelona or Bayern; are you confident of making it to the semifinals?"
"Are you feeling better? It's gotten colder lately—wear more!"
"The zipper's broken!"
French reporters gradually started to worry about the health of the legendary veteran.
Media from other countries, meanwhile, turned their attention to Mourinho and Blanco.
The showdown between Chelsea and Paris Saint‑German is the hottest buzz!
It can practically be called an early Champions League summit showdown!
Enrique was also surrounded by reporters.
His face was flushed, his spirits high.
"Barcelona's goal is to defend the title!"
"Losing to Lewokusen was just a fluke! A single group‑stage loss means nothing; Barcelona still dominates Europe!"
"If they can beat Arsenal, we are very likely to meet again—I'm really looking forward to it!"
"Li Kang returning to Barcelona? Lewokusen won't let him go in the winter break! But it doesn't matter—we'll recall little Dennis from Villarreal! He will inherit Xavi's number 6 shirt!"
Cruyff returned to Amsterdam to recuperate.
Barcelona's PR push in Catalonia… is actually quite strong.
As long as we keep winning all the way in the Champions League!
What's 1 million euros, what's the La Masia No. 4 spot…
All kinds of messy noise will be buried by results!
Li Kang didn't get lost this time.
Soon he met up with Wo Le Er and Tuopu Laotou at the north gate of the convention center.
"I called Dino already; the coaching staff is now starting to study how to deal with Arsenal!"
"Why not make it rain artificially at the Bayer Arena? It wouldn't cost much!"
The method of laying sand saves more money!
End of Chapter
