Chapter 274: Arriving in Monaco (Everyday Transition)

Madrid.

Spanish Football Association building.

Bosque lay back in the office boss chair, half-asleep, his chubby hand lightly stroking his big belly.

On the branches outside the window, two little blue magpies were being affectionate.

The lingering glow of the setting sun fell on the mottled tabletop.

The life of the Spanish national team's head coach... was so comfortable.

Accompanied by a sudden rush of footsteps.

Mininiano walked into the office holding a thick stack of documents.

He suddenly stopped, wanting to turn back and knock on the door...

Bosque opened his eyes and waved his hand.

The Spanish assistant coach let out a breath and fired off rapid-fire remarks:

"Boss, the Arsenal coaching staff sent back last week's report."

"Wenger also didn't fully understand how they beat Tottenham... he didn't anticipate in his pre-match deployment that they could cause such a tragedy."

"At least two teams were evenly matched on the field, and Li broke the balance."

"His condition is very good now, and all his physical indicators are normal."

"Also, last month's World Cup qualifiers, we didn't call up Li, and fans from all regions protested, with complaint letters filling the mailboxes like snowflakes..."

Bosque rubbed his face, adjusted his sitting posture, and furrowed his brow:

"Are the fans protesting the match against Liechtenstein?"

"Liechtenstein!"

"A country with a total population of less than forty thousand..."

"Why call up Li for such an opponent? He's already exhausted in the Premier League."

"Let's do this: next international match day, we'll take Li out for a spin! I haven't seen him in a while!"

Another UEFA Champions League match day quietly arrived.

Li Kang and his Arsenal teammates boarded a plane, heading for Monaco.

Monaco has many nicknames: the microstate, the stamp-sized country, the rose on the cliff.

Built in 1878, the Monte Carlo Casino is like a splendid palace, attracting pleasure-seeking players from across Europe, but under local law: citizens are not allowed to gamble, only tourists may enter.

Who is the most famous person in this country?

Grace Kelly.

A thick slice of tragic fairy tale from European royalty.

Monaco has no international airport.

The Arsenal players need to first land at Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, then take a bus to the stadium.

The journey is not far.

From the airport, the drive is less than an hour.

Maguire happily pointed out the window.

"A city built on cliffs!"

"Damn, it's beautiful!"

"There's also a castle there! In the sunset..."

Bellerín interrupted: "You should be worrying about how to stop Mbappé and Lemar; their kind of dribblers get past you as easily as crossing the street!"

Maguire nodded seriously, saying: "I'm not a starter."

Cazorla pondered a moment, then added: "Don't forget Falcao; his form has been very good lately."

During his time at Atlético Madrid, Falcao was once the world's third-best scorer behind Messi and Ronaldo.

"Monaco's overall attacking power might even squeeze into Europe's top tier."

"But no matter how strong they are, they can't compare to that cosmic Barcelona of old! We must win this match."

Cech waved his fists and shouted.

It had no effect on boosting morale.

After all, among those present, only he himself had overturned the peak Dream Team II and peak Dream Team III Barcelona.

Li Kang wore headphones and drew a few circles on the draft paper.

Louis II Stadium, located on the coast of the Fontvieille district.

Its capacity is only twenty thousand.

But its special geographical location and alternative design make it one of Europe's most attractive stadiums.

The land it stands on was reclaimed from the Mediterranean by the Monaco royal family in the early 1980s.

The Arsenal bus slowly drove into the underground parking lot.

When the Monaco fans lining the streets saw Wenger's figure through the bus windows, they became extremely excited, especially the middle-aged and elderly.

"Arsene!"

"

"Arsene!"

"

"Arsene!"

"

Wenger's feelings were somewhat complex, and he couldn't help but wave to the fans.

Morata asked doubtfully: "Why are they shouting the chief's name?"

Koscielny explained: "When the chief was young, he coached here for seven years, winning the Ligue 1 title, the French Cup, and he also nurtured a George Weah... right, and also built Monaco's youth system!"

"Even the royal family regards him as the history of the Monaco club."

"If he hadn't lost that European Cup Winners' Cup final, the chief might not have left here."

"Speaking of which, this is also interesting."

"Wenger is also the 'King of Sanya'."

"He is the only coach in history to have lost the European Cup Winners' Cup final, the UEFA Europa League final, and the UEFA Champions League final."

"Because the European Cup Winners' Cup has been discontinued, this poor record is rarely mentioned."

"Wenger, surrounded by the staff, arrived at the scene of the pre-match press conference."

"French journalists offered enthusiastic applause, and the master of ceremonies hurriedly presented flowers."

"Monaco's coach Jardim enthusiastically ran forward to shake hands."

"There was no trace of a tense atmosphere."

"Wenger wasn't overly moved, because his split with Monaco back then wasn't exactly amicable."

"Mr. Wenger, returning once again to Louis II Stadium, does it evoke your fond memories?"

"The Arsenal manager shook his head and smiled: 'Not really pleasant; back then I smoked, drank, and even insulted the players...'"

"This self-deprecating answer immediately sparked waves of laughter."

"The media reporters did not neglect the home team's coach."

"After pestering Wenger for a few minutes, they then threw the question to Monaco's coach."

"Jardim wore a confident expression:"

"In the first two rounds of the Champions League group stage, Monaco, due to injuries, failed to show its true strength."

"The players' condition today is very good; we will face Arsenal in our best form!"

"Louis II Stadium."

"The crowd was buzzing."

"Red flags bearing a crown fluttered in the sea breeze."

"The sun set in the west."

"The stands on all sides seemed to be veiled in a thin layer of gold."

"CTV5! CTV5! Good evening, viewers!"

"This is the live broadcast of the third matchday of the 2016/17 Champions League Group C!"

"Monaco, playing at home, takes on Arsenal!"

"So far this season, both teams' goal-scoring efficiency ranks among the top five in Europe!"

"There is no doubt that this will be an attacking feast."

"The camera cuts to the Arsenal manager on the touchline; he is not returning to the French Riviera for the first time."

"A few years ago, it was Monaco that eliminated Arsenal."

"Can Wenger tonight avenge his past humiliation? Let's wait and see!"

"The interior of the stadium resembles a palace."

"Magnificent and splendid."

"White sculptures and oil paintings are visible everywhere."

"However, near the stadium entrance, the decor becomes more modern, with vivid red as the main color scheme."

"Li Kang was still experiencing for the first time a player tunnel that required climbing steps."

"Li..."

"Mbappé smiled and gave a greeting, then turned his gaze forward, still exuding a calm composure beyond his years."

"The players from both sides weren't very familiar, so they hardly exchanged greetings."

"Only Falcao and Morata shared a brief hug."

"The two had once been cross-town rivals in Madrid."