Chapter 303: Campaign at Etihad Stadium (Everyday Transition)

Only two people passed the German coach's theory exam with full marks.

One is Tuchel.

The other is Tobias Schweinsteiger.

He is nicknamed Big Pig.

Big Pig says his little brother Little Pig is even better.

Little Pig is a European football grand slam winner.

He has won over twenty trophies, and his personal honors are too many to count.

All of his ex-girlfriends he has dated are supermodels.

He has been cuckolded.

His current partner is legendary tennis player Ana Ivanovic.

He is definitely a life winner.

Carrington training base.

Little Pig-Schweinsteiger is discussing tactics with the youth team players.

His situation at Manchester United is now awkward.

Even though he performed well at the European Cup, he is still not in the coaching staff's plans for the new season.

The personal locker in the first-team dressing room has been cleared out.

Even in the reserves he hardly gets any playing time.

This German football gentleman has been a die-hard Manchester United fan since childhood, never imagining he would fall to such a state.

The way he was discarded was also very cruel: 'What are you doing in the first-team locker room? Nobody notified you? Go change and play for the reserves.'

It's painful.

Schweinsteiger, who deeply loves Manchester United, after much thought gradually understood the coaching staff's arrangement.

In other words, he has strong adaptability.

'I earn a weekly wage of 190,000 pounds, yet I can't click with teammates... When Manchester United has better midfield options, it's normal to discard me.'

During his time at Bayern, he was a meritorious figure, a banner.

And Manchester United?

He hasn't performed at Old Trafford commensurate with his worth, merely a has-been star in the eyes of Premier League fans...

Where can he go?

Return to Bayern?

Bayern fans' calls for his return are very high, and Beckenbauer and Rummenigge also sympathize with his plight.

Too bad.

Ancelotti clearly stated: 'Bayern's midfield is very crowded; Schweinsteiger is excellent, his ability is enough to stand firm in other powerhouses.'

The subtext is: 'Don't come back, go find another place; you're not in my plans either.'

After training ended.

Schweinsteiger silently walked toward the parking lot.

Beep beep beep.

The phone rang.

It's the call from agent Schneider.

Schweinsteiger doesn't want to answer.

As a German superstar who has changed six agents in five years, he increasingly feels his current partner is incompetent.

'Is it again a urging from MLS? Okay, I agree!'

'Yes, it's time I consider retirement.'

'A Premier League club wants to loan me? Sorry, I cannot betray the Manchester United I've loved all my life...'

'Arsenal? When can I see Wenger?'

Having money doesn't guarantee an immediate Champions League victory.

But regarding club facilities, they truly can do as they please.

Manchester City's new training base launched in 2014 covers 80 acres, has 16 football pitches, and also a magnificent luxurious recovery center.

Guardiola stroking his chin, pondering, while watching the youth team players' training match.

'Slower.'

'Even slower, don't rush the attack.'

'Pay attention to controlling the tempo.'

'Messi as a kid wouldn't choose to break through at this point!'

Manchester City invited him not to chase short-term results, but to build a true powerhouse.

Guardiola likewise hopes his philosophy can be instilled in all youth teams, leaving a mark on the Blue Moon, just like Cruyff and La Masia...

Of course, he did the same at Bayern, only it failed.

Assistant coach Arteta holding the tactics board, softly reminding: 'Preparing for the pre-match tactical meeting...'

Guardiola touched his bald head: 'Okay, Arsenal captain, our next opponent is Arsenal.'

Arteta's mouth twitched.

He is an outstanding product of La Masia youth academy, though he never represented Barça's first team in any match, and is a fervent fan of Wenger.

Time flies.

The 2017 Premier League focal showdown is about to erupt.

Li Kang and his teammates again arrived in Manchester, where Arsenal will take on the Blue Moon, Manchester City, at Etihad Stadium.

The two clubs have no deep‑seated grudges.

But there is a curse.

Whenever Arsenal previously faced Manchester City, they would always produce an "internal strife" phenomenon.

Either the players argue with the backroom staff,

or Mertesacker shouts at a dog.

or Bentner swears at his own mascot.

or Arsenal fans brawl in the away stand.

Many media outlets began to anticipate: what jokes will the invincible arsenal of this season stir up when they encounter the Blue Moon?

Manchester City's lineup was not luxurious from the start.

Early 21st century.

A group of the old, weak, sick, and disabled, after two promotions, managed to return to the Premier League.

Unfortunately.

The following year they were relegated again.

In 2008, the Abu Dhabi consortium acquired the Blue Moon, after which a formidable, terrifyingly strong team appeared on the Premier League stage.

The power of money is truly terrifying.

In the 2010/11 season, Manchester City won the FA Cup, ending a 35‑year trophy drought.

Starting goalkeeper Joe Hart, with 29 clean sheets, broke the Premier League record, won the Golden Glove, and became the first English homegrown player to receive the award.

In the 2011/12 season, Manchester City created the "9320 miracle," reclaiming the Premier League title after a 44‑year wait!

Pre‑match press conference.

Media reporters stood ready.

Last summer's transfer window, most people thought the protagonists of this season's Premier League would be Guardiola and Mourinho, the Manchester duellists' showdown.

Unexpectedly, the one leading Europe's tactical wave was Chelsea manager Conte.

Even more unexpectedly, Wenger and the "two‑hundred‑million‑euro man" became the nightmare of every Premier League club.

"Mr. Guardiola, will Yaya Touré have a chance to appear in this match?"

"The 'internal strife' topic always carries traffic."

"The relationship between Manchester City's manager and Yaya Touré has been delicate since the Barcelona days."

Guardiola shook his head and said:

"With less than an hour until kickoff, you can now see the starting lineup."

"As media, you should focus our attention on our winter signing, Jesus."

"I know what you're going to ask next: Li defeated me twice in the Bundesliga..."

At that moment, applause thundered.

The reporters couldn't help but cheer for the City manager's self‑deprecation.

"Each match is an independent event; there's no need to discuss probabilities—anything can happen on the football pitch."

On the other side.

Wenger was also patiently answering the reporters' questions.

"Arsenal's injury situation has improved; all players are in good shape."

"Arsenal has received many offers for Li from clubs... exceeding two hundred million, but he will always be my unsellable asset."

"Indeed, Schweinsteiger will start in this match... no, it's not just an experiment; in training he performed excellently."

Player tunnel.

David Silva warmly greeted Li Kang.

His childhood dream was to join Real Madrid.

Unfortunately, when he was 14 and tried out, he was rejected by the youth team's coach for being too short, which infuriated Real Madrid B‑team coach Michel ton, who pounded his chest in anger.

De Bruyne also quietly sized up Arsenal's number 10 from behind.

"I am just as good as him..."

Ding Ding is inherently competitive, silently giving himself encouragement.

But when the latter turned his head,

Manchester City's core involuntarily blushed, awkwardly pounding the wall.