Chapter 323: Champions League Quarter-Final Draw (Everyday Transition)

Emirates Stadium.

The stands on all sides buzzed with restlessness, fervor, and passion.

Deafening cheers flooded every corner.

Break the curse of the Champions League quarter-finals?

No!

Arsenal fans now firmly believe the team has the ability to create European competition history!

"Lee!

"】!

"Lee!

"】!

"Lee!

"】!

Tuop coach and Li Kang met on the sidelines.

The white-haired old man smiled and patted his shoulder, gently saying, "You will surely go further... this time, no one can stop you."

Li Kang froze.

He suddenly noticed the other's spine was more bent than in previous years.

He instinctively grasped that weathered hand.

Nearby media reporters raised their cameras, recording this warm moment.

Dino hurried forward, surprised, saying, "Boss, is the wind and sand at the Emirates Stadium also this strong?"

Tuopu Laotou frowned and said, "Damn it, you're blocking the camera!"

Wenger also shook hands gracefully with the Leverkusen coaching staff, still holding a training jacket in his hand.

Boerde couldn't help but marvel, saying, "Boss, I feel everything that's happened this season is like a dream..."

Wenger, while draping the jacket over Li Kang, smiled and said, "All the wishes you've been hoping for will come true this season."

On the other side.

Morata was standing in front of a billboard, accepting media interview.

"Alvaro, your assist count in the Champions League this season has reached eight! As a forward, is there anything you'd like to say?"

His handsome face gradually turned serious.

The Arsenal forward spoke earnestly: "Every goal is the team's effort; we disrupt the opponent's defensive setup through passing and coordination, and each successful pass in this process contributes no less to the final goal than my assist."

"Lee, he can raise our attacking coordination by several levels!"

Clap clap clap!

Applause continued without end.

Returning to the Colney training base.

Wenger announced a day off for all staff, then hurried home to celebrate his daughter's birthday.

His daughter Leah, the same age as Li Kang, is studying veterinary medicine.

Speaking of Arsenal's manager's love life, it's also quite rich... describable in four words: old but vigorous.

Li Kang held the tablet, walking step by step toward the parking lot.

The screen was playing a Chelsea match replay.

Maguire rushed forward, brought his big head close to look, and said:

"Lee, Conte's three-center-back system is sweeping Europe! Even the English and Belgian national teams are imitating this tactic."

"I believe this is football's self‑upgrade at a certain stage, just like our evolution from single‑cell organisms to humans—a natural law."

"Are you asking what the core of Conte's three‑center‑back system is?"

"Of course, it's the two wing‑backs."

"Even a mediocre player like Moses can become a Chelsea starter..."

That night.

The Champions League quarter‑final list is out:

Atlético Madrid, Napoli, Monaco, Leicester City, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Juventus, Bayern Munich.

Comment and like counts surged wildly.

-【Leicester City's luck is amazing—after being slaughtered 5‑0 by Porto in the group stage, they rode a lucky draw all the way to the quarters.】

-【You see, no matter how you play, the Premier League always has two spots in the quarters, and the European points will rise again.】

-【Hope little Li Zi also gets a bye‑bye, so he doesn't draw a too‑strong opponent.】

-【What if he draws Real Madrid?】

-【To be honest, Arsenal facing any of Atlético, Juventus, Bayern, or Real Madrid is as tough as a Champions League final.】

-【What's the problem? Last season Leverkusen, who made the Champions League semis, wasn't also crushed by little Li Zi?】

-【...】

-【I say this year's quarters are missing something—turns out it's missing Barcelona!】

Two days later.

Li Kang once again soaked in the scenic beauty along the Lai mang he riverbank.

Tranquil ancient mountains.

Narrow streets.

Colorful shop windows.

The Arsenal staff finally arrived at the UEFA headquarters located in Nyon, Switzerland.

Follow local customs.

This small country of Switzerland boasts a world-famous punctuality obsession.

Not long after waiting, the venue resounded with the stirring UEFA Champions League anthem.

Li Kang found his seat by following the number placard, right between Cristiano Ronaldo and Buffon.

Juventus' goalkeeping god enthusiastically patted his shoulder: "I've been studying your matches lately... we can't wait until I retire for us to finally face each other in the Champions League, can we?"

Retire?

When will Buffon retire? It's one of the unsolved mysteries of European football.

Cristiano Ronaldo couldn't help but chuckle at those words; feeling Li Kang's gaze upon him, he immediately regained his stern expression.

Hmph.

The Arsenal midfielder is nevertheless the strongest contender for this season's Champions League Golden Boot!

Sitting beside Buffon is Higuain.

Juventus this time suddenly sent out two player representatives.

The LED big screen on the main stage played exciting moments from the Champions League round of sixteen.

Li Kang's super heavy cannon.

Samuel dribbled past four defenders.

Cristiano Ronaldo volleyed a shot.

Mbappé raced at the limit.

Higuain's lovely arc.

One breathtaking shot after another made the venue's atmosphere ever more heated.

Coaches' representative seats.

Zidane and Wenger whispered to each other.

No one knew what they were saying.

Real Madrid's head coach occasionally glanced at Li Kang, while Arsenal's head coach wore a troubled expression.

Beside him, Simeone furrowed his brow: "We must win over the players with personal charisma."

Li Kang suddenly felt something soft yet hard poking his back.

He turned his head to look.

It was Griezmann.

That guy handed over a folded slip of paper.

"Our boss asked me to give this to you..."

Atletico Madrid's core's smile was extremely stiff.

He dislikes Asians, having insulted ** three times on social media, yet it hasn't affected his fan count in Asia at all.

Li Kang unfolded the paper and looked.

The crooked lines and symbols on it exactly correspond to Chelsea's three-center-back formation!

Buffon furrowed his brow and quickly interjected: "My relationship with Conte is great; there's no need to listen to Simeone. Juventus has Europe's finest tactical analysis team—I'll explain it to you..."

The ceremony proceeded in an orderly manner.

Host Pedro Pinto spouted a bunch of platitudes.

About half an hour passed.

The tardy Marcetey finally announced the start of the draw.

The head coaches of all clubs couldn't help but grow nervous.

Meanwhile, Li Kang and Buffon downstairs were engrossed in scribbling and drawing, occasionally gesturing...

Ian Rush is a Liverpool legend.

Why is he a guest at this draw ceremony?

Because he is Welsh.

Because the venue for the Champions League final is the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales!

"The first matchup has been decided."

"Atletico Madrid versus Leicester City!"

Simeone wore a wicked grin, looking at the bitter-faced Ranieri.

Let Kanté go.

Leicester City, fighting on multiple fronts, struggles to move forward.

"The second matchup has been decided."

"Juventus versus Monaco!"

Allegri's expression was very calm.

Jacob likewise remained expressionless.

The Zebras, who love to end the underdogs' surge.

Players' representative seats.

Buffon let out a long sigh, took a sip of mineral water, folded the paper covered in symbols, and slipped it into Li Kang's suit pocket.

He then smiled: "Maybe it's when I retire... we still haven't had a chance to face each other in the Champions League."

Wenger took a deep breath, unconsciously clenching his fist.

Three opponents remain.

He didn't think Arsenal would be drawn against Napoli...

How come there's an inexplicable sense of danger?

"The third matchup result is out."

"Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich!"

The crowd erupted.

Bayern drew another Premier League team?

Again Arsenal?

People can't even count how many times Bayern has thrashed Arsenal.

Last season's Champions League group stage, the Bundesliga giant hammered Arsenal with five goals!

Ancelotti crossed his arms over his chest, full of confidence.

Müller wore a bitter expression, unconsciously glancing at Li Kang.

People often say: Bayern is the nightmare of Premier League teams, the true King of London.

But Bayern's nemesis isn't just Mönchengladbach; there's also that kid Li Kang!

"The fourth matchup result is out!"

"Real Madrid vs. Napoli!"

C Ronaldo and Higuain exchanged a glance and smiled.

The two used to be a great striking partnership.

Time flowed.

It felt as if they had returned to that wonderful night many years ago.

Higuain, about to break through on a solo run, was shoved down by teammate Cristiano Ronaldo... and then got a dressing-down.

But this little incident didn't affect their friendship.

C Ronaldo and Higuain are still good friends.

Buffon raised his hand, cutting off their eye contact.

He shouted at Higuain: "You're a Juventus player now, you have nothing to do with Napoli."