Chapter 367: Arriving in Turin (Daily Transition)

Turin is located in the north of Italy and is the third-largest city on the Apennine Peninsula.

A few hundred years ago it was an important political center of Europe.

Its nicknames are "Cradle of Freedom," "Capital of the Alps," and "the Sweetest Place on the Apennine Peninsula."

This city has two football clubs: Turin and Juventus.

The former has a larger number of local fans.

"Juventus" means "youth" in Latin, so why is it called the Old Lady?

It is said that when the club was founded, conditions were very poor, and an old woman often came to bring food to the players.

As for the nickname "Black and White Army," there are many theories; the one with the highest credibility is that Juventus' jerseys were originally pink, but the supplier mistakenly sent Notts County's black-and-white striped jerseys to them... The club thought black and white also looked good, so they kept it.

As for the "Phonegate" scandal at the beginning of the twenty-first century? That's a long story.

Wednesday.

The UEFA Champions League semi-finals are approaching.

After finishing his morning training, Li Kang boarded a plane to Turin with his teammates.

He didn't watch Juventus' footage anymore, because Allegri was likely to try something, just like in the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League final when they faced Barcelona's Ha Bai Bu+MSN and engaged in an open attack.

Better to read the Totti joke collection.

Maguire felt nervous, feeling that he was slowly approaching the peak of his life, even though he didn't get a starting spot in this match.

Welbeck was humbly asking Morata: How to find a hot, rich second-generation girlfriend through online dating?

Cazorla closed his eyes to rest.

Sanchez was full of fighting spirit.

Giroud said seriously: "Li, I'll shut down that fat guy Yin Guayin!"

Koscielny laughed: "Didn't we say before departure? You don't need to drop too deep in defensive positioning."

Wenger and the coaching staff continually refined the pre-match tactical deployment.

The professor is old and can't keep up with the ever-changing Premier League tactical frenzy, but his success rate against Europe's traditional powerhouses remains high.

"Juventus' wing attacks are very strong; they are likely to frequently suppress Bellerín on one side, and this cannot be overlooked."

"Boss, are you saying Juventus will play an open game against us?"

"No, it's a mismatch suppression."

Turin Airport.

Li Kang and his teammates walked out of the arrival gate.

The club didn't disclose the exact itinerary, so not many fans showed up at the scene.

When the supporters who had been camping out overnight at the airport woke up, the entire Arsenal squad had already boarded the bus.

The security personnel suddenly felt relieved.

"John, have you heard? Juventus has launched many public welfare activities recently to avoid racial discrimination incidents in this match…"

"What's that kids' event organized with UNESCO? It's completely useless."

"Take a good look—how many players in Arsenal's lineup will be booed like monkeys!"

Juventus' extremist fan organization is very chaotic.

Many people are still admirers of ***.

Security personnel often launch raids, and in their bases one can find automatic rifles, pistols, armor-piercing rounds, and even surface-to-air missiles.

Many players and coaches have received death threats.

The blacklist of Turin's Allianz Stadium keeps adding new names each year, showing how strongly these extremist fan groups absorb fresh blood.

As for acts of racial discrimination, they are often a newcomer's proof of loyalty.

"Loyal only to black and white."

The Arsenal bus went smoothly and arrived at Turin's Allianz Stadium.

Exactly.

Juventus' home ground is also where Germany's Allianz Insurance Group obtained the naming rights.

The number of Allianz Stadiums around the world is countless.

Turin's Allianz Stadium is young, opened in 2011, holding just over 40,000 spectators, but its appearance and interior are full of technological sophistication, featuring the most advanced lighting, sound, and special-effects systems.

No matter where you sit in the bowl-shaped stands, you can hear clear and gentle broadcast audio.

It is also the first stadium in Serie A wholly owned by a club.

Pre-match press conference.

Allegri and Wenger shook hands.

Their relationship wasn't as awkward as outsiders thought: Arsenal's upper management, during the "anti-Wenger wave" of last season, had privately contacted Juventus' head coach, but he refused, and the media saw this as a disrespect to Wenger.

They didn't linger on pleasantries.

The two head coaches quickly began accepting interviews from media reporters.

Most of the questions were first directed at Wenger.

"Juventus is a formidable opponent; they are not only the Serie A champions but also one of the strong contenders for the UEFA Champions League title in recent years."

"Li's condition is excellent; he has gotten sufficient rest, and I believe he will once again display his match-changing ability."

Allegri spoke unhurriedly, his tone gentle.

"Both sides have excellent players; I look forward to their wonderful performance."

Juventus' head coach strove to keep his expression neutral; the affectionate term "Jiongshu" has drifted from a faraway Eastern land and spread across every inch of Turin's soil.

Even if Italian fans don't know Chinese, they can associate Allegri's expression with the "jiong" character.

Player tunnel.

Pi Ya Ni Qi lightly punched Li Kang's chest.

The two met when they first attended the UEFA Champions League draw ceremony.

"You kid, you've grown well! How did you get so much taller than me?"

"This time you won't so easily knock me over."

After Pi Ya Ni Qi joined You Wen Tu Si, his fighting power surged linearly; he was no longer the Roma-era holding midfielder core, but instead took up the "Pi Er Luo zone".

He did not consider himself Pi Er Luo's successor.

But in A Lai Ge Li's system, he was cultivated like a "little Pi Er Luo", with a bunch of older brothers doing the dirty work in front and behind him, which to the greatest extent concealed his flaws and magnified his ability to distribute and organize.

In the eyes of You Wen Tu Si fans, selling Pogba for 100 million and buying Pi Ya Ni Qi for 32 million was an absolute steal.

Bu Feng brushed aside the zebra midfield and simply hugged Li Kang.

An embrace between two generations of football.

Du Ling An Lian Stadium.

The south stand lit up red marine illumination flares.

The firelight burst.

Smoke billowed.

"CTV5! CTV5! Good evening, viewers and friends!"

"We are now broadcasting live the 2016-17 UEFA Champions League semi-final!"

"You Wen Tu Si home against A Sen Na!"

"A globally watched showdown!"

"The team with the most goals this season in the UEFA Champions League meets the team with the fewest goals conceded."

"A clash of spear and shield!"

"Media from 76 regions around the world will broadcast live on site!"

"Looking at the history of the two teams' encounters, Wen Ge held a huge advantage, leading the Gunners to eliminate the Old Lady twice!"

"Can the zebra army avenge their past shame tonight?"

"Let's wait and see!"