Chapter 420: Milan on the Rise? (Everyday Transition)

A group scrimmage was underway on the training field.

Eighth minute.

Morata wasted a one-on-one chance and was taken off.

The head coach kept chattering in his ear.

"If I pinch my nose, it means I'm reminding you to watch for rebounds and follow‑up shots!"

"Boss, you were frantically poking your left fist with your right index finger just now—what does that mean?"

"Like this?"

"Yes, I really didn't understand that gesture you made in the training match just now."

"Making a forward run—I mean you should make a forward run through the gap between the two centre‑backs; if it's a poke between the pinky and ring finger, it means you should make a forward run from the flanks. Got it?"

"Remember?"

"This gesture I'm making now is to remind you to remember what I said."

Tuchel raised both hands, held them beside his ears, making a rabbit‑like pose, his expression solemn.

Morata nodded seriously.

Every C‑system head coach has his own 'alternative signal language.'

"Alright, go practice shooting on your own! My mental tolerance is far worse than Wenger's and Bosque's."

Beep!

Dino blew the whistle signalling the end of the group training match.

He then summoned the coaching staff to start setting up obstacles, because Tuchel had instructed in the morning meeting… to increase the players' training duration and density.

"Wait a moment!"

Tuchel waved his hand and shouted, "We can't increase the players' training time and density during this period!"

Dino: '...'

The assistant coach felt a bit regretful.

This Tuchel guy's memory is practically worse than Old Tuop's.

"Boss, shall we practice set pieces..."

"No, my team never practices set pieces or sliding tackles!"

"The essence of defending set pieces? It's simply to reduce fouls!"

Tuchel's eyes were full of confidence.

Dino: '...'

Half an hour later.

Chelsea's new manager's voice startled a few magpies perched on the treetops.

"Beautiful! Everyone, gather around Li and William's set‑piece drill!"

Three o'clock in the afternoon.

The whole Chelsea squad boarded a plane, heading for the International Champions Cup – China region.

Li Kang's seat was next to Tuchel's.

He pulled out a small tactical board.

"Li, make good use of the warm‑up match to build chemistry."

"Come on, let's make the most of our time—we need to take AC Milan seriously."

Li Kang listened attentively.

He felt Tuchel was suppressing something; each time he stated a detail adjustment, he reluctantly added, "What do you think?"

Compared with his forceful email manner before, they seemed like two different people.

Yes.

This guy is repressing his desire for control.

"Li, what do you think?"

Li Kang smiled and nodded seriously.

Tuchel let out a breath: "Then let's first try out these few plans."

"Thankyou!"

"F**kyou!"

Azpilicueta held his forehead, looking at the goof‑grinning Kanté, his face helpless.

"Your 'san ke you' sounds like 'fuck you'!"

"How come you still can't change it after a whole season?"

"Express your thanks in your hometown dialect—don't speak English!"

Meanwhile.

The club's official website released a promotional video with Chinese elements.

The International Champions Cup also promptly posted the AC Milan vs. Chelsea poster: red‑black versus blue.

July 25.

Tianhe Sports Centre.

A sea of people, every seat taken.

"CTV5! CTV5! Good evening, viewers."

"Welcome to watching the first round of the 2017 International Champions Cup China region!"

"AC Milan versus Chelsea!"

A gathering of superstars, a visual feast!

When all spectators receive the lineup list one hour before the match, they will surely feel that the ticket is worth more than its price!

Pre-match press conference.

Tuchel answered a few questions briefly, then added: "Chelsea's signings aren't over yet; we're trying to bring David Luiz back to Stamford Bridge."

"Midfield reinforcements? We already have Li!"

On the other side.

The handsome Milan head coach Montella emphasized: "Milan is on the road to revival!"

Player tunnel.

Most players from both sides are strangers to each other.

AC Milan splashed big money in this summer transfer window, signing many strong players.

Bonucci excitedly embraced Morata.

When they both played for Juventus, their relationship was quite good.

"I bet you can't score with your feet in this match."

"No, no, no, it's not looking down on you."

"Our Donnarumma is a genius; he'll give you a huge surprise."

Bonucci teased Morata.

Calhanoglu briefly shook hands with Li Kang.

His attitude was cold.

His expression was solemn.

The midfield core wearing the red-and-black number 10 jersey silently sighed: "When facing an evenly matched opponent, friendship grows thinner."

Li Kang smiled and didn't mind.

He has been to many places these days.

He had morning tea, toured the memorial hall, went to the TV tower, visited the wildlife zoo, and watched the big circus.

The referee team led the players of both sides out of the tunnel.

The stands all around erupted with a cheer like a landslide and tsunami.

"Li Kang!

"!"

"Hazard!"

"!"

"Terry!"

"!"

"Terry transferred, you fake fan!"

Li Kang stepped onto the pitch, and the system prompt sounded softly.

【Ding! Quest triggered: Red-Black Soul.】

【Quest brief: Enjoy the match, Milan is no longer that European-dominating giant!】

【Quest reward: Milan Legend Golden Treasure Chest.】

"Now let me introduce the starting lineups for both sides."

"AC Milan's formation is 4-3-3!"

"Goalkeeper: Donnarumma!"

"Defenders: Rodriguez, Bonucci, Musacchio, little Conti."

"Midfielders: Calhanoglu, Locatelli, Kessie."

"Forwards: Borini, Cutrone, Suso."

Live broadcast room.

-【It's been a while since I watched Serie A, how did Milan's pretty-boy team become...】

-【Milan's lineup, a few years ago, turned from a group of tall, rich, handsome guys into little dark eggs.】

-【To be honest, Milan's lineup is not bad; the entire central axis has top-tier stars.】

-【This 18-year-old Donnarumma of Milan is truly strong, a genuine Serie A genius goalkeeper!】

"Chelsea's formation is 3-4-3!"

"Goalkeeper: Courtois."

"Defenders: Azpilicueta, Cahill, Rüdiger."

"Midfielders: Moses, Kanté, Li Kang, Marcos Alonso."

"Forwards: Hazard, Morata, William."

-【Final lineup.】

-【Not kicking with eyes closed? This lineup's attacking methods are too rich! No weaknesses can be found on defense either!】

-【It's an illusion; actually this lineup hasn't changed much from last season, except there's one more Li Mingdeng.】

-【Will Tuchel still use Fabregas this new season? The bench still has a bunch of elite troops.】

-【Chelsea is still buying players; will they break Paris Saint-Germain's "four hundred million folly"?】

Beep!

Accompanied by the referee's whistle, the match officially began.

The competition officially begins.