Chapter 423

The commercial activities of European giants' 'China tours' are actually difficult to achieve success.

Because in the early 21st century, major clubs lacked experience and couldn't balance commercial interests with fan sentiment, repeatedly causing Chinese sponsors, major media, and fans to complain.

"Chinese people are stupid and rich."

"All substitutes play."

"A one-hammer deal."

"An assembly-line sky-high signing event."

Careless and standing up, perfunctorily dealing with Chinese sponsors, wasting Chinese fans' time.

Some player insults China, get out of China.

Past phenomena had prematurely overdrawn Chinese fans' enthusiasm.

By the summer of 2017, aside from the most dedicated, responsible, and focused Bayern Munich, other clubs found it hard to succeed again in commercial matches in China.

For example:

On August 8, 2010, the European cosmic team at its peak—dream-three Barcelona—arrived at China's Bird's Nest to participate in the match.

Only a few dozen fans came to pick them up.

Match attendance was only fifty percent.

What does that mean?

Messi and Yinbu led the dream-three Barcelona lineup, but stadium attendance was only fifty percent, worse than the Chinese Super League, causing ticket scalpers to faint in the toilets.

"Messi is very professional, but if he doesn't win the World Cup, his influence in China is also limited."

"Barcelona's 700-million-euro luxurious lineup actually has lower attendance than the Chinese Super League!"

"Shameless, 'Children's Dream Fulfillment Activity'! Barcelona puts on airs in front of children in disaster areas, Messi and Yinbu voluntarily step in to help, but the club actually drives the children off the pitch!"

These phenomena are merely a small reflection of many clubs' China tours.

The conclusion is simple: judging by their actions, most clubs just want Chinese fans to kneel and give money.

Therefore, in recent years' commercial matches, only Bayern Munich's games could achieve a hundred percent attendance in China.

As of today in 2017, regardless of intent, Bayern Munich is the European giant that respects Chinese fans the most.

Chelsea is smart, actively learning from Bayern Munich: greatly cutting meaningless commercial 'money‑scamming' activities, respecting Chinese fans.

The match ended.

The club had Tuchel, Li Kang, and the players hold up a huge banner, the content written in Chinese: 'Thank you Chinese fans for your support; may your wishes come true; may all go well.'

This small gesture sparked another round of applause and cheers as thunderous as a landslide and tsunami.

AC Milan's executives stomped their feet and beat their chests: "Chelsea actually copied Bayern! How shameless! Ah, why didn't I think of that?"

Having just experienced the massacre, coach Montella had wanted to storm off in anger, but seeing this, he immediately turned back, jogged onto the pitch, took a Milan player's hand, and thanked the fans.

How the match went, I won't say for now.

No matter which country you play in a public commercial match to earn money, you should at least bring sincerity.

After a long while.

Only then, under the urging of the organizers, did the players and coaching staff from both sides reluctantly walk toward the tunnel.

Kanté blushed, chuckling: "Li, teaming up with you is really easy."

Li Kang nodded seriously.

Why is there no affection increase prompt? Also no bond triggered.

That said,

Being teammates with Kanté, I also feel at ease.

The little black egg, purely executing its sweeping function, is practically the "ubiquitous tackle king" and "map hack" seen in films and novels.

Fast speed.

Strong explosive power.

Top-tier tackling.

Top-tier stamina.

Extremely wide coverage.

It made the commentator exclaim repeatedly: "How did Kanté end up here? When did Kanté come over? Wasn't he just on the other half?"

Locker room.

Courtois took off his gloves, his expression complex.

Morata and William communicated about the attacking coordination.

Hazard held a perfect hamburger, glanced at his belly, hesitant.

Post-match press conference.

Tuchel and Montella did not over-analyze the match content.

"The atmosphere at Tianhe Sports Center is great, and the fans are very enthusiastic."

"This is not a football desert; the fervent atmosphere in the stands exceeds imagination."

Immediately after.

Several pieces of news about the International Champions Cup surged to the top of hot searches.

"Value-packed tickets, star-studded: Chelsea and AC Milan field full strength for the full 90 minutes!"

"Super explosive shot, skill astonishes Tianhe."

"Chinese Super League veteran: My ball protection is like Li Kang."

"Chelsea's official social media account sees fan numbers surge."

"Li Kang's personal social media account sees continued growth in attention."

"Although defeated, still glorious, AC Milan's midfield control far surpasses last season!"

The number of likes, shares, and comments continued to rise.

- 【Is there a way to buy Li Kang's jersey from this match? I want to collect one.】

- 【If it can't be bought, Li Kang threw the match-worn jersey to a young fan.】

- 【This Chelsea full starting lineup is a bit strong, heard they're still buying players.】

- 【You can't tell in a friendly match.】

- 【Next week's Premier League "Community Shield", Chelsea versus "triple crown" Arsenal, this kind of showdown can truly test the team's real strength!】

- 【Trivia: According to the rules, the teams participating in the Community Shield are last season's Premier League champion vs FA Cup champion; since Arsenal won both, the matchup became Premier League champion vs Premier League runner-up.】

The Community Shield is the opening match of the Premier League season.

It is held once a year at Wembley Stadium.

In the last century it was originally an insignificant warm-up match, but as Premier League teams have become increasingly competitive in recent years, this opening match has gradually evolved into a true "clash of the titans, Super Cup match".

Li Kang returned to the hotel where he was staying.

The system notification sound softly rang.

【Ding! Mission completed: Red-Black Soul.】

【Congratulations on obtaining: Milan Legend Golden Chest.】

Other prefix golden chests may be mediocre.

But the four words "Milan Legend" are definitely a guarantee of quality.

Li Kang glanced at the prize pool.

【Pirlo "Falling Leaf" Module (Damaged)】

【Gattuso "Butcher" Module (Damaged)】

【Seedorf "Max Level Hip Power" Module (Damaged)】

【Inzaghi "Sense of Smell" Module (Permanent Passive)】

【...】

【The chest is opening... Congratulations on obtaining: Baresi "Positioning" Module (Permanent Passive)】

【Let defense become a gentle art.】

【The nightmare of person-ball separation...】

Another permanent passive?

Countless fragments surged into Li Kang's mind.

After a moment.

Li Kang shook his head, carefully reviewed.

This module cannot bring actual combat power increase, but gives a choice of positioning timing.

Baresi is indeed worthy of being the existence that allowed AC Milan to permanently retire the number 6 jersey.

Red-black smoke filled the entire room.

Various Milan Legend phantoms suddenly appeared.

【"Red-Black Soul" achievement unlocked new progress, extra effect: Milan Legend's trigger rate increased again.】

Distant Macedonia, Skopje.

Philip II Stadium.

The crowd noise was booming.

European Super Cup!

Champions League champion Arsenal VS Europa League champion Manchester United!

Enrique VS Mourinho!

Two old Barcelona friends, clash again.