Chapter 441: Pre-match (Everyday Transition)

Barcelona.

On the street, many British and Catalans were gesturing and bargaining.

"This is a Champions League match; Chelsea fans want to buy Barcelona home tickets from us? Impossible!"

"From my grandfather's generation onward, we have been Barcelona members! Our loyalty to Barcelona..."

"Oh! Praise God, you've solved my lunch for half a month!"

Streets and alleys.

Scalpers wearing Barcelona jerseys were surrounded by large numbers of Chelsea fans.

In some aspects, interests can wash away grudges between non-rival fans.

Liking a club is a kind of inertia.

Hating a club, however, requires constantly driving oneself and reminding oneself.

A deep-blue bus slowly drove toward Camp Nou.

The presence along the streets grew ever more imposing.

Blue lion flags were planted one after another on the land of Catalonia.

Chelsea fans rushed forward, running alongside the advancing bus while shouting loudly.

"Lee!"

"!"

"Hazard!"

"!"

Posters fluttered.

The Chelsea players opened the bus windows and interacted with fans by waving.

A logistics staff member couldn't help but look out the window, exclaiming, "How can there be so many fans? Aren't away tickets for the Champions League limited to 5,000?"

Dino explained, "Away fans have many ways to obtain home tickets, and many supporter groups often do this."

Since 2011, such cases of 'turning the tables' have been extremely numerous.

Fans of PSV Eindhoven and Eindhoven, these Eredivisie powerhouses, have also 'stormed' the stands of various European giants.

There are too many traitors; we can't guard against them.

That said,

Even if France takes the field to watch, there will still be a large crowd of fans outside making the opponent feel the 'momentum'.

At this moment, the surroundings of Camp Nou stadium were shrouded in a terrifying deep blue.

The media reporters all simultaneously thought of a headline:

"Blue Lions Invade Catalonia!"

The press conference hall was crowded.

Tuchel and the press officer were communicating.

The coaching staff then led the players onto the Camp Nou pitch for warm-ups.

Li Kang loosened his shoelaces, stepped onto the green field, and began juggling the football.

Media reporters snapped photos.

The Chelsea fans in the nearby stands cheered while raising their phones.

Peng!

The football quickly rose,

then fell!

Smack!

Accompanied by a crisp ball-touch sound.

The football rose again.

The exaggerated rise and fall mirrored the emotions of the Catalan fans.

Li Kang's left-foot juggling height kept increasing, eliciting waves of cheers from fans and media reporters.

It wasn't for showing off.

But rather, it is the warm-up method most commonly used by Maradona, Baggio, Del Piero, and others.

Based on his characteristics, the Chelsea coaching staff suggested he also try warming up in this way.

The Catalan fans gazed at the blue No. 10 on the pitch... their feelings were complex.

It was agonizing.

Our La Masia gem, wearing different clubs' No. 10 jerseys each year, opposes Barcelona...

"Sophia's son doesn't know gratitude; Barcelona raised and trained him!"

"Hehe, hearing from my nephew, Li was a crybaby as a child!"

"Shut up."

"Li is still young; there are still many opportunities for him to play for Barcelona in the future!"

Gradually.

From the stands rose chants in Catalan about 'homecoming,' 'return,' and 'homeland.'

Li Kang pretended not to hear and continued warming up on his own.

Beside him, Fabregas felt his emotions surge...

Pre-match press conference.

Tuchel and Valverde shook hands briefly, then each took a seat.

Chelsea will take this match seriously.

Although Barcelona is going through a period of new and old alternation, its strength remains not to be underestimated, especially at home.

Getting out of Camp Nou unscathed is no simple matter.

I don't have much to say; Chelsea will give it their all!

This is completely inconsistent with the script; the Chelsea head coach looks relaxed.

On the other side.

Valverde's expression is calm.

Barcelona boasts a glorious history and fears no opponent.

Camp Nou is a sanctuary.

VIP box.

Barcelona's executives gaze upon Camp Nou invaded by deep blue, listening to Chelsea's anthem.

Instantly, they flew into a rage.

Shame!

They've lost all face!

Camp Nou has been defiled!

Three flags unfurl on the green pitch.

The lights converge on the Champions League star logo at the center circle.

Above Camp Nou, the uplifting Champions League theme floats.

CCTV5! CCTV5! Good evening, viewers.

We are now broadcasting the opening match of the 2017-18 Champions League group stage!

Barcelona hosts Chelsea!

Water and fire meet, intense collision!

The friction of love and hate, the torment of passion and grudge!

An eternal showdown of archrivals!

Player tunnel.

Yinniesita proactively greeted Li Kang.

His tone carried a hint of bitterness: 'Li...'

He had long planned to leave Europe next season and spend his final professional years in the J League of an island nation.

As for Barcelona's future... it rests on Messi alone.

Buffon patted his shoulder and sighed, 'You're old.'

Yinniesita: '...'

Li Kang smiled.

A mechanical, cold electronic synthesized sound softly sounded.

【Ding! Mission triggered: Camp Nou's tears.】

【Mission brief: Competitive sports are ruthless; Valverde has completed his overhaul of Barcelona, and you will soon face another combat form of Messi... He has given this weak Barcelona a more terrifying autonomous attacking ability.】

【Mission reward: Barcelona Legend Platinum Treasure Box.】

The atmosphere gradually grew solemn.

Busquets and Pique wore solemn expressions.

Messi gazed firmly into the distance.

Moments later.

The referee squad led both teams' players out of the tunnel.

Camp Nou was instantly filled with the cheers of Chelsea fans.

Next, we'll introduce the starting lineups of both sides!

Barcelona lines up in a 4-5-1 formation!

Goalkeeper: Ter Stegen.

Defenders: Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba.

Midfielders: Paulinho, André Gomes, Messi, Busquets, Yinniesita!

Forward: Suarez!

Broadcast room.

-【The expensive Coutinho and Dembélé aren't playing?】

-【It doesn't matter; as long as Messi can play, that's fine.】

-【This lineup... an elderly, commoner Barcelona? Can it withstand several waves of Chelsea's attacks?】

-【Do we even need Chelsea? I think Roma could thrash them 3-0!】

-【Watching him build his jade tower, watching him feast his guests, watching his tower collapse.】

-【Don't talk nonsense; this Barcelona is very strong!】

Chelsea lines up in a 3-5-2 formation!

Goalkeeper: Buffon!

Defenders: David Luiz, Cahill, Rudiger.

Midfielders: Azpilicueta, Li Kang, Bakayoko, Kanté, Marcos Alonso.

Forwards: Hazard, Diego Costa!

-【Large-scale tank cluster...】

-【Even Platini's return can't save this Barça! I'm telling you!】

-【Bloodbath at Camp Nou!】

Accompanied by the chief referee's whistle.

The match officially began.