Chapter 506: Premier League Title Race

Far away in Israel.

When the TV played the final whistle.

Abu excitedly slapped the table, not like a club owner, but more like an FM game player.

Meanwhile.

Stamford Bridge fell into celebration.

The four giant screens on the center circle line transmitted the Blues' victory in Munich to London!

"Lee!!!"

"Onceblue!!!"

Chelsea fans screamed hysterically.

They firmly believed: the Blues would soon return to the pinnacle of Europe, lifting the Big Ear Cup!

Allianz Arena.

Chelsea players ended their celebration, lined up to thank the traveling fans.

"The life-and-death battle between the Blues and the Bundesliga giants has come to an end."

"Li Kang contributed one assist and one goal, shining in Munich."

"Next, the Blue Universe team needs a Champions League title to prove this is their era."

"Li Kang and Morata have represented different clubs in the Champions League final for two consecutive years; we will witness the legendary connection again on the night in Kyiv."

"Bayern Munich players need not be sad; you once put Chelsea in a difficult situation, making the semifinal full of suspense!"

"Do not feel ashamed for this match's loss; after the Bundesliga giants recover their vigor, they still possess the strength to dominate Europe!"

"Finally, let us congratulate Chelsea and wish Bayern Munich well."

Kimmich stood with hands on hips on the green field, staring dazedly at Li Kang's back.

The pre-match fervor had faded.

After this match, he suddenly felt the distance between himself and Li Kang growing ever farther.

Alaba lay on his back on the grass, knees bent, arms covering his face.

Neuer leaned blankly against the goalpost.

Boateng looked lost and dejected.

In the distance.

Diego Costa, as the goal scorer, stood before the giant advertisement board.

Media reporters eagerly asked questions.

"Being teammates with Li, winning is a simple matter."

"Including tonight's first goal, he always puts the ball at your lips at the most suitable moment."

"It's a pity I couldn't help Chelsea extend their lead; that's because Bayern's goalkeeper and defenders performed well—they are worthy opponents."

Diego Costa on and off the field are two completely different people.

On the field, he is an expert in trash talk and petty moves.

Off the field, he is an excellent youth who likes to strong-arm the weak and help the powerless, upholding justice.

Post-match press conference.

Heynckes graciously praised the opponents.

"Chelsea's initial deployment tonight was perfect, making it hard to find weaknesses in a short time."

"The Bayern players' performance had no issues; it was my decision that went wrong."

Suddenly, a reporter asked: "Will this be your last Champions League match as a coach?"

The old Bayern coach smiled and nodded.

Entrusted in the wake of a defeated army, commissioned in times of peril.

He has already done his best.

Moments later.

Tuchel entered the hall and was immediately surrounded by microphones and cameras.

"Having Li play right midfield was the coaching staff's pre-match deployment; his usual foot is left, but we didn't expect such an exaggerated effect!"

"My original intention was to gain some flank resource advantage, but he blew up the opposition—this has already surpassed our understanding."

"In my mind, Li is the best."

"Champions League final? I might have him return to left midfield because the final opponent, tactically, is not as strong as Hai Clan Bayern."

Chelsea's head coach began speaking fluently.

He lacks emotional intelligence, speaking without taboos.

"We will spare no effort to win the championship."

There are still over twenty days until the Champions League final.

Preparation time is very ample.

Before that, Chelsea must go through the crucial Premier League title clash and the FA Cup final.

It is not yet time to relax; once lax, a multi-front collapse might even become the "Three Asia King"!

Teammates returned to their hotel, not going to the red-light district or nightclubs to indulge, but obediently staying in their rooms to prepare for rest.

Li Kang returned to his room, took out his phone from his backpack, and long-pressed the power button to turn it on.

Beep beep beep.

A string of congratulatory messages.

Especially from Wo Le Er and Tuopu Laotou, who forwarded many chicken soup for the soul messages.

As for the girl's message, he didn't go to look at it.

He needed to be self-disciplined.

At the crucial moment of the league, he couldn't let up.

The system notification tone also sounded softly at this moment.

【Ding! Mission completed: The final peak showdown.】

【Mission feedback: What happened? Well, you still won; it's not that the strong win, but that the winner becomes strong!】

【Mission reward: Beckenbauer's "Football Emperor" module.】

Li Kang didn't see any earth-shattering omen.

He only felt his mind was completely relaxed.

From God's perspective.

Two virtual images of Beckenbauer overlapped and intertwined, slowly walking toward the 'Tactical Palace'.

That night.

News about Chelsea advancing to the final exploded worldwide.

Li Kang's thrilling moments at the Allianz Arena left the audience greatly shocked.

《Beckenbauer: Li is the football emperor of this era. 》

The unreasonable reasonable, the ultimate explosive point model in modern football!

《One person is an entire attacking chain. 》

《Li Kang contributed one assist and one goal, breaching the Allianz Arena. 》

《The thirty-meter line ball-tapping deceleration kicking method debuted on the Champions League stage, luring space. 》

《Beastly striker-Diego Costa. 》

《Elegant dance, Azpilicueta, world's number one right-back! 》

《Chelsea eliminated Bayern Munich 4-1 on aggregate, reaching the Champions League final again after six years. 》

《Can the Blues achieve the treble? 》

Comment counts, shares, and likes surged wildly.

【Li Mingdeng is about to be crowned king, his tactical awareness has reached the peak realm.】

【Tactical observation takes shape, after retirement he will found a school.】

【Three seasons, facing off against renowned coaches of different styles】

【Beckenbauer back then was essentially a shadow head coach, in the World Cup final he brilliantly broke Cruyff's 'All-out attack-defense', leading the team to lift the World Cup trophy.】

【If Pogba had Li Kang and the Football Emperor's mindset and brain, why would he waste his explosively attribute-filled physical hardware?】

【Mindset determines many things.】

【For two consecutive years, Li Kang is about to represent different clubs and win the treble!】

【Don't say it too early, what if something unexpected happens, a three-line collapse!】

【Tomorrow's match is: Real Madrid vs Liverpool, may the Pope pray well to God, haha.】

【For many years now, the Champions League final has had no Premier League internal clash.】

The next day.

The club gave all staff a day off.

The promotion bonus was paid early into the players' accounts, the amount far exceeding the contract terms.

Li Kang didn't rest.

In the early morning he went alone to the Kobam base to train, returned home at 2:30 p. m., then trained again on the sand ground in the courtyard.

It wasn't exactly self-discipline, just that there weren't any fun games to play.

Evening.

Teammates gathered in the living room.

After the Munich match, everyone's mindset had relaxed considerably, at least this season they wouldn't encounter tough teams like Cholo-taka Atletico or Hai Clan Bayern.

The TV screen switched to the sports channel.

"Turkish Cup final?"

"How come before the Champions League semi-final they're still inserting news about this kind of match!"

"Is Pepe this guy still alive?"

"Nonsense, he's not some monster that got eliminated"

Vodafone Arena.

Pepe, the villain who fell into the Turkish Super League, is accepting media reporters' interviews.

"I believe Real Madrid can eliminate Liverpool and advance to the Champions League final."

"Li?"

"What Football Emperor the Second?"

"He's just a superstar and Ballon d'Or winner marketed by the Premier League wanting to compete with La Liga!"

"Last year he won by having more players, relying on favorable referee decisions to beat Real Madrid."

"This year's champion will be Real Madrid!"

"Next month's World Cup group stage, I'll settle that score with Li properly!"

Pepe's expression was ferocious, his tone excited.

His mouth was very hard, often spouting all kinds of weird and strange remarks: thanking God for letting Mourinho leave Real Madrid; Bernabéu fans can't compare to Turkish fans; Messi deliberately put his hand under my foot, guiding me to commit a foul.

London.

Chelsea players saw Pepe's remarks and couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"What does this guy want to do?"

"Our World Cup group stage first round opponent is Portugal!"

"He still wants to abolish Li?"

"By then we'll give him a taste of his own medicine!"

The Spanish players smiled, eager to act.

The television screen suddenly switched to the magnificent Bernabéu Stadium.

Tonight.

Another team is about to be born that will reach the pinnacle of Europe!

Real Madrid vs Liverpool!

Bernabéu Stadium, a sea of people.

The white ocean of stands on all sides, surging waves.

Zidane's expression was solemn.

Klopp's movements were exaggerated.

The players on the pitch were filled with fighting spirit.

Suddenly.

The match's style of play has changed!

Liverpool's penalty area.

Ramos's elbow slammed hard into Karius's head.

Liverpool's goalkeeper had suffered an injury in his youth team days, leaving behind post-concussion sequelae.

Firmino cleared the ball with a big kick.

The referee blew the whistle to stop the match, and the team doctor rushed onto the field.

Moments later.

Karius shook his head, his expression normal, and returned to the pitch.

Two minutes later.

A scene that shocked the world was born.

"Karius's throw-in... oh no, Benzema's challenge!"

"The ball is still at Real Madrid's striker's feet!"

"The ball went in!!!"

"."

"."

"."

"A super super huge huge mistake!"

"Real Madrid, breaking the deadlock!"

In the live broadcast room, Jianjun seemed petrified, stunned for a few seconds before continuing his commentary.

In an instant, the cheers of Real Madrid fans surged like a collapsing mountain and tsunami across the entire stadium.

Karius, looking dazed, turned his head and watched the football slowly roll into the net.

Collapsed.

Liverpool's goalkeeper, his mentality completely collapsed.

Klopp stood frozen in place.

Zidane also froze for two seconds before turning to celebrate with the bench players.

If not for his confidence, he would have doubted himself really being as the internet said: "mysticism," "tied dog crown," "slow in-game adjustments," "hard fate," "blindly kicking, yet still able to win."

Liverpool fans did not erupt in boos, but loudly encouraged Karius.

Who knows.

The nightmare has not ended.

The match approached its end.

Bale, thirty-five yards from goal, fired a powerful long-range shot!

The football screamed toward Liverpool's goal.

Karius's defensive positioning adjustment was nothing short of perfect.

His hands caught the football.

The result.

Yet the football deflected into the net.

Liverpool fan and commentator Jianjun, once again petrified.

Nightmare!

For all Liverpool people, tonight is a nightmare.

Karius knelt on the ground, his forehead pressed into the turf, tears streaming backward.

All the hardships and struggles along the way, ultimately undone by his own mistake, sacrificing the team's hope!

Klopp stared blankly at his own goal, no one knowing his mood at this moment.

On the stands, Salah, with a cast on his arm, had red-rimmed eyes.

Finally.

The main referee blew the whistle signaling the end of the match.

Real Madrid 2:1 Liverpool.

The Galacticos, reaching the Champions League final for three consecutive years!

Bale did not celebrate; when the final whistle blew, he ran to Karius, embracing and comforting him.

In the world of football, victory is not everything.

Liverpool fans did not complain about their goalkeeper's mistake; even though they lost the match, they continued to loudly encourage Karius.

"The official lineup for the 2017/18 Champions League final has been announced."

"Chelsea versus Real Madrid."

"The Blues versus the Galacticos."

"Let us meet in Kyiv's night to witness the birth of the Champions League champion!"

The front pages of major sports media and homepages of websites were filled with images of Real Madrid and Chelsea.

Fans spread the word.

Everyone was anticipating this Champions League showdown.

Premier League Overlord versus Mysticism!

London.

Chelsea players breathed a sigh of relief.

They did not want to face Liverpool in the Champions League final—too exhausting, too troublesome.

"Go home and sleep!"

"Why study tactics against Real Madrid? Zidane just repeats the same few tricks—I could recite them in my sleep!"

"What needs to be done now is to rest properly and restore physical condition to its peak!"

"Zidane's mysticism can injure key players from afar, one by one forcing them off the pitch!"

"Don't overthink it."

There are still over twenty days until the Champions League final.

Chelsea's most important matters now are: Premier League title, FA Cup title.

Days passed one by one.

Li Kang's life was calm and monotonous; aside from the coaching staff closely monitoring his physical indicators, there was almost nothing else to distract him.

The assistant postponed all advertisements until after the Champions League final.

The organizing committee of the 2018 World Cup specially dispatched a film crew to London, on the condition of not disturbing Li Kang's training, and recorded part of a documentary special.

"The British government has lifted the ban on renewing Abu's visa, but Abu temporarily does not want to return to London!"

"He said he would wait for us in Kyiv; I'm sure he will definitely attend the league title celebration."

"Iniesta left Barcelona and joined Kobe Victory in Japan's J-League!"

"Saoul was hospitalized; after finishing the match, he found his urine bag full of blood."

"Buffon returned to Italy, because Parma won Serie B second place and will return to Serie A next season! He not only wants to bless his old club, but also participate in Luca Pellegrini's farewell match—well, that might be the last sentiment of the money-football era."

"The captain of Fiorentina suffered cardiac arrest and passed away."

"Mourinho may have to leave Manchester United; his conflict with Pogba has reached an irreconcilable point, and I believe Manchester United's management will choose to keep Pogba."

"Cristiano Ronaldo is very likely to leave Real Madrid next season and join Juventus."

"Brandt is about to join Dortmund immediately, but Mr. Wo Le Er said that Havertz still needs to train in the Bundesliga for one season!"

A business vehicle bearing the Chelsea crest slowly drove along the quiet street.

The assistant chattered nonstop, recounting recent events.

Li Kang listened attentively.

In his mind, images flashed by like a revolving lantern.

In the blink of an eye, the Premier League matchday arrived.

Stanford Bridge Hall, pre-match press conference.

Tuchel warmly welcomed Guardiola.

When they first met during their Bundesliga days, they could discuss tactics until dawn.

The latter gestured excitedly, saying: "Our ideas are very much in agreement; the most suitable position for Li is still right-back."

Tuchel: "."

He suddenly felt: his and Guardiola's tactical philosophies had undergone a serious divergence!

"CTV5! CTV5! Good evening, viewers!"

"Now broadcasting live to you is the 35th round of the 2017/18 English Premier League!"

"Chelsea home versus Manchester City!"

"The Premier League title race!"

"A do-or-die match for the championship!"

"As long as the Blues defeat the Sky Blues at home, then this season's Premier League title will be decided without suspense!"

"Stanford Bridge has prepared the championship ceremony in advance!"

Accompanied by cheers like a collapsing mountain and tsunami.

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

The four stands of Stanford Bridge were covered in deep blue.

The Premier League title is within reach!

"Now let us introduce the starting lineups of both sides."

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

"Goalkeeper: Caballero."

"Defenders: Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill, Rüdiger."

"Midfielders: Kanté, Li Kang, Fabregas."

"Forwards: Hazard, Diego Costa, William."

"Manchester City's formation is also 4-3-3!"

"Goalkeeper: Ederson."

"Defenders: Danilo, Kompany, Laporte, Delph."

"Midfielders: De Bruyne, Gundogan, David Silva."

"Forwards: Aguero, Jesus, Sterling."

The guessing segment has ended.

A system notification sounded in Li Kang's ear.

【Ding, mission triggered: Battle of Mount Tiantian!】

【Mission introduction: You won't win the league championship so easily—this is the most difficult match you will face in your career! Cthulhu faction showdown! Ultimate battle! Clash of spatial laws! Lamasiak philosophy—last spark of inheritance.】

【Mission reward: Golden Treasure Chest.】