Sunday, May 21. In the final round of the 2016-2017 Premier League season, 10 matches will be played at the same time.

In fact, in addition to the suspense of the league championship, the suspense of the Champions League seats, and the suspense of relegation this season have not yet been revealed. And in addition to Burnley, who have already confirmed relegation, there are as many as five teams in danger of relegation.

After a few hours, there will be teams that will open champagne to celebrate the great season, but there will also be teams that will have to face a disappointing season.

West London, sunny weather.

It's been three weeks without a home game. When the QPR fans returned to the Loftus Road Stadium again, in addition to excitement and anticipation, there was also some sadness. This will not only be the last home game of the season, but also the farewell game of the stadium that has been around for more than 100 years. Queens Park Rangers Football Club has been using the pitch for 100 years since 1917.

It's going to be a tough game to say goodbye to.

Before the game, the club's official presenter, Bruce Brown, interviewed two of the team's legends near the touchline in the main stand. One is Les Ferdinand, who now serves as the director of football for QPR, and the other is Rodney Marsch. Both legends have some fond memories of the course and say they will miss it, but they also have a vision for their new home and next season.

In addition to this, the club has a special fan in hand.

This fan is the person the QPR club can find alive who hasn't missed the fewest home games, and is also the one who has seen the most games at Loftus Road.

His name is Tom Richardson. The 90-year-old has only missed 13 home games since he was first brought into the pitch by his father at the age of six. The club presented him with a commemorative trophy and presented him with a signed jersey from Patrick Amber and a season ticket for next season.

The audience burst into applause, even though the seats were not yet fully filled.

Tom Richardson seemed to be in good spirits, his body was only slightly rickety, his age-stained hands holding the microphone trembling slightly, and he didn't speak quickly, but it sounded quite powerful: "It's really sad for me, it's like my home." My deceased wife had laughed at me and told me to go to bed on this pitch, and I now think, if I could, I would love it, I mean after death. However, I feel that I will live for a few more years, or I will definitely let my grandson scatter my ashes on this piece of turf. Oh, of course the club agrees. ”

Bruce hurriedly continued: "The club will definitely not disagree, but you look very healthy, I'm afraid you don't have this opportunity." ”

The Loftus Road Stadium will be demolished by the end of this year, after which new apartments will be built on the site.

Tom Richardson laughed, like a child, "This season has been awesome, and it's not an exaggeration to say that it's the best season I've ever had. I love this club and I really like the current manager, Christine. Oh, and don't sell Patrick. Don't sell it while I'm alive anyway. ”

There was a round of applause and laughter, as well as echoes, "Right!"

Finally, the club also gifted a piece of turf from Loftus Road to Tom Richardson. His hands were shaky and he couldn't take them, and a little boy next to him ran over to help him hold them, smiling all over his face. The boy is not sad, and if he were a QPR fan, his football memories would have started at the new Queen's Park.

Nathan Neal and Tony watched the scene as they stood in a box high above each other, sipping champagne.

"That should be his great-grandson. I gotta say I'm a little impressed. The Americans sighed.

"Me too. 13 Oh my God, he's never left London in his life. Tony shook his head in disbelief. He looked at his watch again, and the players would be out to warm up in a moment.

"Who knows. Nathan Neal laughed, "To be honest, I definitely didn't expect this season to be so magical when I first became interested in the club. We had a chance of finishing fourth in the final round. ”

"Looks like winning the lottery, right?"

"For me, it's more like pursuing a beautiful girl, but I didn't expect her to be so good in bed......"

The Malaysians laughed, as did the other guys in the box.

Nathan Neal shrugged: "Maybe I should say it's like inheriting the family property, but I didn't expect the old guy to be richer than he thought." He looked back, the door of the box was not closed, and he saw a beautiful girl. But the figure of Rice, who had come up from the field, shook for a moment, and when he looked again, the girl was gone, as if she was hallucinating.

****

It was almost time to warm up, and the players got up one after another and walked outside the locker room.

Tim was still briefly talking to Lu Ling about what he had just thought of that might happen in the game, Lu Ling nodded, his eyes not forgetting to observe the expressions and physical state of the players.

Judging by their facial expressions and body language, they should be just as cautious about this game as they are. Lu Ling pondered, and his eyes finally fell on the seat where the No. 7 jersey locker was hung.

Patrick strapped up his shoelaces and stood up, and as soon as he looked up, Tina was looking at him, and he was slightly puzzled, and she just shook her head and smiled.

He got up from his seat, Leon came over and put his arm on his shoulder, and the two prepared to go out. Ian and Zixiang have already gone out.

He passed by her side and suddenly remembered something.

"Tina—"

Lu Ling has told Patrick more than once that it is best to call the boss on serious occasions, such as in the locker room before the game. But this guy always forgets.

Tim was almost done, and he saw that Patrick had something to say, and he turned around and walked out of the locker room with Leon, who was still waiting for Patrick.

The head coach usually doesn't go to the pitch to warm up before the game, but the assistant coach, the first-team coach and the goalkeeper coach often come along.

"What's wrong?" Lu Ling asked. There was barely anyone in the locker room, and she didn't bother to correct him.

Patrick untied the bracelet and handed it over, "Could you please help me put it in my safe?" He put it in the palm of her hand and turned to leave.

"Hey, password. Lu Ling shouted.

Patrick turned his head, smiled, stared at her, and whispered, "1-7-1-8."

Lu Ling was slightly stunned. He was gone.

1718.

She looked down at the bracelet and smiled. That's his and her birthday dates.

****

Stoke City are not a formidable opponent, but they are not yet fully out of relegation risk. Fortunately, there is no big problem, as long as the teams behind do not win all, Stoke City can be relegated if they lose.

Maybe Lu Ling should feel lucky, if he is facing a team that is desperate for relegation, it will probably not be easier than playing against a strong team. Unfortunately, Chelsea's biggest rivals for the top four have been relegated from relegation.

Lu Ling felt that he could hardly expect Conte to lose to Pardew.

The current situation is actually quite simple. QPR and Chelsea are tied on 66 points, with QPR having one less goal difference and three fewer goals than Chelsea. That said, the QPR must win by as big a margin as possible and beat the Blues on goal difference to finish in the top four.

Although she insisted before the players went out to line up that we should not think about the Chelsea games that were going on at the same time, we just had to play our own games. But in fact, it is impossible for her to not follow Chelsea's game against Crystal Palace on her own. And, not just Chelsea's, but Arsenal's.

Lu Ling looked in the mirror, she looked at the girl in the mirror, and felt extremely strange for a moment. This scared her. She didn't have time to think about it and walked out of the locker room. Her mood seemed to be changing, and the fans were singing and cheering closer.

She's about to walk out of the players' tunnel. She suddenly realized that this was her last game here. She thought of Nick's hug again. That was the last time he stood on the pitch. Oh, and that's not all. That was the last time they stood together on this pitch. Perhaps, that's why he hugged her.

This pitch is where his coaching career began, and it's hers.

She found herself irrepressibly agitated. There was a strong urge to cry. She suppressed her emotions and froze for a second before moving on.

She walked out.

The fans gave one of the most deafening cheers and applause of the season. That's for her. She knows. She's proud. But I felt that I had suddenly become very vulnerable. She lowered her head and gently spat out the word *. She didn't want to be swept by the camera.

Today, not only the senior management of the team came, but also a lot of club celebrities, but also the families of most of the first-team players and coaches. But for Lu Ling, the most important thing is that her father, Lu Yungui, is sitting in a corner of the stands. He was looking at her now, would he be proud?

She had never cared about this, but she really wanted to see Lu Yungui's proud expression at the moment.

She took two steps to the home team's dugout before remembering that there was something she hadn't done, and she quickly turned around and Mark Hughes was walking towards her. Oh, she almost forgot to shake hands before the game.

Lu Ling shook hands with the Stoke City manager. After a few pleasantries, she almost forgot what they had just talked about, as soon as she let go of her hand and turned around.

As she sat in the dugout, Tim leaned sideways, his face with her familiar smile, but more genuine.

"Christine, I know this is a big moment for you. But I would say you're the manager of the team. "Tim's observation is amazing, and he notices her mood changes. Glancing at the players who had already started the game, he continued: "They need you. That's what you've been fighting for all season, isn't it?"

"Thank you, Tim, don't worry, I'm fine. Lu Ling smiled at him.

Tim didn't know her well enough. She's not a great emotional manager, but she's definitely a professional head coach. Even if he doesn't say that, she'll push herself to put all her attention on the game. Still, she thanked him.

She stood up and walked to the sideline.

When she stood there, she saw the sign put up on the road of Lovetus: "." (We will never forget)

Today's home fans in the stands were dressed in a very uniform manner, almost all of them wore blue and white home jerseys. And they waved blue and white scarves in their hands. This is the last of the century-old Loftus Road.

The audience resounded with deafening singing.

They were singing: "Christine's Blue and White Army!"

The song is like the beating of drums in battle in the age of cold weapons.

****

Captain Nedham Onuoha is back from injury after a short break and is back in good form in training sessions. In this way, QPR still has a working pair of central defenders in Mensah's absence.

Patrick was in the starting line-up for this game, and the absence of him and Vargas some time ago really had too much impact on the team.

The fans began to sing Patrick's song.

The QPR launched a fierce attack from the first minute, and they put in a lot of attacking manpower. Stoke City's defence felt the pressure and dropped back en masse to defend the box.

In the 8th minute, John crossed from the wing, and Patrick cut forward at high speed under Leon's cover and volleyed the ball with his left foot.

The QPR opened the scoring by the Player of the Season to take a 1-0 lead at home.

The goal went viral, and when Patrick made his trademark celebration, most of the fans echoed it from the stands. He was a little helpless, but he knew that he would have to get used to it before they knew what it meant.

Lu Ling and Tim hugged each other, she was very excited, but her body was still tense, and she still felt nervous.

In the 27th minute, QPR had several shots in front of goal, Vargas and Patrick's shots were blocked by the crowd, but Leon won the ball and then pushed the ball into the bottom corner.

The score became 2:0.

After that, QPR kept attacking amid the shouts of the home fans. But a couple of more chances were missed, as Patrick's push in front of the box, León's two headers and Vargas's shot from a tight angle were all denied by young potters goalkeeper Butland.

Fans with QPR shouted from the stands: "Chelsea are also 2-0 ahead, come on!"

Lu Ling didn't look back, she felt very confused when she heard this voice. There should have been players who heard it. She thought it was impossible for the players not to think about the scoreline from Chelsea. She couldn't stop that.

She rushed to the court waving her arms, which meant stepping up the attack.

The first half was close to the end.

In stoppage time, Ian fired a long-range shot over the crossbar before the referee blew the whistle.

At half-time, the players knew exactly what to do.

Goal. Goal.

Second.

QPR kept only two centre-backs and midfielder Jack Steele at the back, and in addition to two full-backs, Yu Zixiang and John O'Connor, even Ian was frequently inserted.

Stoke City's players looked struggling to adapt to such an attack.

The goal came again.

In the 56th minute, Patrick picked up a pass into the penalty area, Nathan Raymond passed the ball to the middle, and Leon, who was following him, knocked the ball directly into the box, and goalkeeper Butland was caught off guard.

3:0！

Lu Ling anxiously turned around and asked Tim, "Chelsea scores?"

Tim said, "It's still 2:0." ”

That said, the goal difference is now the same for both teams, but Chelsea are still in the top four for goals scored.

Lu Ling's heart was beating fast, very fast. She felt that it was really possible to jump out of her body.

She shouted at the court, "Attack!"

But the players on the QPR seem to be a little tired after a week of two games.

Sixty minutes into the game, the high-intensity attack was waning, although it was still trying to create chances. Defensively, it started to be a little loose.

In the 69th minute, Stoke City's Swiss international Shaqiri appeared ghostly on the flank, taking advantage of the gap in the back of the QPR to dribble at high speed.

He cut inside to the top of the box and fired a low shot into the bottom corner!

Robert Green pounded the ground in exasperation.

And worse news came to come. Tim told Lu Ling that around the same time, Chelsea had also scored, with Willian netting a goal.

“*！*！”

Not only Lu Ling, not only the players, but also the fans in the stadium fell into a kind of anxiety. In this way, the situation with QPR is too difficult. Chelsea's goal difference is 26 and they are 24.

In the stands, almost every fan stared nervously at the situation on the field, while also holding a mobile phone in one hand and glancing at it from time to time.

Now, QPR will not only have to score as many goals as possible with more than 20 minutes remaining, but they will also have to hope that Crystal Palace will help them with a goal from Chelsea.

However, Crystal Palace have managed to relegate and they may not have much desire to fight.

On the contrary, it was QPR's opponent Stoke City who began to get nervous. The relegation opponents at the back are still in danger of winning all of them, and Mark Hughes did not order his players to continue attacking, but he also did not want to concede too many goals, otherwise there was also a danger of being relegated due to the goal difference being exceeded.

So, the potter began to hold on, trying to hold on to the score of 1:3.

Lu Ling's blue and white army continued to attack and attack amid the singing in the sky.

Finally, in the 80th minute, they were a bit lucky to score a fourth goal.

It was Patrick again, who stumbled and dribbled under the push, giving the ball out at the last minute and being blocked, only to get back to his own feet.

Patrick took advantage of the situation and the ball hit the crossbar before bouncing down and over the goal line.

Both he and León have already scored twice.

Lu Ling looked at the scoreboard, 4:1, but this was still not enough, and he had to score two.

In the 90th minute, Patrick made a long pass to Vargas on the left, the Chilean passed to Yu Zixiang, and the left back of QPR burst into the penalty area and scored from a tight angle.

5:1！

There were only three minutes of stoppage time. Several words popped out of Lu Ling's mouth.

With her hands in her pants pockets, she stared at the ball, wondering, will there be another goal?

Vargas had a goalmouth chance, but he and Patrick got together and the ball was cleared as soon as the two conceded.

Finally, Patrick fired a long-range shot that was blocked by a defender. León followed up with a stoppage......

The ball slides out of the goal.

The whistle blows.

Lu Ling took his hand out of his pocket, it was all sweat and sticky. A sense of powerlessness hits.

5:1, already a humiliating opponent's score, is already a slaughter. They've done a good job, and it wouldn't be fair to them if she showed a disappointed expression. She turned, the sun shining on her back, and she shook Mark Hughes' hand.

Thiem came over and said: 'There is a minute left in the Chelsea game and if Palace can score one, we will be fourth. ”

Lu Lingmu nodded.

She walked back to the court.

Eleven people, several of them were tired. The camera was spinning around her, and she had never hated this thing so much.

She hugged Nedham to thank him for all his support this season and said she was happy with his performance. Her voice was not loud, the pitch was so noisy, the captain just kept nodding, she felt that he might not hear clearly.

She staggered away from Nedham and saw a scene that made her heart tremble.

Pat leaned over and kissed the turf.

It's time to say goodbye.

Then, she heard Tim's voice behind her, the voices of the fans in the stands. They are all telling her and the players a brutal truth:

The Chelsea game was over and Palace failed to score. In that case, QPR's goal difference is the same as Chelsea's, but it scores one less.

Chelsea finished fourth in the league.

She was nailed to the turf. You can't move a single step again.

In fact, the moment this match ended, she knew that it might be the result. From that moment on, she was left to her fate. But when this fact came, she still felt unprepared.

Without warning, her tears flowed.

Can't stop at all. She wanted to stop crying, she wanted to control her emotions, but not only did she fail to do it, all the emotions in her heart seemed to burst out at this moment. Her tears grew and her shoulders began to shake.

Many cameras seemed to notice her at this time, and they all swept over.

The first to come was Ian, and the Scottish boy took her into his arms and patted her on the shoulder, and instead of calling her boss, he called her by name.

"Christine, everything is going to be fine. Everything will be fine. ”

Lu Ling nodded, speechless, only tears kept falling.

Suddenly, Ian let go of her gently, and the next moment, she was embraced by a more familiar embrace.

He touched the back of her head and whispered her name in her ear, "Tina, my Tina, it's going to be okay, it's going to be okay." ”

Hearing his voice, she no longer just cried silently.

She began to cry in his arms.

She didn't know why she was crying.

Is it because of the loss of the Champions League place, or is it because of the sadness of saying goodbye to the stadium? Or is it the memory of the lover who once stood side by side with her but has been lost?

Both, or neither.

A lot of players had come, and Tim seemed to be beside her, burying her head in Pat's arms, still crying.

She seemed to hear fans singing for her.

As the camera approached, Patrick pushed the camera away with a free hand. He didn't need to say anything, there were already teammates who stopped the videographer and photographer who still wanted to come over.

Lu Ling sniffed hard, it was a shame, but her emotions hadn't completely passed. She breathed deeply in Patrick's arms, once, twice......

Finally, she looked up.

His face was covered with tears, his eyes were red and swollen, and his eyes were washed with tears, and they were unusually bright at this time.

Patrick looked into her eyes, "Tina......"

Lu Ling smiled vigorously, there was worry and a little loss in his eyes, and she said, "I'm fine." ”

She came out of his arms.

The fans burst into applause. They're singing for her again.

"Christine's Blue and White!"

This is my first season, she thought, just my first season.

This course, so beautiful, but goodbye.

And goodbye is to start over.

****

Lu Yungui came down from the stands, and the security guard stopped him, but immediately a club staff member said a few words, and the security guard hurriedly let him go. And smiled at him and said, "Sir, you have an amazing daughter. You must be proud of her. He said, "Yes, thank you, I'm proud." ”

After that, he stood at the entrance of the player's tunnel and saw his tearful daughter, and he was at a loss for a moment. He was worried. He was about to walk over when Patrick hugged her. He felt relieved again. For so many years, he was not a good father, but she always had someone by her side. That's her sunshine.

When Lu Ling turned around, she saw Lu Yungui, and she waved at him. She can't get past it now, and soon, she's going to give an end-of-season speech.

Bruce walked up to her, he greeted her, told her not to be sad, and said that her performances this season had gone down in the club's history.

She smiled slightly, "I just hope you don't remember that little girl who cried just now." ”

"It was very moving, and I think it will make more fans fall in love with you. Bruce said sincerely.

He then picked up the microphone and said a few brief opening remarks, which erupted in applause and cheers as he handed the microphone to the club's manager.

Lu Ling held the microphone.

She looked at the main stand, then turned around and waved to all four stands.

The whole stadium fell silent.

She held the microphone in one hand and tucked the other into her pants pocket, trying to make it as easy as possible.

"It's been an unbelievable season. I didn't expect it to end so quickly. First of all, I would like to thank the club's management for their trust and support, as well as all the staff, the players, the coaching staff. Then, I want to thank the fans, without you, this season wouldn't have been so magical. After she finished speaking, the audience applauded. The players and coaches around her were also clapping.

She held the microphone in a different hand.

Are they disappointed? for not finishing fourth. She swept around, and didn't see much of this emotion.

It's been an amazing season. If she thinks about it, a 28-year-old coach who finished fifth in the Premier League with a promoted team and reached the FA Cup final – what more could she ask for?

"For me, this is where it all began. She was moved by this, and applause rang out again.

"It's a somewhat sentimental moment. I, like you, will never forget. It's hard for me to express my feelings for Loftus Road. But the new stadium, the new season, I'm really looking forward to it, and I'm sure you are too. We have an FA Cup final to play this season. I'm going to bring you the FA Cup trophy with my boys!"

The players were heckling around and the fans cheered again.

Finally, Lu Ling took a deep breath:

"Next season will be a real start for us! ”

Her words were full of confidence, which made people's blood boil instantly.

The applause and cheers seemed to be about to shatter the small stadium. There is also a new expectation on the faces of the players and coaches.

Lu Ling looked at Patrick. There was no more loss in his gaze, nothing at all. They looked at each other and smiled softly.

Next season will be a truly glorious beginning. They believe so.

After that, the coaching staff and players began to circle the pitch to thank the fans. There are a few players with their own babies, full of warmth.

When Lu Ling and Patrick were finally about to walk into the players' tunnel side by side, she suddenly stopped.

"What's wrong?"

"I've got to take something with me. ”

Lu Ling found the lawn keeper, and she wanted to take a piece of turf with her.

Finally, she walked into the players' tunnel with a small piece of turf in her hand. Patrick was still waiting for her at the door.

She smiled and asked, "Do you want to share half of you?"

Patrick shook his head, "No, it's what we share. ”

****

In a TV interview, Sky Sports reporter Chloe asked Kristen Lue why she was crying.

The head coach of the QPR smiled and was very calm: "To be honest, I don't know. I haven't shed a tear in a long time. It was a very moving moment for me, and maybe a little bit disappointed. But now, I think, the future will be better. It's been an extraordinary season. We've been through a lot. We have the FA Cup final ahead of us, which will be our last game of the season. I want to win the FA Cup, very much. ”

Chloe looked at her bright eyes, back to the way she liked her to support her in the first place, and she couldn't believe that she had been a little jealous of Patrick for a while.

"Bless you, Christine. Also, congratulations, and hopefully next season, in the Europa League, the QPR will go well. ”

"Thank you. Lu Ling smiled politely at Chloe, and then walked to the locker room.

At the door of the dressing room, Lu Yungui stood there, and she hugged her father for a while.

"Dad, I'm so happy you're here. She said.

Lu Yungui didn't speak, patted his daughter on the back, he felt that this was the best moment in his life. He was trying to remember how it felt at the moment.

"I still have something to do today, and we'll have dinner tomorrow?"

"Good. ”

****

Everyone was making a fuss in the locker room, and this time, there was no champagne.

Actually, they prepared champagne, but that was for the top four.

Now, no one wants to open them, captain Nedham said, when we win the FA Cup.

After Lu Ling walked in, everyone immediately fell silent.

They looked at her, oh*, they looked at her like she was a fragile little girl.

"I have to declare—"

Players, listen.

"Whoever laughs at me for crying will not be allowed to sit on the FA Cup bench......"

A burst of laughter.

This was followed by a variety of teasing.

Lu Ling smiled and shook his head, picking up a few words from time to time. She's not an easy guy to lose in her mouth. And as a female coach, the last thing you don't have to worry about is probably being called pussy (pussy, which originally means women's little sister), although this is not a word that respects women.

She spoke to Tim again. Manchester United have won the title, and after three seasons, the Red Devils have won the league again. Pep was disappointed, but there was no way, Manchester City was dragged down by the Champions League knockout round in the later stage, and in the end both lines were not saved. Chelsea are excited to return to the Champions League next season. The Emirates Stadium is said to be even more sad than the Loftus Road Stadium. Arsene Wenger may indeed be leaving next season.

As for Everton, they are leading to next season's Champions League under Nick Flores. Although it did not win the Premier League, it is already quite a remarkable achievement, just like QPR.

The doors of the dressing room were open, and many of the players' families were coming in and out. Lu Ling looked at the time, it was time to go to the post-game press conference.

By the time she returns, many of the players will be gone.

Today, though, is special. The fans outside will leave for a while, but after a few hours, some of them will return.

At half past eight, the farewell ceremony at Loftus Road Stadium will officially begin. The rest of the players may be able to go home, but Patrick, the club's number one star and arguably the best player in the club's history, needs to be present at the farewell ceremony, despite his current duty and only 20 years old.

Before Lu Ling walked out, Patrick went over and grabbed her.

"Are you going back to Harrington in a moment?"

"No, Tony called me before the game and I went to the restaurant above to have dinner with them after the press conference. ”

"Nate told me I had to go too. See you in that moment. ”

"Good. ”

There were a lot of people, and Patrick stopped talking, and he wanted to reach out and touch her face, but it was not very convenient.

"You shed a lot of tears today. I've never seen you like that. ”

She smiled slightly, "Seems to be." Surprised, wasn't it?"

Patrick lowered his voice, "No. It's just that...... When you cry, my heart breaks and I keep wanting to kiss your tears and eyes. ”

"Thank God you didn't. Lu Ling smiled, and then, she gently put her hand on his chest, winked at him, and said in a meandering voice, "See you later, Pat." ”

He was about to take her wrist, but she withdrew her hand and turned and walked out.

She just, it seems, took the initiative to follow him*. Patrick felt that the corners of his mouth were a little exaggerated. He looked back and saw Tim's smile.

Lu Ling saw a girl at the door of the locker room. Unfamiliar and somewhat familiar, she looked back. The girl was standing with Zixiang when she heard her call his brother in Chinese.

Oh, it turns out that Zixiang has such an amazing sister. 166 Reading Network