No. 730: Supporters from within Barcelona!
The Barcelona stars are basically very low-key, with Pique being an exception, so he was once again called by the media.
The Barcelona centre-back did not run away and he came to the press.
A French journalist asked: "A lot of Arsenal supporters want Chan to score another hat-trick in this game, what do you think about that?" β
Pique replied to reporters with a solemn expression: "If he can still score a hat-trick tonight, I will announce my retirement tomorrow!" β
The scene fell into a deathly silence, and the reporters opened their mouths wide and were speechless.
Who would have thought that the Barcelona centre-back would be so resolute and close himself to the brink of desperation?
Or does he have super confidence to contain Chen Fan?
After Pique left, the reporters had a lively discussion.
"It's not so much that Pique is full of confidence, it's better to score a hat-trick in four consecutive games, which is an impossible thing to do, let alone against a team like Barcelona!"
"I said, what if...... If Chan accidentally scores a hat-trick tonight, will Pique really want to retire? β
Born in 1987, Pique is now twenty-four years old and is in the prime of his life as a player who retired from the sport because of a vow......
It is a huge loss for him, Barcelona and the Spanish national team.
"Impossible! Since Pique said so, Chan couldn't have scored a hat-trick! β
"yes, you think a hat-trick is so easy? What's more, it was a hat-trick in four consecutive games! β
Manchester City Evening News reporter Matthew. Upson didn't get involved in the discussion, they looked at it coldly, shaking their heads in their hearts.
Colleagues, that's a hat-trick, since Pique said so, the Barcelona backline is not desperate?
β¦β¦
The players from both sides changed into warm-up jerseys and came to the stadium to warm up, and the fans entered the stadium in an orderly manner, and the Camp Nou, which can accommodate more than 90,000 people, gave people a strong sense of oppression.
Any away team in this stadium will feel extra pressure.
Chen Fan warmed up seriously with his teammates, and when he was practicing for the ball, laughter came out from time to time, which made the London reporter breathe a sigh of relief.
There were no media interviews before the game, and many journalists thought that Arsenal was a sign of lack of confidence.
Now they hear laughter, which shows that the atmosphere in which the Arsenal players are preparing for the game is still very relaxed.
Such relaxation is conducive to the play of the state.
There was also laughter from BarΓ§a.
Journalists know that it won't be long before those laughs will die down, and who will be able to laugh when the game begins?
After the warm-up, the players from both sides left the turf and returned to the locker room.
On the way back to the locker room, Raphael, a reporter from London Business Daily, called Chen Fan and told him Pique's oath.
Rafael's original intention was to let Chen Fan be careful, and the Barcelona defense would use 12 points of strength to deal with him.
But Chen Fan said with a smile: "It's okay, they can't stop me in the whole ninety minutes, just give me a few seconds, I can break their goal!" β
"Besides, Pique is really not a problem, he is in a one-on-one situation, and he can't stop me at all!"
Listening to Chen Fan's confident words, Raphael's confidence inevitably returned.
β¦β¦
At 7:45, the starters of both sides appeared in the tunnel of the players.
Chen Fan's mentality was very relaxed, he wanted to tease the caddy next to him, but found that the little guy couldn't understand English at all, and he didn't know Spain.
It's so important to know a foreign language.
Chen Fan decided that after going back, he would find time to learn foreign languages, such as Spanish, German, French, or something.
On the other hand, Puyol looked a little embarrassed because the caddie next to him told him that he wanted Chen Fan's autograph, and he hoped that Puyol would help him fulfill his wish.
The Barcelona captain looked at the begging in the eyes of the little boy next to him and asked softly, "Why don't you go yourself?" β
The little boy lowered his head and said, "I'm afraid of ......"
Well, this is a shy and timid little boy, a man who has not yet grown into a man.
Puyol brought the little boy to Chen Fan's side, which drew the attention of the players' tunnel.
"This little boy wants your autograph, but he's shy, so I'll have to bring him with me......"
Chen Fan was a little stunned, then looked at the little boy and asked softly, "Where do you want to sign?" β
Puyol became an interim interpreter.
The little boy didn't dare to look up and pointed to his jersey.
The expression on Puyol's face became weird, and he signed Chen's name on the Barcelona shirt?
Is this hinting at the future?
He suddenly recalled that after the World Cup final, he had sent an invitation to Chen Fan and invited him to play football in Barcelona.
Chen Fan found a pen from the reporter next to him, squatted down, signed his name on the little boy's jersey, and then kissed him on the face.
The little boy's head was lowered even more.
This picture made the eyes of the Barcelona players widen, what is the situation?
Is signing the name of an opponent on Barcelona's jersey a slap in the face?
They felt very strange in their hearts, as if they were planting the banner of their opponent on their own walls......
Pique's eyes were on fire, and Messi looked pensive......
Van Persie forced the smile in his heart and deliberately tightened his face, and Fabregas opened his mouth wide.
β¦β¦
Led by four referees, the starters from both sides walked out of the tunnel and onto the pitch.
The almost full Camp Nou resounded with a tsunami-like cheer, and the big battle was about to break out!
The Catalan TV commentator exclaimed: "Since Barcelona lost the Emirates Stadium 2-4 in the first leg, tonight's game is a battle of life and death!"
Barcelona have to win by two goals and not be able to let Arsenal score, which is a difficult task, but it is not impossible!
Come on! Barcelona!
You've never let a fall in the first round of the knockout rounds happen in years! β
The ESPN commentator exclaimed, "Let's give you an introduction to the starters on both sides.
Arsenal's formation is 451, goalkeeper: Almunia; Four defenders: Klicy, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Sagna; Five midfielders: Diaby, Song, Chen, Ramsey, Arshavin; The only striker is Robin van Persie!
This is the strongest squad of Arsenal at the moment, all the tridents start, Chen's position has changed, and he has retreated to the back position!
This shows that Wenger's first idea is to contain Barcelona's attack and let Chen solve Messi's problem, which is the same as last year.
If Chen can play like he did in last year's game, then the midfield position will not only not suppress his attacking ability, but will also help Arsenal to stabilize their defence.
Let's take a look at Barcelona's lineup.
Pep Guardiola lined up a four-three-three attacking formation.
Goalkeeper: Victor. Valdez; Four defenders: Abidal, Puyol, Pique, Alves; Three midfielders: Xavi, Iniesta, Butzquez; Three strikers: Villa, Messi, Pedro!
This lineup is the same as the first leg, which shows that Guardiola is very confident in this lineup! β
The commentator of France TV 2 said: "Due to Chen's retreat, he ushered in the opportunity to play one-on-one with Messi, which will be the biggest highlight of the game!" β