Li Liang still woke up early in the hotel room.

After a while in the gym, Mbappe and several other team-mates arrived.

Li Liang's thoughts went back to a few days ago. According to the original plan, he originally wanted to go to the Parc des Princes to watch the first leg of the Champions League knockout match between Paris and Barcelona, but the dirty old man said: "Lee, focus on yourselves first, I suggest you don't watch it!" ”

Gaudino's original intention was to let Li Liang have a relaxed mentality to face the game against Manchester City. Although the Italian can't bear to say it, he also thinks that this is very likely to be the final performance of Li Liang and Monaco in the Champions League this season.

In the face of a contest with little hope, instead of suffering from gains and losses, it is better to enjoy the process of the game, which is also what Gaudino hopes Li Liang can do.

Li Liang happened to spend a romantic Valentine's Day with Xiaoyu.

The result was a shocking 4-0 home win over Barcelona in Paris, which surprised the whole world and shocked the whole of Monaco.

In another game, Borussia Dortmund, a Bundesliga powerhouse that Li Liang has always liked, lost 0:1 away to Benfica.

The result of the second day of the game made Li Liang even more unbelievable, Ancelotti's Bayern defeated Arsenal 5:1 at the Allianz Arena!

As one of his favorite teams, Arsenal accompanied Li Liang to spend many nights in front of the TV or computer, and this score made him very sad.

In another game at the same time, Real Madrid beat Napoli 3:1 at home, which also shocked Li Liang.

He couldn't help but recall the game when Monaco was easily defeated by Napoli at the Sao Paulo Stadium, even if Monaco is getting better and better now, Li Liang is definitely at a disadvantage in the face of Napoli-

So how strong is Real Madrid?

Gaudino told Li Liang that this is the Champions League knockout round, a more brutal world of the jungle.

When the time came, Li Liang left with everyone to prepare for breakfast. In less than 10 hours, you will officially enter this new world.

It didn't take too long to wait, and it was time to go. When the bus he had ridden with the guys in New York City a year ago appeared in view, Li Liang felt as if he was in a different world.

Gradually, seeing the magnificent Etihad Stadium from the wide car window, seeing the scene of people outside the stadium, and seeing Kompany and Aguero in the promotional video on the big screen outside the stadium, Li Liang finally believed that he was back here again, back to the place where his dream began.

As soon as they got out of the car, the fans around them shouted, and to Li Liang's surprise, there were still many people shouting their names! After a year, there are still people who remember themselves!

Soon, a large poster held up by a fan caught the attention of Li Liang and other teammates.

This is a picture of Li Liang and Bakayoko, Silva, Mendy and Mbappe embracing passionately together in which game, but everyone's Monaco jersey has been P into Manchester City's sky blue jersey!

The fans shouted, "Lee, come and join us!" ”

Germelsen looked at it for a long time and said angrily: "I'm X, why don't I have the first central defender in Ligue 1?" ”

Glick laughed and said, "They don't dare to introduce the No. 1 card king in Ligue 1!" Everyone laughed, and the Monaco players teased each other and walked through the gate together.

Entering the familiar locker room, he seemed to see the tall Vieira again, as well as New York City's assistant coaches Latangio, Perez and Cook.

He immediately recalled the names of New York City players such as Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo, Villa, Discrud and Srebeau.

"Come here, Lee, what are you smiling at?!"

Caldeira's words woke up Li Liang, who was smiling and immersed in good memories, and he hurriedly began to prepare for the warm-up with everyone.

Walking out of the more familiar player tunnel, Li Liang still remembers his mood when he first came to the Etihad!

The huge sound of the stadium came from the entrance of the passage like a tidal wave, and Falcao shouted: "This is the Etihad, this is our stage today!" ”

Although he was already very familiar with it, and even seen it many times in the virtual special training in his dreams, seeing everything in front of him, Li Liang still felt so shocked that he could barely breathe.

The brightly lit stadium was full of people, and the stands were already filled with fans in the home team's sky-blue shirts. The huge cheering and loud singing of the home team came and went, and Li Liang, who had played in the five major leagues for more than half a season, couldn't help but feel his heart beating faster and his breathing shorter.

Compared with the scene when he played in an official match for the first time and faced Fenerbahce at the Saraggio Stadium, Li Liang felt even more excited in his heart-

It's not the biggest stadium, the stands aren't the most passionate fans in the world, there's no Messi, there's no Cristiano Ronaldo -

But this is the stage of the life-and-death duel of the European Champions Cup -

Li Liang suddenly shouted with all his strength: "Welcome to the Etihad Stadium!" The teammates looked sideways, and the fans in the stands on the side were also surprised.

With two hours to go, the visitors' regular warm-up appearances drew a lot of noise from the audience.

Soon the scene erupted in thunderous cheers, and Manchester City also came to the other half to start warming up.

Unlike any previous time, looking at these familiar and unfamiliar opponents, Li Liang was full of emotion.

In the restaurants at Manchester City's base, in the stands at the Etihad Stadium, in the posters, these superstars who have met on the Internet are about to become their own face-to-face opponents!

Li Liang walked to the half of Manchester City as he had expected many times and greeted those acquaintances.

De Bruyne and Li Liang warmly hugged and greeted: "Lee, welcome back!" ”

People who knew each other well on both sides were also greeting each other, and at this moment, the tense atmosphere before the war temporarily disappeared, and it looked more like a reunion of old friends.

Soon the players were back in their respective halves and began to prepare under the guidance of the coach.

Seeing this scene, Vieira in the stands pointed to Li Liang and asked Latanzio and Cook beside him, "Can you think of this scene?"

That trial player will come back a year later and challenge us in a game like this? ”

Latanchio replied, "I'm afraid that even Lee himself couldn't believe what he said at that time, right?"

He's truly amazing! ”

Cook sighed: "Although it is difficult for Monaco to go further when they meet us, Li Liang has already made his own history. ”

Frank Lampard, who has already announced his retirement, and Ian Darkke, a veteran commentator for BT, stood on the sidelines and chatted to the camera, while Adams, Thierry Henry and David Beckham walked into the other stand amid cheers.

Jose Mourinho and super-agent Mendes also took to the stands, and scouts from the big clubs also arrived on time.

Xiao Yu and Falcao's wife, Talon, also came to the stands.

Yaldim and Falcao went together for the pre-match press conference.

Jardim first praised Manchester City as a team with the quality to go far in the Champions League, and his colleague Pep Guardiola is a very good coach, and believes that the two teams will definitely join forces to present a wonderful game.

A journalist from England asked Falcao: "How should we assess your performance in the first two seasons?"

Some people say it's hard for you to adapt to the English [Premier League] style, so what do you think you're going to do today? ”

The question was full of arrogance and contempt, and Falcao replied calmly: "I've struggled a bit for the past two years...... Now that my body is fully recovered, my goal today is to help the team win! ”

At the same time, Li Liang, who was still warming up on the field, had already seen the total evaluation of the opponents.