Chapter 177: "Ambition"
The FA Cup semi-finals have finally come to an end.
The final score was 2:0, in the first half Manchester United achieved a two-goal lead victory, in the second half, the Arsenal players who seemed to have lost their backbone by two goals conceded were unable to launch a threatening counterattack, even if Fan Bizhuang, Kaka and other Manchester United main players were replaced early in the 60th minute, but Arsenal still failed to create an equalizer opportunity, and could only be eliminated in the end.
With no hope of winning the league title, the Champions League is also difficult to achieve, and now the last trophy that can be contested has slipped away from the eyes, and Arsenal is destined to face the situation of the big four again this season.
As a traditional Premier League, and even a European giant, it has not been able to taste the championship for many years, and Arsenal's decline has been seen at a glance.
But that's football, it's a world where all the praise and beauty belongs to the winners, and no one pays attention to the Arsenal players who leave the stadium in disgrace, and after the game, Old Trafford is in a frenzy, with fans in the stands reluctant to leave, singing the Manchester United anthem, chanting the players' names and shouting 'We're going to Wembley!' We're going to Wembley! ”。
With the win, United have already reached the FA Cup final with their heads held high, and the other semi-final is a day ahead of schedule, with Manchester City winning the tournament to qualify, meaning this year's FA Cup title will be decided between two teams in Manchester, with the final taking place in the Manchester derby.
For Manchester City, the long-standing oppressive record is enough to give Manchester United fans confidence in the final victory, and although there is still one game to decide the final title, Manchester United fans have clearly entered the moment of cheering early.
"We're going to Wembley!"
"We're going to win the FA Cup!"
"This season, we have to win at least the double!"
The fans were a little excited, and even shouted the "double" rhetoric - but this is also a good expectation, and it is very likely to be realized, the league title is not much suspense, and the FA Cup, the title opponent is the same city rival who has been suppressed by them for a century, and everyone has absolute confidence to defeat the opponent...... In this way, isn't it at least a double championship of the season!
Fans were noisy in the stands, and Manchester United players were excited to interact with the fans on the pitch.
Fan Bizhuang took off his jersey, held it in his hand, and threw it into the stands, causing countless fans to scream and cause a lot of scramble.
Kaka also took off his jersey and threw it to the stands, wrapping his shirt shirtless around Fan Bizhuang's shoulder, and sighed, "Reaching the final, the fans are very emotional, ha, the slogan of the double champion is shouted...... But this is not a big deal, we have a good chance of achieving a double this season! ”
"At least a double crown!" Fan Bizhuang nodded, then turned his head and corrected solemnly, "Remember, at least...... Actually, I'm aiming for the Triple Crown! ”
Kaka was stunned for a moment, then smiled: "You guy, shouldn't you include the Community Shield?" ”
"I mean the Champions League!"
Fan Bizhuang said very seriously.
“……”
Kaka didn't expect that Fan Bizhuang's "ambition" was so big, indeed, this season's Manchester United in the Premier League is rarely opposed, but the Champions League is a strong team, in addition to strength, but also need a little luck, even if there is a strong giant, I dare not say that I can win the Champions League.
In fact, in Kaka's view, the current Manchester United is definitely qualified to compete for the Champions League trophy, with a full lineup, star-studded stars, excellent form, and no worries about the league, Manchester United can focus more on the Champions League.
That's all United have the advantage of being right now.
But thinking like this, Kaka thinks, how can there be such a smooth sailing thing in the world, after all, Fan Bizhuang and himself only joined the team this year, just try their best to fight for it, and there is no need to be discouraged if you can't get it, as long as Manchester United can always maintain this state and level this season, there will always be a day of luck, coupled with its own strong strength, it is not difficult to win the Big Ears Cup.
Kaka is also an "ambitious" player, and he believes that if the team continues to play like this, he will definitely be able to win the Champions League trophy in two or three seasons.
It's already a sign of confidence in the team.
As a result, Fan Bizhuang was more confident and ambitious than him, and even bluntly told him that he was going to win the Champions League trophy this season and achieve the treble!
"You're not kidding, are you? Although our current situation looks good, it is uncertain whether we will be able to make it all the way to the end, you know, cup competitions, a lot of times it takes luck......
Kaka looked at Fan Bizhuang, but he didn't finish his words, and was interrupted by Fan Bizhuang: "I won't joke about such a thing." And, even if I could joke about it, do you think the boss would make such a joke? ”
Fan Bizhuang glanced at Ferguson, who was strolling around the stadium and enjoying the cheers of the fans, he was very aware of the old man's ambitions, although he did not say it explicitly, but if there was a chance, the old Scottish man who was extremely obsessed with the championship and the Champions League would never let the opportunity to achieve the treble slip away from his eyes.
"Boss? Why did you get involved with him again? Did the boss tell you that his goal this season is to win the Champions League? ”
Kaka made a puzzled sound, but he didn't get an answer, and Fan Bizhuang ran away bare-chested.
……
Reaching the FA Cup final is something that excites the entire Manchester United team, from the coaches to the players and the fans. Although this event is often referred to as "chicken ribs", it is also a championship honor anyway, and it is exciting enough to have the opportunity to compete.
The news about Manchester United's victory over Arsenal to advance to the final appeared on the front pages of major sports newspapers in England the next day, which naturally attracted a lot of praise and praise from the outside world.
However, United have kept this joy to their knees for the time being, leaving little time for them to rejoice and celebrate, as the second leg of the quarter-knockout tie against Marseille is just around the corner.
The day after Molina said goodbye to Van Bizhuang and left Manchester City, the French giants Marseille arrived in Manchester.
On the 17th, Old Trafford was once again full, and the red wave rolled in every corner of the stands, "We are Manchester United!" "We're going to make it to the quarterfinals!" "We'll go further!" Slogans and banners fluttered over the pitch.
The home fans will undoubtedly have great confidence in this game, and in the first leg of the meeting between the two teams, Manchester United won 2-1 away from home, winning and scoring two away goals, which can be said to be a huge advantage in the two-legged knockout round.
In the eyes of many home fans, this game is almost a passing scene, just 90 minutes later, the whistle blows, Manchester United will advance to the quarterfinals of the Champions League this season!
……
The away win in the first leg did allow the United players to approach the game with a relatively relaxed mindset.
However, Ferguson took the second round very seriously, training meticulously and even increasing the amount of tasks compared to usual over the course of a few days.
In the dressing room before the game, Ferguson also repeatedly told his disciples not to despise their opponents because of the victory in the first game, and the team that can go to the knockout stage has two brushes no matter what, in the history of the Champions League, there are not no examples of losing the first leg and reversing the second leg, as for the examples of weak teams defeating strong teams to advance, they are everywhere.
Ferguson doesn't want his team to be a "negative textbook".
He repeatedly told his players that they had to give it their all and play this game as if it were a Champions League final.
And in Ferguson's pre-match mobilization "speech", Kaka's doubts were also answered.
'We've had a really good start to the season, we've been in good form, we've beaten a lot of great teams, we've overcome unspeakable difficulties...... We won the Community Shield and we had a clear advantage in the league table, and four days ago we beat Arsenal to reach the FA Cup final......
"I'm not saying this to tell people that we've done enough to stop and take a break. On the contrary, I want to express that this is not enough! Far from enough! ”
“…… I think it's going to be a great season, a great season for us, because we have the ability and the possibility to achieve higher and bigger breakthroughs! We've won the Community Shield, we're going to win the league trophy, we're going to win the FA Cup, we're bound to win it...... And, of course, the Champions League......"
At this point, the players in the dressing room were almost all wide-eyed and won all the trophies they could have in a domestic tournament, which was not surprising, but what about the Champions League...... There are many Manchester United players who also have a desire for the Big Ears Cup, after all, it is the highest honor for European clubs, who doesn't want it? This is the greatest manifestation of one's own ability and value.
But it's just a matter of thinking about it, everyone knows how difficult it is to win the Big Ears Cup, Manchester United is very strong, but not strong enough to sweep many giants in Europe.
It's just to their surprise that Ferguson not only has the same "coveting" heart for the Champions League as they do, but also expresses his ambitions so frankly in front of them.
Kaka looked at Fan Bizhuang, who was sitting on the bench with a calm face, he remembered what Fan Bizhuang said before, it seems that this guy really knows the head very well.
"Yes, I can tell you very clearly that this season we are not aiming for a double, not a treble...... It's a quadruple crown! The Champions League is our biggest goal! We have such strength and ability, this will be a season that belongs to us, and we will create a miracle that belongs to the red in this season! ”
"So, I won't allow my team to make any mistakes!"
"Go all out, win this game and make it to the quarter-finals! This is the beginning of the knockout round and the starting point of our race to the championship! ”
Ferguson loudly encouraged his disciples.
And the players' eyes lit up after they came to their senses. The manager is right, they have no opponents in the domestic competition this year, they can devote themselves to European competition, and perhaps, this season, they really have the possibility of stabilizing the top of Europe!
"Victory!"
"Victory!!"
The players shouted with their fists in high spirits.