On May 5, 2004, Blackburn Rovers sat at home to welcome Porto from afar.

The sky was overcast on this day.

It has been raining since the morning. But the bad weather didn't stop the enthusiasm of the Blackburn fans.

Ewood Park had a lot of fans entering the stadium two hours before the game. Half an hour before kick-off, Ewood Park was packed. Because it's a Champions League semi-final.

Even in the average Premier League, Blackburn's Ewood Park attendance is 99 percent, which can be said to be almost full. Not to mention the Champions League semi-finals.

Although there are some Porto fans who come with the team, they are almost insignificant to the tens of thousands of Blackburn Rovers fans. Not only is Ewood Park full, but there are tens of thousands of fans around Ewood Park.

They were all here today to celebrate Blackburn's Champions League final.

Although there is still one game to go, in Blackburn's mind, Blackburn has already reached the Champions League final.

"The second game of the Champions League semi-finals is about to start. Blackburn Rovers won 2-0 against Porto in their first game, with two away goals coming into play. ”

"Andy, what kind of play will George take in this game?"

Martin. Taylor started his work before the game began. Smiled and asked Andy next to him. Gray.

"Martin, I guess any guy in English football who asks them this question will tell you. And the answer will definitely be the same, and there will definitely not be any different answers. "Andy. Gray laughed too.

"Martin, I can bet. George will definitely play defensive counter-attacking in this game. And the front court must be full of speed players. ”

Martin. Taylor shook his head.

"Andy, how could I bet with you on something so obvious. As you said, you just find a guy in English football to bet with him, and I'm sure no one will bet with you. ”

The two narrators really know George too well.

As they say, George is blatantly playing defensive counter-attacks.

What if the opponent is Porto? Whoever stipulates that George can't play defensive counterattack against a team that is weaker than himself.

Mourinho's face was already dark when he saw Blackburn's starting line-up. Because with this starting line-up alone, Mourinho can understand what George meant. Look at the front of this, Klose, Kaka, Ribery, which one is not a fast player.

Kaka, in particular, is a good counter-attacker.

In the past two years, I don't know how many strong teams have died from Kaka's long-distance attack.

Jose Mourinho is a detail-oriented coach. Before playing against Blackburn, I watched all the important games of Blackburn in the past two years. So looking at Blackburn's starting line-up, Mourinho was able to imagine George's thoughts.

Gritting his teeth, it is already impossible to describe Mourinho's mood at the moment.

But there is no way. Who let the first game lose. Now the initiative is in Blackburn's hands.

Everyone can see when the game starts.

It's Mourinho who is impatient, it's Porto.

Blackburn was in no hurry. Needless to say, Essien and Alonso even played Hargreaves, who returned from injury. Although George plays defensive counter-attacks, he rarely uses a three-back formation.

But in this game, George sent a back three.

Alonso, Essien, and Hargreaves are all defensive and strong midfielders.

In this game, midfielders Pire and Miku did not play. George is just going to fight back to the end.

Mourinho has no choice but to continue to attack.

Porto was originally limited. There is another great general under Mourinho in history, and that is Deco. It's a pity that Deco is now in Real Madrid. If Deco is in Porto, he can completely improve Porto's midfield quality to a notch.

Now Maniche is playing the role of Deco.

It's a pity that Maniche's strength is really not as good as Deco.

Now Porto is pouring out of the nest and is not much of a threat to Blackburn. Maniche and Mendes, their greatest ability is to attack from behind. Especially the shot from the back was outstanding.

It's a pity that under the interception of the three central midfielders, it is difficult for them to get a chance to shoot on goal when they are inserted back.

Except for the two of them on the back plug. Porto's biggest attack was on the right flank. The combination of Ferreira and Alenichev on the right is a big attacking style for Porto. Unfortunately, George dropped Hargreaves on the left and set up Reese to defend.

In addition, Ferreira can't step forward to assist without scruples. Therefore, it is difficult for Alenichev to create any threat on the right flank.

From the start of the game, although Porto played lively, the real threat was limited. Blackburn, on the other hand, is not in a hurry, and will consume it with you. It's all about time.

"Look, if anyone told you that Blackburn are the team that has won the Champions League and the Premier League three times in a row, would you believe it? He's too negative. ”

Martin. Taylor couldn't stand it anymore.

Blackburn's style of play is too negative. But George didn't care what other people thought.

George has to use the least effort to get to the Champions League final.

The longer the game, the more anxious the Porto players became. The two balls were like swords hanging over their heads, reminding the Porto players at all times. You're still two goals behind.

However, at the end of the first half, the Porto players were in complete despair.

After 40 minutes of attacking without any effect, the Porto players were really in a hurry. At first, they were a little cautious in attacking, but by the end of the first half, they had forgotten what caution was.

The whole army pressed up, but I didn't expect to be counterattacked by Blackburn.

But it wasn't the Kaka that George left in front.

It's Lucio. rushed forward to steal Mendes' ball, and then instead of passing, he went straight to the ball. Lucio's speed is very fast, so fast that even if he is placed in Blackburn's team, there are few who can compare with Lucio in terms of explosiveness and speed.

Even the two strikers, Klose and Drogba, are not as explosive and fast as Lucio.

So Lucio's sudden insertion at centre-back left Porto unguarded. Even if someone wants to defend, the speed can't match. Coupled with the fact that the Porto midfielders were all here in the Blackburn half, Lucio was completely on the pitch.

When it came to the frontcourt, he played a one-two with Klose.

Klose's pass was just right. Lucio used his pace to get rid of Porto's defenders and scored the first goal of the game with a shot from Baia.

With Lucio's goal just before half-time, everyone knew that Blackburn had reached the Champions League final.

After Lucio's goal, the whole of Ewood Park was about to explode.

It's really going to explode.

The fans at Ewood Park cheered loudly. The cheers were loud. George, who was in the middle of it, felt like he was in the center of the explosion.

"Finals! Final! Final! ”

"We're going to the finals!"

Martin. Taylor also shouted loudly.

"Three-0, Blackburn lead Porto 3-0 on aggregate. With this goal, Blackburn Rovers completely sealed a place in the final. Blackburn Rovers are about to reach the Champions League final. Congratulations George, congratulations Blackburn. ”

"Blackburn Rovers are about to play their second Champions League final. George is also leading Blackburn to a second Champions League final! ”

Compared to the excitement of the Blackburn fans, Porto are silent.

The Porto players were even more frustrated.

Although they also knew before the game that this game was not easy to play. But at least there's a little bit of hope, as long as we can score a goal first. Then there is still something to be done in the game. But now it's three goals down, and it's really unlikely to come back.

They began to really despair.

The second half was tepid. Porto don't have much fighting spirit, and so does Jose Mourinho, a coach with the surname. Jose Mourinho sat on the bench and looked at the pitch with a blank face.

Blackburn are also reluctant to continue their fight with Porto.

Don't look at them now, they don't have the fighting spirit. But once you anger them and make them blackfooted, it will be more than worth the loss.

So the second half was almost uneventful.

Wait until the referee blows the whistle and Ewood Park becomes a sea of joy. The cheers of the fans gathered into a huge torrent that flowed through Ewood Park.

George stood in the center, his hands raised in the air.

Shouting in my heart: Champions League final, Blake was born! In the Champions League final, I, George, are here again!

Mourinho, who was next to him, had already returned to the dressing room at the end of the game. He didn't even bother with George, who was about to come over and shake hands with him. George looked at Mourinho's back and didn't say anything.

And there is no blame for Mourinho's defeat at all.

Because of this kind of thing, George himself has done a lot.

Mourinho is a coach with a surname and is very arrogant at heart. How could you watch George celebrate there and still be indifferent?

George shook his head.

By this time, the group of reporters had already come to George's side.

This time, George still didn't embarrass them. What they ask is almost what they answer.

"Coach Levy, for Jose. Jose Mourinho, do you have any thoughts? ”

This reporter happened to see the embarrassing scene just now. George wanted to go over and say hello to Mourinho, but unfortunately Mourinho didn't pay attention to him at all. That's why he asks this question.

George shrugged.

"Jose. Jose Mourinho, coach Jose Mourinho is a very good coach. It's just that the stage in Porto is too small and I really welcome him to England. I think Chelsea and Liverpool should invite a good manager like Jose Mourinho if they want to do well. ”

Despite the win against Jose Mourinho, George was not proud at all.

Because Mourinho's Porto are too weak. Mourinho simply can't use his full talent.

So George still speaks highly of Mourinho.

(To be continued)