Chapter 166: The more nervous you are, the more excited you are!
Arsenal had just won the league title but they didn't celebrate much as the second leg of the Champions League semi-final was just around the corner. Arsenal have already won the league title, so at this time they will naturally give their best in the Champions League, and now they don't have too much burden, they just need to concentrate on this game.
In the 05-06 season, Arsenal eliminated Real Madrid, Juventus, and Villarreal in the knockout rounds and reached the Champions League final; However, they were sent off soon after the opening kick-off for Lehmann's tackle on Samuel Eto'o, who had formed a one-on-one goal, from outside the box; Although Arsenal took the lead in that game from a disadvantage, they were eventually reversed by Barcelona.
That was the closest Arsenal came to the Big Ears Cup, and now there is a lack of one of the most convincing trophies in Arsenal's Hall of Fame. Reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League is not a special achievement for Arsenal because they need to step on the pitch for the final and they need to pick up the Champions League trophy that the team has never touched before.
Although Arsenal has won the league title now, their Champions League journey this time is really difficult; Arsenal lost 3-1 to the Estadio Meazza in the first leg, so it will not be easy to come back at home to qualify for the final, as their opponents Inter Milan are also hungry for the title.
Inter Milan have reached the Champions League final four times before, beating Real Madrid 3-1 in the final in 1964 after beating Monaco, Partizan Belgrade and Borussia Dortmund to reach the final. In 1965, Inter eliminated Dinamo Bucharest, Glasgow Rangers and Liverpool to reach the final, beating Benfica 1-0 in the final in Milan. 1967 year. Inter eliminated Hungary's Budapest, Real Madrid and CSKA Sofia to reach the final. But lost to Celtic in the final played by Vienna. 1972 year. Inter reached the final again in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, but lost 2-0 to Ajax in the final.
The 60s were the famous "Inter Milan era", when Inter had a brilliant European record, but since then, the Nerazzurri have fallen into a slump. In the 38 years since 1972, Inter Milan has occasionally dominated the league, but the best record in the Champions Cup is only to reach the last four. Especially for the current Inter team. Four consecutive domestic league titles since 2006, but in the Champions Cup, Inter have failed to reach the quarter-finals for four consecutive years until this season. However, now, the embarrassing history of 38 years is likely to come to an end, and Inter is very likely to reach the Champions Cup final again after 38 years!
In the first leg of the match between Arsenal and Inter, Inter defeated Arsenal 3-1 at home, which also gave them the absolute initiative; The reason why Arsenal collapsed was not only because of strength, but also because of serious injuries to the players, and of course, Xiao Qing's ban was also a key factor that had to be admitted.
Although the current injury situation of Arsenal is still serious. But Xiao Qing returned from the ban at this time, and Arsenal also completed its task in the league; So at this time. The Gunners can go all out at home, and they are not without a chance to come back at home, although Arsenal are extremely passive at the moment.
Although Arsenal's goal efficiency in the second half of the game seems to be somewhat reduced, it is undeniable that Arsenal's offensive ability is still exceptionally good, everyone knows that after Xiao Qing's return, Arsenal's offensive firepower will be raised to a new level, and it is not impossible for Arsenal to recover the disadvantage of two goals at home. Arsenal fans believe in Xiao Qing's ability, and they believe that Xiao Qing can once again step up to help the team advance to the final when the team is in trouble.
It's not a final, it's like a final, that's what Arsenal did before the match. Both teams are looking forward to qualifying for the final, and they have nothing to relax at this time, and they will do their best to get a ticket to the final. The players of both teams know that the opposition is quite strong and they both know that at this time, they still have a chance to return to the exciting Champions League.
Arsenal suffered one of their worst defeats in recent years in the first leg at Inter's Meazza Stadium, a 3-1 defeat that left them in a desperate situation, leaving Arsenal with no choice at all. The Arsenal players who had won the league title immediately threw themselves into training, and they needed to face this game in a more intelligent state, and the Gunners also made a declaration before the game!
'All the players at Arsenal believe we can turn Inter against and it will be a game that will make history. At the Emirates Stadium, we have just won the title and we will prove that Arsenal can still win everything! Xiao Qing is full of confidence, the current score does make Arsenal want to qualify naturally need to put in more effort, but the Gunners still have a chance, and Arsenal will not give up.
Arsenal are down 3-1 in the big score, and they naturally need to put in more effort in this home game; But now Arsenal's biggest reliance on Xiao Qing's return from the ban is naturally a great boost to the morale of the Gunners, and the league has just won the championship, which also greatly stimulates the fighting spirit of the Gunners.
Although Arsenal's injury camp has greatly weakened the team's competitiveness, Inter Milan is not intact at this time; Inter striker Pandev and midfielder Stankovic are definitely out due to injury, and Sneijder, the core of Inter midfield, has just been injured unexpectedly in previous training; Even if Sneijder is injured, maybe his form will not be guaranteed enough.
Arsenal are good at attacking, Inter can defend, that's well known. Coupled with the 3-1 home win for Inter Milan in the first leg, this match at the Emirates Stadium is destined to be a contradictory battle. Although Inter Milan has a top defensive guru Mourinho pressing the lineup, Arsenal's attack has reached its peak, and Xiao Qing's crazy goals this season are enough to show that he can tear apart any defense; Therefore, Inter will definitely not be able to hold on, but may be slaughtered by their opponents, and they may not be foolproof now.
Xiao Qing knows that this game will be a difficult game, and both teams are full of expectations for the Champions League final, and they will definitely go all out at this time. Both teams are now reaching a certain level in the league for the time being, but if they want to achieve more, they will have to prove themselves in the Champions League.
Xiao Qing certainly understands the current crisis of the team, and of course he knows that it is quite difficult to reverse and advance to Inter Milan to the final; But Xiao Qing does not lack self-confidence, he likes such challenges, and he likes to explode under pressure. Xiao Qing likes high difficulty, and even Xiao Qing sometimes feels that he is quite good; Winning the championship is obviously an easy and enjoyable thing, but succeeding in the face of adversity, Xiao Qing feels that this will be more fulfilling.
Arsenal have experienced a lot of difficulties this season, and the team has suffered a series of major injuries, which has greatly weakened Arsenal's competitiveness; Although Arsenal did win the league title, many people also think that if Arsenal did not have such a serious injury, maybe they would not have worked so hard in the league, and Arsenal might have performed better in the Champions League.
Of course, Xiao Qing knows that the team's injuries affect the competitiveness of the team, and Xiao Qing certainly doesn't like the team to receive such a major blow; But in this process, Xiao Qing and his teammates are also more hard working and dedicated, after experiencing such a blow, when they lifted the championship trophy, the Gunners were also more excited.
Now it's an opportunity for Arsenal, and of course more of a challenge; Although the Gunners have only just won the league title, there is no reason for them to be complacent at this time as the situation is still difficult for them, and they certainly know that it will be extremely challenging to turn around with Inter.
However, although it is true that the situation is not good, there are indeed many difficulties now; But the Gunners are not backing down because they have a lot of confidence in themselves, they believe that the team can transform again in the face of difficulties, they believe that Arsenal can reach new heights!
The big game is coming, although the current Gunners are not in the best form, although the current Arsenal are more passive; But the Gunners are ready, they are ready to go all the way at the Emirates Stadium and Inter Milan, and Arsenal are ready to blast all their energy in a do-or-die battle to secure a ticket to the final.
Inter Milan is a very good opponent, Inter Milan is a strong opponent; No one denies Arsenal's quality as they have already won the Premier League. Of course, no one will deny the strength of Inter Milan, although Inter Milan's previous record in the Champions League has been poor, but they have indeed completely exploded this season, and they are about to be the fifth consecutive champion of Serie A!
On April 29, 2010, the second leg of the 09-10 Champions League semi-finals continued; The new Premier League champions will take on reigning Serie A champions Inter Milan at the Emirates Stadium. It's going to be a great game and two teams looking to prove themselves, two teams with Champions League titles looking to win the Champions League, will be going all out at this time.
Xiao Qing eats and sleeps well, and winning the league championship has made Xiao Qing feel very good recently; Although the big war is coming, Xiao Qing is not nervous, because the more intense the game, the more excited he will be, he believes that he will burst out with greater energy at this time, and he will achieve a better performance! (To be continued......)