When playing football, you should call it GOAT.

Chapter 97: Will Roy's new year witness the beginning of a new era?!

Warm-up before the game.

Monaco wore red and white striped jerseys.

The Athens AEK team wore a yellow and black battle uniform.

Captain Zagorakis ran back and forth on the right flank, stopping from time to time to direct his teammates' positioning, his expression serious.

The two strikers, Ocas and Liberopoulos, practiced shooting in the attacking third. Ocas's powerful shot hit the crossbar, drawing gasps from the substitutes' bench.

Maladenis and Cazzolani were practicing short passes in midfield, their close coordination clearly a response to Monaco's midfield pressure.

Georgias and Clark were practicing one-on-one marking on the defensive line. Georgias would occasionally glance in Roy's direction, seemingly thinking about how to limit his breakthroughs.

Chiottis made several saves in front of the goal, making several excellent saves from his teammates' shots, and seemed to be in good form.

Head coach Bayevich stood on the sidelines, hands in his pockets, brow slightly furrowed. He occasionally whispered to his assistant coach, his gaze fixed on Monaco's left flank—the combination of Roy and Evra clearly worried him.

Roy stood on the left wing, gently juggling the ball, his eyes focused, occasionally glancing up to scan the opposing defense's positioning. His warm-up movements were concise and efficient, with several short sprints followed by sudden changes of direction after receiving the ball, as if simulating the defensive pressure he might face in a match.

Morientes and Pulso passed the ball to each other near the center circle, exchanging a few words every now and then, seemingly discussing how to break down AEK's two center-backs.

Giuly ran back and forth in the attacking midfield position, receiving passes from Pedretti and Bernardi, and occasionally attempted a long-range shot, the ball flying through the air with a strong spin.

Evra stretched out near the sideline and then combined with Roy in a short pass. The two showed great understanding and were clearly ready to attack down the left flank.

Roma players leaped in front of the goal, stretching their arms, occasionally directing Squillaci and Abidal to adjust their defensive positions.

Deschamps stood in the technical area, arms crossed, his sharp eyes observing the players' warm-up. He occasionally glanced down to doodle on the tactics board, then looked up and called out a few times, reminding Pedretti to pay attention to the timing of midfield interceptions.

Deschamps finally shouted to the field: "Keep the pace, don't give them a chance to breathe!"

Bayevich waved from the sidelines, signaling AEK to tighten their defense, and Zagorakis immediately responded loudly, organizing his teammates to take their positions.

When the DJ shouted "ALLEZ MONACO!", tens of thousands of fans on three sides of the stands stood up at the same time, stomping their feet rhythmically to accompany the cheering song.

People in the north stands even spontaneously formed a human wave, with red and white waves circling the field three times without stopping.

The referee blew his whistle.

After the match started, Monaco tried to control the tempo, making several passes to look for opportunities.

In the 3rd minute, Roy received the ball on the left wing, suddenly changed direction to get past Giorgios, and passed it diagonally to Pulso on the right wing.

Unfortunately, the Croatian striker hesitated slightly after receiving the ball, and was a step too slow in passing it back to Giuly, which was intercepted by the alert Cazoranis.

Athens AEK immediately launched a counterattack!

Zagorakis received the ball and quickly advanced, executing a one-two pass with Giorgatos.

The Greek captain delivered a precise through ball to Liberopoulos on the front line, who unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area! Abidal made a diving block, deflecting the ball out of bounds.

Deschamps, looking serious, kept calling out to the players on the field, urging them to focus.

Meanwhile, Greek coach Bajevic clenched his fist, clearly quite satisfied with the team's start to the season.

Zagorakis stood in the corner flag area, this time he opted for a tactical corner kick.

He made a short pass to Giorgatos and immediately received the pass back, then crossed the ball!
Zagorakis delivered the ball to the near post, where center forward Ocas outjumped Monaco defender Abidal and unleashed a powerful header that slammed into the near post and bounced out, giving Roma a scare.

After the ball rebounded, Squillaci cleared it with a long kick, and a sigh of relief rippled through the stands.

Despite being overwhelmed by Monaco's cheers, the away fans held their ground in the northwest corner of the stands.

When Zagorakis makes the tackle, about 500 Greek fans will respond with traditional Greek chants, and the yellow and black flags will stubbornly wave in the dark.

When Ocas hit the post, they suddenly erupted in shouts of "AEK! Eagles of Constantinople!" that pierced through the home team's cheers.

French commentator Thierry Rolland's commentary:

"Just three minutes into the game, Monaco experienced a close call. Let's review the sequence. Monaco were in danger early on! Roy made a brilliant breakthrough on the left and passed to Pulso, but his back pass was too slow and was intercepted. AEK launched a quick counter-attack, with Zagorakis playing a one-two and then a through ball. Liberopoulos' powerful shot was blocked. The corner kick was a brilliant move. Ocas' header hit the post. Monaco escaped a close call."

"Monaco needs to pay attention to a few issues: First, they need to be more decisive in passing the ball forward; second, they need to get back into position promptly when counter-attacking; and third, they need to be more focused when defending set pieces. Coach Deschamps seems very anxious, and he must have seen these problems as well."

"AEK Athens started very well. Their counter-attacks were very threatening, and their set-piece tactics were executed very well. Coach Bayevich's tactical setup was very successful."

"The game has only just begun, and Monaco needs to adjust their form as soon as possible. They need to control possession, reduce mistakes, and be wary of the opponent's quick counter-attacks."

After regaining their composure, Monaco gradually took control of the game.

The Greeks quickly tightened their defense, setting up a tight 4-4-2 low defensive formation, almost abandoning the two flanks outside the penalty area, and concentrating all their forces in front of the penalty area.

This impenetrable defense made it extremely difficult for Monaco to penetrate, but it also gave Roy plenty of room to operate on the left flank.

"Monaco controlled the tempo of the game, patiently passing the ball around the edge of the penalty area looking for opportunities."

From the 4th to the 15th minute, Monaco launched frequent attacks.

AEK didn't even have a chance to retaliate.

The players patiently passed the ball around the edge of the penalty area to build up their attack.

Roy frequently dropped back to receive passes, forming a triangular passing pattern with Pedretti and Giuly.

In the 8th minute, Roy received the ball on the left wing, suddenly cut inside, shook off the defender, and fired a low shot with his left foot!

The ball grazed the right post and went wide.

It was immediately cleared by the defender.

After missing the shot, Roy shook his hand in frustration, but immediately gave Giuly a thumbs-up for passing the ball to him.

The home fans let out a sigh of regret, then applauded to encourage the team; while the away fans whistled briefly.

In the 12th minute, Giuly received a cross from Bernardi at the edge of the penalty area and unleashed a right-footed shot without hesitation!
AEK defender Maladenis bravely blocked the ball with his body.

Monaco fans stood up to cheer for the attack, while Greek fans chanted the names of the defenders in appreciation.

In the 15th minute, Bernardi unleashed a powerful long-range shot from 30 meters out, which struck the advertising board!
After the ball went over the crossbar, Bernardi helplessly spread his hands.

Roy quickly ran over and patted him on the back to comfort him.

Encouraging applause erupted again from the home team's stands, while Athens fans took the opportunity to sing up cheering songs to boost morale.

Although Monaco dominated the game during this period, they failed to find a clear scoring opportunity against AEK's tight defense. Coach Deschamps waved to his players on the sidelines, urging them to be patient, while Greek coach Bajevic loudly instructed the defense to maintain a compact formation.

AEK Athens' defense is very deep, but Monaco has yet to find a way to break through their dense defense.

In the 15th minute, Roy received the ball on the wing again, and the stands immediately erupted in a three-part chant of "ROI! ROI! ROI!" followed by a neat high-five!

Snapped!Snapped!Snapped!
Like the drums of war urging us onward.

Facing Georgias' defense, Roy used two consecutive stepovers before suddenly accelerating down the wing. The Greek right-back was caught off guard, leaning forward and nearly falling as he chased after him, only able to watch as Roy kicked out a cross.

Unfortunately, Morientes' header was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Chiottis.

"Roy's cross was of good quality and found Morientes in the penalty area. The Spanish striker's header was straight at him, but Chiotis reacted quickly and made a brilliant diving save to block the ball."

"This was Monaco's most threatening attack since the start of the game. Roy's individual ability is indeed outstanding, and his breakthroughs on the wing are an important attacking weapon for the team. However, the finishing after the crosses needs to be more precise."

"AEK Athens' defense exposed problems on the right flank, with Giorgios struggling against Roy. They may need to adjust their defensive strategy, such as having their defensive midfielders come over more often to provide cover."

In the 23rd minute, Evra surged forward like a red lightning bolt down the left flank, and Pedretti's diagonal pass perfectly found his running path.

The French full-back crossed the ball without stopping it, and the ball flew in a low arc towards the penalty area.

AEK Athens center-back Moraes made a hasty clearance but miskicked, and the ball landed strangely in the empty space at the edge of the penalty area.

Giuly had been lying in wait, and the captain, who is only 1.64 meters tall, displayed amazing technical skills - he slightly turned his body and, before the ball hit the ground, volleyed it with the instep of his right foot!
The ball flew low to the ground like a cannonball, slipping between goalkeeper Chiottis's outstretched legs and into the net, 1-0!

"That was a textbook volley! Kujira used his signature right foot to open the scoring for Monaco! The Stade Louis II is in an uproar!"

"Look at this goal replay: Evra's cross, Moraes' clearance error, Giuly's perfect shooting technique! Goalkeeper Chiottis was completely fooled!"

"Monaco's attack has finally paid off! They've taken the lead at home! Coach Deschamps is celebrating with a fist pump on the sidelines!"

The moment the goal was scored, the Stade Louis II was like a powder keg that had been ignited, with tens of thousands of home fans jumping up from their seats in unison, their red scarves billowing like waves.

The players on the bench jumped up in celebration, with Morientes being the first to rush towards Giuly and tackle him to the ground.

Roy had been excitedly running towards the celebrating crowd with his arms outstretched, but he suddenly stopped when he heard the shouts of "Constantinople has been conquered by us Latins!" erupting from the stands.

His brows furrowed involuntarily, and the smile on his lips froze.

For the first time, Roy felt uncomfortable with the fans' fervor.

Isn't it embarrassing enough already?!

In the 27th minute, Monaco launched another sharp attack!
Bernardi suddenly pressed forward near the midfield line and successfully dispossessed Cazoranis.

After intercepting the ball, Bernardi quickly observed his teammates' runs and passed the ball to Giuly, who was making a run down the right flank.

At this moment, AEK's defensive line in Athens was rapidly retreating.

Left-back Clark rushed forward to block Giuly, but Giuly made a beautiful feint to create space and dribbled inside towards the center.

at the same time.

Roy quickly moved from the left flank towards the center, drawing the attention of right-back Giorgios.

Morientes dropped back to receive the pass at the edge of the penalty area, drawing away center-back Moraes.

Pulso quietly slipped into the right side of the penalty area, forcing Amponza to hesitate to cover.

Giuly seized the opportunity and passed the ball across to Roy, who had made a run into the box.

Roy unleashed a powerful shot from 25 meters out!

The ball bounced in front of the goal and then plummeted downwards, heading straight for the bottom right corner of the goal.

Goalkeeper Chiottis made a diving save, using his fingertips to deflect the ball out of play!

Monaco are awarded a corner kick.

Giuly stood at the right corner flag area, observing the positions inside the penalty area:

Both Squillaci and Abidal, the two central defenders, pushed up into the penalty area.

Roy lurked on the edge of the penalty area, preparing for a second ball.

Bernardi stayed outside the penalty area to prevent the opponent from counter-attacking.

Giuly took a precise corner kick, and Squillaci leaped high, overpowering his marker Maladenis, and unleashed a powerful header! The ball slammed against the crossbar and bounced back into play!

At this moment, Morientes, with his keen sense of smell, was already lying in ambush at the door.

He easily tapped the rebound ball into the net before Amponza could make a hasty clearance! 2-0!

Monaco extends their lead!
Throughout the entire offensive process.

AEK Athens' defenders were exhausted, with Zagorakis and Giorgatos unable to get back in time.

Goalkeeper Chiottis made a brilliant save, but was powerless to prevent the second goal.

The Monaco players' positioning and teamwork demonstrated excellent tactical awareness, with every step seamlessly connected!

In the 46th minute, during stoppage time, Roy received the ball near the left midfield line.

Thierry Rolland watched the red figure suddenly start moving, his tone suddenly becoming impassioned:
"Roy gets the ball on the left wing! He observes the defense—then suddenly starts running! Georgias is outmaneuvered!"

He slowed his pace and quickly scanned Georgias's position ahead.

Suddenly, he pushed the ball forward with his right foot and launched himself into a powerful sprint!

Georgias hurriedly turned around to chase back, but Roy was already half a body length ahead.

"Maladene is coming to cover! Roy cuts the ball and changes direction! Beautiful! He gets past him cleanly and neatly!"

As he dribbled the ball to the edge of the penalty area, Maladenis came to cover from the side.

Roy remained calm, quickly flicking the ball towards the inside with his right foot while feinting to the left.

This realistic feint caused Maladenis to lose his balance, and Roy immediately pushed the ball forward with his left foot, cleanly getting past the second defender.

"Clark is coming up! Double-teamed! Roy passes the ball to Pedretti! And then—he rushes into the penalty area!"

At this moment, right center-back Moraes had closed in, and Roy was facing a double-team.

His keen eyes spotted Pedretti, who had moved in from the right front.

Just as he was about to be tackled, Roy deftly flicked the ball with the outside of his right foot, sending it accurately to Pedretti's feet.

After passing the ball, Roy didn't hesitate at all, immediately changed direction and accelerated, cutting diagonally into the penalty area between two defenders.

Pedretti understood immediately and delivered a through ball without stopping the ball.

Roy received the ball perfectly while running, stopping it steadily with his left foot.

"Pedretti through ball! Roy receives the ball! Moraes is marking him! Roy changes direction! Changes direction again! Amponza is going to be fooled!"

Amponza lowered his center of gravity and covered the ball in place, but Roy made two quick changes of direction in a row: first, he pretended to break through to the byline, and then he cut the ball back with the inside of his right foot, a move that made Amponza lose his balance completely.

"Shoot—!!!"

With his body tilted at nearly 45 degrees, Roy unleashed a precise shot with the instep of his right foot.

His supporting foot almost slipped, but his shooting motion was still clean and crisp.

The ball skimmed along the grass, passing just short of the goalkeeper's fingertips as he dove to make a save, before striking the inside of the far post and bouncing into the net!

"BUT!!! BUT DE ROI!!! 3-0!!!"

"That was spectacular! Roy's individual performance! From the breakthrough to the shot, it was all done in one smooth motion!"

"Look at this goal replay—he first used his speed to outrun Giorgios, then changed direction to get past Maladenez! Facing a double-team, he calmly passed the ball and immediately made a forward run! Pedretti's through ball was perfectly timed! The final change of direction completely threw Moraes off balance!"

"The most amazing thing was the shot! His body was already leaning, and his supporting foot was almost slipping, but he still managed to unleash a low shot with his right foot! The ball accurately hit the inside of the far post! Chiotis had no chance!"

"The Stade Louis II is boiling! Fans are chanting Roy's name! This young man has proven his worth once again! Monaco leads 3-0! Victory secured before halftime!"

"Coach Deschamps is celebrating with a fist pump on the sidelines! Meanwhile, the AEK Athens players are crestfallen; they've been completely overwhelmed by Roy's individual brilliance!"

"What a beautiful goal!"

Throughout the attack, Roy displayed amazing explosiveness, balance, and ball control.

From the initial breakthrough to the final shot, every movement was clean and efficient, without the slightest hesitation.

Even while running at high speed and losing his balance, he maintained absolute control of the ball and ultimately scored a textbook individual breakthrough goal.

When Roy scored to make it 3-0, the Monaco starlet did something that shocked the entire stadium – instead of making his usual arrogant “Gates of Hell” gesture or sliding celebration, he suddenly stopped and slowly raised his right arm towards the main stand.

The rebirth of a gesture that has lasted for millennia.

His right hand's five fingers are stretched out and then closed: the index and middle fingers stand straight and side by side like sharp swords (symbolizing the unity of Christ's "two natures and one person," the divine and human nature), the ring and little fingers are bent (suggesting that the mortal body must submit to faith), and the thumb is pressed lightly on it in a protective posture (suggesting the unity of God and man).

This gesture, known as the "Manuel gesture," appears in illustrations of the 10th-century Codex Madrid and is the sacred gesture made by Manuel the Great of the Comnin dynasty when signing edicts.

Unfortunately, no one understood it.

The Franks were simply thrilled and cheered even louder; the Greeks, however, were too preoccupied with the frustration of conceding a goal to analyze the situation further.

Roland paused for two seconds, then chuckled dryly, "Young players' celebrations are always full of creativity."

In the university district north of Athens, the coffee cup of Kostas Papadopoulos, a professor of Eastern Roman history, suddenly fell to the ground.

His trembling fingers almost pierced the television screen: "This is blatant transgression!"

After the break, Monaco continued their offensive pressure. (56th minute)

"Giuly takes a corner kick from the right! Morientes challenges for the ball at the near post! He flicks it on with his head!"

The ball arced towards the near post, where Morientes leaped high above the defender and flicked it with his head!
Goalkeeper Chiottis reacted with lightning speed, diving to tip the ball away with one hand!

"Roy has broken free of his marker! An opportunity—!!"

The ball bounced to the edge of the six-yard box, and Roy burst out of the crowd like lightning, adjusting his footing to prepare for a volley!

But AEK defender Amponza was in a frenzy. The moment Roy took a shot, he grabbed Roy's jersey with both hands and pulled him back with all his might!

"Foul! That's definitely a foul!"

Roy lost his balance during the confrontation, staggered a few steps, and fell to the ground.

The referee's whistle blew sharply—penalty!
AEK players immediately surrounded the referee to protest, but the referee remained resolute, his finger firmly pointing to the penalty spot!

Amponza received a yellow card, while Roy sat on the ground, panting heavily, his jersey collar torn and deformed.

"A penalty without a doubt! Amponza completely lost his composure; he pulled Roy down with both hands, which could even be a red card!"

Monaco fans erupted in deafening cheers, while the AEK Athens players looked utterly dejected.

Roy slowly stood up, brushed the grass clippings off his shorts, his eyes calm and resolute.

He picked up the soccer ball from the grass and gently spun it in his hand.

He wiped his nose, took a deep breath, and stared intently at the goal.

"Roy took the penalty himself! He placed the ball steadily on the penalty spot."

Keotis swayed left and right in front of the goal line, trying to disrupt Roy's rhythm.

But Roy remained unmoved, his gaze fixed on the upper left blind spot.

approach!

Adjust with small, quick steps!
Emergency stop!

Just as the goalkeeper shifted his weight slightly, Roy suddenly accelerated and unleashed a powerful right-footed shot!
"Shoot—!!!"

The ball shot straight into the top left corner like a cannonball!
Although Chiottis made the correct judgment and dived to save, the ball was too fast and the angle was too tricky!
"BUUUUUT!!! 4-0!!! Roy's penalty was flawless!"

The football slammed into the net, sealing the victory for Monaco!

Roy didn't celebrate wildly; he simply turned and pointed to the stands, a cold smile playing on his lips.

"A perfect penalty! Chiottis touched the ball, but couldn't stop it! Roy delivered the fatal blow to AEK Athens with the utmost composure!"

The Stade Louis II erupted in cheers, while the Greek players hung their heads in dejection, and the suspense of the match was over!
Near the end of the match, Pulso and Giuly executed a brilliant one-two pass on the edge of the penalty area, and the Croatian striker broke into the box and calmly slotted the ball into the net, sealing the final score at 5-0.

Post-match mixed interview.

Monaco manager Didier Deschamps.

Reporter: "What do you think of Roy's performance today? Especially that special celebration move?"

Deschamps straightened his tie, a look of surprise on his face: "He has shown top-notch talent, and those two goals speak for themselves. As for the celebrations, young people always have some creativity, but I'm more interested in his creativity in the penalty area."

Reporter: "The fans' crusaders have sparked controversy. Are you worried about a UEFA investigation?"

Ah? ? ?
Deschamps frowned: "We respect all cultures. What we should be discussing now is how the team executed the high-pressing tactics perfectly, especially Giuly and Pedretti's midfield control."

AEK Athens head coach Bajevic.

Reporter: "Was the crushing defeat related to flawed defensive strategy?"

Bayevich hesitated to speak: "When the opponent has a player who can dribble past three players at any time, it's difficult to execute any tactic perfectly. Georgias did his best, but world-class players can create miracles."

Reporter: "What is your opinion on Roy's Byzantine gesture?"

Bajevic looked puzzled: "I don't know what you mean. Well, as a Serbian, I'd rather talk about football itself. However, some historical wounds are best left unresolved on the pitch."

Roy.

Reporter: "Roy, can you talk about your special celebration? It looks very historic."

Roy wiped the sweat from his face with a towel and chuckled, "Just a tribute to my history teacher."

The female reporter asked curiously, "A history teacher?"

Roy's penalty kick: "You know, I graduated from the Ramiro de Mezzo High School in Madrid. My history teacher, Mr. Fernando de Córdoba, always said that I was in class."

Pause, mimicking the teacher's tone:
“‘You look so distracted, just like a Byzantine emperor driven mad by the Crusaders.’”

The female reporter's eyes lit up slightly after she laughed.

She smiled and pressed further, "Is it really that simple?"

Roy shrugged, his tone casual: "It's that simple. Forget about the celebration."

He paused for a moment, then his tone became more serious.

"The 5-0 score is what should be remembered."

The female reporter unconsciously leaned forward:
"I think it's pretty cool."

Realizing his tone had been too enthusiastic, he professionally added:

"Uh, I mean, it has a very distinctive personal style."

Roy's lips curled into a slight smile, half-jokingly:

"Then remember it when I do it again next time."

After saying that, he blinked, turned and walked towards the locker room, leaving the reporter standing there shaking his head with a smile.

The female reporter blushed slightly and blurted out:

"The score, Transfermarkt, OPTA, WhoScored databases will all record it, but I will remember your gestures."

L'Equipe Champions League Special:
Champions League Group A Match Report (Round 2): Bayern Munich fought hard to secure points away from home, while Celtic secured a home victory.

In a key match in Brussels, ten-man Bayern Munich narrowly defeated Anderlecht 1-1 thanks to a header from substitute striker Santa Cruz in the 78th minute. Bayern midfielder Hargreaves was sent off in the 41st minute, but the Bundesliga champions showed great resilience and currently lead their group with 4 points. In the other match in the same group, Celtic secured a 2-0 victory over Lyon at home, with both teams tied for second place with 3 points, while Anderlecht sits at the bottom of the group with 1 point.

Champions League Group B Match Report (Round 2): Inter Milan narrowly wins at home, Arsenal draws away.

In a fierce battle at the San Siro in Milan, Inter Milan defeated Dynamo Kyiv 2-1, with substitute Christian Vieri scoring a header to seal the victory. Goalkeeper Toldo, celebrating his 7th appearance, unfortunately failed to keep a clean sheet. In the other match in the same group, Arsenal held Lokomotiv Moscow to a 0-0 draw away from home, ending their four-game losing streak with the Russian giants, but extending their winless run in the Champions League to seven games.

Inter Milan faced their first-ever challenge from a Ukrainian team, Dynamo Kyiv, a former powerhouse, who continued their winless streak against Serie A sides. The Nerazzurri had recently gone two league games without a goal. Although the returning Vieri was included in the squad, coach Cuper cautiously kept him on the bench, with Adani replacing the injured Materazzi in the starting lineup.

Champions League Group C Round 2 Match Report: Deportivo La Coruña wins at home, Monaco leads the group with a resounding victory.

In the match at the Riazor Stadium, Deportivo La Coruña defeated PSV Eindhoven 2-0. Uruguayan striker Pandiani continued his scoring streak in every game this season, helping his team to 4 points and temporarily placing them second in the group. PSV Eindhoven suffered their second consecutive defeat and are currently at the bottom of the group. In the other match in the same group, Monaco thrashed AEK Athens 5-0 at home. Roy scored twice and leads the scoring charts with 3 goals. The French powerhouse is in a strong lead with two wins in two games.

Deportivo La Coruña continued their strong home form, while Dutch powerhouse PSV Eindhoven still struggled to find their Champions League rhythm. Monaco, on the other hand, displayed terrifying attacking prowess, with the forward duo of Roy and Morientes tearing apart the Greek defense. Deschamps' team is emerging as the biggest dark horse of this Champions League season.

Champions League Group D Match Report (Round 2): Juventus come from behind to win away from home, Real Sociedad continues their winning streak.

In a hard-fought battle at the Athens Olympic Stadium, Juventus came from behind to defeat Olympiacos 2-1. Czech striker Nedved scored two powerful shots, helping the Bianconeri secure all three points despite being on the back foot. In the other match in the same group, Real Sociedad defeated Galatasaray 2-1 away from home. Kovacevic and Xabi Alonso scored for Real Sociedad, while Turkish legend Hakan Šuker briefly equalized. The La Liga powerhouse secured their second consecutive victory.

Juventus displayed the resilience of a veteran powerhouse, as the Greek giants, despite dominating possession, couldn't overcome Nedved's brilliant performance. Real Sociedad continued their underdog run, following their stunning victory over Juventus in the first round, securing three points in a grueling away game, greatly enhancing the Basque team's chances of advancing.

In the European Championship qualifiers, France will be forced to try a new midfield formation against Israel due to injuries to both key defensive midfielders Vieira and Makelele.

France's lineup against Israel:
Goalkeepers: Barthez (Manchester United), Coupet (Lyon)
Defenders: Boumsong (Auxerre), Desailly (Chelsea), Gallas (Chelsea), Lizarazu (Bayern Munich), Rewier (Lyon), Thuram (Juventus);

Midfielders: Dabo (Lazio), Dacourt (Roma), Giuly (Monaco), Pedretti (Monaco), Pires (Arsenal), Wiltord (Arsenal), Zidane (Real Madrid);

Forwards: Cissé (Auxerre), Henry (Arsenal), Roy (Monaco), Trezeguet (Juventus).

On October 2, after the French team announced its roster, assistant coach Domenech set up a tarot card spread at home alone, trying to predict the key situation in the match against Israel.

He lit incense, shuffled the cards three times, and then drew three trump cards, each representing one of the best-performing players on the French team.
First card: Roy (the star)

"The star card symbolizes hope, talent, and the burst of inspiration. It foreshadows a young and brilliant player who will become a key variable in the game."

Domenech whispered:

"Roy, this card is perfect for him. The Star represents pure potential, like his incredible breakthroughs in Monaco. His runs will tear apart Israel's defense, and..."

He examined the details of the cards: "The eight-pointed star in the cards suggests he will pose a threat in the 8th or 80th minute. The imagery of flowing water suggests he might deliver a deadly cross after breaking through on the wing."

Second card: Henry (The Chariot)

"The Chariot symbolizes victory, control, and unstoppable advance. It represents Henry's overwhelming dominance in attacking the opponent's defense."

Domenech squinted:

"The Chariot. It really is him. This card signifies speed and power; Henry will crush the Israeli defenders like a chariot. The Chariot reversed? No, upright—he will completely control the tempo of the game. The Sphinx on the card suggests he might score with a signature curling shot."

Third card: Zinedine Zidane (The Magician)

"The magician symbolizes creativity, wisdom, and the ability to control the overall situation. It foreshadows Zidane becoming the midfield maestro of the French team, dominating the game with magical passes."

Domenech smiled:

"The magician is definitely him. The scepter, chalice, sword, and coin on the table—Zidane will dominate the game with long passes (scepter), short passes (chalice), key interceptions (sword), and calm distribution (coin). The cards suggest he will orchestrate a brilliant free-kick combination just outside the penalty area."

Other key cards on the table.

The Tower (reversed): Israel's defense will collapse in the second half of the game.

Temperance (Upright): The French team will remain calm and avoid wasting opportunities due to impatience.

Wheel of Fortune (Upright): The course of the game will completely turn in France's favor, especially in the second half.

Domenech slowly gathered the tarot cards into a stack, his fingertips lingering on the "Star" card for two extra seconds.

His brows furrowed slightly, and his grey-blue eyes gleamed with a mixture of hesitation and excitement in the candlelight.

“The stars (Roy) bring inspiration.” His voice was low and slow, as if he were chanting some ancient incantation, his right hand unconsciously stroking the stubble on his chin.

"The machine (Henry) finished the game, and the magician (Zidane) controlled the whole game. Israel couldn't stop such a combination. But be careful! Without the 'Emperor' (Vieira) and the 'Hermit' (Makelele) in the lineup, our midfield defense will be a bit vulnerable."

After completing his predictions for the French national team lineup, Domenech suddenly remembered that Roy's birthday (October 6th) was approaching.

He reshuffled the cards, deciding to draw another set for the young striker's birthday fortune.
First card: The Sun (upright)

"The sun symbolizes vitality, success, and peak performance. It foreshadows a surge in Roy's competitive form around his birthday."

Domenech raised an eyebrow:

"The energy he radiates after his birthday will make him exceptionally dazzling. The upright Sun signifies confidence and peak physical condition, and he may display a stronger offensive desire than usual when facing Israel."

Second card: Knight of Wands (Upright)

"The Knight of Wands symbolizes action, adventure, and breakthrough performance. It suggests that Roy will take a bolder, more aggressive approach in the game."

Domenech chuckled:

"Knight of Wands. This kid will be more daring after his birthday. The horse in the card symbolizes speed, and he may try more long-distance runs or long-range shots. Reversed? No, upright—his breakthroughs will successfully tear apart the defense."

Third card: Nine of Cups (Upright)
"The Nine of Cups symbolizes wish fulfillment, emotional satisfaction, and team recognition. It foreshadows that Roy will receive the full support of his teammates and fans around his birthday."

Domenech seemed thoughtful:
“The Nine of Cups birthday will help him integrate better into the team. The nine cups on the card are arranged in an arc, like the cheers of the fans surrounding him. He might receive a special birthday assist in the game – such as a through ball from Zidane or a brilliant pass from Henry.”

Domenech's lips curled into a slight smile:

"His birthday is on October 6th, and the game on October 11th features the Sun, the Knight of Wands, and the Nine of Cups—all three cards are upright. This is not a coincidence; it's fate saying—'Let Roy start, and he will become Israel's nightmare.'"

Just as Domenech was about to collect his cards, several cards slipped through his fingers, the top one being the "World" card.

His pupils contracted slightly, and his fingers suddenly froze in mid-air, as if he had been stunned by some invisible force.

The four cards are scattered in a peculiar cross shape on the velvet tablecloth—the "Star" and the "World" are intertwined, and the "Chariot" and the "Sun" face each other diagonally.

The candlelight flickered violently, casting uneasy shadows on his face.

"The World card symbolizes completeness, achievement, and supreme glory. The upright World card foreshadows: a complete cycle of success, peak performance on the international stage, and dual brilliance for both the individual and the team?!"

Domenech's voice trembled slightly:
"The World Card actually jumped out at this crucial moment!"

He carefully examined the details of the cards:
"The laurel wreath surrounded by dancers in the card symbolizes his highest personal glory; the living creatures in the four corners symbolize his complete conquest of the Champions League, league, cup competitions, and national team. This is not just a victory against Israel, but—"

He suddenly slammed his hand on the table and stood up:

"Roy's new year will witness the beginning of a new era!"

"This arrangement"

His voice suddenly became dry, and his Adam's apple bobbed.

His right hand unconsciously loosened his tie; the tie with the French team crest on it made him feel suffocated.

"A dancer surrounded by laurel wreaths. Living things from all directions."

His pupils dilated slightly, then quickly narrowed, revealing an instinctive resistance.

His left hand nervously tapped the table, his knuckles striking the oak with a hollow sound.

"Champions League? Ballon d'Or? Impossible! Absolutely impossible!!!"

The thought had barely surfaced when he abruptly extinguished it!
That's absurd! How could a young player who's about to turn 19 possibly...
"The card spread is too vague."

He suddenly raised his voice, as if trying to convince himself.

He grabbed a bottle of brandy with his right hand and took a big gulp. The liquid dripped down his chin onto his divination notebook, soaking the two words "Era" that he had just written.

"Fortune telling for recent matches is reliable; predictions for distant matches are not."

A bolt of lightning flashed past the window, illuminating the cold sweat on his forehead.

The four cards reflected light eerily in the electric light, and Roy's "Star" on the cards overlapped with Zidane's "Magician," creating an illusory interplay of light and shadow.

Domenech abruptly pulled the curtains shut, but in the swaying fabric, a fleeting image flashed through his mind of a 29-year-old Platini lifting the Henri Delaunay Trophy at the 1984 European Championship.

Domenech's fingers hovered above the tarot cards, trembling slightly.

The thunder outside the window faded into the distance, but a deeper unease churned in his chest.

He stared at the four cards: "The Star, The World, The Chariot, and The Sun." The pattern they formed resembled both a crown and some kind of totem he had never seen before.

This shouldn't just be a coincidence.

He murmured to himself, his gaze fixed on Roy's "Star" card.

A thought suddenly struck him:

"Roy is more than half Chinese. Perhaps his fate needs to be interpreted in another way."

Domenech had never been exposed to Eastern divination before, but at this moment, he inexplicably opened a drawer and pulled out a dusty book, "A Brief History of World Mysticism".

He quickly flipped to the chapter on "Chinese Divination," his fingertip lingering on the illustrations of "Oracle Bone Divination"—cracks in tortoise shells, burn marks on animal bones, and ancient hieroglyphs.
Tortoise shells and animal bones

He muttered it under his breath, as if he were chewing on some unfamiliar incantation.

He suddenly realized:

“Tarot cards can reveal ‘what’, but Eastern divination might tell me ‘why’.”

Why does Roy's "star" overlap with Zidane's "magician"?
Why does the "World" brand crown point to the highest personal honor?
Why does Platini's phantom appear in lightning?
He closed the book and made a decision:
"Tomorrow, I'm going to see that old fortune teller in Paris's Chinatown."

(End of this chapter)