Xu Zhu's Successor's Football Journey

Chapter 286 The most correct choice
The Porto team, this name is not very famous in European football where the giants gather.

But with the 2003/2004 season, Porto, under the leadership of Jose Mourinho, won the UEFA Champions League in one fell swoop, and its name spread widely.

But in fact, Porto is definitely a super team in Portugal. It was the leader of the first two Portuguese Leagues, but after the rise of Sporting Lisbon and Benfica, it only won 45 league championships in 4 years. It only started to rise in the late 80s and swept many league championships. At present, Porto has become the team that has won the second most Portuguese league championships, second only to Benfica.

If you go back to history, Porto is undoubtedly more brilliant than Chelsea. When it comes to Chelsea, many people will think that it is an upstart team, but Porto is definitely a wealthy team. It has won 24 Portuguese top league championships, 2 UEFA Champions League titles, 17 cup titles, etc., its honors are too numerous to count.

In the minds of the media and fans, the most important difference between the rich and the upstarts is the number of champions in history.

However, the glory of last season has gone, and Porto quickly returned from heaven to earth.Mourinho took away Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira, while Maniche, Costinha and Deco, the core players who won the championship last season, also left after winning honors in Porto this team.

In this way, only an uneven team is left to coach Fernandez.

Porto's only noteworthy transfer this summer was the signing of Luis Fabiano.This future star from Sao Paulo scored 48 goals for Sao Paulo in 55 games last season and became the top scorer in the Brazilian league last season.

Even so, for the fans, Fabiano is just a symbolic comfort, which is just a drop in the bucket for the loss of the overall strength of the Porto team.Everyone knows that this season's Champions League will definitely not have as much luck as last season, and their goal is almost certainly not to defend the title.

Regarding this upcoming Group H group match, Delo's "Kicker" said: "God seems to have a childlike innocence when deciding the result of the draw. After drawing Barcelona and Celtic into a group, he started again. Made José Mourinho a joke——Chelsea and Porto are also grouped together! Mourinho, who left Porto with a reputation as a traitor, is back!"

"And now, this match between Mourinho and his old club is really exciting. What kind of face will he face Porto, this is worth looking forward to."

And the reporter of "Kicker" also interviewed Deloitte football great Beckenbauer. From Beckenbauer's words, it can be heard that he is still very optimistic about Chelsea's performance.

"Chelsea's performance is unquestionable. They have won 11 consecutive victories in the Premier League. This result is really chilling. Maybe all the big teams should pay attention to him. Of course Bayern Munich is the same. This season, the Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, once again invested a huge amount of 1.1 million euros, and I also watched their game against Paris Saint-Germain. The team has about 10 or so high-level players that are worth mentioning. "

Undoubtedly, Beckenbauer's words are very influential. Even the Italian "Gazzetta del Milan" conducted a detailed analysis of the reasons for Chelsea's success, so as to make the two giant teams in Milan City pay more attention to this Champions League. Rivals here: "...Chelsea have kept their heads above water despite the big money invested."

"This season, their best investment is to invite the Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho. The strength of this new coach is beyond doubt. In addition, Mourinho also brought his The two disciples, Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira, the best defenders of the Porto team, plus the English superstar Alan Wang with a very high scoring efficiency, I am afraid that this team will Both the front line and the defense line are not comparable to Porto, and we are looking forward to the result of this game."

Although almost all the eyes of the media in Europe are paying attention to this alternative confrontation of the protagonist as the head coach, the two sides have not avoided the sensitive topic of the two teams' trade in the summer, and Porto coach Fernandez only talked about some things. The team's status problem, and said that Porto will try their best to win this game, so that they can be more sure of qualifying in the group.

In the face of reporters' interviews, Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho only said: "Chelsea will definitely work hard to win. At Stamford Bridge, we will never be defeated by our opponents."

Now, in the heart of the Portuguese, Porto is just an opponent. As for his feelings for this team, it was a matter of last season. Bring to work.

The fact that the head coach doesn't speak out doesn't mean the players are honest. Wang Li, who was depressed by the news that Angela is going to the United States recently, made another attack. Facing the expectant eyes of many media, he said calmly. : "Recently, Anne is going to the United States. I think before that, I should give her some memorable gifts. Porto came at the right time."

Upon hearing this topic, the media reporters immediately became excited. A reporter from The Times asked, "So, what gift do you plan to give the little princess during the competition?"

Wang Li turned his head and cast a glance at the little reporter, and said disdainfully, "I think your comprehension ability is very problematic. Since it's a football game, as Chelsea's striker, of course I have to score goals to qualify for the gift."

The little reporter who was ridiculed by Wang Li was not annoyed, but continued to ask with a smile: "So can you tell me how many goals will be scored in this game? Score twice, or another hat-trick? "

"Of course, the more the better, I will try to score as many goals as possible."

After the interview with Wang Li, the reporters interviewed other players. They seemed to be infected by Wang Li and Mourinho. Lampard, Makelele and other players were very confident in this game. Even Brigid He also yelled that he must win, and said: "I still need to use my performance to prove my strength. Although Porto achieved very good results last season, that is just the past. Now Chelsea has far surpassed it. Stamford Bridge, they're bound to have a game, that's almost a given."

Even Chelsea's teammates were surprised by Brigi's answer. After he was interviewed, the teammates who knew him looked at him strangely. In this environment, they have always praised themselves. Bridget, who is a master of love, also said coyly: "Furtado will come to watch the game."

This breaking news directly ignited a gossip craze in the entire locker room. It seems that following the Wang Li fight incident, Chelsea ushered in a new topic.

Compared with Chelsea's winning remarks, Porto is much more low-key in an interview. Luis Fabiano, who has just landed in the Europa League this season, talked about his situation at the club, saying: "I have not been in the club yet. The main position in the middle, but I will use the performance to prove it to the coach."

When talking about competitors, Fabiano frankly admitted that his biggest competitor is the team's top scorer CA. Carlos Alberto. It is understandable that Fabiano, who just joined the club, was a little helpless.

Regarding this game, Fabiano said: "If Mr. Fernandez can play me, I will try my best to play and try to help the team's performance.

Obviously, Porto is much more "humble" than Chelsea. Their players did not predict the result of the game at all, nor did they express their outlook on the result. They just claimed to work hard and work hard. There is still a certain gap in mentality.

It is worth mentioning that, according to the "Financial News" before the game, due to Chelsea's crazy performance this season, many European gaming companies have adjusted the odds of winning the Champions League.

In the odds of bookmakers announced in September, the reintegrated Real Madrid and Arsenal, which had an unbeaten record in the Premier League last season, are the most favored. They both rank first among all teams with a ratio of 9 to 6.Chelsea was given odds of 1 to 7, ranking above AC Milan and Manchester United. Obviously, at the beginning of the season, the bookmaker was more optimistic about this green upstart from Stamford Bridge.

But now, due to Chelsea's crazy performance, according to the new data released by the gaming company, Chelsea's odds have been reduced to 5 to 1, directly surpassing Arsenal and Real Madrid, standing out among many teams and taking the first place.

As for the honor of the top scorer in the Champions Cup, many gaming companies have rejected related bets in this regard. In the two games, Wang Li has scored 5 goals, and the top scorer of the Champions Cup last season. Luentes only scored 9 goals, and many media even predicted that after the group stage, the Europa League can give this honor to the top scorer of the new generation of England strikers in advance.

The Italian "Gazzetta del Milan" said sourly: "The top scorer this time is likely to be won by the English in advance. Shevchenko may not get this honor in AC Milan. Maybe in Dynamo Kiev. Football life will become his best memory in the Champions League." (Shevchenko scored 98 goals in the Champions Cup in the 99/11 season)
The "Sun", which has always been a fan of Ai, said happily: "Alan is likely to win all the honors as a shooter except the Golden Boot this season. Even after the season is over, the 18-year-old Ai Alan is likely to be nominated for the European Footballer of the Year and the Ballon d'Or, if Alan wins one of these two honors, then it will break the football world record, he is too young."

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"Joe, Damien, you must pay attention to Wang Li's position and his gestures at all times!" On the Chelsea first-team training ground, Clark was loudly reminding the two offensive players on the wing.

In order to make Wang Li the core player of the offense, in tactical training, Mourinho let him act as the commander of the team's offense every time, and Wang Li is gradually adapting to this role.

"Come closer, pay attention to passing and running positions! Frank, you have to follow up a bit. At this time, pay attention to the two sides to prevent the opponent from counterattacking." Clark kept shouting, reminding the players to pay attention to the attack. The problem.

At this time, Wang Li was dribbling the ball, and a direct pass just passed the ball in front of Gude Jansen. : "When running, be sure to keep an eye on the ball under my feet! Be careful at all times!!"

Now, Wang Li is on the court with the attitude of the boss of the team, making everyone listen to him. I have to say that this feeling of command is really cool, and Wang Li feels very comfortable with the adjustment of his position by the head coach. satisfy.
On the field, Lampard kicked the ball to Wang Li, who knocked the football behind him with his heel without stopping the ball, but William Gallas, who inserted it in, was a step slower and did not Being able to keep up, the football was directly intercepted by the temporary substitute defender Bridget, and even after he intercepted it, he laughed at Wang Li.

This made Wang Li feel very depressed. He turned his head and said to Gallas seriously: "Always pay attention to the ball!! The opponent's pressing will be stronger in the game than it is now! If you move slower, the chance will be gone! "

Now, Wang Li has gained an absolute right to speak in the Chelsea team by virtue of his performance. Although he is not the captain, his authority is comparable to that of Lampard and Terry. , but few people questioned his words——
Although as a football senior, William Gallas is a bit embarrassing.
The team's head coach Jose Mourinho and several members of the coaching staff stood by and watched. Mourinho nodded with satisfaction and said with some joy: "His performance on the court is getting better and better. The better, maybe next game, I will give him a more important position."

Pelita Nin interjected and sighed: "His football talent is really amazing. Think about when I was 18 years old, I was still playing in the youth team."

Another coach joked: "If you also have this kind of talent, then you are not standing here now."

Nien didn't pay attention to the ridicule of the people next to him, and just said with a sigh: "I don't know how far he can grow, he is so enviable."

Mourinho next to him crossed his arms, grinned slightly, and said: "There is nothing to envy. We are coaches, he is a player, and the positions are different."

Hearing the head coach of the team, the other coaches immediately fell silent, but they retorted slightly in their hearts, "Of course you don't have to be envious, because you have never been on the court, but we are all coaches who came from players." '

However, they are also full of admiration for this Portuguese. Among many famous coaches in Europe, most of them will be full-time coaches after retiring from players. Less, it is difficult to succeed.

Undoubtedly, the 42-year-old Portuguese is already very successful, which is really enviable.

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Soon, time was slowly approaching the game. On the afternoon of November 11, the Porto team's passenger plane arrived in London. After they put their luggage in the hotel where they stayed, they went directly to the stadium for training to adapt to the venue.

At noon the next day, Stamford Bridge ushered in another boom, and many Blues fans lined up to watch this European focus battle.

The head coaches of both sides also participated in the pre-match press conference.

Mr. Fernandez, the head coach of Porto who arrived first, was surrounded by a large group of reporter microphones as soon as he took his seat. Before Fernandez could speak some official language, a reporter from "The Times" seized the opportunity and immediately asked: "Chelsea's offensive Very capable, they scored 11 goals in the first 45 rounds of the league, how will Porto defend against this?"

"Our defense is very solid. In view of this, the team has conducted special defensive training before the game. Porto will work hard to play well and strive to take three points at Stamford Bridge." Fernandez is obviously saying again official language.

The surrounding reporters were obviously dissatisfied. A local Fulham media immediately asked sarcastically: "What do you think of Chelsea's young player Alan Wang? Porto is capable of defending this extremely efficient player, right?"

Fernandez glanced at the reporter slightly when he heard this question, and said: "Alan Wang? He is a very capable player. I have watched his game. His personal ability is very strong, but Porto's defense is not so easy to break through."

……

After a few more questions, all the media reporters in the audience gave up hope of getting any news out of the mouth of this old fox. At this time, Jose Mourinho also came to the press conference.

In an instant, all the reporters handed the microphones to the Portuguese, but Fernandez's place became empty, and the treatment of the two coaches formed a sharp contrast.

Sure enough, Mourinho still did not disappoint the reporters. He said: "Chelsea will win a victory at Stamford Bridge, there is no doubt about it." After finishing speaking, he picked up a bottle of mineral water from the table and drank it. After taking a sip, he continued: "Although I coached in Porto last season, games and personal feelings cannot be mixed together. The current Chelsea team is stronger than last year's Porto team, and victory is almost inevitable."

At this time, hearing Mourinho's tone, many Portuguese media in the audience have branded him as a traitor. Anyway, Portugal is also Mourinho's homeland, and he even coached in Porto last season. After only half a year, this half-white-haired middle-aged man has turned into an out-and-out Chelsea man, which made them feel a kind of anger from the bottom of their hearts.

One of the Portuguese reporters couldn't help asking angrily: "Mr. Mourinho, since Chelsea is so confident, can you announce Chelsea's starting lineup before the game!?"

This question is a bit tricky. You must know that announcing the starting list before the game is definitely a taboo for the head coach. This will make the opponent take targeted countermeasures and put the team at a disadvantage.

When many English reporters couldn't see it, Mourinho smiled lightly and said: "Even if Porto knows Chelsea's starting lineup, so what, Chelsea will still be the winner in tomorrow's game."

After finishing speaking, he picked up a pen and wrote down Chelsea's starting list and even the formation on paper, which shocked many media reporters. Even the Porto coach Fernandez next to him couldn't believe it. He even thought it was Murray. The smoke bomb made by Neo, but Mourinho's words before leaving also made him feel a little relieved, and at the same time let the media reporters present know the reason why Mourinho did this——
"I want to win an absolute victory at Stamford Bridge to prove that I made the right choice to come here!"

(End of this chapter)