super storm

Chapter 161 The Three Most Dangerous People

"Except for the three times I personally experienced, Ajax reached two consecutive Champions League finals in [-] and [-]. The first time was at the end of the game, defeating AC Milan with Kluivert's lore."

"The second time we conceded a goal first, but veteran Litmanen equalized the score for us. In the end, the two sides drew 120-[-] after [-] minutes, but it was a pity that they lost to Juventus in the penalty shootout."

In the end, Ronald Koeman concluded.

"Looking at these Champions League finals, there is no doubt that players need to have a will of steel and a never-say-die fighting spirit. No matter what emergencies they encounter in the game, they can stabilize their minds and focus on the game."

After Ronald Koeman, Litmanen, the only veteran in the team who has experienced the UEFA Champions League final, also came forward to explain the two UEFA Champions League finals he personally experienced, one win and one loss.

Veteran Litmanen has basically decided to leave Ajax after the end of this season, but he has not yet made a decision whether to retire or return to Finland for retirement.

Regarding the Champions League final between Ajax and AC Milan in [-], Litmanen talked about defense and mentality the most. He believed that the team's final victory was inseparable from tenacious defense and a steady mentality.

In the UEFA Champions League the following year, Litmanen also had a very high evaluation. He believed that Ajax had many chances in the regular game, but Juventus goalkeeper Peruzzi performed very well, making frequent rescues in front of the goal. In the second half, Ajax was almost overwhelmed by Juventus.

"Edgar Davis was the best player in the game. He ran and defended everywhere, ensuring our defense. In the final penalty shootout, he stepped forward and took the first penalty. Unfortunately, his penalty was saved by Peruzzi."

Everyone present could appreciate the pressure on the first player to take a penalty kick after 120 minutes of hard work, but Davis even missed the penalty. One can imagine how frustrated the Dutch Wild Boars were at that time.

"All of us have never blamed Davis. In fact, it was also because of his outstanding performance in the Champions League final that Juventus believed in his strength and fighting spirit, so he was seriously injured and at the same time AC Milan was in a sluggish performance. In the case, he resolutely introduced him."

"No one can predict the outcome of the game, as if we never know, if Overmars hadn't been injured, we would have been able to beat Juventus and successfully defend the Champions League. We also have no way of judging if Davis scored a penalty kick. Whether we will win in the end, but all of us tried our best."

"We have regrets, but no guilt."

Yang Yang sat in the group of players, silently watching the veteran, and listening to his words, an idiom came to mind, with a clear conscience.

Perhaps this is what Litmanen was trying to convey.

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Germany, thirty kilometers east of Gelsenkirchen, Castrop-Rauxel.

European football has always been very superstitious, and Porto is no exception.

Based on various pre-match data, they deduced that 26 is the most beneficial data for Porto, so they decided to carry out this luck to the end. Even the hotel they stayed in before the game was specially chosen to be 26 kilometers away from Gelsenkirchen.

The reason for choosing this hotel is that the decoration of the hotel from inside to outside is based on the theme of blue, including curtains, tablecloths, tableware, carpets, etc., all of which are mainly blue, which also matches the color of Porto very well.

Not only that, Porto has booked the entire hotel. The players have a room for each person, and Mourinho has a suite alone. What's more interesting is that Chelsea came here a year ago and stayed in this hotel. The single room Mourinho chose happened to be the room of Chelsea coach Ranieri at the time.

Not long ago, the British media took the lead in reporting that Porto coach Mourinho met Chelsea boss Roman Abramovich on a yacht. Everyone unanimously concluded that the Portuguese will switch to Chelsea this summer to replace Ranieri.

At this time, Mourinho stayed in a single room in the hotel where Ranieri once lived. Is this a coincidence or deliberate?

The Porto coaching staff also attaches great importance to this Champions League final. They also arrived in Germany two days in advance, and went to a nearby closed park for secret training the next day.

After returning to the hotel, having lunch and taking a short rest, Mourinho held the most important meeting before the game, at which he announced the team's starting list and carefully prepared his own battle plan.

For Ajax, Mourinho has a very clear understanding. He is very aware of the offensive capabilities of the Eredivisie team and the advantages of midfield passing and possession, but he also mentioned the weaknesses and shortcomings of Ajax's defense.

"We are a team, a group, we can go so far because we fight like a group every game, and this time we have to do the same."

"Our advantage lies in defense. As long as we remain as focused as before, I believe we can block Ajax's offense, and as long as we block their offense, their defense will definitely show flaws. That is our opportunity and what we are best at."

Mourinho was like a charismatic orator who managed to convince everyone in the boardroom.

The fact that he literally brought everyone to Gelsenkirchen couldn't be more convincing.

"Ajax has three players that you must pay attention to. One is their captain Van der Vaart. If my guess is correct, he should appear in the midfield in this game. Without Garasek, Ajax will want to seize the ball and dominate the game. Van der Vaart and Sneijder in the midfield would be very good choices."

"Our midfielder must be able to suppress him and not allow him to approach our penalty area. He is a very threatening player, especially his scoring from the back. Sneijder is also very good in this aspect. Our midfielder must pay attention to it and beware of this at any time."

The players on the opposite side nodded.

"The other is the center Ibrahimovic. He is very tall, strong, and has a strong confrontation ability, but his skills are very delicate. This is a very difficult center, and our central defender is obviously shorter than him."

Carvalho is 1.8 meters tall, and captain Jorge Costa is 1.8 meters tall, both of which are shorter than Ibrahimovic.

"Therefore, the two central defenders must be careful not to have any chances. They must keep a close eye on the Swede throughout the game and not give him the slightest chance, otherwise he will definitely teach us a painful lesson."

Captains Jorge Costa and Carvalho also realized the importance of this game and the difficulty of defending Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and they all nodded. They are not easy to save.

"The last one is number 99, Yang Yang."

When Mourinho said this, everyone in the conference room was a little stunned.

That 17-year-old teenager?

Seeing the reactions of the players, Mourinho knew, "I know what everyone is thinking. He is just a 17-year-old player. Our coaching staff has carefully analyzed his characteristics before and thinks that his strengths lie only in wing breakthroughs and crosses. At best, he is good at setting kicks in the frontcourt, but he is terrible at stopping and passing the ball, right?"

Everyone nodded in unison, it was true.

In Porto's coaching staff, Yang Yang's advantages and disadvantages are very obvious. It is not difficult for such a player to defend.

For example, the strategy given by Mourinho is to let the left back Valente stick to Yang Yang every step of the way. Even if he can't stop him from taking the ball, he can't let him relax, especially don't give him space to let him start with the ball.

In fact, defending Yang Yang is as simple as that.

"But one thing I want to remind everyone is why in the past six months, Yang Yang can drive Ajax's offense every time he comes off the bench? Let this Eredivisie team unleash its offensive ability?"

Everyone was a little dazed and shook their heads.

"Because Ajax with Yang Yang is the real and most terrifying Ajax. They will play better and sharper than without Yang Yang, and their offense will be smoother. Therefore, we must pay attention. If possible, I even hope that he can't finish the game."

Many players present, especially the left back Valente, their eyes lit up when they heard this.

Mourinho changed the subject, shook his head and smiled bitterly: "But unfortunately, he is fine now, so we have to beware of him."

Having said that, Mourinho turned and looked at Nuno Valente, "Nuno, if Ajax arranges Yang Yang to start, it must be a rush attack, and you must concentrate on defense. If Koeman arranges him as a substitute, I ask you, no matter what the score is or what the situation is, you must return it to me."

"In a word, as long as Yang Yang is on the court for a second, you have to stare at him thoroughly. This is the only task I give you, and you don't have to worry about anything else."

Nuno Valente nodded solemnly, "Understood."

"Relax." Mourinho laughed when he saw Valente was serious. "After all, he is only 17 years old, which is why Ronald Koeman has not arranged for him to start. A 17-year-old boy is very easy to deal with."

Nuno Valente will be 30 years old in September. He played for Sporting Lisbon before, but he was not trusted and could only play as a substitute occasionally. Later, he came to Leiria and played under Mourinho.

Last season's UEFA Cup champion, this season's UEFA Champions League final, this is an achievement that Nuno Valente could not have imagined before, and he has also entered the Portuguese national team this summer, preparing to compete in the local European Cup.

"Don't worry, I won't give him any chance." Valente promised.

(End of this chapter)