Legendary Road

Yan Jing walked down from the cabin slowly, and the moist smell of sea water in the air with a slight salty smell has already rushed into his nasal cavity.

There were people coming and going at Nice International Airport, and countless tourists with suitcases walked past Yan Jing laughingly. The warm sunlight cast by the blue sky drew a wonderful circle of light on the blue plants, and the mottled light and shadow on the ground It was shaken by the sea breeze blowing not far away.

Yan Jing adjusted his sunglasses on the bridge of his nose.

This is the city with an incredibly small land area and a highly developed economy, Monte Carlo in the Principality of Monaco.

This city has always been famous for its well-developed gambling industry. It is also known as the world's three major casinos together with Las Vegas of the United States and Macau of China. Even the royal family members of the Principality of Monaco also opened the Royal Casino here, and every day There are countless gamblers who come here to try their luck. The gambling industry and tourism account for a large part of the country's GDP.

Although some people said jokingly that "if you come to Monte Carlo but haven't gone to the casino for two addictions, then you are in vain", but Yan Jing doesn't have the time to visit those luxurious casinos. He came today The purpose is to participate in the UEFA Champions League group stage draw ceremony.

Two days ago, Dortmund still drew away with the Celtics despite sending most of the substitutes, and officially qualified for the Champions League.UEFA hopes that in addition to the representatives sent by each team, the head coaches of these 32 teams should also be able to be present as much as possible, so Yan Jing had to temporarily add today's journey to his schedule.

"Yan, this should be your first time in Monte Carlo?"

The representative sent by Dortmund is Zorc, who walked with Yan Jing on the noisy streets of Monte Carlo.

"Yes. The air here is different from Dortmund." Yan Jing's last summer vacation plan included Monte Carlo as a stop, and today he made up for a little regret with "public-funded tourism".

"After all, it is a city on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea. It can't be compared with our mining area." Zorc smiled. "But compared to Monte Carlo, I'm still more used to breathing the air of Dortmund."

The location of UEFA’s lottery draw is still selected at the Grimaldi Convention Center. Nice International Airport is only 22 kilometers away from there. Yan Jing and Zorc took a taxi after visiting the city style of Monte Carlo. The car arrived at the venue.

It wasn't too early for them to arrive. Many celebrities in the football circle had already appeared at the entrance of the Grimaldi Conference Center. In front of so many celebrities, Yan Jing's appearance could not attract the attention of those reporters at all. He was also able to successfully enter the lottery venue.

Many coaches have come here, Yan Jing glanced around, and found that basically all the famous coaches were surrounded by a group of smiling faces.

Of course, this is not surprising.For coaches like Manchester United coach Ferguson who have strong network resources in England and Scotland, the coaches of those small clubs hope to have the opportunity to get to know him or just get close to him, leaving a good impression so that they can occupy a position in future player transactions Advantage.

In fact, Yan Jing really wants to communicate with coaches like Ferguson and Ancelotti, but this is just a thought. With his current fame, others may not dump him at all.

Yan Jing casually found a seat near the corner and sat down, leaning against the back of the chair and closing his eyes to rest his mind, but not long after the sudden noise in the venue made him have to open his eyes to see what happened.

A burst of flashing lights made Yan Jing a little dizzy, and he understood everything when he looked at the door again.

Well, here comes the most special one.

As a young coach with a rapid rise in the European football scene, coupled with his daring to say anything and a distinctive personality, his appearance undoubtedly attracted the attention of many reporters and coaches.

But it has nothing to do with him...

Just as Yan Jing was thinking so, Mourinho walked towards him along the low steps.

"Yan, I didn't expect us to meet again so soon, and it was still at the draw ceremony for the Champions League group stage."

Mourinho stood in front of him and stretched out his hand to him. Yan Jing hurriedly stood up and stretched out his hand to shake it, and laughed dryly: "To be honest, I didn't expect it either."

And another voice suddenly joined their conversation. Yan Jing turned his head and saw that Ferguson, who was talking and laughing with a group of coaches just now, had come here at some point.

"Oh, Jose. This is what you said...?"

Mourinho smiled: "That's right, the person who predicted that Porto would eliminate Manchester United in the Champions League two years ago."

Ferguson moved his eyes to look at Yan Jing for a few times, then turned his eyes back to Mourinho, with a smirk on the corner of his mouth, and said quickly in a Scottish accent: "He looks much younger than an old man like me. , I can’t believe that this Oriental has already become the head coach of a Champions League team.”

Yan Jing thought that his English proficiency had reached the level of business English, but he didn't understand Ferguson's Scottish accent.

Mourinho and Ferguson looked at each other with smiles below their eyes, and the seemingly friendly conversation between the two also had a touch of gunpowder.

Yan Jing, who discovered this, had no choice but to try to attract Ferguson's attention in order to avoid an embarrassing situation: "Hello, Sir Ferguson."

"Hello, Yan, I've heard of you."

Facing the hand extended by Yan Jing, Ferguson also shook back in a very British gentlemanly manner, but compared to an unknown person, Ferguson cared more about his direct opponent Mourinho in the Premier League.

You two have to compete and don't get me involved? !Yan Jing, who was secretly complaining in his heart, thought that the current situation was bad enough, but he did not expect an even more unfortunate situation to happen—perhaps attracted by the conversation between Ferguson and Mourinho, one after another famous coaches entered After the meeting, everyone ran towards him, including Barcelona coach Rijkaard, Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger, AC Milan coach Ancelotti...

This group of wise elders chatted about some interesting things in European football with a smile, or jokingly hoped to introduce which player from the opposing team, there was no room for Yan Jing to intervene.

Just when Yan Jing couldn't help but wanted to run away quietly to change seats, an old man walked into the venue and finally ended the lively discussion.

This is an old man whose hairline has degenerated to the back of his head... Oh no, he should be called UEFA President Johansson.

At this moment, the half-bald top of his head is like a holy light in Yan Jing's eyes. Is he an angel sent by God to save me?

Seeing those famous marshals sitting back to their seats one by one, Yan Jing couldn't help casting grateful glances at the people on the stage.

Seeing that the time was up, the camera focused on the host with a charming smile on the stage, and the draw ceremony for the UEFA Champions League group stage officially kicked off.

The guest in charge of the draw this time was the Italian defender Maldini from AC Milan. He first drew out the group where the first team was located.

The draw in the first round is actually of little significance, and the focus of everyone's attention is from the second round onwards.

The classification of the UEFA Champions League group stage is determined by the European war points of each team. For example, Dortmund was placed in the third pot.

But this year's situation is quite special. The last Champions League champion Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League in the Premier League, but as the defending champion, UEFA specially approved Liverpool to participate in the Champions League as the first seeded team and will ignore the group. The rules of avoiding each other in the league of the same country.

Chelsea's strength is absolutely capable of being ranked in the first tier of teams, but because it has only emerged in the past one or two years, and its past record in European competitions is not ideal, it is assigned to the second tier of teams.

In addition, there are Juventus, PSV Eindhoven and Ajax in the second tier of teams. Therefore, before the draw, many media predicted that this year's group stage will definitely be the best. There is a group of super death.

Maldini drew both Juventus and Bayern into Group A, which caused a murmur of discussion at the scene, but the result of the draw that really aroused the exclamation was Group G.

The first team in Group G is Liverpool, and Maldini opened the note with a meaningful smile on his face, and then he showed the note to everyone.

"Chelsea."

The camera immediately captured the expressions of the coaches of the two teams, Mourinho and Benitez. They seemed to be very calm, but Yan Jing, who was sitting next to Mourinho, swore that he definitely heard Mourinho's words. He whispered "Damn".

As the draw deepened, Yan Jing also began to get nervous. The Champions League group stage is divided into eight groups from A to H, and now the draw for the third-tier teams from A to E is over, and Dortmund is still not seen. shadow.

"Group F... Olympic Kos."

Damn it!Yan Jing tightened his tie on his chest. Now only Group G and Group H are left, but the top two teams in Group G are Liverpool and Chelsea...

He didn't want Dortmund to be drawn into this group at all.

At this time, Mourinho also began to talk: "Hey, Yan, maybe we will have a chance to play against each other in the group stage this year."

Maldini was stirring the last two small balls in the transparent glass jar, Yan Jing's mouth twitched, he turned his head and glanced at Mourinho, and replied calmly: "Although I would like to fight with you, but My sixth sense tells me Dortmund will not be drawn in Group G."

Mourinho shrugged: "We'll see."

Finally, Maldini picked out a small ball, he unscrewed the shell, took out the note inside, and took a look at it himself.

At this time, a large number of Dortmund fans sitting in front of the TV and watching the live broadcast were silently praying in their hearts like Yan Jing.

God bless, don't be Dortmund!

Maldini smiled and slowly presented the name on the note to the camera.

"Group G... Anderlecht."

It’s okay, okay... Both Yan Jing and Zorke secretly heaved a sigh of relief, and thanked Maldini for his magical hands.

Dortmund was assigned to Group H, while Inter Milan and Porto were drawn into Group H before, and Real Betis was assigned to Group H in the fourth tier.

"Yan, congratulations, the signing luck was unexpectedly good." Mourinho said with some regret that he failed to get the result he wanted, "I believe we will have a chance to play against each other in the future."

The author has something to say: Attached group details:

Group A: Bayern, Juventus, Club Brugge, Rapid Vienna.

Group B: Arsenal, Ajax, Sparta Prague, Thune.

Group C: Barcelona, ​​Panathinaikos, Bremen, Udinese.

Group D: Manchester United, Villarreal, Lille, Benfica.

Group E: AC Milan, PSV, Rangers, Fenerbahce.

Group F: Real Madrid, Lyon, Olympiacos, Rosenborg.

Group G: Liverpool, Chelsea.Anderlecht, Bratislava.

Group H: Inter Milan, Porto, Dortmund, Betis.