Chapter 1 When the Match Began

When the match began, Martin O'Neill quickly discovered that AC Milan wasn't trying to lure them out, but was genuinely pressing forward with an all-out siege!

He was initially shocked by this discovery, hardly believing his own eyes and brain.

So he hesitated for a long time, unwilling to confirm this fact.

But looking at AC Milan's wave after wave of attacks, watching even their two full-backs frequently assisting in the attack...

He had to believe it.

That was, AC Milan had truly lost their minds!

※※※

Allegri sat on the coach's bench on the sidelines. Although he was nominally the head coach for this match, he was actually just a puppet.

The tactics were decided by Berlusconi and Ibrahimović, and he had no say—in fact, he didn't want to say anything.

He wanted everyone to know—this tactic wasn't his decision, he didn't participate in it, so if they lost because of it, the responsibility couldn't be pushed onto him.

He was clearing himself of responsibility.

Originally, according to his plan, the team should indeed attack in the second leg, but not in such a crazy manner. Allegri's tactic was to defend steadily and counter-attack, first ensuring that his defense wouldn't concede a goal, and then start attacking.

He believed that playing at home gave them a certain advantage, and that Liverpool, thinking they had already advanced with a two-goal lead from the first leg, would definitely be complacent.

In that case, AC Milan wasn't without hope.

Although the hope wasn't very high, it was at least bigger than now!

Having lost 0:2 in the away game, his tactic was already the best.

But they didn't even give him a chance to show this tactic, directly rejecting it and choosing another path.

Okay, if they thought this would win the game, then let them see.

Let them recognize a reality—AC Milan and Liverpool were indeed no longer teams of the same level!

※※※

The Liverpool players on the field didn't think as much as the two coaches did. They thought it was normal for AC Milan to press forward and attack.

After all, they were already two goals behind in the first leg, and they would be doomed if they didn't attack.

Although they also felt that AC Milan's offensive was too fierce… a bit of a crazy momentum that completely disregarded their own defense. Logically speaking, this situation would usually only appear in the last twenty minutes of the game. Kicking like this from the start of the game… they had rarely seen it.

However, players don't need to consider too many issues; these issues are left to the coach to consider.

Their idea was very simple—since AC Milan wanted to press forward and attack, and didn't care about their defense, then they wouldn't be polite either, and would just counter-attack!

Defensive counter-attack was Liverpool's forte and favorite tactic, because it could both ensure they wouldn't concede goals and easily score many goals against others.

※※※

The atmosphere at the San Siro stadium was exceptionally fiery, and every AC Milan attack could ignite the stands.

Especially Ibrahimović, under the tactical impetus of making him the core of the attack, he constantly launched assaults on Liverpool's goal.

He also appeared in many close-up shots on television because of his shots.

The commentators mentioned his name at least three times a minute on average.

"Ibrahimović shoots—! Close, almost a goal!"

"Ibrahimović… beautiful dribbling! Unfortunately, he was intercepted when he tried to carry the ball forward…"

"Ibra! Ibra! Ibra—alas! Too bad, he missed his teammate's pass!"

Ibrahimović was working hard to prove to everyone that he and Chen Hero were evenly matched… no, that he was even better than Chen Hero!

In the continuous cheers and applause, AC Milan launched a fierce offensive against Liverpool's goal.

And under their fierce offensive, Liverpool could only shrink back into their own thirty-meter area.

This scene made AC Milan fans cheer wildly.

In the previous leg, Liverpool pressed AC Milan so hard that they couldn't cross the halfway line at home. At that time, AC Milan was just like Liverpool today, and the AC Milan fans were so frustrated!

Now, although they haven't been able to score yet, being able to suppress Liverpool like miserable grandsons also let many AC Milan fans vent their anger.

Let you be rampant! Let you be rampant!

Aren't you very capable?

Now you're still being suppressed by us so you can't cross the halfway line?!

If you have the ability, then attack! Attack!

The team song "Milan! Milan!" rang out in the stands, and AC Milan fans were desperately creating a warm home atmosphere, creating opportunities and atmosphere for the team to reverse Liverpool at home.

Even the Italian commentators were encouraged and moved by the spirit of the AC Milan fans: "AC Milan fans are singing tirelessly in the stands, they are supporting their team in this way! The current San Siro stadium has become a red and black ocean! Liverpool is completely submerged! With such a crazy home atmosphere, I wouldn't be surprised if AC Milan really reverses Liverpool in the end!"

Everyone was immersed in this false prosperity and advantage.

But no one noticed that Liverpool had secretly bared their fangs while constantly being passively beaten, and their eyes were always fixed on AC Milan's empty defense because of the all-out press.

※※※

More than twenty minutes of the game passed, and although AC Milan's attack was fierce, they didn't score.

Their offensive slowed down slightly. After all, players aren't robots, and it's impossible to maintain a very high rhythm all the time.

They also needed to adjust.

But Liverpool wouldn't give them a chance to catch their breath!

Just when AC Milan slowed down slightly, Liverpool drew out their claws!

In the twenty-fourth minute, they organized a very sharp counter-attack.

Gerrard passed the ball long from the backcourt to Chen Hero, Chen Hero headed it to Götze who was rushing up from behind, and then he turned around and ran forward himself.

After carrying the ball for two steps, Götze quickly distributed it to the side with a through ball. Adam Johnson seized the opportunity to insert himself, directly penetrating AC Milan's defense!

Because AC Milan had been pressing all the time before, the space behind their defense was very large!

Götze's pass and Adam Johnson's run just caught one of their openings!

"This is Liverpool's counter-attack! Adam Johnson received Götze's pass on the wing, and he's not offside!"

The commentator exclaimed.

After the initial shock, the AC Milan fans in the stands quickly let out a lot of boos—on the one hand, they felt that Adam Johnson must be offside, and on the other hand, they naturally hoped to create a little psychological pressure on the Liverpool players through their boos, forcing them to make mistakes on their own initiative.

But it was useless. Adam Johnson seemed unable to hear the storm-like boos in the stands. He exerted his speed to the extreme and resolutely dribbled the ball to the end line!

※※※

Under the huge boos, Allegri's body leaned out slightly.

Here it comes!

He was even a little excited.

He knew that the moment of truth had arrived.

AC Milan was already two goals behind on aggregate, so the key to the second leg wasn't scoring goals, but not conceding more goals. Because only by not conceding more goals could they talk about reversing the situation.

If they let the opponent score another goal, the aggregate score difference would become three goals, and Liverpool would also get an away goal, AC Milan's entire morale foundation would completely collapse.

At that time, it would truly be a complete rout!

If Liverpool could score on this counter-attack, AC Milan would only have to accept this outcome.

And his own purpose would be achieved.

So he got excited.

※※※

Ibrahimović turned around and saw that Liverpool's counter-attack had broken through the team's defense, and a sense of fear suddenly涌 out from his heart.

Because he suddenly remembered that if this goal was conceded, AC Milan would be three goals behind… at that time, would the team still have the motivation and fighting spirit?

He really wanted to open his mouth and shout to defend, but what he did was start himself and chase back.

In fact, he couldn't catch up, the distance was too far, but he chased back like a madman.

Can't concede a goal! Can't concede a goal!

His mind was full of this thought.

Defense, which was emphasized by that cowardly and timid coach he had previously disdained, occupied all of his consciousness.

※※※

Ibrahimović's chase back looked like a meaningless show.

He couldn't catch up at all.

After reaching the end line, Adam Johnson changed direction and broke into the penalty area, causing panic among AC Milan's defenders and fans.

Goalkeeper Amelia blocked the near post and directed his defensive teammates to defend.

At this time, Thiago Silva couldn't care about defending Chen Hero anymore, and he pounced on Adam Johnson.

As long as they blocked his passing route with numbers, it wouldn't matter even if Chen Hero was unmarked!

But Thiago Silva didn't know that Chen Hero and Adam Johnson were good friends, and there was a talent bonus between good friends…

Even if there was no chance at all, there would be a ten percent chance of assisting Chen Hero to score.

So when Adam Johnson squeezed the ball out of their encirclement and accurately sent it to Chen Hero who was following up in the middle.

Everything lost its suspense.

Almost all AC Milan players, including the goalkeeper, were at the near post and the front point.

Chen Hero even had the opportunity to observe and adjust after stopping the ball, hanging everyone's appetite to the highest point before crashing down!

He stretched his foot and pushed, and the ball rolled into the huge empty goal without any obstruction!

"Hero—Hero!!! Liverpool scored an away goal and leads AC Milan 1:0! They are three goals ahead on aggregate!"

Ibrahimović, who was chasing back, stopped when he saw this scene. His eyes widened, and his expression was a bit horrified—of course, he couldn't see it himself.

The ball… still… went in?