Chapter 1 Galatasaray

Galatasaray's home stadium is Ali Sami Yen Stadium. It used to hold 40,000 people, but now it can only hold 25,000. Although the capacity is not large, this stadium is well-known in European football.

Because this is the home of Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray, the stadium is called "Hell" by Galatasaray fans.

Whether it's self-praise or not, other teams and fans agree with this name because they have all personally experienced playing in this stadium, and it really feels like coming to hell.

But Liverpool is not afraid.

Mainly, Chen Hero isn't afraid.

He had experience playing against Turkish teams in Turkey before. At that time, the atmosphere at Besiktas' İnönü Stadium was no less intense, also a fanatical hell.

But so what?

Chen Hero still made it through, scored a goal in the game, and helped Liverpool defeat Besiktas.

Although some very unpleasant things happened after the game.

But Chen Hero wasn't afraid of Turkey's strong home advantage.

With Chen Hero around, the other Liverpool players weren't afraid either.

This time in Istanbul, Liverpool didn't encounter the same situation as last time against Besiktas. They weren't harassed by Galatasaray fans in the hotel.

They had a good night's sleep.

Perhaps Galatasaray fans felt that this game didn't matter much anymore.

In the last group match, Galatasaray lost to Monaco 1:3 away.

No matter what the result of this game is, Galatasaray's hopes of participating in the Europa League as the third-place team in the group are very slim.

Because they don't have any advantage in the head-to-head record with Monaco, nor in the goal difference in the matches between the two sides.

So this last group match is just a formality for Galatasaray.

Since there is no conflict of interest between the two sides, there is naturally no need to be at daggers drawn and create such a tense atmosphere.

Liverpool's starting lineup for this game was released yesterday, and Martin O'Neill rotated almost all of the main players.

Liverpool isn't planning to go all out, so Galatasaray might as well save some energy to deal with the domestic league.

Their situation this season isn't great either.

※※※

The game, which should have been a trip to hell, became uneventful due to various reasons.

Both sides were very relaxed on the field and played a highly offensive game.

The final score was 3:2, with Liverpool narrowly winning away from home.

Chen Hero scored a goal in the game.

Bringing his goal tally in the group stage to nine.

In this game, he rarely heard too many boos away from home. Occasional boos were normal, but there weren't any specifically targeting him.

The atmosphere between the two sides was also very friendly after the game, and some people even exchanged jerseys.

Chen Hero's jersey was also exchanged by a young player from the other side.

This is how a normal game should end.

When there is no desire, there is strength. When both sides have no desires, their performance is normal.

If this were a life-or-death battle, who knows how many tricks would be pulled.

After the Champions League group stage, the Liverpool team returned to England.

The next day, after all the group matches were over, all sixteen qualified teams were freshly released.

UEFA held a group draw ceremony.

Because the three teams were all first in their groups, it was impossible for them to meet in the first round, so the three teams went their separate ways.

But Liverpool was drawn together with Napoli...

※※※

Chen Hero didn't watch the draw ceremony. He wasn't interested in it. Anyway, no matter who the opponent was, he would defeat them.

But the next day, he was stopped by reporters at his doorstep: "Do you know the results of the draw, Hero?"

Chen Hero shook his head: "I haven't had time to look yet, what's wrong? Did we draw Barcelona?" He told a joke.

Some reporters laughed, some didn't.

The reporter who stopped him to ask the question said to him, "Liverpool drew Napoli."

Chen Hero's face froze for a moment.

Everyone held their breath and stared at him, wanting to see how he would react.

After the initial surprise, Chen Hero smiled.

"That's great. It's been a long time since I've been back to Naples. I miss that place a little."

A group of reporters didn't expect Chen Hero to give such an answer. They thought they could make a fuss about Chen Hero's relationship with the Napoli fans. Everyone remembered how Chen Hero left Naples. They felt that a person with Chen Hero's temper couldn't possibly not hold a grudge and must be eager to cause trouble for the Napoli fans. But there had never been an opportunity because Liverpool and Napoli had never met.

Now that the opportunity had come, how could Chen Hero let it go?

They thought Chen Hero's answer should be the kind that was full of murderous intent, such as mocking the Napoli fans who drove him away back then...

But no.

Chen Hero's smile wasn't the kind of sneer or ridicule, and his words also carried a sincere meaning.

The reporters couldn't hear any dissatisfaction with Naples in his words.

"So, will playing against your old club make you..." The reporter asked as tactfully as possible, and in the end, he simply used ellipses instead, but everyone could understand what he meant by this question.

Some people are more likely to be indecisive or feel reluctant when facing their old club.

But not Chen Hero.

He shook his head: "I will show them the best Chen Hero."

Sure enough... a group of reporters looked at each other. This is Chen Hero's style!

※※※

Chen Hero's words to the reporters appeared on online media that afternoon. After Chen Hero finished training, he received a call from Cassano.

"Have mercy, Hero! Please be gentle!" Cassano wailed on the phone.

"Get lost!" Chen Hero rolled his eyes, speechless towards his good friend.

Cassano laughed happily after hearing his reaction.

But Chen Hero couldn't laugh along with his hearty laughter.

In fact, he knew very well what this draw result meant.

Napoli had finally made it into the Champions League knockout stage this season. It seemed like they had a good chance to go further, but they didn't expect to meet Liverpool in the first knockout round.

Their fate was decided just like that.

They will definitely not be able to go any further, because this Liverpool is definitely not something that today's Napoli can provoke.

For Napoli, this fate is somewhat cruel and regrettable.

Chen Hero even wondered if this was deliberately arranged by Platini just to disgust him.

He has deep feelings for Naples, but most people don't know it. His feelings for Naples don't come from those fans, but more from his teammates.

People like Cassano and Hamsik, he spent a very good time with them in Naples. They fought side by side and defeated the then-most powerful team in the world, Barcelona.

They left behind many good memories together.

These memories are the reason why he has feelings for Naples.

So if he really had to eliminate Napoli with his own hands, he wouldn't be as cold-blooded as outsiders imagined. He said those words because he always does. But the emotions deep in his heart, he is unwilling to show them easily.

He is Chen Hero, and a hero cannot show his weak side, whether actively or passively.

Because heroes must stand tall and support the heavens. How can a weak person support a piece of the sky?

After Cassano laughed a few times, he didn't hear the same laughter coming from the other end of the phone. How could he not know what Chen Hero was thinking?

He rolled his eyes.

"Hero."

"Hmm?" Chen Hero responded, coming back to his senses.

"Have you thought about how you're going to treat us to a meal when you come to Naples?"

"You guys decide on the place. Anyway, I'll pay."

"Then we're going to pick the best and most expensive place!"

"No problem!"

"We're going to rip you off!"

"Rip me off as much as you want!"

Both of them laughed.

After laughing, Cassano said, "Do you know what everyone's reaction was here after the draw result came out?"

"What?" Chen Hero asked in a deep voice.

"Everyone clenched their fists excitedly. Everyone was thanking UEFA when they came to training today, discussing their meeting with you with great interest. It's a very happy thing."

"But you won't be able to continue moving forward." Chen Hero said.

"Hey, so what? Just treat this game as a reunion of old friends."

How could Chen Hero not know what his friend was thinking?

"Thank you, Antonio."

Sometimes, heroes also need psychological comfort, otherwise, it would be too tiring to keep fighting.

"What's there to thank? We're friends, right? I hope my friends are doing well. Isn't that a normal feeling? Okay, it's settled then. We will definitely do our best in the game. Maybe I'll even give you a fierce foul, so don't hold back. If we eliminate you, that would be interesting, hahaha!"

"Don't daydream, I will definitely be the one who wins in the end!"

"Hey, we'll see!"

After hanging up the phone, Chen Hero's mood improved a lot, and he returned to that carefree state again.

Naples, huh...

That's a good place.

Indeed, just like Cassano said, maybe he should thank UEFA, because if it weren't for them, how would he have the opportunity to return to the Stadio San Paolo?

No matter how the fans there treat him, this time Chen Hero has decided not to slap them in the face.

He is going back to find the traces of the past, not to be angry with anyone.

It's a day for old friends to reunite, so don't spoil everyone's fun.