Chapter 1 The Scenery of Nyon

The scenery along the banks of Lake Geneva is picturesque, like a restrained yet colorful gemstone.

Li Kang looked through the car window, gazing at the tranquil and ancient mountain town.

He held a yellowed travel guide in his hand.

Old Top was suffering from some acclimatization issues and said weakly, "Damn it, why did UEFA move its headquarters here!"

Voller laughed and said, "Switzerland is the clearing center for international finance, the money bag."

Everyone's attention was soon drawn to a white castle.

It looked magnificent against the backdrop of blue sky and white clouds.

"The interior of the castle doesn't look so beautiful. There are many prison cells inside, and the walls are covered with black blood stains that can't be washed away... People were still being held there in the 1970s."

Voller began to vividly recount the history of the town of Nyon.

The business car soon drove into a narrow street.

Li Kang shifted his attention to the roadside windows, filled with various handicrafts.

.....

The UEFA headquarters was very "short."

After the three arrived, they began to split up.

There were very few people attending the draw this time, and the seats for club representatives were spaced further apart.

Li Kang walked into the venue, looking for his seat by following the number plate.

There were only eight seats for player representatives, but there were many people attending the ceremony, making it difficult to find his seat right away.

He couldn't help but look towards the main stage.

There stood the Big Ears trophy, dazzling and radiant, extremely eye-catching.

He finally found his seat.

Li Kang didn't see Cristiano Ronaldo's figure this time.

Sitting next to him was... Messi.

The two nodded to each other and exchanged a simple greeting.

They quietly waited for the opening of the draw ceremony.

"Li! My good friend... and Messi! The seating arrangement this time is wonderful!"

Buffon smiled and slapped hands with the two, sitting on the other side of Li Kang.

A moment later.

The big screen on the main stage played the highlights of the Champions League Round of 16.

Bale soaring through the clouds, overtaking on the outside!

Hazard dribbling past four players in a row, attacking the heart of the defense!

Godín clearing the ball off the goal line, averting danger at the last moment!

Messi with a space-creating backheel, a curved shot!

A series of wonderful shots heightened the atmosphere of the scene.

At the end of the clip.

Leverkusen's number 10, in a one-on-one break at the North Rhine stadium.

Pushed the atmosphere of the entire venue to its peak!

While the applause thundered.

Li Kang was still looking at the yellowed travel guide with relish.

Messi hesitated slightly, but ultimately couldn't bring himself to say what was on his mind.

'Li, Barca is a very human club.'

...

Coach representative seat.

Old Top felt a respect that he hadn't felt in many years.

Whether established coaches or rookie coaches, they greeted him warmly.

Even Enrique showed a goodwill smile, completely different from when they were drawn together in the group stage.

Chelsea coach Mourinho was nowhere to be seen.

He was sacked on December 17th.

Dutch coach Guus Hiddink once again became the "firefighter captain" of Stamford Bridge!

Who is Hiddink?

The deepest impression he left on fans was: the coach of the South Korean team at the 2002 World Cup.

Real Madrid coach Benítez was nowhere to be seen.

He was sacked on January 5th.

The person in charge of Real Madrid's first team was Zidane.

A celestial being descending to earth.

...

Switzerland has a world-renowned "punctuality fetish."

As soon as the ceremony time arrived.

The lights dimmed instantly.

The LED backdrop lit up with the Champions League logo.

The master of ceremonies, Pedro Pinto, strode onto the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the draw ceremony for the 2015/16 Champions League Quarterfinals..."

The guy spoke for a full ten minutes of platitudes before reluctantly leaving the main stage.

Immediately after.

A girl walked slowly onto the main stage, holding a glass bowl.

It was Esli again.

Wearing a long dress, she quietly shifted her gaze to the player representative seat after putting down the item in her hand.

Well, it was much easier to find this time.

She quickly found the figure of the North Rhine talent.

They only made eye contact for a moment.

Esli's pretty face flushed red, unable to hide her joy, and she hurriedly exited from the side of the stage.

Buffon smiled and shook his head, saying, "Li, her mother is better looking."

Messi's expression stiffened slightly when he heard this.

.....

The ceremony proceeded in an orderly manner.

UEFA Competition Director Marchetti finished half an hour of platitudes.

Just as everyone was dozing off, the big moment began!

Two men in suits and leather shoes slowly took the stage!

Pirlo and Xavi!

A burst of enthusiastic cheers erupted from the scene!

...

Ctv5 live broadcast room.

The barrage was flying.

-[Two midfield legends who can be recorded in football history, historical level!]

-[I wish Li Mingdeng was born a few years earlier! I really want to see him compete on the same stage with these two legendary masters, Pirlo and Xavi!]

-[There is still a chance to compete on the same stage, maybe... Pirlo and Xavi will become coaches in the future, and they can still meet Li Mingdeng.]

-[If Pirlo and Xavi don't leave the top five leagues, how can the luck spread to the younger generation? As soon as they leave, genius youngsters sprout like bamboo shoots!]

-[You've been reading too many fantasy novels!]

....

The two midfield masters didn't say half a sentence of pleasantries.

They started drawing directly!

Xavi took out the first small ball from the glass bowl!

Juventus!

The coach representative seat instantly fell silent.

Although Juventus is going through the growing pains of transformation, the foundation of that defensive team is very tricky. In the two-legged knockout stage, defense is the top priority.

This is not an easy opponent to take down.

Simeone and Hiddink looked particularly solemn.

When Atletico Madrid or Chelsea meet the Old Lady.

Do you even need to watch that scene?

Wake up from a nap, and it's another 0-0!

....

Pirlo was stunned for a moment, then casually took one out.

Bayern Munich!

The audience was in an uproar!

Not giving the coaches any time to think!

Allegri clapped gently.

Guardiola was still writing and drawing on the scratch paper.

...

The first matchup result is out!

Juventus vs Bayern Munich!

The master of ceremonies quickly reminded Pirlo and Xavi to slow down their movements.

For the sake of the show's effect, suspense must be created.

The two midfield masters didn't care.

.....

The ceremony continued.

Pirlo drew the second small ball, forcefully broke it open, unfolded the paper, and aimed it at the crowd.

"Barca!"

Enrique was very calm.

The coach representative seat fell silent again.

Only Old Top's eyes flickered, as if he was expecting something.

...

Club representative seat.

Robert had a confident smile on his face.

'The quarterfinals... there is no protection rule to avoid the same group or the same association!'

Voller patted his thigh lightly, also looking forward to the matchup result.

....

Xavi reached out and took out the small ball.

He forcefully broke it open, didn't immediately show the paper, but secretly glanced at it himself first.

His expression didn't change much.

"Atletico Madrid!"

"The second matchup result is out!"

"Barca vs Atletico Madrid!"

Applause rang out again at the draw ceremony!

Enrique was stunned.

Robert's smile froze.

Atletico Madrid coach Simeone clenched his fists secretly, unable to resist the urge to jump up and punch the Barca coach.

Atletico Madrid at this time was not afraid of Barca without Xavi at all!

....

Old Top slumped his head.

The hands hidden in his pockets trembled non-stop.

The opponents Leverkusen might face were only Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Chelsea.

No matter which one they met...

Pellegrini and Hiddink's expressions eased slightly.

From a style-restraint perspective, this result was a top pick in their eyes.

...

The venue suddenly became quiet.

Zidane inadvertently looked at Li Kang.

Pirlo and Xavi didn't rush to resume the draw.

The two's gazes wandered between the Real Madrid coach and Leverkusen's number 10.

They couldn't help but smile.

...

-[44-year-old Zidane is sitting there, looking over with affectionate eyes, all shadows of himself at 18 years old.]

-[The auntie smiles of the three legendary midfielders...]

-[Maybe Cruyff and Modric are also squatting in front of the TV!]

-[Pogba: Didn't we agree? I'm the future midfield superstar!]

-[What's going on? They're not going to let Li Mingdeng meet Real Madrid in the quarterfinals, are they! No!]

-[It's better to draw well than to play well...]

....

Madrid.

Modric was feeding his daughter milk, staring intently at the TV screen.

His eyes were full of expectation.

He couldn't wait!

....

Snap!

Xavi broke open the small ball. He showed the third piece of paper in his hand.

"Leverkusen!"

Pirlo's movements seemed to slow down by two times.

"Chelsea!"

"The third matchup result is out!"

"Leverkusen vs Chelsea!"