Chapter 748: Hit the Nail on the Head
"Do not bother with these utterly improbable offers. How is the progress on that matter?" Wang Feng asked.
"It's going very smoothly. Currently, the two clubs are more anxious than we are. They are very worried that you might be swayed by the price and sign with another club, resulting in all our efforts going to waste," replied the other party.
"Then let's expedite the process. However, I hope this news can be kept confidential until after the Champions League final," Wang Feng stated.
Balmond nodded, agreeing, "Real Madrid also hopes for that. After all, we're just one step away from the next great achievement."
Ignoring the tumultuous debates and speculations from the outside world, the crew of the Galacticos simply chose a secluded sports club in the suburbs of Milan as their training ground, preparing for the Champions League final on May 28th.
In every aspect of life, the club left no room for negligence. With their wealth of experience, they had not missed a single final in the past decade.
The facilities of this sports club were excellent, boasting not only standard football fields but also fitness training grounds, indoor swimming pools, therapy rooms, and even expansive golf courses, allowing for both training and leisure.
This year's venue was the familiar Meazza Stadium for Wang Feng. Aside from Madrid fans traveling from afar, there would surely be many passionate supporters heading to the scene.
Milan remained a gathering place for the massive fanbase of the Chinese superstar, second only to Madrid. People reminisced about his glorious contributions to Inter Milan during his playing days and appreciated the current substantial investments.
They spared no expense in buying players to improve their performance, prioritized youth training, and, most importantly, Wang Feng planned to construct a brand-new home stadium for Inter Milan in the suburbs, completely owned by the team.
This project had already begun construction and was expected to take five years. According to online surveys, over 90% of the Nerazzurri fans agreed that the new stadium should bear Wang Feng's name.
As the best scorer in the club's history, a creator of an era, and now a generous investor, naming the stadium after the Chinese superstar was the best tribute.
Additionally, it's worth mentioning that Paris had the third-largest number of Wang Feng's fans, even surpassing the entire population of Belgium. Many elderly people still nostalgically remembered the regrets of not being able to see him play.
"We almost signed him. Greedy Genk!"
The day before the match, at the press conference after adapting to the venue, the journalists finally saw Carlo Ancelotti in person. However, the Italian coach immediately shut down their most pressing question with his first words.
"I won't answer any questions unrelated to the final. The entire Real Madrid team has only one goal now: to win and defend the Champions League title against Atletico Madrid!"
There was an immediate stir in the audience. It seemed impossible to extract any transfer news about Wang Feng from Ancelotti.
A moment later, a journalist from Madrid asked, "Facing Atletico again in the Champions League final after a year, how do you view this opponent, and what are Real Madrid's chances of winning?"
The Italian chuckled, "That's a good question. Yes, Atletico, a memorable and tough opponent. Last time, we had to struggle until extra time to barely win."
"In the two league encounters this season, Real Madrid suffered one draw and one loss, putting us at a disadvantage. Frankly, they give us headaches, and the coaching staff has been studying them for a long time."
"High pressing, selective containment, and fast counterattacks are Atletico's proud tactics. Eliminating Barcelona and Bayern successively proves their strength."
"We will arrange some specific strategies to deal with these points. The difference in strength between the two sides is not significant, so it's hard to predict the outcome."
Compared to their lineup in 2014, Atletico's strength seemed to have improved. Despite losing Diego Costa, their soulful figure, they had the experienced Fernando Torres leading the line, along with the young talent Griezmann, capable of launching fierce attacks.
The team's defense remained solid, maintaining a compact formation throughout the game. Through countless battles, the mattress makers had transformed into a stronger force.
Later that day, Atletico's head coach, Simeone, also appeared at the press conference for media interviews. Upon hearing Ancelotti's evaluation of his team, he seemed quite surprised.
Indeed, he was experienced and had remarkable achievements as an old coach. He hit the nail on the head!
However, the Argentinean didn't want to dampen his team's morale at this time. They were the challengers and needed to show an imposing attitude to have a chance of winning.
So Simeone shrugged, "Ancelotti's words are correct. Perhaps he has indeed prepared plans to deal with us. But Atletico will never sit idly by. We are more mature and refined compared to before."
"The two league encounters are the best test for the team. The fact that Real Madrid isn't as terrifying as imagined has been proven. We have a chance to defeat them!"
After the training session, Griezmann faced the media and expressed a similar sentiment, "Wang is the strongest player on this planet, and Real Madrid is the strongest club. But that doesn't mean we can't win. Maintaining the courage to challenge and the right mindset will support us in achieving victory and making history!"
On the day of the match, whether it was Ancelotti or Simeone, neither arranged too much training for the players, mainly focusing on warm-ups and final tactical explanations.
Each club's staff had a detailed action plan. Every detail regarding the players' schedules was specified. After having breakfast with Florentino and other senior figures, everyone had some free time.
Wang Feng found a secluded place to video call his family. This year, they would be attending the match in person, staying at a small villa by Lake Como.
"It feels like nothing has changed at all," Lu Yao softly remarked. "Time seems to have stood still since the moment we left."
"That's true. Perhaps in a few decades, nothing here will change. Unlike back home, where a few months away makes it hard to recognize the roads," Wang Feng said, scratching the back of his head. "How about we stay a few extra days after the final?"
Lu Yao nodded, her mind seemingly wandering back to their university days. At this moment, Little Siyao approached the camera, revealing her cute big eyes, "Daddy, go for it! Bring home another championship trophy."
Little Haohao also squeezed in, being playful. The family chatted and laughed, but soon it was time to end the break.
"Cheer for daddy from the stands. I'll hear your voices!" Wang Feng hung up with a happy smile on his face.
After a simple warm-up, the team held a small tactical briefing internally. The head coach reiterated the responsibilities of the starting players on the field, while Florentino expressed the club's emphasis on this championship and the substantial rewards.
In addition, Ronaldo, Figo, Roberto Carlos, and other legends came to chat and encourage everyone. For the young players, these individuals were unreachable super idols, but for Wang Feng, they were former comrades.
Ronaldo gave his old buddy a warm hug, "I never thought you'd lead Real Madrid to today. You're just one step away from achieving epic legendary status. You must succeed!"
Wang Feng smiled and nodded, "I'm ready to give my all for the final push."
"Haha, you rascal," the alien patted the Chinese superstar's shoulder, "Sometimes I envy you for still being able to gallop on the football field."
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freewe(b)nov𝒆l