When playing football, you should call it GOAT.

Chapter 143 The Day the Giant Ship Sinks
As the players from both teams walked side by side into this tiny stadium on the Mediterranean coast, the overwhelming roar made the Real Madrid stars unconsciously frown.

The Stade Louis II can only hold 18500 people, but the cheers that erupted at this moment sounded like those of 100,000.

"Roy! Roy! Roy!"

The shouts from the stands were so loud they almost lifted the roof off.

Monaco fans waved their red and white scarves wildly, and the screams rose an octave higher every time the camera panned across the 19-year-old left-wing prodigy.

"Jiuli!"

"Morientes!"

These names were repeatedly called out.

Morientes looked up, and his pupils contracted as a huge tifo suddenly unfolded in the stands.

Roy's profile fills the entire frame as he reaches out and rips the crown, a symbol of royalty, off the Real Madrid crest with the decisiveness of picking wild fruit from the roadside.

Giuly grinned behind him, while Morientes' own portrait held up a model of the Champions League trophy, grinning like a child.

The smile was so exaggerated it was almost distorted; the wrinkles at the corners of the eyes and the eight teeth that were exposed were drawn exceptionally large, yet it radiated an indescribable joy.

"This tifo was just finished yesterday, right?"

Guti muttered behind him.

Indeed, the paint on the trophy wasn't completely dry, and it glistened wetly under the lights, as if it had just been snatched from the podium.

But Monaco fans didn't care; they stomped their feet and chanted in unison, "Take it off! Take it off!"

With each shout, the crown on the shaking tifo was pulled a little more crooked.

"They painted me like a crazy champion."

Morientes muttered to himself.

But it must be admitted that the artist accurately captured his expression when he won the championship with Real Madrid in 2000—that pure, almost naive joy.

Now that smile was magnified tenfold and displayed on the stands, it warmed his heart.

Helguera suddenly noticed a little figure wearing a chef's hat painted in the corner of the tifo—throwing a pancake with the Real Madrid logo into the trash can.

The clumsy graffiti drew laughter from the stands, and even Deschamps on the sidelines couldn't help but shake his head.

Inside the VIP box, Florentino stared at the Real Madrid crest that had been torn askew.

If they lose this match, this tifo will be on the front page of Marca tomorrow—he knows all too well those who are waiting to see them fail.

"Contact the editor-in-chief of AS."

He whispered to his secretary, his voice hoarser than usual, "Prepare two press releases."

One article celebrates the comeback, while the other explains the reasons for the defeat.

A crisis communication plan had already taken shape in his mind.

If Real Madrid successfully advances, the press release will emphasize the "Galacticos resilience" they have shown after the shadow of terrorist attacks and a grueling schedule, highlighting their epic comeback through key performances from stars like Zidane and Raul, proving the correctness of their star-studded policy.

The first-leg defeat was attributed to the fatigue of the Copa del Rey final, tactical adjustments, and the impact of the March 11 attacks, while Monaco's victory was due to the physical reserves of their young players.

The press release will avoid the topic of Morientes' defeat to his former team, instead highlighting the true gap in strength shown in the second leg, and promising targeted reinforcements in the summer, implying that this comeback marks the team getting back on track.

If they lose, the press releases will likely focus on the "unpredictability of the Champions League format," citing the early goal conceded at the Bernabéu in the first leg disrupting their plans, and the noise at the Stade Louis II in the second leg interfering with key decisions. Despite the disappointing exit, this summer they will focus on strengthening their defensive depth and have already secured several young talents like Roy who have proven themselves in the Champions League. This defeat is simply a necessary experience in Real Madrid's evolution.

Both press releases were supported by detailed data – including the probability of a comeback in the Champions League knockout stages over the past five years, and Real Madrid’s historical win rate in the second leg.

In response to potential questions from the board, he prepared a comprehensive financial analysis report demonstrating that business revenue could still grow even after being eliminated from the Champions League this season.

In response to media speculation that the "superstar policy has failed," he instructed his PR team to compile comparative data on the cost of the squads of Champions League winners over the past two decades.

Finally, he also prepared a special supplementary document: a list of potential signings for next season, with each name marked with the potential increase in commercial value.

The core logic of these contingency plans is clear: no matter the outcome, the foundation of the Galactic Battleship must not be shaken.

In contrast, Real Madrid appeared unusually quiet.

Raul touched his captain's armband, Zidane bent down to adjust his wristband, and Ronaldo chewed gum, his eyes drifting towards the stands.

These Ballon d'Or winners, who are usually the center of attention wherever they go, now seem to have wandered into someone else's party by mistake.

The scene outside the stadium was even more shocking.

Due to limited seating, thousands of fans gathered in the plaza outside the stadium to watch the game on a large screen.

Their shouts pierced through the walls, creating a peculiar echo within the stadium.

Someone held up a homemade sign that read "Roy > Zidane," which was particularly eye-catching in the setting sun.

The referee glanced at his watch; the whistle was already in his mouth.

In this tiny stadium enveloped in fervor, the referee's whistle is about to pierce the night sky.

At this moment, from the Bernabéu Square in Madrid to the Real Madrid-themed bars in Mexico City, countless fans wearing white jerseys are clenching their fists.

In front of four giant screens erected on the Bernabéu Stadium pitch, the crowds resembled a frozen white ocean; in a convenience store in Tokyo at dawn, the night shift clerk secretly refreshed the text live broadcast on his computer; in a home theater in Buenos Aires, three generations stared at the flickering television screen.

All eyes are focused on this pitch, which is only the size of two training fields, waiting for the final chapter of the Galacticos' 180-minute story: will they leave the field in disgrace with the scars of the first leg's 3-5 defeat, or will they stage the most magnificent comeback in Champions League history at the Stade Louis II?

As soon as the referee blew his whistle, the entire Stade Louis II erupted in deafening chants of "ALLAZ MONACO".

The red and white scarves of Monaco fans billowed in the stands, like a burning ocean.

But at that moment, countless voices erupted simultaneously in front of television sets around the world:
"Hala Madrid!"

These shouts, rising and falling, pierced through time zones, weaving together into a peculiar echo in the satellite signals.

As the DJ at the stadium tried to drown out the away team's cheers with music, the Argentine commentator on the other side of the world was yelling into the microphone: "Esto es el Madrid!"

In the "White Glory" izakaya in Tokyo late at night, the television screen flickers with images of the game.

The middle-aged section chief, Yamada, had his tie loosely hanging around his neck as he poured his subordinate, Misaki, her third glass of shochu.

The game had just begun, and Misaki was already dazed with drink, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the rim of her glass as she muttered, "Beckham's blond hair is so handsome."

Section Chief Yamada, clutching a lighter bearing the Barcelona crest, twitched slightly at the corner of his mouth. He thought to himself, "This stupid woman can't even tell the players apart. Where did this Beckham come from? That's Guti!"

But she gently agreed, "Yes, long blonde hair suits you very well."

He poured her a fourth glass of soju without making a sound, the blue light from the TV screen reflecting off her open collar.

Yamada's gaze swept over the curves of her chest, and he sneered inwardly, "As expected, big breasts and no brains."

His hand slowly crept up her trembling back, and he said with a smile, "The last train on the Yamanote Line has already left. I'll take you back to your hotel. Rooms are in high demand during Golden Week."

The Japanese commentator's voice crackled as he provided the live commentary on the television.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Real Madrid's starting lineup is absolutely insane! Goalkeeper Casillas, and the defense from left to right: Roberto Carlos, Helguera, Mejía, and Salgado!"

"But look at this midfield setup! Borja Fernandez is the only defensive midfielder! Guti and Zidane are partnering in central midfield, this is a completely undefended formation!"

"The attacking trident is terrifying! Raul on the left, Ronaldo in the middle, and Figo on the right! Coach Queiroz has staked everything on the attack!"

"Just like Oda Nobunaga in the Warring States period during the Battle of Okehazama, he completely abandoned defense and decided to fight Monaco to the death!"

"Monaco's coach Deschamps looks visibly shaken on the sidelines! Real Madrid is about to put on a goal-fest!"

"But today Queiroz has chosen to believe in this all-out attacking lineup! Let's wait and see what this epic showdown will be like!"

As soon as the whistle blew to start the match, Morientes passed the ball back to Rothen and immediately made a forward run.

When Rothen was pressed by Guti, he first pretended to pass the ball to the left wing, but at the moment of contact with the ball, he used the inside of his left foot to deftly cut past the overly aggressive Guti.

At this moment, Roberto Carlos came at high speed from the left to cover, and Rothen, before Carlos could slide in, used the outside of his right foot to send a diagonal through ball, which accurately passed through the gap between Real Madrid's defensive midfielder Borja and center-back Mejia.

Giuly on the right wing understood perfectly and suddenly started his run before Salgado had even settled into position, while Maicon simultaneously made a high-speed run from the right-back position to support him.

Mejia hastily moved to cover laterally but was a step too slow. Giuly dribbled into the right side of the penalty area and, facing Helguera's block, calmly passed the ball back to Bernardi, who had made a run into the box.

The diminutive Argentine midfielder, under pressure from Guti's pursuit, gently flicked the ball with the outside of his right foot to Roy, who was cutting inside from the left wing.

After receiving the ball, Roy first made a feint by lowering his shoulder to pretend to break through to the left. At the moment when Salgado's center of gravity shifted, he suddenly flicked the ball to the right with his left foot and then quickly changed direction.

This sudden change of direction completely threw the covering Mejia off balance. Roy created an angle in the narrow space and immediately unleashed a low shot with his right foot, the ball heading straight for the bottom right corner of the goal!

Casillas made a diving save, but the ball grazed the post and went out of play, giving the Real Madrid players a scare!
The gasps at the Stade Louis II instantly turned into thunderous applause. The broadcast cameras panned across the stands, where Monaco fans were already holding up cardboard crowns they had prepared in advance.

Real Madrid fans watching on TV swallowed hard in unison.

The young man who celebrated by making a "crown" gesture after scoring a hat-trick at the Bernabéu in the first leg is now beaming with a smile.

Just a minute and a half into the game, every feint he made while dribbling the ball made Real Madrid's defense feel like they were facing a formidable enemy.

The red and white jersey had a cape that looked like flames could burst out at any moment.

Casillas immediately launched a long goal kick, and Zidane calmly controlled the high ball with his chest in the center circle, then delivered a 40-meter long pass over the top before the ball even hit the ground.

Figo used his speed to get past Evra on the right wing, and when he dribbled to the edge of the penalty area, he suddenly changed direction and cut inside, forcing Abidal to abandon his marking of Ronaldo and come forward to block him.

Figo seized the fleeting opening and passed the ball across to the penalty spot with his left foot. Ronaldo, arriving at the last minute, volleyed the ball before it even hit the ground. Roma dived to the side and barely managed to touch the ball with his fingertips. The ball, which changed direction, slammed heavily against the crossbar and bounced out!
Raul followed up and scored a rebound shot before Givet could block it, but Abidal made a dramatic clearance on the goal line!

Within just two minutes, Monaco's rapid passing and Real Madrid's lightning counterattack created one dangerous opportunity after another, and the fans in the stands jumped up and exclaimed in surprise before they could even settle in.

Queiroz clenched his fists on the sidelines, while Deschamps kept gesturing to his players about defensive positioning. This attacking battle had become fierce from the very beginning!

At 3 minutes and 40 seconds, Monaco launched another attack from the left flank.

Evra made a run down the wing, completed a one-two with Rothen, and then crossed the ball from the byline.

Borja Fernandez hesitated at the edge of the penalty area, neither moving forward to block the cross nor tracking back in time to mark Bernardi who was making a run into the box.

Morientes headed the ball across, Bernardi met it with a powerful shot, and Casillas made a diving save to tip the ball over the crossbar.

In the 7th minute, Zidane received a pass from Borja in midfield, and Pedretti immediately pressed him closely.

The French master remained calm and composed, gently pulling the ball with his right foot and rotating his body 360 degrees in the process.

That iconic Marseille turn left Pedretti completely out of his sight.

Before Bernardi could get back in position, Zidane had already raised his left foot and cleverly chipped the ball diagonally.

Figo controlled the ball steadily on the right wing, while Evra lowered his center of gravity and prepared for the challenge.

The leader of Portugal's "Golden Generation" began his signature cycling move: a left foot feint, a right foot fake hook, and then another left foot feint – three fluid movements.

Evra's center of gravity was shaken from side to side, and Figo suddenly used the outside of his right foot to flick the ball and cut inside!

In his Manchester apartment, 19-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo suddenly jumped up from the sofa, scattering his potato chips all over the floor.

"Good job!"

He shouted at the TV, as if he could travel through time to cheer on his senior teammate, "Give that French kid a piece of your mind!"

The same roar erupted in bars all over Portugal.

Figo broke into the right side of the penalty area, but Roma had already covered the near post.

Without hesitation, the Portuguese player unleashed a powerful shot, the ball hurtling towards the far corner like a cannonball!
Roma dived to the side, barely managing to touch the ball with his fingertips, but the ball, changing direction, grazed the crossbar and went out of play.

Roy gave a light clap of applause for the attack.

You know, Figo is my idol.
Figo, panting heavily with his hands on his knees, had his curly hair soaked with sweat.

Monaco's defense was even more difficult to deal with than in the first leg. Pedretti and Bernardi were like two tireless wolfhounds, and every time he got the ball, two or three people would surround him.

As the broadcast cameras panned across the Monaco bench, the players' eyes blazed with confidence.

The team that achieved a stunning victory at the Bernabéu in the first leg is now playing with even more composure at home.

Evra even had the leisure to wink at Figo: "Old man, can you still handle this kind of intensity?"

Figo straightened up, brushed his soaking wet curly hair back, and gave Queiroz a "no problem" gesture on the sidelines.

But everyone could see that this Portuguese superstar had to expend more energy than usual for each breakthrough.
Cristiano Ronaldo, watching on television, perfectly captured that meaningful look in his eyes.

"That's how it should be!"

The young Manchester United striker waved his fist, as if Figo's kick was an act of revenge for the entire Portuguese football team.

In the 12th minute, Deschamps clapped his hands loudly on the sidelines, his right index finger clearly pointing to the area where Borja was located.

Roy and Giuly immediately understood and exchanged a glance.

When Monaco launched another attack, Giuly deliberately dribbled the ball toward Borja.

The young Real Madrid defensive midfielder rushed forward as if drawn by a magnet, unaware that he was falling into a trap.

Giuly easily shook off Borja with a simple change of direction, forcing Guti to abandon his defensive position and move forward to help defend.

"Damn it!"

Guti gritted his teeth and continued his pursuit, sweat dripping down his blond hair.

He misses Beckham terribly right now.

Although that Englishman's defense wasn't top-notch, he at least knew where to stand.

Beckham's movements are as precise as clockwork, always appearing in the most needed position at the right time.

Now, Guti feels like he's trying to fill a leaky bucket.

After Giuly passed the ball to Roy, Borja rushed over like a headless fly.

Roy easily passed the ball back, and Pedretti calmly took a long-range shot, which Casillas made a diving save.

Guti, panting heavily, looked at Borja's bewildered expression and couldn't help but shout, "Stop where you are!"

Queiroz looked ashen-faced on the sidelines.

He certainly knew the problem: Borja lacked both Beckham's accurate long passes and basic positioning awareness.

To make matters worse, the young man was completely led by the nose by the Monaco players, and every defensive play felt like a game of whack-a-mole.

When Monaco attacked again, Guti saw Borja once again fooled by Giuly's feint.

Real Madrid's vice-captain could only desperately rush towards Roy, who had the ball, silently thinking: "If Beckham were here, at least he could help me connect the midfield."
In the 14th minute, Monaco launched another attack down the right flank.

After receiving a pass from Bernardi, Giuly easily evaded Borja Fernandez's defense with a simple right-footed outside flick.

As Borja clumsily turned to chase back, Giuly had already dribbled the ball toward the byline.

"Fill in the gap!"

Hearing Casillas's roar, Carlos had no choice but to abandon his defensive zone and rush towards Giuly. Just as he was about to block him, he caught a glimpse of a red and white figure speeding up from the wing.

That was the young Maicon; the speed at which this fellow Brazilian started made Carlos's heart skip a beat.

Giuly understood and passed the ball across the wing before Carlos could block it.

Maicon didn't even slow down when he received the ball; his long strides made it impossible for Raul, who was covering, to keep up with his pace.

Carlos gritted his teeth and turned to chase after him, only to find that his 31-year-old legs could no longer keep up with the explosive power of this young upstart.

"Damn kid"

Carlos cursed inwardly, but had to admit that Maicon's timing and speed in making that crossover were perfect.

As a full-back who also excels at attacking, he was all too aware of the threat this kind of attack posed.

Maicon calmly adjusted his footing near the byline, looked up to observe, and then delivered a low cross.

The ball bypassed Helguera at the near post and accurately found Roy at the far post.

Carlos desperately chased back, but Roy had already taken the first shot.

Just as the shot was about to be taken, Helguera made a diving sliding tackle, barely managing to glide his toe to the ball.

The slight touch deflected the shot's trajectory, and the ball grazed the post and rolled out of bounds.

Amidst the gasps of the crowd at the Stade Louis II, Helguera crashed heavily into the penalty area, his shin guards even shifting due to the extreme tackle.

Carlos, panting heavily, glanced at Maicon a couple more times.

The speed, crossing technique, and attacking awareness that this young player just displayed reminded him of himself ten years ago.

Although he didn't say it, Carlos knew in his heart that this kid named Maicon would definitely become the new overlord of Brazil's right flank in the future.

In the 18th minute, Borja made another fatal mistake.

His aimless runs in midfield created huge gaps in Real Madrid's defense.

Rothen seized the opportunity and played a through ball, Morientes successfully broke the offside trap and had a one-on-one opportunity, but fortunately Casillas rushed out in time to block the shooting angle.

22 minutes.

The roar at the Stade Louis II suddenly rose.

Raul unusually dropped back to ten meters behind the halfway line to call for the ball, his black away jersey standing out conspicuously among the red and white Monaco crowd.

Bernardi immediately marked Raul closely, and the Argentine's knee almost pierced the back of Raul's thigh.

"Don't even think about turning around!"

Bernardi's spittle landed on Raul's face.

The Real Madrid captain gently tapped the ball with his right heel, letting it slip through the gap between the two players and into Zidane's hands.

The French master had just received the ball when Pedretti charged at him fiercely.

Zidane staggered and used the outside of his left foot to flick the ball up, then tipped it to Raul with his forehead before falling to the ground.

A gasp erupted from the stands.

As Raul turned, Abidal had already covered him.

Monaco's left center-back blocked the through ball route like a wall, forcing Raul to pass the ball across the box.

Zidane quickly got up to receive the pass, his bald head still covered in grass clippings.

The moment the Frenchman touched the ball, Rothen and Bernardi formed a double-team.

The former blocked the passing lane, while the latter made a sliding tackle to intercept.

In a flash, Zidane suddenly turned with a backheel turn, a Marseille spin that left Bernardi with no chance to tackle. But Pedretti charged in a third time, this time tearing Zidane's sock with his studs.

With the referee's whistle in his mouth, Zidane stumbled and poked the ball to the onrushing Raul.

"Danger!"

Deschamps roared from the sidelines.

Just before Givet could intercept, Raul poked a low through ball with his toe.

This pass sliced ​​through Monaco's defense like a scalpel, and Ronaldo burst out like a black lightning bolt!

Givet tried desperately to catch up, but he was already half a body length behind when he started.

An alien broke into the right side of the penalty area, and Roma decisively launched an attack to block it.

Ronaldo's low shot from a tight angle was deflected wide by the Monaco goalkeeper with his shin.

Florentino, who had just lifted his buttocks in the VIP box, put them back down, while Deschamps was gesturing to Pedretti.

Next time, we must foul early to interrupt this kind of offense.

The broadcast camera panned across Zidane, who was bending over, panting heavily as he adjusted his socks, with three clear bloodstains on his left calf.

Thirty meters away, Raul wiped the sweat from his face and gave Figo a "press up" gesture.

These two superstars played like twenty-year-old lads today.

One wanted to save face for Real Madrid, while the other wanted to prove who the true King of France was.

In the 25th minute, Deschamps' tactics worked again.

Roy deliberately lured Borja forward on the left wing, then passed the ball back to Pedretti.

The French defensive midfielder seized the moment when Borja was out of position and made a long pass to the right wing. Giuly received the ball, cut inside and shot, but the ball grazed the crossbar and went out.

Deschamps stood on the sidelines with his arms crossed and a satisfied smile on his face.

He clearly saw that Borja was like a headless fly, completely led by the nose by Monaco's attack. Whenever Roy or Giuly got the ball, the young Spanish defensive midfielder always reacted passively instead of anticipating the play. Worse still, he was completely unable to shoulder the playmaking responsibilities that Beckham had when transitioning from defense to attack, resulting in Real Madrid's counter-attacks always lacking depth.

In contrast, Monaco's Pedretti and Bernardi have excellent teamwork, not only defending well but also distributing the ball in a timely manner to organize attacks.

Queiroz paced anxiously back and forth on the sidelines, but he couldn't find a way to deal with Borja's weakness.

With the score still 0-0 after 27 minutes, Monaco had created four excellent chances and completely controlled the midfield.

Monaco launched a relentless offensive, but Real Madrid seized a rare opportunity to counter-attack.

Guti intercepted Bernardi's pass in midfield, looked up to observe, and then delivered a precise through ball to Zidane. The French maestro received the ball with his back to goal, and Pedretti immediately closed in to challenge him, but Zidane gently flicked the ball with his left foot, turned smoothly, and cleanly evaded the defense.

Ronaldo had already started his run, and Zidane, understanding perfectly, delivered a diagonal pass to the alien's feet.

Ronaldo dribbled like the wind, and Givet tried desperately to chase back, but the Brazilian accelerated and changed direction to shake him off, heading straight for the right side of the penalty area.

Abidal had to abandon Raul and move forward to block him.

Just as Monaco's defense was drawn by Ronaldo, the "alien" suddenly slashed across the middle!
Guti made a high-speed run, but instead of shooting directly, he cleverly let the ball pass.

The ball slid between his legs and headed straight for the far post!

Raul was already lurking in the penalty area. He calmly adjusted his position, gently flicked the ball with his right foot to shake off the retreating Maicon, and then fired a low shot with his left foot!

Roma made a diving save, but the ball was too fast and flew straight into the net!

The Spanish commentator's passionate shouts:

"Guti! A precise through ball! Zidane! An elegant dribble! Ronaldo! A lightning-fast breakthrough! A cross to the center—Guti cleverly lets it slip by! Raul! Calm down! A fatal blow! GOOOOOOL!!!"

"Monaco's attacks were relentless, but Real Madrid rendered Deschamps' tactics useless in just 10 seconds! Zidane, Ronaldo, Raul, Guti—these names are the art of football! That's why they wear white jerseys! That's why they are legends!"

After scoring, Raul opened his arms and rushed towards the corner flag, where Guti and Ronaldo pounced from behind, and the three embraced tightly.

Guti excitedly ruffled Raul's hair, while Ronaldo laughed and shouted something in his ear.

The substitutes' bench erupted in cheers.

Florentino stood up in the VIP section and clapped with a smile.

The Real Madrid executives around him high-fived each other, and some had already taken out their phones to send messages.

The Real Madrid fans in the stands waved their scarves wildly, chanting at the top of their lungs, "Yes, we can!"

The gloom of the 3-5 defeat in the first leg seems to be dispelled by this goal.

Raul had just finished celebrating his goal when Deschamps rushed to the sidelines and clapped his hands so loudly that even the fans in the stands could hear him.

"Don't panic! Follow the plan!"

He roared at the players on the field, tapping his temple with his right index finger to signal them to stay calm and think things through.

Roy was the first to understand the coach's intention.

He jogged to the vicinity of the center circle and winked at Giuly.

The two nodded in tacit agreement.

It's time to put more pressure on Real Madrid's crumbling defense.

Roy proactively dropped back to the left flank of midfield, and this agile movement immediately put Borja in a dilemma: following him would expose the gap in the middle, while not following him would mean leaving Monaco's most threatening attacking point unguarded.

Juli then began frequently cutting inside from the right flank.

He no longer insisted on crossing from the byline, but consciously moved towards the center, forming a double attacking midfield position with Rothen.

This subtle adjustment threw Real Madrid's defensive system into chaos.

Salgado had to tuck in with Giuly, leaving the right flank completely exposed to the onrushing Maicon.

Deschamps' tactical instructions were simple yet deadly:
Roy dropped back to receive the pass, drawing Borja away from his defensive position.

Juli's inside cut creates a local numerical advantage.

The two full-backs made determined forward runs, using the width of the space to stretch the defensive line.

The fourth official on the sidelines had to step in to remind Deschamps to retreat to the coaching area, but the young French coach's tactical adjustments had already had an immediate effect.

Roy was like a baton that disrupted Real Madrid's defense, disrupting the defensive formation with every drop back; Giuly, on the other hand, was like a sharp scalpel, constantly creating deadly opportunities in the flanks.

Monaco's attacking waves came one after another, while Real Madrid's players were exhausted from defending, a stark contrast to their composure at the start of the game.

In the 32nd minute, the roar from the Stade Louis II suddenly rose.

Rothen calmly received the ball near the center circle. Facing Borja's clumsy challenge, he deftly pushed the ball with the inside of his right foot, sending it steadily to Bernardi's feet.

The Argentine midfielder even had time to look up and observe for two seconds.

This fatal pause caused Real Madrid's defense to collectively lose focus.

Bernardi unleashed a long pass with his right foot like a whip, the ball arcing precisely towards the right flank.

Giuly braced the ball with his thigh before it hit the ground, and Carlos charged over menacingly.

Giuly feigned a downward kick with his right foot, then suddenly changed his approach the moment Carlos kicked out.

With a hook back with his right foot followed by a gentle push with his left foot, the ball bounced off the outside of his foot on the third touch, and accurately passed through the Brazilian's legs.

Carlos lost his balance and staggered, nearly falling. Amidst the gasps from the stands, Giuly had already swept past like a red and white lightning bolt.

He didn't try to take credit for himself, but instead delivered a low cross before Helguera could cover, and the ball flew through the penalty area at perfect speed.

Inside the penalty area, Roy's skillful lateral movement drew away Helguera, while Morientes, like an awakened lion, suddenly burst out from behind Mejia!
The center forward, abandoned by Real Madrid, leaped high on the edge of the six-yard box, and in the instant his neck muscles tensed, his forehead slammed into the ball.

"boom!"

Casillas made a diving save, but the ball was too fast and went straight into the net! 1-1!

The final score is now 6-4!

The Stade Louis II erupted in a deafening roar, with the chants of over ten thousand people coalescing into one name: "Morientes! Morientes!"

The moment the ball hit the net, Monaco players swarmed towards the goal scorer.

Giuly was the first to jump onto Morientes' back, Roy gave him a bear hug from the side, and even goalkeeper Roma rushed across the field to join the celebration.

In the center of the crowd, Morientes initially just silently patted the team badge on his chest.

But the cheers grew louder and louder, and some fans in the stands even held up his number 9 jersey from when he played for Real Madrid.

The tough center forward finally couldn't hold back any longer. He grabbed the red and white Monaco jersey, bent down, and kissed it hard.

This action ignited an even wilder roar, with even the caddies on the sidelines jumping up and down.

The broadcast camera ruthlessly cut to two images: one side showed the sea of ​​Monaco's revelry, and the other showed Florentino's ashen face.

The Real Madrid president's suit and tie felt like a noose around his neck, and he subconsciously loosened his tie.

The words spoken in the meeting room a year ago, "We need more dazzling superstars," are now being played out in a loop on the screens of the VIP boxes at the Stade Louis II as Morientes kisses the team crest.

At this moment, this decision is being met with the cruelest retribution on the stage of the Champions League knockout rounds.

Deschamps on the sidelines pumped his fist. His tactics board read, "Focus on attacking the Borja area." This goal was another fatal lapse in positioning by Real Madrid's defensive midfielder.

When Morientes headed the ball, the Real Madrid midfielder was still standing there with his hand raised to indicate offside.

Queiroz complained in vain to the fourth official on the sidelines, while Real Madrid fans in the stands, who had traveled with the team, covered their tear-filled eyes with white scarves.

38 minutes.

Monaco's attack down the right flank was thwarted by Carlos, and the ball rolled to near the halfway line.

Instead of standing still and waiting for the ball, Roy suddenly retreated to the top of the center circle.

This clever movement made Salgado, who was marking him, hesitate for a second.

In that split second, Pedretti's pass found Roy.

Roy received the ball with his back to goal, and Borja immediately pounced on him.

But Roy didn't panic. He flicked the ball with his left foot, spun around, and with a simple turn, brushed past Real Madrid's defensive midfielder.

Seeing this, Guti hurriedly stepped in to defend, but Roy didn't give his opponent a chance to adjust.

Roy suddenly braked hard as he dribbled forward, and the sudden stop almost caused Guti, who was rushing towards him, to lose his balance. The Real Madrid vice-captain staggered a couple of steps forward.

In that split second, Roy struck the ball with the outside of his right foot.

He didn't even fully adjust his center of gravity, relying entirely on muscle memory to complete the pass.

The ball lifted off the ground with a strong external spin, whistling between Helguera's outstretched toes and Mejia's raised knee.

Mejia instinctively raised his leg to block, but the ball had already found an opening precisely.

Just as Roy made his sudden stop, the entire Real Madrid defense paused for a moment, while Giuly seized this subtle rhythm difference to complete his offside sprint.

Giuly launched himself like an arrow released from a bow, and by the time Mejia reacted, the French winger had already left him two body lengths behind.

The roar of the crowd at the Stade Louis II instantly rose.

Giuly dribbled towards the penalty area, and Casillas decisively rushed out. Just as the two were about to collide, Giuly gently flicked the ball with the instep of his right foot, sending it arcing gracefully over the Spanish goalkeeper's toes and into the far corner of the net!
2-1! Monaco takes the lead!

The broadcast cameras immediately focused on the planners of the attack.

Roy didn't join the celebration; instead, he stood there panting heavily.

His physical strength was greatly depleted during that series of moves: retreating, getting rid of defenders, and making through passes.

But when he saw the scoreboard change, he couldn't help but grin.

This smile made Deschamps on the sidelines pump his fist: it was his pre-match "Roy the Free Man" tactic that had completely torn apart Real Madrid's midfield defense.

Florentino stood in the VIP box at the Stade Louis II, his hands gripping the railing tightly.

His gaze was fixed on Queiroz on the sidelines, the Portuguese player frantically waving his arms, trying to get the players on the field to reorganize their defense, but it was all in vain.

The score of 2-1 flashed glaringly on the scoreboard, and the crushing defeat of 7-4 in the final score was a foregone conclusion.

Florentino's face was ashen, and the Real Madrid executives around him remained silent. Everyone knew that someone had to take responsibility for this defeat.

Queiroz's coaching career at Real Madrid is nearing its end.

The Real Madrid president stared at the pitch, silently spelling out a name in his mind: Arsène Wenger.

Florentino Pérez began monitoring the Arsenal manager's movements as early as mid-season.

Wenger's football philosophy—fluid attacking play, rigorous tactics, and the development of young players—perfectly aligns with Real Madrid's style of play. More importantly, Wenger's success in the Premier League proves he can build a top team on a limited budget, while Real Madrid's recent star-studded policy has significantly increased its financial burden.

However, poaching Wenger won't be easy. The Frenchman still has one year left on his contract with Arsenal, and the Gunners' management will certainly not let him go easily. However, if Arsenal ultimately fail to win any major trophies this season (being overtaken by Chelsea in the league, eliminated from the Champions League, and losing in the domestic cup), Wenger might consider a new challenge.

Florentino has already instructed his assistants to prepare a preliminary contact plan, which will be ready once the season ends.

As for the alternatives, Eriksson and Ranieri.

Eriksson's contract as England manager includes a "Real Madrid clause," but Florentino Pérez still has doubts about his coaching record.

According to AS, there was a verbal agreement in Eriksson's contract with the FA that if he were to sign a contract with Real Madrid, the FA would have no right to demand a buyout fee and would have to release him. Of course, all of this will have to wait until after he leads the England national team in this year's European Championship.

"My dream is to become the head coach of Real Madrid someday."

This is something Eriksson said when he was Lazio's head coach, and he still hasn't given up on that dream.

Claudio Ranieri, Chelsea's Italian manager, has had an excellent season, but his lack of experience at top clubs makes him less of a first choice.

The television screen in the VIP box was replaying Morientes' goal, and Florentino's eyes grew even colder. He turned to the sporting director beside him and said, "Contact Wenger as soon as the season ends."

Queiroz is still giving futile instructions from the sidelines, but he is no longer part of Real Madrid's future plans.

In the 41st minute, Roy received the ball on the left wing, and Salgado immediately rushed over, but Roy didn't give him a chance to get close.

He flicked the ball with his right foot, feigning a run down the flank, but just as Salgado stretched out his leg to intercept, he suddenly used the inside of his foot to cut the ball inwards!

Salgado was thrown off balance and staggered back two steps.

Seeing this, Guti hurriedly stepped in to defend, but Roy's pace was even faster.

He gently pushed the ball with his right foot, seemingly to pass it, but suddenly accelerated as Guti kicked the ball, slipping through the gap between the two!
Arriving at the edge of the penalty area, Roy didn't hesitate at all, unleashing a low left-footed shot that flew straight into the far corner!
Casillas dived to the side, barely managing to touch the ball with his fingertips, which then rolled past the post and out of bounds.

Monaco fans sighed in despair, but Roy merely smiled slightly, seemingly quite satisfied with his performance.

43 minutes.

Monaco intercepted the ball in their own half, and Roy quickly dropped back to receive it.

The moment Pedroti's pass reached his feet, before Real Madrid's midfield defense had even settled into position, Roy had already looked up to assess the situation. With a gentle flick of the outside of his right foot, the ball, as if by magic, precisely pierced through the gap in Real Madrid's defense, finding Maicon making a run down the right flank!

The Brazilian full-back dashed to the byline like lightning and swept a low cross across the face of goal!
Morientes arrived quickly and unleashed a powerful volley.

The ball whistled over the crossbar! Casillas broke out in a cold sweat, while Roy shook his head, seemingly slightly disappointed that the attack hadn't turned into a goal.

The cheers at the Stade Louis II were deafening.

Monaco's relentless attack overwhelmed Real Madrid, while Real Madrid could only desperately defend themselves, their stars' faces etched with anxiety and frustration.

Casillas launched a long ball towards midfield, the ball arcing high through the air.

However, Real Madrid's midfield was already in disarray. Borja managed to jump for the header, but Pedretti held him firmly in place.

Monaco's defensive midfielder flicked the ball on with his head, and it fell straight to Roy, who had dropped back to receive it.

The French prodigy didn't even stop the ball to adjust; he met it with the outside of his foot and flicked it.

He found Rothen beside him.

Rothen delivered another diagonal pass forward, and Roy received the ball again on the edge of the penalty area. Helguera dared not rush to intercept and could only retreat while fighting.

He raised his right foot, as if to shoot from a distance, and Helguera instinctively stretched out his leg to block it.

But Roy suddenly pulled his foot back the moment he touched the ball, and deftly flicked it with his heel!
The ball passed between Helguera's legs and was delivered precisely to Rothen's feet on the left side of the penalty area!
Rothen unleashed a powerful shot, and with a resounding "bang!"

The ball hit the crossbar and bounced back into play, where it was touched out of bounds by Mejia, who was making a hasty clearance.

Monaco were awarded one last corner kick.

Rothen strode towards the corner flag, the roar of the Stade Louis II almost lifting the roof off.

Corner kick taken!
Morientes leaped high at the near post, outjumping Mejia to head the ball on!
The ball flew in a strange arc towards the far post, and Casillas couldn't make the save!

In a flash, a red and white figure appeared like a ghost!
Roy met the ball near the penalty spot and, before it hit the ground, volleyed it with the instep of his right foot!
The ball, spinning intensely, bypassed the hastily blocking Helguera and nestled into the top right corner of the goal!

3-1! Monaco secures the victory!

The entire Stade Louis II erupted in cheers!

Roy sprinted all the way to the corner flag, leaving two deep marks on the grass beneath his feet.

As he slid to the end of his kneeling motion, he suddenly raised his right hand, making a gesture as if removing an invisible crown from his head.

Just like that famous "self-coronation" in the first leg at the Bernabéu.

But this time, his actions were even more arrogant.

With a flick of his wrist, he casually tossed the imagined crown toward the stands, a smug smirk playing on his lips.

This provocative celebration immediately ignited an even louder roar at the Stade Louis II.

Monaco fans waved their scarves wildly, some even mimicking the action of throwing a crown.

Morientes patted Roy on the back excitedly.

This goal completely sealed the victory!

The broadcast camera panned across the Real Madrid bench, where Pavón had his hands clenched on his knees, his eyes fixed on the field.

Bravo was warming up next to him, while Queiroz didn't even glance in his direction.

The 24-year-old center-back was wrapped in a thick substitute coat, but the chill seemed to seep into his bones.

A year ago, it was his performance at center-back that led Florentino to make the difficult decision to let Hierro go.

Now, he struggles to even make the squad list, and the "Zidane + Pavón" policy has become a joke in the locker room.

On the field, Zidane was exhausted as he chased after the Monaco players.

The midfield maestro handpicked by the chairman now walks with heavy steps; the exorbitant transfer fee couldn't buy him a single defensive interception.

The camera switches back and forth between the two people.

A future star relegated to the bench, and a contemporary "King of Football" struggling to perform, together form the most ironic footnote to Florentino's superstar policy.

Pavin suddenly lowered his head and buried his face in his hands, rubbing them.

The plastic seats on the substitutes' bench creaked slightly, drowned out by the deafening cheers from the Stade Louis II.

Ronaldo stood near the center circle, hands on his hips, staring blankly at the Monaco players celebrating in the distance.

Roy was making an exaggerated gesture of throwing a crown when the cheers from the Stade Louis II surged like a tidal wave, making the world's best footballer feel dizzy.

During pre-match training, Queiroz had Ronaldo wear a striking green vest alone. His bulky figure stood out against the bright color, sparking speculation that he might be a substitute.

The vest that Queiroz specifically made him wear during the first leg of the pre-match training now seems like an absurd omen.

That assist to Raul rekindled his Champions League dreams, but in the time that followed, he seemed like a superstar whose voice had been muted, completely lost in Monaco's defensive jungle.

The broadcast camera captured him subconsciously touching his left knee.

There were old wounds there that had bothered him for years.

What hurts even more right now is his heart: at Inter Milan, he was Moratti's precious jewel, but at Real Madrid, even though he topped the La Liga scoring charts, people still talked about Zidane's magic and Raul's loyalty.

The fourth official on the sidelines raised the stoppage time board, and Ronaldo looked down at his empty wrist.

He usually carries a very expensive watch with him.

It was a gift from Florentino when he renewed his contract, but now it only serves as a reminder that another season ending in nothing is approaching.

Amidst the cheers of the Monaco players, he vaguely saw the blue and black sea of ​​the San Siro stadium again.

Just yesterday, Inter Milan, without him, defeated Juventus.

Zidane walked off the field with his head down, sweat dripping down his bald head.

He subconsciously looked up and saw Roy walking past him.

The young man's chest rose and fell slightly, a relaxed smile on his face, his red and white jersey standing out brightly under the lights.

His hair swayed gently as he ran, and he exuded youthful vigor.

Zidane suddenly stopped and looked down at his black jersey, which was already soaked through.

At 34, his legs felt as heavy as lead, and every breath felt like a burning sensation.

He then realized that there was already a chasm called "time" between him and that 19-year-old.

A photographer on the sidelines pressed the shutter, capturing the moment: on one side was a vibrant young star from Monaco, and on the other was a weary Real Madrid legend.

Zidane shook his head slightly and continued walking towards the locker room.

There are no sentimental power transitions on the football field, only a brutal changing of the guard.

Young players climb up by stepping on the shoulders of veterans, just as a young lion in a pride will eventually replace the old lion king.

Young people like Roy are already considered polite—at least he would nod to his seniors.

Many new generations will only use speed and physical strength to ruthlessly crush opponents; letting strength speak for itself is the eternal truth on the football field.

Veterans either retire gracefully or can only watch helplessly as their positions are overtaken by newcomers.

This is the most realistic rule of survival in the world of football.

Florentino Pérez only sat in the VIP box at the Stade Louis II for 40 minutes.

When Monaco scored their second goal, he stood up expressionlessly and left the field early, escorted by his bodyguards.

The real estate tycoon's suit was still impeccably tailored, but beneath his meticulously styled hair, the veins on his forehead were faintly visible.

The moment the elevator doors closed, deafening cheers erupted once again in the stadium.

It's obvious without even looking that Monaco has scored again.

Florentino stared at the elevator door, his slightly distorted reflection mirrored on the metal surface.

As the elevator descended, a slight feeling of weightlessness washed over him, and his temples throbbed.

The image of Morientes roaring as he scored with a header, and Roy's arrogant expression after toying with Real Madrid's defense, lingers in my mind.

The two players he personally sent away are now retaliating against his decision in the most cruel way.

Florentino Pérez is facing the most serious crisis of confidence since he took charge of Real Madrid.

The defeat at the Stade Louis II in Monaco served as a mirror, exposing the deep-seated governance problems accumulated during his four-year term.

As Deportivo La Coruña coach Irureta circulated in the locker room, saying, "It's not difficult to beat this star-studded team," the fairytale of the so-called "Galácticos" was gradually sinking into the Mediterranean night.

The suspense of this Champions League knockout match had vanished before the first half even ended.

When Monaco's players breached Real Madrid's goal for the third time, the scoreboard at the Stade Louis II ruthlessly declared that the outcome of this so-called clash of titans was already sealed within just 45 minutes of the opening whistle.

(End of this chapter)