When playing football, you should call it GOAT.

Chapter 249 He said, "Let there be light," and there was light in Munich.

2005年4月6日晚8点45分，欧冠四分之一决赛首回合另一场比赛，在圣西罗球场上演米兰德比。

AC Milan ultimately defeated Inter Milan 2-0, with Stam and Shevchenko both scoring with headers from free kicks assisted by Pirlo.

This marks Shevchenko's 12th goal against Inter Milan during his six years with AC Milan.

This defeat ended Inter Milan's 10-game unbeaten run in the Champions League.

Coincidentally, in the last league encounter between the two teams this season, AC Milan also ended Inter Milan's 40-game unbeaten streak in all competitions with a 1-0 victory, which was also Inter Milan's only two defeats this season.

值得一提的是，AC米兰在历史上260次米兰德比中以101胜72平87负稍占上风，自2002年3月以来已连续8场德比保持不败，其中包括2年前欧冠半决赛凭借客场进球优势淘汰对手。

After the match, Chelsea's dressing room was filled with jubilation.

The players were ecstatic; some even took off their shirts and celebrated their victory.

After a while, Mourinho pushed open the door and entered.

Upon seeing the head coach enter, the shirtless players immediately greeted him with enthusiastic applause.

With a confident smile, the renowned Portuguese coach quipped in his characteristic humor, "It seems Chelsea is a team that can win without a coach."

This remark elicited a burst of laughter from the locker room.

The players clearly enjoyed the victory, and Mourinho affirmed their performance in his own way.

Mourinho stood in the center of the locker room, his gaze sweeping firmly over the players, and spoke in a steady, powerful voice:

“Bayern now have two away goals, so of course they won’t accept it. I understand the German mentality; when they return to the Munich Olympic Stadium, they will definitely believe that a 2-0 victory is enough for them to advance. They are certainly studying us, calculating that we will set up a tight defense, hold onto the current score, and allow them to keep trying to shoot from outside the penalty area.”

He paused slightly, his eyes becoming even sharper.

"But let me tell you, that will absolutely not be our plan. We want to do exactly the opposite; we want to score more goals away from home. German football is known for its team spirit and fighting will, which is good, because..."

He looked around at each player and said, "That's exactly what we're like! We're a real team, a real legion!"

"In Munich, we will show everyone what true, hard-hitting football is!"

A cheer erupted in the team's locker room.

Roy joined in the applause.

After the celebration ended, he said a few words to Mourinho as he left the locker room, then walked alone to the lounge and dialed his agent Mendes's number.

At this point, Roy decided to fully support Mourinho.

This is not only because they are both strategic allies under Mendes, but also because Roy understands better than anyone else that at this moment, Mourinho's stability is crucial to Chelsea, and Chelsea's stability is directly related to his personal interests.

As the team's core player, he needs a strong head coach to maintain order in the locker room.

As Mendes's star player, he needs a successful Mourinho to consolidate their influence in the Premier League.

This match attracted a large audience from the European football world.

The list of VIPs included former Chelsea manager Vialli, Hungarian manager Matthäus, former England manager Venables, former Chelsea manager Ranieri, Johan Cruyff, and Jacquet, who led France to win the World Cup in 98.

Chelsea's style of football captivated everyone, including French football legend Jacquet.

This accomplished coach paid particular attention to Chelsea's two classic victories against Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

What impressed Jacquet most was that the core framework of the team in these two tough matches was supported by players from both England and France.

Although key defender Abidal was absent due to injury, Gallas's solid defense and Makelele's role as a midfield shield were not diminished at all.

On the offensive end, Roy almost single-handedly orchestrated Chelsea's most dangerous attacking plays.

Jacquet was genuinely pleased with this, as the success of this Blues team was built on the perfect teamwork between English and French players.

Like two wheels of a chariot, neither can be missing, and together they propel the team forward.

When discussing the match, Cruyff said, "Barcelona losing to Chelsea is a normal result. Chelsea is indeed very strong now, and in my opinion, they are stronger than Real Madrid. It's been a long time since a new team has truly risen to prominence in the top leagues in European football, and that's not a bad thing. Just like a catfish is needed in a box of sardines to keep the fish alive, football also needs new forces like Chelsea to break the old order."

That evening, Roy told his assistant, Nicholas Heathlen, and the driver to go home first, as he needed to talk to Mendes about something.

After everyone left, he went to the underground parking lot alone and got into Mendes' Mercedes.

The two discussed Mourinho's situation.

Mendes originally intended to cautiously probe Roy's attitude, after all, their relationship was not that of an ordinary agent and player, but rather that of partners running a sports marketing company together.

In fact, Roy owns more shares in the company than Mendes.

But Roy did not hesitate at all and directly stated his full support for Mourinho.

This straightforward answer surprised and delighted Mendes.

Mendes drove his Mercedes through the London night, then turned to Roy and said, “There’s something else I need to tell you tomorrow. I have an appointment with two brokers from SFX at the Claridge Hotel in Mayfair.”

He explained in detail: "Tony Stevens will be there; he's Beckham's agent and will mainly act as an intermediary. Another is the Scotsman Struan Marshall, who represents England players like Carragher and McAllister."

"But right now, his most important client is Steven Gerrard."

After Mendes finished speaking, he turned his head to observe Roy's reaction.

To his surprise, Roy did not show the joy he had expected.

"Liverpool drew with Juventus at home in the first leg of the Champions League, and their chances of advancing are now very slim. Almost everyone thinks that Liverpool will definitely lose at the Stadio delle Alpi."

"You'll definitely face Deschamps this year, a showdown between you two, teacher and student, plus Mourinho wanting revenge for what happened years ago. Am I right, Roy?"

"As for Ibrahimovic, that fat Italian Raiola is still hyping it up, saying the Swede will be your formidable opponent. That's ridiculous. You can completely crush him. We've already prepared all those propaganda points."

"If Liverpool are eliminated by Juventus, Gerrard will definitely not stay at Anfield. He will only have two choices: Chelsea or Manchester United."

"But Manchester United can basically be ruled out. Gerrard won't take that risk; wearing the jersey of a bitter rival would be self-destructive and would forever tarnish his reputation."

"As for Arsenal? They simply can't afford that price. If they force a sale, it would be tantamount to forcing Vieira to leave to free up salary space."

Mendes concluded with a meaningful smile: "Our roster will be even stronger next year."

After the draw against Juventus, Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez said: "It's clear about Gerrard's situation. We will build a strong team around him for the future. He is a member of the club, he is the captain, and we will not sell him."

The Independent newspaper in the UK provided a detailed analysis of Gerrard's situation: the Liverpool captain is still hesitant to stay at Anfield.

The article clearly states that if Gerrard truly desires to win the Champions League, then a move to Chelsea would undoubtedly provide a greater chance of winning the title.

Judging from the Premier League landscape, Chelsea's dominance is expected to continue for several years.

Although Arsenal and Manchester United are going through a painful transition, they will eventually return to the title race.

In contrast, Liverpool remains mired in rebuilding difficulties, and with its current squad strength, it is unlikely to break the three-way rivalry between Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal.

The report specifically mentioned that Owen left Liverpool for Real Madrid because of his pursuit of championship honors, and now Gerrard faces a very similar choice to Owen.

Gerrard nearly transferred to Chelsea last summer, and now the 24-year-old has once again expressed his dissatisfaction with Benitez's management of the team.

The midfield maestro made it clear: "If Liverpool can't win any major trophies, I won't be content to stay here."

Given Liverpool's current level of performance, their chances of winning the Champions League are indeed slim.

Gerrard is clearly Chelsea's top target right now, and Mendes seems to have been tasked with making it happen. In this timeline, the likelihood of Gerrard joining Chelsea has greatly increased.

It could even be said that if Liverpool hadn't won the Istanbul title this year, Gerrard would almost certainly be a Chelsea player next year, but that's not what Roy wants to see.

Roy suddenly asked, "What about Thiago Mendes?"

The situation of this midfielder from Benfica, who is also under Mendes's management, has been brought up.

Mendes paused noticeably, then admitted, "José isn't very satisfied with him. Sometimes we have to make choices."

His tone revealed a hint of helplessness, suggesting that the interests of other players under his management might need to be compromised in Gerrard's transfer.

Roy bluntly stated: "Jose won't really be satisfied with Gerrard either. This transfer only suits Abramovich's personal preferences and doesn't benefit the entire Chelsea team or any other players."

"Just look at the England national team's performance; Gerrard and Lampard simply can't gel. While this is certainly related to their lack of a defensive midfielder like Roy Keane, we can't gamble with the team's chances."

“To be honest, what we really need right now is a tough guy like Vieira or Davies. We need a midfield killer. Claude (Makelele) is getting old and can't stay at his best forever.”

Of course, Roy remained calm about it.

"Of course I know this isn't something the players should be involved in. But Jose has a say in player recruitment, although it's not appropriate to bring this up now. But after we win three more games in a row and secure the Premier League title..."

He then changed the subject: "Speaking of signings, there's really no need to think too much. Just look at Arsenal's list of suitors. Wenger has the best eye in the world, but his wallet isn't. They're chasing that young man from Lyon named Essien. I played against him in Ligue 1, and he's a muscle monster, a real beast."

"Believe me."

Roy stated unequivocally, "Jose would absolutely love this kind of player. Essien is the player we really need, rather than eyeing the star midfielders of other Premier League teams."

Mendes immediately understood Roy's implied meaning.

This was his condition for supporting Mourinho: he must do everything in his power to prevent Gerrard from joining Chelsea.

Although Roy personally admired Gerrard's abilities, he was firmly opposed to the deal.

The world is never black and white, and loyalty is not an innate quality.

It was actually a choice made after repeatedly rejecting temptations and weighing the pros and cons.

Just as Maldini once seriously considered joining Real Madrid, Totti would threaten Roma's management with transfers to Real Madrid or Milan almost every year to force them to make signings. And Gerrard, without the Champions League trophy brought by the Miracle of Istanbul, would have long since given up hope of Liverpool realizing his championship dream.

These legendary players ultimately chose to stay with their original teams, which is admirable in itself.

But in this different world, certain key factors have changed, causing the story to take a different turn.

"I will convey your opinion to José."

Mendes nodded, already considering how to politely decline the seemingly certain transfer without damaging his relationship with Abramovich.

He knew that in the days to come, he would have to carefully navigate the relationships between the club owner, the head coach, and the key players.

Chelsea defeated Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich 4-2 in the first leg of their Champions League tie midweek.

With the second leg next week in mind, Mourinho made significant changes to the lineup: key players Roy, Makelele, and center-back Carvalho were all on the bench, while Smeldin made his first start since January.

The attack is led by Morientes and Drogba, while Finnish striker Fussel, who returned from winter loan, was not even included in the squad.

Birmingham manager Bruce made only one substitution, replacing Lazaridis with Nafti.

Mourinho returned to the coaching bench after serving his suspension, still wearing his signature grey coat as he directed the team from the sidelines.

Chelsea are aiming for their first league title in 50 years.

However, Birmingham deployed a tight defensive formation, compressing space through midfield pressing, making it difficult for Chelsea to launch effective attacks.

In the first 15 minutes of the game, neither side was able to create any real scoring opportunities.

In the 41st minute, Birmingham took the lead thanks to a controversial decision.

Joe Cole made a steal in what appeared to be a clean tackle, but referee Foy called a foul on him against Heskey.

Joe Cole received a yellow card for protesting the decision, and the referee also advanced the free kick position by 10 yards.

Pennant took the free kick in the attacking third, and Cech risked coming out but failed to reach the ball.

Upson headed the ball back into the middle from near the byline, and Pandiani followed up with a powerful shot that went past Terry and eventually nestled into the net under the crossbar.

This goal gave Birmingham an unexpected lead while playing away from home.

In the 53rd minute of the second half, Birmingham striker Pandiani dribbled past defenders and passed the ball across to Heskey, who unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area, but unfortunately, the ball went high.

Chelsea immediately took a goal kick, and Smerting won the first ball in midfield before heading it to Lampard.

After receiving the ball, Lampard delivered a precise diagonal pass. Drogba, instead of being greedy for points, used a delicate lob pass to find Morientes, who had broken into the penalty area. Morientes calmly controlled the ball, adjusted his position, and then fired a low shot into the net to equalize the score.

Roy came on as a substitute in the 75th minute.

Eight minutes later, he received the ball on the left wing and began his performance.

First, he dribbled past Darren Cott and Damian Johnson with a series of changes of direction, then surged into the penalty area. Facing Upson and Clapham who were covering, Roy used a series of feints to lose his balance, and then deftly passed the ball across the middle. Drogba followed up with a powerful shot that found the back of the net, putting Chelsea ahead.

Chelsea came from behind to defeat Birmingham 2-1 at home, securing three crucial points in the 32nd round of the Premier League.

Less than two hours after the match ended, good news came from Carroll Road Stadium.

Manchester United suffered a shock 0-2 defeat away to relegation-threatened Norwich City.

This result extends Chelsea's lead in the standings to an astonishing 18 points.

Mourinho stared at the points table, his eyes suddenly widening, his fingers rapidly counting the numbers.

He slammed his fist on the table and stood up abruptly, shouting to his assistants, "If we beat Manchester United in the next game, we can win the title on their turf!"

The locker room fell silent instantly.

Lampard took a deep breath, and Roy's eyes gleamed with excitement: "Wenger will be insanely jealous."

With six rounds remaining in the league, they lead second-placed Manchester United by a full 18 points.

Their next match will be at Old Trafford, where they will challenge Manchester United.

This is not just an ordinary league match, but a historic opportunity.

If Manchester United wins this match, they will never be able to catch up with the points tally, regardless of the results of the next five rounds.

This means Chelsea will clinch the Premier League title with five games to spare at Manchester United's home ground.

Old Trafford, the Theatre of Dreams that has witnessed countless glorious moments for Manchester United, may now become the stage for Chelsea's coronation.

Winning the title here is of extraordinary significance to Chelsea: First, it will become one of the most classic title-winning moments in Premier League history, and the image of lifting the trophy on the home turf of the former Premier League champions will be forever remembered.

Secondly, this marks the arrival of a new era in the Premier League, with Chelsea stepping on the shoulders of traditional powerhouses to ascend the throne.

Finally, for Manchester United fans, there could be no more painful moment.

Watching their opponents raise their arms and shout in their own sacred ground.

Such a victory will not only bring the championship trophy, but will also completely change the psychological state of both teams.

Chelsea's players will gain unprecedented confidence as a result, while Manchester United will suffer a huge psychological blow.

The significance of this match may very well transcend the season itself, becoming a major turning point in Premier League history.

"Fuck, how come I only saw this now?"

"If we miss Bayern, the league match on April 26th will have to be rescheduled—that damn UEFA schedule!"

"The rescheduled match will definitely be postponed until May. By the time they actually play Manchester United, the championship will have been won long ago."

"They could have easily crushed them at Old Trafford to win the title, but now they might be lifting the trophy against a relegation-threatened team at Stamford Bridge."

"What kind of historic moment is this, winning the championship three or four rounds early? What a load of crap!"

"The best script ever was ruined."

"Those office idiots have absolutely no idea about the drama of football."

"We deserved to be crowned at Old Trafford. This terrible schedule ruined it."

"Damn it. Damn it all."

Mourinho stared at the schedule and suddenly started swearing for a long time.

He realized a real problem: if Chelsea eliminated Bayern Munich and advanced to the Champions League semi-finals, the Premier League matches originally scheduled for April 26 and 27 would be forced to be postponed due to scheduling conflicts.

According to the usual practice of the Premier League schedule, this rescheduled match will likely be moved to early May.

This means that although the next round of the league is a crucial match against Manchester United (round 33), the actual game against Manchester United will take place after rounds 34 and 35.

By then, Chelsea will most likely have already secured the league title through the remaining matches.

At this moment, Roy casually reminded him, "But our opponent in round 34 is Arsenal."

Mourinho shook his head: "Even if we beat Arsenal, we still have to wait another round to confirm the title."

Roy continued, "What if Everton beat Manchester United?"

"Everton? Beat Manchester United? Roy, don't be ridiculous. Look at Everton's performance this season. How many points have they taken away from the top teams? What can Moyes' team do at Old Trafford? When was the last time they won there? 2003? Manchester United haven't lost a game at home this season. And how many strong teams has Everton beaten away from home? With Heitinga and that reckless goalkeeper, can Everton's defense stop Rooney and Ronaldo? Unless Ferguson fields a youth team, what makes Everton think they can beat them? Even if Manchester United are in bad form, it's still Old Trafford. Pinning your title hopes on Everton? You might as well hope we beat Arsenal ourselves. Be realistic. Everton getting even one point there would be a miracle. This damn schedule!"

Mourinho was extremely disappointed by this missed perfect chance to win the title, but the Champions League title had a higher strategic value for him.

"Okay, okay, if Everton actually fucking beat Manchester United, I'll write a thank-you note to Moyesden on the front page of The Sun, starting with 'Dear Mr. Moyes,' and including a bottle of expensive Porto. Hell, I should go to church and light candles right now."

On April 10, Chelsea's private plane landed at Munich Airport. Roy looked out the window at the familiar city skyline; this was only the second time in his professional career that he had set foot on the soil of the Bavarian capital.

According to reports from Munich on the same day, Bayern Munich leads the Bundesliga standings by 3 points after defeating Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-1 yesterday.

The team received more good news: Peruvian striker Claudio Pizarro, who missed the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final due to injury, has been confirmed to have fully recovered and is set to play in the second leg against Chelsea two days later.

"I have no problem playing against Chelsea."

Pizarro confidently challenged Chelsea: "In my current form, I'm absolutely fine playing on Tuesday. In front of our home fans, we're fully capable of winning 2-0 or 3-1, which would allow us to advance to the next round."

Bayern Munich, missing Makaay and Pizarro, were defeated 4-2 by Chelsea in their first match at Stamford Bridge, but a late goal from Ballack kept their hopes alive.

Whether Makaay and Pizarro can recover from their injuries in time for the second leg has become Bayern's biggest bargaining chip for a comeback. Although they conceded four goals in a Champions League match for the first time in ten years, the fact that a rookie striker, Guerreiro, was able to score two goals away from home has undoubtedly boosted Bayern's confidence. Bayern is now hoping that their attacking duo can reunite.

Makaay and Pizarro combined for 21 goals in the Bundesliga and 10 goals in the Champions League. Makaay, needless to say, is a cold-blooded killer who can deliver the final blow to his opponents at any time. He is second in the Champions League top scorer list with 7 goals.

Second only to Roy, who has already scored 12 goals.

Although Pizarro only scored one goal in the Champions League group stage, his forward runs and passing, and even his tireless pressing, made him one of the best players in Bayern's attacking line.

Pizarro began to shine in the first round of the knockout stage, scoring twice in the 3-1 home victory against Arsenal, making him one of the biggest contributors to Bayern's advancement.

2005年4月12日晚8点45分，欧冠四分之一决赛次回合在慕尼黑奥林匹克球场打响。

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is still unable to coach from the sidelines due to suspension. The team's only two changes were German defender Huth replacing Glen Johnson in the starting lineup, and Joe Cole moving to the left central midfield position, replacing Thiago Mendes.

For Bayern, the recovered Pizarro and Makaay will start together up front, Demichelis will replace Hargreaves in the starting lineup after being released from suspension, and the in-form Schweinsteiger will replace Salihamidzic in the right midfield position.

After the match started, Bayern kicked off from the center circle and passed the ball back to Demichelis.

Chelsea immediately launched a high press, with Drogba quickly closing in on Demichelis, while Roy moved laterally to block his pass to Sagnol.

Demichelis was forced to turn to the left, but Danze Roberto was immediately double-teamed by Joe Cole and Gallas as soon as he received the ball.

In the chaos, Lampard made a successful steal and looked up to find Roy already sprinting diagonally.

Chelsea gained a local advantage on the left flank.

Roy was matched up against Bayern's right-back Sagnol, while Duff was drawing Schweinsteiger's attention.

Lampard immediately delivered a long, over-the-top pass, the ball sailing over Lucio's head.

Roy's positioning was extremely deceptive.

He first pretended to retreat to provide support, then suddenly cut behind Sagnol the moment he shifted his weight forward.

"Lampard launches a long pass! Look at this attack! Roy!!!"

"Offside trap successfully!! Perfect positioning!! Sagnol is at the back. Roy is one-on-one with the goalkeeper!!"

"The ball falls towards the edge of the penalty area, Roy chases it quickly! Kahn rushes out of his goal!!"

"Brilliant ball control!! A flick of the left foot, and he's got Kahn past him!!!"

"Open goal!!! Lucio is chasing back!!! Roy pushes the ball in!!!"

"Goal! Goal! Goal!!!!!"

"Unbelievable!! Chelsea take the lead away from home after just 1 minute and 35 seconds!! Roy's incredible solo run!!!"

"Lampard's precise long pass, Roy's perfect timing and run, a textbook offside trap! Sagnol raised his hand to signal, but the linesman made no call!"

"Facing world-class goalkeeper Kahn, Roy seemed to have a nemesis! Statistical data shows that he scored in every previous match against Kahn, and this time was no exception! A control, a feint, and a shot sent the ball into the empty net!!"

"Bayern's defense has been completely breached by this blitzkrieg!!!"

"This is Roy's 13th Champions League goal of the season! Chelsea have gotten off to a dream start in Munich!!!"

Bayern's south stand fell into a deathly silence.

Die-hard fans held their heads in their hands, staring incredulously at the scoreboard.

Just over a minute into the game, their dream of a home victory was ruthlessly shattered.

Roy's goal not only broke the deadlock but also gave Chelsea a crucial away goal.

As Chelsea players swarmed the goal scorer, a heated argument erupted in Bayern's penalty area.

Kahn grabbed Lucio's jersey, the German goalkeeper glaring at the Brazilian center-back and roaring, "Focus! Don't give him another chance like that!"

Lucio slapped his forehead in frustration, and Kovac quickly stepped forward to separate the two.

Magath stood on the sidelines, gritting his teeth and taking a deep breath.

His meticulously planned tactics, his highly anticipated starting lineup, and his envisioned devastating attack by Bayern at their home ground in Munich.

All those dreams vanished before Roy's lightning-fast goal.

The camera captured the German coach's clenched fist trembling slightly.

His "opening dominance" tactic, which he repeatedly emphasized before the match, has now become a joke.

Several Adidas executives sat in the stands next to Bayern Munich's general manager, Uli Hoeneß, and their faces were unusually grim.

It all goes back to that fatal decision last season.

Adidas executives are hesitant about offering a record-breaking contract to a 19-year-old rising star.

They weighed the risks repeatedly, recognizing Roy's talent but also worrying that offering a young man who had not yet fully proven himself the same level of contract as Zidane and Figo was too risky.

During the lengthy internal discussions, the initiative in the negotiations was gradually lost.

Ultimately, their overly conservative and cautious approach caused them to miss the best opportunity to sign this future superstar.

This led Roy to switch to rival Nike, signing a lucrative top-tier endorsement contract.

The chain reaction brought about by this decision far exceeded expectations.

After joining Nike, Roy experienced a career breakthrough: he first led Monaco to a historic treble, and then led the French team to victory in the European Championship.

Even more astonishingly, he not only swept the Golden Boots in various competitions, but also won the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards at the end of the year.

These achievements have brought Nike immeasurable brand value and commercial returns.

In contrast, Adidas is having a tough time.

Of the three most important sponsored teams under their umbrella, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich were both eliminated by Roy in the Champions League knockout stage.

Bayern Munich were eliminated in the round of 16, while Real Madrid were knocked out in the quarterfinals.

History seems poised to repeat itself, with Bayern Munich once again facing Chelsea, where Roy plays, in the Champions League quarterfinals.

If Adidas were to lose to Roy again this time, it would be a cruel and ironic end for the team.

This was not just an ordinary business decision-making mistake, but a strategic error of immense value.

Adidas executives can only watch helplessly as players they once had the chance to sign wear rivals' shoes and repeatedly destroy the teams they sponsor.

Ironically, every time Roy scored a goal, the Nike logo on his foot would receive a close-up shot on the global live broadcast.

This former "fish that slipped through the net" has now become Adidas's biggest nightmare.

Meanwhile, in Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's VIP box, Nike executives were quietly analyzing business opportunities with him:

"Mr. Abramovich, Chelsea's performance and commercial value this season have reached unprecedented heights. In terms of economic benefits, our shirt sales have increased by 65% ​​year-on-year, with Roy's number 10 shirt accounting for 42% of total sales. In the UK market, our survey found that 38% of new fans aged 16-25 explicitly stated that they started following Chelsea because of Roy. Among neutral fans, our support rate has increased from 19% last year to 27% currently."

"In continental Europe, particularly in the French market, Chelsea's match viewership increased by 53% due to Roy's national team performances. In the Far East, official fan club memberships in Japan and Hong Kong grew by 130% and 85% respectively, and online merchandise sales in these two markets have surpassed pre-Beckham departure levels. Commercial revenue in North America increased by 41% year-on-year, while French-speaking regions in Africa saw a 72% increase, all of which are direct effects of Roy's influence."

"Based on this data, we recommend a two-week Asian tour during the June offseason. The specific plan includes one commercial game each in Tokyo and Osaka, two days of fan meet-and-greets in Hong Kong, and a Nike youth training camp in Shanghai. According to our market research, this event is expected to increase Nike's market share in the Asian sportswear market by 3-5 percentage points, with the most significant growth anticipated in Japan. It will also help us regain our key 15-24 year old consumer group, in which 62% of consumers currently prefer Adidas products."

"Mr. Abramovich, the timing is extremely crucial for us. Last year, Roy led the French team to win the European Championship, proving his appeal as a new generation of leader. Next year's World Cup will bring him even greater exposure. As the tactical core and star player of the French team, he will undoubtedly be the focus of global media attention."

"We must make the most of this golden window of opportunity. The 14 months leading up to the World Cup are the best time for us to build brand awareness in the Asian market. According to our market research data, sales of Roy-related licensed merchandise surged by 240% in Asia during last year's European Championship, with Japan contributing the largest share. Television viewership data also shows that the number of viewers watching France's matches in Asia is 3.2 times that of other group stage matches."

"From a return on investment perspective, the £800 million budget mainly consists of three parts: approximately £300 million for event organization, £350 million for marketing and promotion, and £150 million in contingency reserves. We expect direct revenue to include: £600 million from ticket and merchandise sales, £400 million from additional sponsorship investment, £500 million from new regional partners, and most importantly, £500 million from Nike's commitment to additional marketing and promotion, totaling at least £2000 million in revenue."

"But the real value lies in long-term planning. If we don't act now and wait until the World Cup to enter the Asian market, not only will the cost double, but the effect will also be greatly reduced. The example of Beckham in the past proves that the synergy between a player's personal commercial image and the club's commercial development can bring brand benefits that last for 5-7 years. Considering that Roy is only 20 years old, the potential return period for this investment may be even longer."

"Especially considering the unique characteristics of the Asian market. In China, Roy's mixed Chinese and French heritage makes him more approachable than other European stars. In Japan, his skills and personality are highly praised by young fans. In Southeast Asia, the cultural ties with Premier League teams will help us quickly open up the market. If these advantages are not consolidated before the World Cup, competitors may seize the initiative."

Bayern Munich launched a fierce attack immediately after conceding the goal.

In the 3rd minute of the match, Pizarro received the ball on the left wing and quickly passed it into the penalty area. Ballack controlled the ball steadily and then took a shot with his left foot, but it was blocked by Chelsea defender Terry.

Ballack reacted quickly and immediately followed up with a second shot, but unfortunately, he hit the ball high.

At 4 minutes and 30 seconds, Bayern launched another attack from the left flank. Ze Roberto dribbled past Huth's defense and crossed the ball into the middle. Pizarro received the ball and unleashed a powerful shot, but Chelsea goalkeeper Cech made a brilliant save to deny him.

Sagnol attempted a follow-up shot, but Chelsea defender Gallas cleared the ball in time.

In the 8th minute, Drogba went down after a physical challenge with Kovac in midfield and was briefly carried off the field by the team doctor for treatment.

Bayern attempted two long-range shots during this period, but both were blocked by Chelsea defenders.

In the 11th minute, Pizarro, making his 50th Champions League appearance, attempted a shot from the edge of the penalty area, but it went just wide of the goal.

In the 15th minute, Bayern continued their attack down the left flank.

After Ze Roberto crossed the ball, Pizarro headed it on, and Ballack fouled Makelele on the edge of the penalty area while vying for position.

Two minutes later, Ze Roberto and Ballack broke through again with a one-two pass, but Chelsea goalkeeper Cech rushed out in time to collect the ball.

In the 18th minute, Schweinsteiger dribbled past Gallas on the right wing with a nutmeg, then changed direction to get past Lampard before unleashing a powerful shot from the edge of the six-yard box into the far corner. This was Bayern's best scoring opportunity since the start of the game, but unfortunately it went wide of the goal.

After a period of intense attack, Chelsea gradually stabilized the situation on the field, the players' tackle success rate began to improve, and the team's attacking organization gradually improved.

Chelsea club owner Roman Abramovich ultimately decided to accept Nike's commercial proposal, and the two parties will jointly organize an Asian promotional tour.

The Russian billionaire also made a significant commitment: if Chelsea wins the Champions League title this season, he will personally contribute an additional £500 million in sponsorship.

“This is not just a commercial event; we want Asian fans to feel Chelsea’s sincerity. This money is not intended for any commercial return; it will be used entirely to enhance the event’s scale and the fan experience.”

In the 29th minute, Roy displayed his amazing dribbling ability on the left wing.

When Roy received the ball on the left wing, Schweinsteiger immediately closed in to challenge him.

Suddenly, he flicked the ball to the left, making a move to the wing. Just as "Little Pig" shifted his weight to that side, Roy deftly flicked his right ankle, and the ball seemed glued to his foot, changing direction and heading towards the inside.

This realistic feint caused the German to completely lose his balance, staggering two steps further back.

By the time Schweinsteiger stopped abruptly and turned to chase back, Roy had already dribbled away, leaving Roy helplessly reaching out to tug at the hem of his jersey from behind, unable to even find a chance to foul him.

When facing Ze Roberto, Roy feigned a breakthrough by flicking the ball out with the outside of his right foot, and then suddenly cut the ball back with the inside of his foot the instant the opponent made his move.

This textbook-perfect cow tail move completely fooled the Brazilian veteran, leaving him no choice but to watch his opponent swagger away.

Just as he was about to continue his advance, Bayern defender Demichelis made a flying tackle from the side and behind. Although the tackle hit Roy's shin, Roy still managed to pass the ball across to the center despite stumbling.

Outside the penalty area, Lampard unleashed a powerful long-range shot.

Unfortunately, the shot deflected off Bayern defender Lucio's right foot, sending the ball flying in a bizarre arc towards the goal.

Bayern goalkeeper Kahn reacted quickly, but losing his balance, he barely managed to touch the ball with his toe, but was powerless to stop it from going into the net.

This goal put Chelsea 2-0 ahead.

It's worth noting that this is the second time in a week that Lucio has deflected a long-range shot from Chelsea into his own net.

With this own goal, Bayern would need to score four goals in the remaining time to turn the game around, a task that seems almost impossible.

After Roy created an opening and Lampard scored in the 29th minute, Bayern launched a furious counterattack.

Throughout the latter part of the first half, the Bundesliga champions launched a relentless attack, with their midfielders constantly pushing forward and pressuring Chelsea with aggressive runs and tackles.

Ze Roberto and Schweinsteiger constantly created threats on the wings, while Ballack frequently pushed forward to participate in the attack.

After taking the lead, Chelsea retreated to their own half to solidify their defense.

Although Roy didn't get many chances, he could create threats every time he got the ball, and his agile dribbling and accurate passing were important starting points for Chelsea's counterattacks.

Even without Mourinho on the sidelines, Chelsea's defense was well-organized, with the defensive line of Terry and Carvalho withstanding Bayern's repeated attacks.

After the start of the second half, Bayern's attacking momentum intensified.

They completely controlled the rhythm of the game through the active running of their midfielders and high-pressure pressing in the attacking third.

Chelsea continued to adhere to their defensive counter-attacking strategy, relying on Drogba as a pivot and using Roy, Duff, and the speed of Joe Cole to create counter-attacking opportunities.

The match became a stalemate. Although Bayern Munich took the initiative, they were unable to break through Cech's defense, while Chelsea's counter-attacks were repeatedly thwarted by the experienced Kahn.

In the 64th minute, Sagnol crossed the ball from the right wing, and Ballack headed it towards goal from the edge of the six-yard box, but Cech made a diving save.

Pizarro followed up cleverly and tapped the rebound into the net.

Chelsea players immediately surrounded the referee in protest, arguing that Pizarro was offside when Ballack headed the ball. After a brief discussion with the linesman, the referee upheld the goal, making the score 1-2.

The decision drew strong criticism from Chelsea, but the match quickly resumed.

In the 79th minute of the match, Chelsea launched a deadly counter-attack.

Roy dropped back to midfield to receive the pass, feigned a dribble to draw the defense, and then suddenly delivered a precise 40-meter long pass over the top.

The ball sailed over Bayern's entire defense and found Joe Cole, who was making a high-speed run down the left flank.

Joe Cole calmly controlled the ball near the byline, looked up to observe, and then crossed the ball.

Drogba outjumped Kovac in the penalty area and unleashed a powerful header that nestled into the far corner of the goal.

Despite Kahn's valiant effort, the ball grazed the underside of the crossbar and flew into the net.

This goal changed the score to 1-3, completely sealing the victory.

Seeing that their team had no hope of a comeback, some Bayern fans began to leave early.

In the stands of the Munich Olympic Stadium, the cheers of the Chelsea fans drowned out the sighs of the home team's supporters.

As the match entered its final stages, Bayern launched a furious counterattack.

In the 88th minute, Pizarro received a corner kick and rose high at the far post to head the ball towards the goal, but unfortunately, he headed the ball over the bar.

In the 90th minute of stoppage time, Schweinsteiger received the ball on the right side of the penalty area and unleashed a powerful shot. Guerreiro skillfully flicked the ball in front of the goal, changing its trajectory and sending it into the net, making the score 2-3.

However, the goal came too late, and Bayern were ultimately eliminated with an aggregate score of 4-7.

Chelsea advance to the Champions League semi-finals.

As the final whistle blew, Bayern players collapsed onto the grass, while Chelsea players embraced each other to celebrate their hard-won victory.

Dida sat in the locker room, staring at a text message from an unknown number on his phone.

That French star from Chelsea, they only touched a trophy at this year's FIFA World Player of the Year ceremony, and didn't even exchange more than a few words.

The text message Roy sent to Dida was a quote from the Bible:

“Proverbs: The wise hide from trouble, but the foolish go and suffer harm.”

"May the Lord keep you alert tonight, old friend. Looking forward to seeing you on the road to the finals. —R."

This message, imbued with mysterious religious metaphors, caused Dida, a devout Catholic, to stroke the cross on his chest before the match.

As he walked toward the north goal in the 71st minute, he suddenly remembered this verse and instinctively took two steps back. Just then, a burning firework struck the spot where he had been standing.

"Many people misunderstand Roy. Of all the players I know, no one is more genuine than him. He treats football with the same seriousness he takes life, and he maintains kindness and respect for everyone. The outside world always likes to create exaggerated images, but the real Roy never puts on airs or tries to show off. He is just a simple and sincere person who happens to have extraordinary talent bestowed upon him by God."

The Milan players were all very surprised when they heard about this.

Kaka was stunned. He suddenly remembered that Roy had also sent him a text message before the game. Although it was just a simple blessing, he felt something was off about it now.

What's even more surprising is that several other players on the team who had interacted with Roy also said they had received messages from him.

When Kaka talks about Roy, his usually gentle eyes sparkle with a special light.

His voice was calm, but every word conveyed sincerity.

"Football needs more players like Roy. He makes the sport better. He's the kind of person in Genesis who looks after his brothers."

Sheva pursed his lips and muttered under his breath, "I think we should just give up. One is already enough. Doesn't the world seem chaotic enough already?"

(End of this chapter)