The perfect midfield: It starts with never passing the ball to Ronaldo.

Chapter 93: The First Season Ends, A Look Back at the Results

With both Bayern Munich and Porto facing no pressure in their domestic leagues at the end of the season, they will focus on their Champions League second leg match.

April 30, 2013, Estádio do Dragão, Porto.

Fifty thousand fans turned this place into a blue hell. The 1-3 score in the first leg meant that Porto only needed a 2-0 victory to advance to Wembley on away goals.

It's possible, everyone believes so, after all, they scored at the Allianz Arena in the first leg.

As José Mario Pereira walked out of the players' tunnel, the stands erupted in the loudest cheers.

His number 22 jersey is everywhere, printed with the name of the man who successfully rescued the princess!

Tonight, fans are hoping it can create a miracle!

In the first fifteen minutes, Porto played the craziest football of the Champions League season.

In the 3rd minute, José Mario delivered a penetrating through ball after a feint shot in midfield, almost creating a one-on-one opportunity for Barella, but Neuer made a spectacular tip that hit the crossbar and bounced out.

In the 11th minute of the match, it was Mario again. The 18-year-old received the ball at the edge of the penalty area with no one interfering.

Mario lunged forward with his right leg, and the ball shot like a cannonball into the corner of the net—it was Neuer again!

The in-form German goalkeeper leaped and tipped the crossbar with one hand, eliciting a sigh of regret from the Estádio do Dragão, followed by thunderous applause.

It has to be said that Xiaoxin is very strong. If he hadn't reunited with Messi and Ronaldo during his peak, he might have been able to win the Ballon d'Or again as a goalkeeper!

In the 23rd minute, Porto won a corner kick.

Mario didn't roam outside this time; he stood inside the penalty area looking for an opportunity, and Bayern sent Boateng and Martinez to double-team him.

But Moutinho's corner kick was punched away by Neuer, and the opportunity slipped away again.

Porto's relentless attack lasted for thirty minutes, with an astonishing 58% possession and seven shots, three of which were on target.

However, the scoreboard still showed 0:0.

In the 34th minute, Bayern launched another powerful counter-attack, significantly increasing the difficulty for Porto to turn the tide.

Lahm intercepted the ball in the backfield and passed it to Schweinsteiger, who then passed it to Ribery.

The Frenchman made a swift run down the left flank, and before Danilo and Otamendi could close in, he crossed the middle.

Mandzukic laid the ball off with his back to goal, and Müller cut inside the box and fired a low shot.

The ball rolled into the net from under Elton's arm.

Porto 0-1 Bayern Munich's Estádio do Dragão fell silent.

The Porto players were stunned. They had given it their all, and this was the result.

José Mario stood in the center circle, hands on his hips, watching Mandzukic and Müller embrace in the corner flag area.

Is this the dominance of peak Bayern Munich?

Excellent players, suitable tactics, and a great coach!

Heynckes' team did an outstanding job on both ends of the court!

One goal shattered the spirit of the Porto players, but this was not the end.

In the final minute of regular time in the first half, it was another counter-attack.

Neuer launched a quick counter-attack with a throw-in. Robben received the ball on the right wing, and facing Sandro's attempt to tackle, he deftly cut inside.

Porto's defense has moved back into position, with Fernando and Mangala blocking their path simultaneously.

But Robben didn't pass the ball; he just looked up and then curled his left foot into an arc.

The ball flew past everyone's toes and nestled into the far corner.

World wave! !

The score has changed again, 0-2!

Perhaps because the match between Porto and Bayern Munich wasn't considered a clash of titans, the Dutch striker showed no signs of weakness, unleashing a barrage of three goals over two legs to deliver a heavy blow to the Portuguese giants!

However, the fans haven't given up yet. The Porto fans who witnessed the team win the league title early this season are still waving blue scarves and cheering for the players.

The chants at the Estádio do Dragão remain, but unfortunately, they cannot budge this Bayern Munich team, whose mental fortitude is off the charts.

The South Kings, who were defeated by the Old Boys last season, have transformed. Their will is stronger, and they are determined to win the Champions League.

After the break, Porto, who needed to score 5 goals at home to advance to the final, experienced the same struggles they had faced with their previous two opponents.

They pressed hard, but Bayern controlled the ball with ease.

In the 85th minute of the match, facing the retreating Bavarian giants, Porto finally reaped their moment.

Moutinho took a tactical corner kick, Mario circled in from outside the penalty area to stretch the defense, Mangala headed the ball on, and Jackson Martinez poked it into the net.

Porto 1-2 Bayern Munich - The final whistle blows, and the score is set!

With an aggregate score of 2-5 over two legs, Bayern Munich successfully advanced to the final and secured their ticket to Wembley.

Most of the home team players collapsed on the grass, Mangala buried his face in his jersey and cried, while veteran Moutinho comforted them one by one with red eyes.

After playing the entire match, Mario rubbed his sore muscles and then walked alone towards the south stand.

There, Porto fans were still waving scarves, and after singing "Porto Forever," they started humming the melody of "Super Mario."

Porto's last Champions League home game didn't end with a perfect conclusion.

This is a feeling that even a cheat-like Mario would never want to experience again!

Smiling faces waiting at the entrance of the training camp, enthusiastic support from the stands, and kindness encountered in daily life.

The scenes from Porto kept flashing through my mind.

Mario bowed deeply to the fans, and as he straightened up, tears streamed down his face, as if the night wind in Porto had blinded him.

Mario's Champions League journey came to an end in the 2012-2013 season.

Although the home defeat was very frustrating, Mario's Champions League season can not be considered a failure overall.

Leading Porto to the semi-finals as a key player is a significant achievement, and he also successfully unlocked two points to accelerate his growth.

Secondly, there's personal data.

Mario and Ronaldo, who were both eliminated in the semi-finals, failed to score again in the second leg.

Mario, who scored 13 goals, became the Champions League Golden Boot winner in the 12-13 season, while Cristiano Ronaldo came in second.

On the assists list, Mario, who racked up impressive stats, managed to tie for second place thanks to his heavy-hitting performance in the group stage.

Finally, and most importantly, it left the media with the image of competing head-on with Ronaldo and Messi. No matter when, comparing yourself to someone is always a very important thing.

To achieve such success in his first season as a professional is already quite remarkable. The next step is to match their achievements and honors, then surpass them, and ultimately create a peak that belongs solely to Mario!

Back to the league.

The Estádio do Dragão in Porto has never been so electrifying.

The magnificent epic of thirty rounds without defeat and the golden legend of twenty-nine consecutive victories have transformed into a surging red ocean in the streets and alleys at this moment.

The champion's banner fluttered in the afternoon sun, reflecting the burning pride in the eyes of every Porter fan.

Although Mario only scored 19 goals and 10 assists in the league, everyone still considers this talented young man the team's best contributor.

A comparison of the personnel from the 11-12 season and the 12-13 season allows fans who are adept at using the controlled variable method to draw their own conclusions.

Mario is Porto's true GOAT!!

With champagne foam on his head and a cigar in hand, Mario picked up the microphone, and the audience immediately lowered the volume as a sign of respect.

Everyone assumed he was going to say something thanking him, and then the music would continue and the dancing would continue.

But soon, they heard that damned thing.

"Porto, my family, my brothers, my city."

"Lifting this trophy is one of the most fucking wonderful moments of my eighteen years of life."

"I want to enjoy this night with my brothers, drink all the alcohol in the locker room, and take this blue ribbon home to put on my mother's bedside table."

"But as you know, every story has an ending!"

"Tonight I stand here, in front of you, in the center of this stadium where I have shed blood, tears, and smashed beams, and I am here to tell you a decision."

"I'm leaving!"

"I want to take my talent to the top five leagues; I want to go to a more competitive environment and embrace new challenges!"

People in the stands started clapping, a few here and there, but gradually they joined in.

Mario's eyes were a little red. The fans' support is undeniable, but his personal development must also be considered.

A small city like Porto can't give him everything he wants!

Of course, having studied under Ah Tan, he knew how to evoke strong emotions during farewells.

"Porto gave me everything, Fernando taught me how to stand firm, Moutinho taught me how to read the game, and Jackson taught me how to kill the opponent."

"I will never forget the sight of those blue scarves waving at me when I first walked into this stadium as a child abandoned by Sporting Lisbon."

"I will come back. Maybe in a different jersey, maybe one day, I will return here with the European Championship trophy and have a glass of port with you all."

After saying that, Mario took a deep breath, took off the league championship medal from his neck, and threw it forcefully toward the stands.

Starting from Porto as well, Mario is going to be even crazier than the Madman!

Taking a puff of his cigar, the eighteen-year-old pointed one finger to the sky, savoring the most wonderful moment of farewell!