I changed football.

5 month 19 day.

St. Jacob's Park Stadium, Basel, Switzerland.

This is a professional football stadium that can accommodate 42,500 people.

It is the largest football stadium in Switzerland.

It was also the venue for the 2015-16 UEFA Europa League final.

The two teams that reached the Europa League final this season are Liverpool from the English Premier League and Monaco from Ligue 1.

Because of Li Yuan, this year's Europa League final has garnered far more attention than the Champions League.

This was evident from subsequent online live streaming data and television live streaming viewership figures—but that's a story for another time.

However, this match garnered a significant amount of attention domestically.

It was actually a Thursday.

It's 3 a.m. on Thursday in China.

One working day.

Tens of millions of fans still stayed up late at night to watch the final.

There were four television stations and websites in China broadcasting the match live.

CCTV, Leshi, Sina, and Tencent, four live streaming platforms, all provided commentary at the finals.

There is competition between the platforms, but the commentators who came to the scene were all familiar faces.

By 3 p.m. that day, all the commentators had entered the stadium to begin preparations.

When the initial preparations were almost complete at 4 o'clock, all the commentators went to the media room to rest for a while.

He Wei handed Zhan Jun a piece of candy: "It's for soothing the throat. That BBC reporter gave it to me, and it's pretty good."

Zhan Jun ate one: "It's mint flavored, not bad."

Xu Yang, standing to the side, was looking at his phone.

"I predict Monaco will likely play a 4-2-3-1 formation today."

"4-2-3-1 is the right formation. Monaco's defense isn't very strong, and having two defensive midfielders can help protect the defense to some extent," He Wei said.

Zhan Jun nodded in agreement: "Jardin tried a 4-3-3 formation a few times in the league, and the attack was indeed good, but the defense kept conceding goals. A 4-2-3-1 formation is still better."

"Hey Zhan Jun, your favorite team is on the team today. Do you hope Liverpool or Monaco win?" He Wei suddenly asked.

Zhan Jun smiled slightly: "Do you really think I want Liverpool to win? Liverpool doesn't need this title, but Chinese players playing abroad really need it. Besides, I like Li Yuan so much, of course I want Monaco to win!"

"Haha—we think the same thing!"

Xu Yang suddenly asked, "Do you think Li Yuan will transfer during the summer transfer window after winning the Europa League title?"

"Li Yuan is under 18, so he shouldn't be able to transfer, right?" He Wei asked.

"He will turn 18 on September 4th, and UEFA regulations stipulate that players in non-EU countries can only transfer after they turn 18. Many Brazilian players come to Europe after they turn 18, but Li Yuan played in youth training in China and came to Monaco after his contract ended, so he is perfectly exempt from this restriction," Zhan Jun explained to the two.

He Wei nodded repeatedly, "If that's the case, then Li Yuan's transfer will be unrestricted, which is a good thing!"

Xu Yang interjected, "I don't think Li Yuan will transfer. He himself said he wants to play in the Champions League with the team next season."

"But how well can Monaco perform next season with multiple competitions? After all, Monaco isn't exactly a traditional powerhouse in Ligue 1. If a top team wants to sign Li Yuan this summer, I honestly think it's an opportunity," He Wei said earnestly.

Zhan Jun nodded: "It's normal for Li Yuan to want to stay. After all, he came to Monaco in 2013 and has been here for three years now. He has feelings for the place. In addition, the team has performed very well this season and can play in the Champions League next season. Especially since he is still young, he will only be 18 years old when the next season starts. Staying to play for another season is a good choice. However, if a good team can sign him this summer, leaving is also an option."

He Wei: "Yeah, if there's a better team, leaving is certainly not a bad idea, and there are quite a few news rumors about it now, right?"

Xu Yang was looking at his phone: "Yes, Li Yuan has been in the news a lot lately. It's all about which teams are interested in signing him, and they're basically all big clubs. From the Premier League's Big Six to Real Madrid in La Liga to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, and Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Juventus in Serie A, including Paris Saint-Germain, all have been linked with Li Yuan. It's like all of Europe is interested."

He Wei suddenly became interested: "So, hypothetically speaking, which team do you think is the best fit for Li Yuan?"

Zhan Jun and Xu Yang exchanged a glance, then Zhan Jun looked at He Wei and said, "You go first."

"Let me speak first. Actually, I've really thought about it. Bayern Munich is a good fit for Li Yuan. First of all, Robben is getting old and has played fewer games this season, but he can still play in key matches. Li Yuan can share playing time with him and can also learn from him and grow under Robben's guidance. After all, Li Yuan is too young. Moreover, the Bundesliga is an open and attacking league, which is very suitable for a fast and technically skilled player like Li Yuan."

"Alright, He Wei already said so, I'll add one too," Xu Yang chimed in, "Bayern is of course good, they're a top club, but I think the most influential club in the world right now is undoubtedly Real Madrid, and they're also the strongest. If you consider strength and influence, going to Real Madrid is undoubtedly the best choice. We all know that Real Madrid really wants a Chinese player. Lin Liangming is also in Real Madrid's youth team. Florentino Perez has had this idea for a long time, so you can see from the news that Real Madrid is basically the most proactive among these rumored teams."

"After he goes to Real Madrid, there's still Bale."

"Bale is injury-prone; he's been sidelined with injuries all season and hasn't played many games. Plus, Real Madrid competes on multiple fronts every season, so Li Yuan will have plenty of opportunities."

"In terms of global influence, Real Madrid is certainly strong, but going to the Premier League is also a good choice. The competition is fierce, and the Premier League is a great sport to watch."

"I think you only think that way because you mentioned the Premier League has a lot of talent. You probably think it would be best if Li Yuan went straight to Liverpool!"

"Of course! If Li Yuan comes to Liverpool, I'll be so grateful. Liverpool's attacking line is absolutely terrible right now. If Li Yuan comes, he'll be an absolute starter and core player, no problem at all."

"Huh? That's so exaggerated?" He Wei looked at Zhan Jun.

Zhan Jun said with a wry smile, "You may have done your homework, but you are not Liverpool fans after all. I have watched and talked about all of Liverpool's matches this season. I can only say that Liverpool's current tactical system is not bad. Klopp is a good coach, but the players' strength is really not good. Our two main wingers are playing out of position. Think about it, there is no speed on the flanks. So even from a realistic point of view, I am more optimistic about Monaco in this final."