There is a dream called football

Chapter 82 Battle against Real Madrid

The schedule for Porto throughout December was cruel, with a total of 12 games, 4 in the league, and one in the Champions League and Real Madrid.

Then comes the winter break. The Portuguese Super League’s winter break is different from the Bundesliga. It only lasts for two weeks. Of course it is much better than the Premier League.

On December 12th, Maritimo will be played away, because the middle of the week is the Champions League match with Real Madrid, Mourinho specially sent the main force to train.

However, he also told the main players that they only need to use 50% of their strength, just like usual training. This is training instead of competition.

In this game, Li Qiao sat on the bench and watched the game. In the end, the team drew with the opponent 2-2.

Mourinho expressed his satisfaction with the result, which achieved the effect of training.

After the game, the Porto team rushed to Madrid non-stop. Li Qiao couldn't make the squad for this game, so he stayed in Porto.

Mourinho attaches great importance to this game. Many people don't understand because the group has already appeared, but Li Qiao understands that because Mourinho wants to find the gap when competing with strong teams, this year's European Super Cup and AC Milan lost.

After the game, Mourinho gave away the medal, showing his arrogant side. He doesn't want the runner-up, he just wants the champion.

*****
Sousa took Li Qiao and Lei Wen to a nearby bar to watch the football. In Europe, it is impossible for ordinary individuals to buy copyrights of all football matches at home. Most of them go to a nearby bar to watch the football. (It is also the case in China now, the era of free watching is over)

As soon as you enter the bar, it is full of people, some wearing Porto jerseys, and most of them are blue-collar workers who have finished their day's work, come to have a drink to refresh themselves, and watch the game by the way.

"It's a good thing we've already qualified. Otherwise, I wouldn't dare to watch the Bernabéu for fear of having a heart attack," said an uncle.

"Haha, this kind of game is exciting. I like football because I think it's exciting enough, and it's more exciting than xxoo with women."

"Haha."

Portugal is a football powerhouse, but the league is not the top five leagues. Although Benfica also created some miracles back then, which is worthy of the Portuguese's pride, but in the past 20 years, the status of the Portuguese Super League as the second-tier European league has been deeply rooted.

The Portuguese are also used to the fate of their team playing soy sauce in the Champions League. They can occasionally become obstacles and influence the fate of strong teams, but they often cannot change their own destiny. It was not until the rise of Porto under Jose Mourinho that all this changed slightly.

The hearts of the people in the bar are tacit, but they are all looking forward to Porto overturning the Galacticos at the Bernabeu.

But the reality is cruel. In the 9th minute of the opening game, Figo made a wonderful pass in the middle. The Argentine Solari cut with his foot on the ground. The ball flew into the near corner of the goal, and Baia couldn't make a save.

1:0.

In the first round, Porto lost 1 to 3 at home, allowing the Porto people to return to reality from the clouds.

They also realize the huge gap between themselves and the 9 Champions League winners, so this time they especially want to prove themselves.

After taking the lead, Real Madrid played very pragmatically. Queiroz's defensive counterattack tactics were tantamount to using Mourinho's best tactics to beat Mourinho.

Mourinho is very uncomfortable. If the team has such a little ability, then talking about the Champions League is just a dream.

In the 35th minute of the game, there was a turning point. Deco's ghostly foot went straight, and the ball reached the unguarded Almeida. The latter was about to kick, Raul Bravo stretched out his foot to block, and the two collided. The referee decisively awarded a penalty.

Mourinho's face is numb, and a penalty kick is a double-edged sword. It is not only the easiest way to score, but it may also be the hardest.

The Porto fans in the bar were too nervous to continue watching. Before the penalty kick, a foot of heaven.

The Brazilian Del Rey placed the ball on the penalty spot, then drew a cross on his chest and took a few steps back.

In this game, Real Madrid sent the substitute goalkeeper Sanchez.

He wobbled on the line, trying to interfere with Del Rey's penalty.

approach,

shot.

The Brazilian flicked his ankle and pushed a contrarian.

1 to 1.
The bar was boiling.

Everyone embraced and celebrated, and the tie was tied 1-1 in the first half. Then there is still a chance, and maybe we can witness the lore at the Bernabeu.

But in the end the lore did not appear, 1 to 1 was the final score, Real Madrid played very experienced, and Mourinho had nothing to do.

Mourinho did not win the strongest opponent in the group stage.

*****
Back in the league, Li Qiao started the game against Bellamar at home, and Porto, who had already focused on nothing else, fired at full strength, defeated the opponent 3-0 at home, and secured the half-time league championship ahead of schedule.

The last round of the first half against Arvika will be held on December 12, which is very close to Christmas.

This game has nothing to do with the overall situation. Mourinho showed his super high coaching EQ. He asked some players who did not play in the first half to form the starting lineup and let the main players rest. In this way, everyone celebrated the holiday ahead of schedule.

Li Qiao was sitting on the sidelines wearing a Santa hat, Maniche was sitting on the left, and Deco was on the right. In the first team, Li Qiao's best friend was Maniche with a carefree personality.

"Joe, where are you going to spend Christmas?"

"Probably in Portugal."

Li Qiao thought that his father and mother were still in a cold war, and it would be boring to go back at this time, so he might as well spend the holiday in Portugal, besides, there are only two short weeks.

"What about you?" Maniche stepped over Li Qiao and asked Deco.

"Go back to Brazil."

"Take me, I heard that Brazilian girls are passionate."

"Haha."

Deco said with a smile: "It's true that Brazilian girls are passionate, but Brazilian girls are not blind."

"Hahaha." Li Qiao laughed.

Maniche pressed Li Qiao's neck, "What are you laughing at..."

"I'm not laughing at anything."

Maniche smiled and said, "You are not more handsome than me."

Deco replied: "Really? Joe, you judge."

"I think you're both handsome."

Unexpectedly, when these words came out, both of them were dissatisfied, and Li Qiao felt uncomfortable being caught in the middle.

"By the way, do you Chinese have any festival customs?"

Li Qiao said with a smile: "We Chinese don't celebrate Christmas."

Maniche nodded.

Li Qiao originally wanted to invite him to Lorinda's house for the holidays, but...he was afraid that Lorinda would not like it, so forget it.

Although playing with all substitutes, Porto's strength is obviously better. They won 2 to 1 in the away game, which also marked a successful end to 2003.

A bright moon was hanging in the sky, Li Qiao looked at it, suddenly a little dazed, this is his second 2003.

I hope that this time, I will have no regrets in chasing my dream.

(End of this chapter)