Manchester United legend

Chapter 178 Memories ([-])

After winning the Champions League trophy, the whole of Europe finally recognized Manchester United as a true European super giant.

The feats of the Triple Crown can almost only be defined by a dynasty.

The title of "Triple Crown" is so resounding that future European giants will use this as the only sign of true dominance.Only the giants that have won the "Triple Crown" will be called the real super teams.

For this game, we can even say that it seems to have a life of its own.

Born with the expectation of the Red Devils fans for that game, after countless descriptions, memories, and constant sighs and praises, I grew up slowly and became the spirit, life background and deep memory of the Red Devils fans.

This game will always grow and evolve in the minds, writings, and mouths of Manchester United fans, and then be passed on to the next generation and the next generation by Manchester United fans.In any case, this game is really miraculous, which is a miracle unique to Manchester United.

Even Giggs recalled, "I still watch the video of this game often. I still watch it after I retire. I will watch it many times. I remember everything that happened during the game, and every detail is vivid. I remember every time I touched the ball. I even remember the part where my foot touched the ball. Everything that happened that day is unforgettable."

Many of Ferguson's speeches before and after the game have been praised as classics. In addition to the famous speech during the intermission, his first sentence in the instant interview after the game has also become a famous saying: "Football, bloody hell!"

Ned, United's security chief at the time, would later write a book about his experience at the club, and he began his description of that game this way: "I remember the whole process and details of the Champions League game because it was so unforgettable. We arrived in Barcelona on the Concorde (British Airways sponsored Manchester United, and they provided the experience of the now-defunct supersonic plane). Manchester United have not won the European Champions Cup for 31 years. Us. On the way from the airport to the hotel, countless fans lined the road to welcome us, and we seemed to feel that half of the city of Barcelona had come to welcome us."

At that time, Manchester United was already very professional. As soon as they entered the hotel, the team doctor immediately set up a treatment room to treat and recover the players who had just participated in the FA Cup final.

Ferguson, McClaren and goalkeeping coach Cotton also immediately began discussing tactics.

The entire coaching staff locked themselves in the conference room, where the Bayern Munich game video was played continuously. The Bayern Munich game video was obtained throughout the season, and all the details of the opponent were displayed in front of the coaching staff.

Facing the game screen of their opponents in the final, Ferguson and McLaren looked more and more serious, and their discussions became more and more in-depth.Everyone realizes that Manchester United will face Bayern is a serious opponent.

Gary Neville recalled, "After arriving in Barcelona, ​​we had time to sit and chat and think about what we were facing. On the balcony of the hotel on Monday night, Phil, Jost, David Beckham, Giggs and Scholes discussed the chances of reaching these heights again - not only the Champions League final, not only the first Champions League final with an English team since 1985, but the chance of winning the Treble at the Nou Camp."

Jost recalled, "I had a few drinks before leaving the hotel to go to the Nou Camp on the day of the game. I thought I had time to observe my mates. After the departure, everything was very different. Everyone sat on the bus before the game. Usually talking and laughing, but today it was unusually quiet, even Giggs and Butt were silent. The boss was also nervous, and there was no smile on his face. It's clear to everyone in the world that this is the biggest game we play. We've been to most places, but this is the first time. For those of us at Manchester United, the Champions League has always been the ultimate goal. It's unconquered territory, not just a game."

Gary said, "We were actually very nervous. The atmosphere in the team was tense and excited during the two days without games. The emotions before the big game were scary. It was a feeling that if you lose, you will face the end of the world and lose everything. But we don't want to lose. We don't want to have thoughts about losing, not at all."

Ned also noticed the unusual atmosphere in the team. "It's game day. Ferguson had already laid out his tactics when he announced the starting lineup and the substitute list. There was an eccentric atmosphere in the team. Everyone realized the task before them. The pre-match macaroni meal ended in an atmosphere of calm, even those of us who often joked.

Sheringham later said, "When the boss told me I couldn't start, I was so pissed off. I remember half-time the boss came and said: 'You are ready, if this is the case with 10 or 15 minutes left, you have to go.' Seriously, I even hoped that the score was always 0-1, so that I could have a chance to play in the final!"

Solskjaer said, "On the afternoon of the game, my roommate Stam was snoring so loudly that I couldn't sleep at all. I watched the DVD for a while and then called my friend in Norway. He couldn't go to Spain to watch the game because he had to go to work. I wanted to make sure he would watch TV. He was a male nurse and had a night shift that day. He said: 'I will watch it, but I can't watch it in the last 15 minutes. I have to rush to work.' Something is going to happen to me. I have a very strong feeling and don't know why."

Ned has been standing behind Ferguson since the start of the game. He does not need to participate in security, so he can enjoy the game quietly.Unfortunately, Manchester United fell behind by one goal in the first half.

At halftime, Ned also entered the dressing room with the Manchester United players. He later said, "Ferguson asked the players to imagine this scene: You are only 6 feet away from the European Champions Cup." After this game, if we lose, although the Champions League is only 6 feet away from you, you can't even touch it.For many of us, this may be the closest we've ever gotten to it.How can we not try our best? "

(End of this chapter)