Chapter 34: Let the Misunderstanding Come Even Stronger!
Pre-match press conference.
No one expected Roberto Di Matteo — who hasn't been particularly conspicuous in the Premier League lately — to blow up.
No wonder he was angry.
He was the first to try converting a forward to play as a defender, yet that only produced a "great left-back," while he, before the match a preschool teacher and after the match still a preschool teacher.
But Arsène Wenger's similar gamble — putting a forward deeper — after one game raised him from Professor to Master.
Irritating, isn't it?
Tonight, the match hadn't even started and the "three-goal guarantee" story was already out — who does that belittle?
"You lack the most basic respect for the European champions, and the most basic respect for the leaders of the Premier League table…"
After five rounds in the Premier League:
Chelsea four wins one draw 13 points; Arsenal three wins two draws 11 points (Manchester United 12 points).
Both teams were the only two unbeaten sides so far in the Premier League, so mutual respect would be expected.
But after the "three-goal guarantee" story broke, even a clay Buddha has some temper — Di Matteo stormed out in a huff.
The reporters on site didn't repent; instead they smelled blood like sharks and waited for Wenger's appearance.
Poor Wenger — the moment he walked out he faced social ruin!
He dug out his BlackBerry, searched, and only then breathed a sigh of relief.
Xia Qi hadn't lied.
"That gesture in China means 'I love you.'"
"What Xia Qi and I meant to express was exactly that, you misunderstood…"
This line sounded believable to reporters' ears, but they still pressed and probed skillfully.
"In the starting lineup you announced we noticed Xia Qi in a new position. What expectations do you have for this new formation?"
When a reporter asked, Wenger naturally answered: "I hope tonight will be one of our best performances."
But in print that became: "Pre-match reshuffle, three-goal guarantee, aiming for the best, to flatten the opponent."
Great!
Now the two clubs had big grudges; luck they'd already shipped Mourinho away, otherwise Wenger would've been roasted.
…
Di Matteo stormed back to the dressing room, furious, and told his players about it.
Every player was riled up; the meek became fierce, shouting to go beat the monster.
"We must win this match — it's not only a six-pointer, it's our pride."
"Mikel, I need you to mark that Chinese kid tight all game…"
John Obi Mikel — a hurt, lamentable case.
His development story explains well:
"Choice is more important than effort!"
At the 2005 U-20 World Cup, John Obi Mikel debuted as an attacking midfielder and, along with Messi and Chen Tao, was touted as one of the three top future #10s.
At 19 he moved to the Premier League hoping to earn more; he didn't choose the club that lacked an attacking midfielder like Manchester United, but listened to his agent and went to Chelsea.
At the time Chelsea had a flourishing Frank Lampard and a Ballack among the world's top three active players — where was his place?
Mourinho didn't get rid of him; he converted him to a defensive midfielder.
You can't say the conversion failed, but now the world knows Essien and Makelele… and Mikel became a litmus test for fake fans.
In the away dressing room Di Matteo continued to outline tactics: "Arsenal's transitions are quick, and conveniently ours are the same…"
In the home dressing room Wenger explained the gesture misunderstanding, warned players about the opponent's anger and fighting spirit — tonight would already be a tough game, and now it would be even harder.
…
Derby matches already carry tension; after the "three-goal guarantee" event, players felt added hatred.
The two teams exchanged no words in the tunnel; the grim atmosphere spread to everyone.
Even the ballboy's palms were sweaty with nerves. Xia Qi gently wiped them and comforted him: "Don't be nervous."
"I… I'm not nervous. You'll score, right?"
"Of course."
A growled "hmph!" sounded nearby.
Xia Qi ignored it. Some misunderstandings don't need explaining… let them grow fiercer.
"…Ladies and gentlemen, now we present the starting line-ups. Chelsea in a 4-5-1 formation…
Arsenal in a 4-3-3 formation — although that formation is familiar, Xia Qi appears at the attacking-midfield position. Wenger has changed tactics against a strong team… Will this reshuffle have the same magic as the previous two times? We'll wait and see."
Lines drawn, handshakes, coin toss…
Arsenal won the kick-off.
"Ding-dong."
"Please select 'Training' or 'Match' mode."
"Match."
"Please select pitch position: A Forward, B Midfield…"
"B."
"Please select midfield type: A Attacking Midfielder, B …"
"A."
"Detected the host's team in difficulty, matching host with [Dao Xing Gui Dao] attribute."
"[Dao Xing Gui Dao] comes from the Samba legion's Rivaldo-style — uncanny movement, powerful bursts, strong organization, allowing the host to single-handedly solve problems in the attacking midfield."
Xia Qi thought:
So it's a dark-horse #10! (Note ①)
"Please choose 'Autonomous Mode' or 'One-Click AFK Mode'."
"Tip: During AFK, the system will automatically complete all required actions for the host."
"One-Click AFK!"
"Relaxed AFK, one-click automatic completion — free your feet and enjoy a relaxed fun pitch experience! Match experience begins."
Xia Qi's demeanor instantly turned into a CEO vibe,
an unspoken power filled him, muscles taut, thoughts clear, fighting spirit high.
…
Xia Qi had just received the ball when Mikel charged up.
Di Matteo had assigned him to mark Xia Qi all game.
A defensive midfielder marking an attacking midfielder — technically correct, just slightly early in timing.
Up close, Mikel didn't immediately press; he looked him over.
In his mind:
Just like the scouting report said — expressionless. If not for the life in his eyes, he'd think he was a robot.
He'd heard this child had personality problems; if it were only social anxiety that would be one thing.
Messi had social anxiety when he was young too.
Thinking of Messi, Mikel felt a pang — he blamed himself.
Old friends who had drifted apart over the years — it wasn't Messi's fault but mine…
Xia Qi didn't know Mikel was going for the emotional angle at kickoff. He seized his moment of distraction, whipped a wheel-around step-over and sped away.
Arsenal fans erupted in cheers as he took someone on straight away.
Some greedy ones shouted: "A solo run!" "One-man run! Tear them apart!" "Destroy them."
All the Chelsea players instantly changed faces like Sichuan opera — fierce, cold, deadpan.
Frank Lampard and John Terry slid in together...
…
...…
Author's note — I couldn't help expanding Note ① here, sorry!
(Note ①: "Vādāo" — Rivaldo — was a seriously underrated attacking midfielder. In that era Rivaldo and Zidane were two #10s who were almost indistinguishable.
But Zidane became Zizou, a living legend, while Rivaldo was forgotten.
When we mention #10s we often think of Maradona, Zidane, Kaká, Ronaldinho, Riquelme… even Nedvěd and Verón come to mind, yet we forget…
So I borrowed a pun from Stefanie Sun: niche singer.
It's odd for a protagonist who's a professional player to be unfamiliar with Rivaldo. This is for fun — don't take it literally.
My point: Rivaldo = Stefanie Sun = international superstar.
Also don't treat the in-game "Vādāo" as a realistic version.
In the game Vādāo has almost no organizational ability; that's wrong. Vādāo's organization is weaker relative to Zidane — like Bruno Fernandes being less of a organizer than Riquelme — but even a lesser B. Fernandes is still among the top #10 midfielders.)
Arsenal: 4-3-3
Goalkeeper: Vito Mannone
Defenders: André Santos, Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker, Carl Jenkinson
Midfield: Santi Cazorla, Mikel Arteta, Xia Qi
Forwards: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott
Chelsea: 4-5-1
Goalkeeper: Petr Čech
Defenders: David Luiz, Branislav Ivanović, John Terry, Ashley Cole
Midfield: Frank Lampard, John Obi Mikel, Juan Mata, Ramires, Eden Hazard
Forward: Fernando Torres
(END CHAPTER)
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