"The Premier League is too fierce."
"Yeah, how come the Premier League has been invincible for the past few years? Is no one going to do anything about it?"
The 2008-2009 season, Champions League Quarter-finals, second leg match day. Theatre of Dreams · Old Trafford Stadium, away team dressing room.
Dortmund players were flipping through the newspapers that had just come out today, sighing at the strength of the Premier League.
Villarreal drew 1-1 with Liverpool in the first leg. In the second leg at Anfield, Liverpool easily defeated their opponent 3-0. Fernando Torres scored a hat-trick, sending off his fellow Spaniard and leading Liverpool strongly into the semi-finals. Champions League winner in '05, runner-up in '07, semi-finals in '08, semi-finals in '09… Although Liverpool had not won the Premier League for many years, their performance in the Champions League was frighteningly consistent.
*Domino effect, Liverpool lost 7-5 to Chelsea on aggregate.
At another venue, Chelsea drew 2-2 with Porto at Stamford Bridge. Portuguese media began to celebrate, believing they were about to eliminate Chelsea on away goals and challenge for the Champions League title again after 5 years. During this time, while the media was focused on the lower half of the bracket, news and public opinion in the upper half were also swirling.
Everyone thought Chelsea was about to stumble and be upset by Porto. In the second leg at Porto's home stadium, Chelsea easily defeated their opponent 1-0. They eliminated Porto with a total score of 3-2 and met Liverpool in the semi-finals. Now the boomerang had landed on the heads of the Portuguese, and England fans began to celebrate.
*Man U beat Porto 3-2 on aggregate
Watching two Premier League teams guarantee at least one final spot, Manchester United in the lower half of the bracket was eyeing the prize, about to help the Premier League occupy three spots in the Champions League semi-finals for two consecutive years. Dortmund players couldn't help but marvel at the intensity of the Premier League.
"It truly is the top league."
"No choice, their commercialisation is too high; they are not playing the same game as us."
Compared to the German Football Association's conscious efforts to curb commercialisation and foster healthy club growth, the Premier League had become a game of capital, with hot money continuously flowing in from all over the world, and star players also pouring into the Premier League, showing signs of vibrant competition.
Everyone was worried that if the Premier League continued to dominate the Champions League for many years, other leagues might not have a chance to play, and their investment in the Champions League would decrease.
"Don't worry, the Premier League won't be on top for too long."
"Why? They are so strong this year."
"They will be challenged; at least in the next few years, it will be difficult for them to dominate as they have."
If the prediction was correct, the era of La Liga's rise was coming. After Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid, he and Lionel Messi would begin a multi-year battle at the pinnacle of world football. Fans, capital, and players would also flock to La Liga, creating a certain prosperity. At the same time, the youth training policy adhered to by the Bundesliga would gradually bear fruit, allowing top Bundesliga teams to also rank among the world's best, squeezing the space of Premier League teams.
Coupled with Sir Alex Ferguson's eventual retirement and the decline of Premier League powerhouses like Chelsea and Liverpool, the Premier League's competitiveness would remain unpredictable for a period. At least in the Champions League, the two Spanish giants would dominate the championship for several years—provided Jin Hayes was not involved in the game.
Now that he himself had entered as a player, how would it affect the football landscape? Jin Hayes couldn't say. With the flapping of a butterfly's wings, previous predictions might all be invalidated, forming a completely new timeline and a new pattern.
"Then let's start this year!"
This year, the Champions League landscape had already undergone tremendous changes. The original situation of Manchester United and Barcelona dominating might be disrupted by Dortmund.
"Alright, gentlemen." Jürgen Klopp looked at his watch; it was almost time to leave. He quickly gathered the Dortmund players and gave the final tactical instructions. Today's offensive and defensive focus would definitely be Cristiano Ronaldo; he was the core of Manchester United, pre-ordained as this season's Premier League Best Player. Ferguson would certainly have Cristiano Ronaldo shoulder most of the finishing tasks.
Just look at Manchester United's starting lineup. Edwin van der Sar, Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidić, Patrice Evra, Nani, Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Just like in the first leg, Nani occupied the right wing, and Cristiano Ronaldo moved forward to play as a centre-forward. However, the workhorse defensive midfielder Darren Fletcher was replaced by the experienced midfield maestro Paul Scholes, who had stronger control. Manchester United's intention was clear, with only one word: Attack.
Scholes and Carrick would supply passes, Nani and Giggs would attack from both wings, Rooney would assist, and Cristiano Ronaldo would score goals in the front. Manchester United would likely double their pace, constantly making through passes behind the defence, relying on the individual ability of their attacking combination.
Therefore, Klopp repeatedly instructed Mats Hummels and Robert Kovač, emphasising man-marking Cristiano Ronaldo's runs and always keeping at least 1-2 players in the box to lock down the Portuguese star. For Rooney, it was enough to primarily restrict his passing.
Weidenfeller, Patrick Owomoyela, Kovač, Hummels, Marcel Schmelzer, Sebastian Kehl, Nuri Şahin, Jin Hayes, Jakub Błaszczykowski, Alexander Frei, Mario Götze. Substitutes: Marco Reus. Neven Subotić was temporarily not recovered from injury, so veteran Kovač still had to bear defensive pressure in the box, striving to withstand Cristiano Ronaldo's impact.
The good news was that Owomoyela's timely return was a reinforcement. He could use his excellent stamina to limit veteran Giggs. At least in a 1v1, he could ensure that Giggs would not break through, and that was enough. Schmelzer would limit Nani, ensuring both flanks were stable.
In the middle, Jin Hayes, Kehl, and Şahin would further block Scholes and Carrick, leaving Cristiano Ronaldo and Rooney to fight alone in the box, which would completely neutralise Manchester United's offence. As long as they could win the ball, Dortmund's increasingly skilled one-touch passing would completely finish Manchester United.
Jürgen Klopp and the coaching staff meticulously devised tactics based on the first leg, having prepared a comprehensive plan. This time, Klopp believed in these players immensely, that they could create a miracle. He seriously looked into everyone's eyes. For a moment, he felt the words he had prepared were unnecessary. Everyone's current state didn't require extra motivation from him.
"Since this is the Theatre of Dreams, I hope you can fulfill each of your dreams here."
"Go, no matter the outcome, leave no regrets."
In the home team dressing room, Sir Alex Ferguson chewed gum, his face stern as he stared at his players.
"Forget the last game, forget our championship last year, forget those XXXs in the media—" The hot-tempered old man's Scottish accent swore. "Touch the badge on your chest, use it to remind you of who you are."
"This is f-ing Old Trafford!"
"We are f-ing Manchester United!"
"No little kids can try to take advantage of you! Remember, you are a champion team! Fight for glory, fight for the championship!"
The old man was slightly agitated, letting out a long sigh. His voice also calmed down considerably: "No one can defeat us here, no one."
...
As both teams' players simultaneously walked into the tunnel, a tense atmosphere already permeated before the match began. The fledgling young Dortmund players and the Manchester United warriors who had dominated the Premier League and tasted championship glory—both sides, with unspoken understanding, avoided eye contact, all with resolute gazes fixed forward. The burning will to fight had long been ignited.
"Ouch! Sir, you're hurting me."
"Oh, oh, sorry." In his excitement, Cristiano Ronaldo squeezed the little ball boy next to him too hard. The cute little girl, about six or seven years old, frowned, completely unfazed by how big a star the other person was, and complained in a childish voice. Cristiano Ronaldo quickly let go, squatting down with an apologetic smile.
"Are you alright?"
"Never mind, you have something very important to do, I forgive you."
"Thank you."
The sudden little interlude caused a large part of the intense fighting spirit, which had just reached its peak, to dissipate. The Dortmund players almost couldn't hold back their laughter. Jin Hayes let out a "pfft" of laughter, seeing Cristiano Ronaldo's embarrassed look. Cristiano Ronaldo turned his head at the sound, his gaze meeting Jin Hayes's directly.
In the first leg, Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice, and Jin Hayes scored 2 goals and assisted 1, both top players displaying their best form. The key to today's match was also these two. Cristiano Ronaldo didn't have much hostility. If he had felt Jin Hayes stole his thunder before, after the last battle, he completely acknowledged the strength of the youngster.
One couldn't underestimate others because of their age; this was a truly respectable opponent, worth giving everything to defeat. He just silently nodded to Jin Hayes. Jin Hayes also responded with a slight nod. Invisibly, the two had already issued a challenge across the air.
"A competition?"
"To determine superiority, and to decide life or death."
...
"Wayne Rooney! Wooow!!"
"His first touch!"
"Rooney's first shot easily found the net!! He's in incredible form!"
"Just 2 minutes and 36 seconds into the match, Manchester United scored first at home, levelling the aggregate score!"
"Wayne Rooney!! It's him again!! A brace!!"
"Can you believe it! Today's protagonist isn't Cristiano Ronaldo, it's not Jin Hayes, it's Rooney!!"
"While Cristiano Ronaldo was firing on all cylinders, the striker who once caused a sensation in England was overlooked!"
"Today at the Theatre of Dreams, Rooney wants to tell the whole world that he is also a terrifying forward! Don't underestimate his scoring ability!"
"2-0!! Manchester United scored two goals in 6 minutes!"
"Crazy! Absolutely crazy!! Cristiano Ronaldo!!"
"The King of Old Trafford, number 7, stood up again! He found an opportunity from a corner and powerfully headed it in!"
"3-0!!"
"Premier League overlords Manchester United, at the Theatre of Dreams, got a dream start!!"
"The farce is over!"
"Manchester United is about to have one foot in the Champions League semi-finals!"
Thump, thump, thump!
The sound of heartbeats drowned out the noise from the stands. Old Trafford Stadium, the red ocean was boiling. Manchester United players in red jerseys embraced wildly in celebration.
Bang, bang, bang!
Three consecutive punches left all of Dortmund dizzy and in a daze.
3-0 in 26 minutes, aggregate score 6-4. Theoretically, even if Dortmund scored 2 away goals to level the aggregate score, it wouldn't be enough because of Manchester United's 3 away goals advantage. All Dortmund could do was score 3 goals. For the Dortmund of the first leg, it might not have been too difficult; they scored 4 goals against Manchester United. But now, Jin Hayes looked around at the expressions of his teammates. Clearly, everyone's mentality had collapsed.
Klopp's pre-match arrangements were almost ineffective. Manchester United's starting striker appeared to be Cristiano Ronaldo, but it was actually just a smokescreen. At this moment, Zhang Lu, the guest commentator on CCTV, analysed this point very thoroughly:
"Now, it seems Manchester United's opening 4-4-2 formation was a disguise; their actual formation was 4-2-3-1. Cristiano Ronaldo is playing as a right winger, Nani has gone to the left, and Ryan Giggs is playing as an attacking midfielder. The lone striker is Rooney. Dortmund was clearly confused by Manchester United's opening rotations and position changes, and Rooney seized the opportunity, scoring from a shot in the box—it's still a lack of big-match experience. These young Dortmund players' mentality was affected, and Rooney continuously found opportunities. After conceding 3 goals, they're already a bit lost."
As Zhang Lu said, inside Old Trafford Stadium, Dortmund was already in a desperate situation. Is this the end?
No. Among all the Dortmund players, perhaps only Jin Hayes had not given up. The speed talent he had just acquired hadn't been used, and the speed enhancement skill he had just developed hadn't had a chance to be showcased.
"Unwilling, I'm unwilling!"
At this moment, Jin Hayes had transformed into a crazed state. To hell with tactics, to hell with formations. To hell with teamwork. Since everyone is temporarily in trouble, then let me alone tear through the Theatre of Dreams.