Chapter 256: Chapter 256
A hint of disappointment flashed in Bonazzoli’s eyes.
In his limited professional career and match experience,
that UEFA Europa League final was enough to be remembered for a lifetime!
But at this moment, the experienced Ronaldo sitting next to him said that the UEFA Europa League couldn’t compare to the Champions League.
This 18-year-old rookie’s pride in having just won the UEFA Europa League suddenly faded significantly.
"Ah, don’t mind me, I just say what’s true between us. I know you all just won the UEFA Europa League and are feeling great, but what I say is also a fact. It’s no problem; whatever the case, you both can play in the Champions League next season."
After speaking to Bonazzoli, Ronaldo turned to look at Tang Long and gave a meaningful smile.
Tang Long merely nodded slightly.
He knew that Ronaldo was absolutely right; the Champions League was the true dream of every professional footballer.
Just like the Olympics to table tennis, the Champions League is the highest mountain a football club can conquer.
As the match time approached, spectators gradually filled the Allianz Arena to the brim.
Players from both teams also emerged one after another from the players’ tunnel.
The Big Ear Cup, symbolizing supreme honor, was placed right at the exit of the players’ tunnel.
Every player passing by, whether from Juventus or Barça, was filled with an immense longing for the championship.
The thrilling Champions League anthem "We Are the Champions" resounded magnificently!
The huge circular Champions League banner fluttered in the center of the field.
Tang Long had watched countless matches on TV where this anthem was played.
But this was his first time watching a Champions League match live, and his first match was the Champions League final.
When he heard the song he had listened to countless times live, his feelings were completely different compared to watching it on TV.
In an instant, he felt his heart racing, his blood rushing through his veins, and his eyes filling with bloodshot intensity.
"This, is the Champions League!"
Barcelona (4-3-3): 1-Ter Stegen/22-Alves, 3-Pique, 14-Mascherano, 18-Alba/4-Rakitic, 5-Busquets, 8-Iniesta (captain)/10-Messi, 9-Suarez, 11-Neymar
Juventus (4-3-1-2): 1-Buffon (captain)/26-Lichtsteiner, 15-Barzagli, 19-Bonucci, 33-Evra/8-Marchisio, 21-Pirlo, 6-Pogba/23-Vidal/10-Tevez, 9-Morata
Seeing Juventus’s lineup, Ronaldo softly said to Tang Long:
"Juventus actually abandoned their familiar three-man defense and switched to a four-man backline. It seems Allegri is quite wary of Barça’s tiki-taka. Juventus will definitely be playing defensive counterattack in this match."
Tang Long agreed: "Llorente, the target man, isn’t playing, and Morata is starting. From what I know, Morata is more mobile and covers a greater range when counterattacking."
Bonazzoli leaned in and said, "I think no matter how Juventus plays, as long as they have Marchisio, Pirlo, and Pogba in the midfield, Juventus’s core strength won’t decline."
The referee blew the whistle to signal the start of the 2014-2015 Champions League final!
Juventus kicked off first.
Tevez passed the ball back to Pogba, who returned it to Pirlo. Immediately, the entire Juventus team charged into Barça’s penalty area!
Pirlo didn’t stop the ball, delivering a big kick forward!
They’re going for an early aerial bombardment attack!
Tang Long watched excitedly from the stands.
"Wow, they start with a bang, hitting hard right from the beginning!"
Though Juventus started with a high-flying attack, the experienced Barça center-back Pique outjumped his national teammate Morata, clearing the ball from the penalty area.
Barça’s first shot in the 4th minute resulted in a goal!
Iniesta crossed with the outside of his foot from the left side of the penalty area, and Rakitic drove it into the right side of the net from 9 meters, 1-0!
"Haha, it had to be Iniesta. That outside-of-the-foot pass was slick. Tang, you’ve got to learn from that!" Ronaldo said to Tang Long.
Iniesta’s outside-foot pass was indeed brilliant, leaving Tang Long in awe.
The outside of the foot had always been Tang Long’s weakness. If time allowed, he must practice more diligently in Cloud Training.
In the 13th minute, Messi’s through ball to the right side of the penalty area saw Suarez cut the ball back, and his shot from 12 meters was saved by a flying Buffon using one hand, with Lichtsteiner heading the ball clear.
"Almost another goal, it seems Juventus can’t hold them off?" Bonazzoli remarked.
In the 20th minute, Juventus immediately retaliated.
Pogba launched a fast counterattack down the left, crossing low with his left foot!
Mascherano slid in to intercept before Tevez could reach it!
Then Barça gradually took control of the match’s tempo, maintaining possession for long periods.
Juventus began to tactically retreat their formation.
The best opportunity thereafter was in the 39th minute, when Suarez’s low shot from the right side of the penalty area missed the left post, followed by Neymar’s pass to Messi which deflected off a defender, and Suarez’s 13-meter shot from the side was tipped over the bar by Buffon!
During halftime, Ronaldo asked the two for their thoughts on the second half.
Bonazzoli and Tang Long both believed that if Juventus couldn’t equalize by the 70th minute, they wouldn’t have any hope of winning.
"Not bad," Ronaldo nodded, "We need to equalize quickly, or else we’ll be worn down by Barça’s passing. I know them too well!"
Three minutes into the second half, Barça launched a counterattack. Rakitic threaded a pass to the left side of the penalty area, and Suarez’s poke from 10 meters in front of goal was blocked by Buffon at the near post.
Suarez has now missed two consecutive chances!
Bonazzoli grinned at Tang Long and said, "Suarez is nothing special. If it were me, I would have scored at least one of those two chances. He didn’t score either of them!"
In the 51st minute, Messi cut in from the left and exchanged a series of one-touch passes with Neymar and Suarez, shooting high from 13 meters from the left side of the goal.
Although the ball didn’t go in, Tang Long was exhilarated watching it.
He thought of his role as an attacking midfielder, often producing brilliant link-ups with the forwards.
But whether it was with Icardi, Podolski, Shaqiri, or Bonazzoli, none could match the rapid-fire, wall-passing combination that Barça just displayed!
The gap was visibly evident.
Just as Barça’s offensive surged, an unexpected turn of events occurred.
Juventus equalized in the 55th minute!
Marchisio, under the pressure of two defenders, backheeled a clever pass, Lichtsteiner rushed into the right side of the box to make a low pass, Tevez’s left-footed sweep from 11 meters was blocked by Ter Stegen, but Morata slotted it in from 5 meters on the left, 1-1!
Tang Long began to analyze: "If it were Llorente in that position, he might not have gotten there in time. Morata’s speed and reaction time are faster. Allegri made the right choice starting him."
In the 63rd minute, Morata passed back from the right side of the penalty area, Marchisio made a horizontal pass, and Tevez’s shot from 18 meters in front of the goal went over.
A minute later, Evra passed back from the left, and Pogba’s half-turn shot from 20 meters in front of goal was collected by Ter Stegen!
The three onlookers found it thoroughly entertaining.
Although Tang Long didn’t like Juventus, he had to admit that in those fifteen minutes, Juventus, despite not having the upper hand in possession, had more threatening attacks than Barça.
Bonazzoli said begrudgingly, "This pace is way too fast. I feel like if Juventus is in this form, we can’t beat them in the Coppa Italia final!"
"Silly kid, this is the Champions League final. Juventus players are giving it their all; it’s definitely taken more seriously than domestic cup competitions," said Ronaldo.
It looked like Juventus’s offensive wave was building.
There was even a moment when it seemed like they might go ahead.
Unexpectedly, Barça took the lead again in the 68th minute!
Messi’s low shot from the left flank just outside the box caused Buffon to fumble, and Suarez tapped in from the right side, 2-1!
The Barça fans in the stadium erupted in cheers!
Thunderous applause in the arena!
"Haha, Bonazzoli, you were criticizing Suarez, and now he’s scored. What do you say?" Tang Long teased.
"What’s the big deal? Even my grandma could score from that spot," Bonazzoli retorted, unconvinced.
Subsequently, Harvey replaced Iniesta.
"If I remember correctly, Harvey is leaving Barça for Qatar this summer, which should be his last game representing Barça."
Hearing Ronaldo say this, both Tang Long and Bonazzoli sighed!
The 35-year-old core brain of Barça and the Spanish national team is going to be far from the top five leagues.
An era is coming to a close!
In the 79th minute, Pirlo took a corner from the left, and Pogba’s header from 6 meters in front of the goal went slightly high.
In the 89th minute, Marchisio’s low shot from outside the box was parried by Ter Stegen at the right post.
Missing numerous chances in ten minutes, Juventus players were becoming very anxious!
Off the field, coach Allegri was furious, looking as if he wanted to play himself.
"It’s almost 90 minutes. If they don’t score now, Juventus has no hope, Italian football is going home~" Ronaldo said, leaning back in his chair.
In the 94th minute, Juventus made one last gamble!
A free-kick from midfield, Pirlo launched a long ball into the box!
Once again, it was Pique!
A solid header to clear it!
"Great ball!" Tang Long couldn’t help but shout.
Although Ranocchia’s height is similar to Pique’s, his control of positioning is still a step behind Pique’s.
The ball then came to Neymar’s feet, and the 23-year-old Brazilian star launched a quick counterattack!
After several exchanges with his teammates, Neymar fired home from the right side of the six-yard box, 3-1!
Barça sealed the victory!
Bonazzoli excitedly raised his arms and cheered!
Ronaldo clapped his hands and laughed heartily!
Tang Long smiled calmly.
"Haha, Juventus is going home!"
"Allegri still dreams of winning the treble, let him keep dreaming!"