Match against Chelsea pt1

At the reception, Jin Taige met a singer named Hua Li Si.

"Mr. Tiger," Hua Li Si smiled mischievously, "aren't you curious why a stranger like me approached you?"

Jin Taige touched his cheek theatrically. "I'll need to re-evaluate my looks in the mirror when I get home."

The singer burst into delighted laughter. "You're truly amusing! Do you always charm people this effortlessly?"

"Only when provoked," Jin Taige nodded toward Brendan Rodgers across the room. "With that type, I prefer thorns over roses."

"Like your dramatic bet earlier?"

"Exactly."

"How fortunate I'm not your professional rival then," Hua Li Si feigned relief. "But I'm curious - you have Eastern features despite being British. Japanese or Korean heritage?"

"Chinese father," Jin Taige clarified.

Hua Li Si's eyes lit up. "What a coincidence! I've got one-eighth Chinese ancestry too. It seems fate brought us together."

As she prepared to continue, an urgent voice called her name. "My agent summons me," she apologized. "It was a pleasure, Mr. Tiger. Let's meet again."

Later, Ferguson rejoined Jin Taige, contemplative.

"All those rivalries... Wenger, Mourinho... feels like yesterday's battle cries. Retirement makes ghosts of old warriors."

Jin Taige listened silently, moved by his mentor's vulnerability.

Their moment was interrupted as the MC announced: "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome England's songbird - Miss Hua Li Si performing Champion's Light!"

The crowd stilled as the lilac-clad singer took the stage. Jin Taige blinked in recognition. "Who exactly is she?"

Ferguson raised an eyebrow. "Europe's current pop queen? Collaborates with UEFA and FIFA? You really live under a rock, Tiger."

"Fashion's never been my focus," Jin Taige shrugged.

"Twenty years I've known you," Ferguson chuckled. "If only Becks shared your disinterest in celebrity, he might've..."

The unspoken "been greater than Cantona" hung between them. Jin Taige marveled - decades later, Ferguson still begrudged Victoria's influence.

Hua Li Si's voice cascaded over the crowd:

A young dream of glory

Steps forward unafraid

Sweat-stained battlefield

Ideals roar from his shoulders

Champion's light through flesh and bone

Champion's light - hope's endless flow

Your relentless fire

Makes dreams breathe and grow

Blazing glory, champion's might

Starry sky pierced by light

This victory we crave

Sets the world aflame tonight

Though softened for the occasion, the anthem pulsed with primal energy. Jin Taige's hands trembled - he ached to charge onto a pitch this instant. Around him, hardened football executives sat transfixed, eyes glittering with forgotten passions.

After returning from London, Jin Taige spent the evening reviewing Chelsea's team dossier prepared by Ferran. The highly anticipated clash against Chelsea at Old Trafford was just two days away, scheduled for the afternoon of August 26th.

August 25th Morning – Training Ground

Jin Taige watched the players train, a wry smile on his face as he turned to Paul Scholes. "Look at this schedule. It's a nightmare!"

Scholes glanced at the fixture list and sighed. "The next few weeks won't be easy."

Upcoming Fixtures:

- August 26 (Premier League, Matchday 2):Manchester United vs. Chelsea (Home)

- August 31 (Premier League, Matchday 3):Liverpool vs. Manchester United (Away)

- September 14 (Premier League, Matchday 4):Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace (Home)

- September 17 (UEFA Champions League, Group Stage):Manchester United vs. Bayer Leverkusen (Home)

- September 22 (Premier League, Matchday 5): Manchester City vs. Manchester United (Away)

- September 25 (League Cup, Round 3):Manchester United vs. Liverpool (Home)

"Chelsea, Liverpool, City, Leverkusen, and then Liverpool again—all in one month!" Jin Taige shook his head in disbelief. "Forget the rest. Let's focus on Chelsea tomorrow."

Pre-Match Press Conferences

At Chelsea's press conference, a reporter asked Mourinho about his objectives for the match. The Portuguese manager replied succinctly, "We'll take the points we need from Old Trafford."

Everyone knew Mourinho wasn't aiming for just a draw.

Later, at Manchester United's press conference, a reporter asked Jin Taige, "Mourinho says he'll take the points he wants. What's your response?"

Jin Taige shrugged. "Our goal is to send Chelsea home empty-handed."

The managers' fiery remarks set the stage for an explosive clash, and anticipation for the match reached a fever pitch.

One Hour Before Kickoff

As the players warmed up on the pitch, Jin Taige and Mourinho crossed paths in the tunnel. They exchanged a brief, perfunctory handshake.

Mourinho's expression was icy. "Here we are."

Jin Taige nodded. "As promised, I'll give you and your team a proper welcome."

"The media's new darling," Mourinho remarked dryly. "First, the 'Triple Crown' declaration, then the dartboard league table, and now your bet with Rodgers. You've become English football's headline machine. I hear reporters wake up, cross themselves, and say, 'Thank God for Jin Taige.'"

Jin Taige burst into laughter. "I never thought the 'Special One' had a sense of humor!"

As they walked out of the tunnel together, the cameras caught the moment, broadcasting it live.

Sky Sports Commentary

"Look who we have here! The two protagonists of today's drama share a civil moment, but don't be fooled—this is a battle of wits and wills. Mourinho, the pragmatic mastermind, versus Jin Taige, the audacious newcomer. Let's see the lineups…"

Chelsea (4-2-3-1):

- Goalkeeper:Cech

- Defenders:Ashley Cole, Terry, Cahill, Ivanović

- Midfielders: Lampard, Ramires; Schürrle, Oscar, De Bruyne

- Forward: Hazard

- Subs:Torres, Mikel, Azpilicueta, Essien, Schwarzer, Mata, Ba

Manchester United (4-4-2):

- Goalkeeper:De Gea

- Defenders:Evra, Ferdinand, Smalling, Rafael

- Midfielders:Nani, Carrick, Kanté, Giggs

- Forwards: Rooney, van Persie

- Subs: Lindegaard, Jones, Alonso, Anderson, Mahrez, Valencia, Icardi

Home Dressing Room

Jin Taige pointed at Chelsea's formation on the tactical board. "They're parking the bus at our house! Raphael, what does that mean?"

The young Brazilian fullback grinned. "It means they're scared, gaffer! Mourinho's already lost the mental battle!"

"Damn right!" Jin Taige high-fived him. "This is the Theatre of Dreams! Whether it's Mourinho's Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern, or Juventus—they all kneel here. Today, we make them beg!"

XXXX

Pre-Match Locker Room – Jin Taige's Pep Talk

Jin Taige stood before his players, his voice fiery. "Remember this—you're at Old Trafford! Whether it's Mourinho's Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern, or Juventus, they all kneel here. Today, we make them beg!"

The players roared in response, their morale soaring as they charged out of the locker room and onto the pitch. Jin Taige followed, his presence radiating determination.

Paul Scholes, trailing behind, found it fascinating. In daily life, Jin Taige was calm and composed, rarely swearing or losing his temper. But in the locker room and on the pitch, he transformed—fiery, passionate, and inspiring. The only constants were his courage, determination, and love for the game.

Kickoff – First Half

Jin Taige approached Mourinho for the customary pre-match handshake. The two exchanged no words, their rivalry palpable.

The referee's whistle blew, and Manchester United, clad in their iconic red kits, kicked off. Chelsea, in blue, braced for the onslaught.

Sky Sports Commentary:

"Manchester United starts aggressively, pushing high into Chelsea's half. Carrick spreads the ball wide to Giggs on the left—what a pass!"

"Giggs delivers a cross, but Terry clears it! Corner for United!"

"Giggs whips the ball into the box—Rooney rises for the header! Oh, it's over the bar! United miss an early chance to take the lead."

United dominated the opening exchanges. By the 10th minute, they had registered three shots, two of which were on target. Chelsea struggled to retain possession, their defense under constant pressure.

On the touchline, Mourinho barked instructions: "Hold your shape! Don't let them dictate the play!"

Gradually, Chelsea stabilized. Their defensive organization tightened, and Mourinho's infamous "parked bus" strategy took effect. United's wingers, Giggs and Nani, found themselves swarmed by two or three defenders whenever they approached the penalty area. Crosses into the box were routinely cleared by Chelsea's towering defenders.

Jin Taige's Adjustments

Seeing the stalemate, Jin Taige moved to the sidelines. "Raphael, push up!" he shouted.

The Brazilian fullback, eager to join the attack, surged forward. Nani, receiving the ball on the wing, spotted Raphael's overlapping run and played a clever backheel pass. Raphael, without breaking stride, lofted a cross over Ashley Cole and De Bruyne, finding Nani at the byline.

Nani prepared to deliver a cross, but the linesman's flag went up—offside.

Though the chance was wasted, Nani gave Raphael a thumbs-up for the exquisite pass.

Jin Taige, sensing an opportunity, urged both fullbacks—Raphael and Evra—to push higher. United's attacks became more fluid, but Chelsea's defensive wall remained unbreached. Van Persie and Rooney, neither traditional target men, struggled to make an impact against Chelsea's packed penalty area.

Chelsea's defenders were disciplined. Apart from Ramires picking up a yellow card near the halfway line, they conceded no dangerous free kicks or penalties.

By halftime, the score remained 0-0. Jin Taige glared at Chelsea's impenetrable defense, frustration etched on his face.

Halftime Team Talk

In the locker room, Jin Taige urged his players to maintain their intensity. "Speed up the play in the second half. Look for gaps, and don't hesitate to take long shots if the opportunity arises."

He also made a tactical substitution, replacing Carrick with Anderson. The Brazilian midfielder's technical skills, Jin Taige hoped, could unlock Chelsea's defense.

Second Half – Anderson's Frustration

Anderson, benched for two consecutive games, was eager to prove himself. He didn't understand why Jin Taige preferred the Kanté-Carrick partnership. In his mind, his attacking flair was exactly what United needed.

But Anderson's eagerness turned into recklessness. He dribbled aimlessly, trying to single-handedly break through Chelsea's defense. Terry and Ramires, the backbone of Chelsea's backline, easily neutralized his efforts.

Jin Taige, furious, slammed a water bottle to the ground.

Chelsea's Counterattack

The situation worsened. After another failed dribble, Anderson lost possession to Ramires, who quickly played the ball to Lampard. Kanté rushed to intercept, but Lampard lofted a long pass to De Bruyne on the right flank.

De Bruyne surged forward, with only Ferdinand and Smalling between him and the goal. Hazard and Oscar sprinted alongside him, creating a 3-on-2 overload.

Sky Sports Commentary:*

"Chelsea break at speed! De Bruyne, Hazard, and Oscar against Ferdinand and Smalling—this is dangerous!"