Super Marshal

March 16, Saint-Germain training base in the western suburbs of Paris.

After the morning training session, Gao Han and his assistants went to the restaurant to have lunch, and sat in front of the TV at 11:30 to watch the live broadcast of the UEFA draw.

According to UEFA's practice, the draw for the UEFA Champions League will be held after fifteen minutes, followed by a break, and then the draw for the Europa League. Both major cup competitions will be drawn for the quarter-finals.

During the period when the UEFA Champions League finished the top 16 knockout rounds, the Europa League had a total of two rounds of knockout rounds. Paris Saint-Germain first eliminated Turkey's Trabzonspor with a total score of 8 to 1, and then With a total score of six to one in the two rounds, they eliminated Belgium's Standard Liege and successfully entered the quarterfinals.

Among the teams that have entered the Champions League quarter-finals this time, La Liga is the most popular. All four participating teams have reached the quarter-finals, occupying half of the country. The remaining four teams occupy two places in the Premier League, the Manchester duo, and Serie A. and the Bundesliga each occupy one spot, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich.

According to the draw rules of the Champions League, after the eight teams are disrupted this time, they will be drawn again and fight against each other. Without the principle of avoiding the same country, all teams are likely to meet. Therefore, the possibility of La Liga teams meeting is very high.

"How do you feel now?" Zidane sat next to Gao Han and asked with a smile.

Others also found it funny when they heard this, but they were also really curious, what would it feel like to be in the cold?

"If I want to give a high-sounding answer, then I will definitely say that I am very satisfied that the team has reached this point, so no matter who the opponent is next, no matter whether we lose or win in the end, I can totally accept it, so I don’t care at all now, and I don’t care who I get.”

Gao Han answered the assistant coach's question with the same tone he used to deal with media reporters. His serious expression made everyone present laugh. This answer was indeed too high-sounding.

"What if it's not so high-sounding?" Zidane asked again with a smile.

Gao Han snorted, "Then I will definitely say that the seven teams in the Champions League quarter-finals are really strong!"

After hearing the end, the assistants burst into laughter.

But this is indeed true, because Chinatown is definitely the weakest among the top eight teams, so no matter who is drawn, they feel very strong, which is understandable.

"Mr. Gao Han, I am a reporter from Paris Saint-Germain." Sergio Garcia also came to join in the fun. "I would like to ask you, among the seven teams, which one do you think is the best in your Chinatown draw?" has hope?"

Gao Han frowned, looking like I was very distressed, which made everyone present couldn't help but laugh again.

"Can I not answer?"

"No, I must answer."

"OK, I most hope to draw the La Liga team."

"Huh?" Everyone suspected that they heard wrongly.

La Liga team?

Barcelona is recognized as one of the two strongest teams among the top eight teams. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are also very strong, and they are both regulars in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. They are solidly strong in the top four, isn't Gao Han? Are your brains showing off?

"Look, aren't you? You will all suspect that I am out of my mind, because according to your thinking, you should choose Inter Milan, right?" Gao Han himself found it funny.

"Then why not Inter Milan?" Zidane asked curiously.

Serie A has been in decline in recent years. Inter Milan can be said to be a one-man show. After selling many of their top stars in a row, plus Adriano, Cannavaro, Cambiaso and other backbones of the past. After getting old, Inter Milan's strength is not as good as before.

Although there are still core players such as Hamsik, Bonucci, and Marchisio, and Prandelli has also cultivated local rookies such as Thornton and Balotelli, the overall strength of the Nerazzurri is in the Champions League. It's still weak among the top eight.

Of course, Moratti has not invested much in recent years, but the team has raised a lot of money for the new stadium project, which is expected to be completed within a year. Once the new stadium is put into use, Inter Milan will usher in a new period of rapid development.

But judging from the current situation, Inter Milan is still in the dormant stage, and its strength is at the top eight level at best.

On the other hand, there are several other teams, including Barcelona, ​​Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Manchester United. Needless to say, Bayern Munich hired Heynckes after firing Klinsmann. Their strength has also skyrocketed this season. The front line performed very well, plus the team left by Gao Han, at least the top four level.

Therefore, it is not surprising that everyone does not understand Gao Han's thoughts.

"I know that Inter Milan is relatively weak among the eight teams. If we meet Inter Milan in Chinatown, we may not be able to compete." Gao Han's words were also recognized by everyone present.

"But you have forgotten one thing. Chinatown is just a new team in the Champions League. It has never even played in the Europa League before. It lacks experience in dealing with the styles of teams in different leagues. Inter Milan's defensive ability is superior, and the tactics of Serie A Rigorousness will definitely pose a fatal threat to Chinatown.”

Gao Han's words made everyone nod involuntarily, it was true.

From a pure point of view of strength, they may be able to compete, but Chinatown is too inexperienced, and everyone knows that Italy's style restrains La Liga. Chinatown is young and immature, and it is probably difficult to be drawn to Inter Milan.

"Although I am reluctant to admit it, I have to say that if Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Manchester City are drawn, Chinatown's hope of qualifying will be very slim. On the contrary, Barcelona, ​​Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid will compete in the league with each other. Knowing the root and the bottom, I think we can definitely give it a try.”

The knockout rounds of the Champions League are definitely more difficult to play than the league, but they know each other well and are more confident in dealing with it. Pochettino will also have more confidence in his formation, so Gao Han thinks that he has a better chance of winning against La Liga teams. .

Of course, the odds of winning here are just the difference between 10% and 20%.

Anyway, for Chinatown, these seven teams are like towering mountains, especially the two mountains of Manchester City and Barcelona, ​​which are comparable to Mount Everest and are insurmountable.

"Then you'd better pray that you get Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid, and if it's Barcelona..."

Before Zidane finished speaking, the drawing ceremony began on live TV.

The draw ceremony was still presided over by UEFA Secretary General Infantino. After he took the stage, he took the lead in introducing the eight teams that reached the quarter-finals, and spent a short period of time reviewing the just-concluded top 16 knockout rounds.

After entering the lottery ceremony, the first person to be drawn was Chinatown.

When the lottery guest Breitner drew the results, even the team representatives present were a little surprised.

Everyone knows that this is a very cold team. After being upgraded every year, this season not only reached the King's Cup finals, but also reached the Champions League quarterfinals. This was achieved by selling four absolute core players in one summer. , which shows the strength of this team.

But soon, everyone turned from surprise to joy.

Because the second team Breitner drew was Barcelona.

This time it was Zidane's turn in front of the TV to cover his mouth, looking at the TV with wide eyes in disbelief, and then looked at Gao Han, who had a wry smile on his face.

Who would have thought that Chinatown would be drawn against Barcelona. These are two teams with a big gap in strength. Barcelona is Chinatown’s natural enemy. In the three seasons that Chinatown has entered La Liga, it has never defeated Barcelona. , not even a draw.

Now we are in the Champions League again, playing against Barcelona, ​​with no chance of winning.

Gao Han also shook his head and exhaled heavily. The draws of other groups were no longer of concern to him.

Bayern Munich drew Atletico Madrid, Manchester United had the best luck and was drawn Inter Milan, and Real Madrid was locked in a fight with Manchester City. In the subsequent draw, the group of Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid, together with Chinatown and Barcelona, was drawn into the lower half, which means that the winners of the two duels will meet in the semi-finals.

"Isn't it too depressing?" Sergio Garcia shook his head and smiled bitterly, "I used up all my luck before, now it's time to be unlucky."

Everyone thinks so. Barcelona and Manchester City are the teams that everyone least wants to encounter.

On the surface, Gao Han always said that he was satisfied with the team's current results. Even if it stopped at the top eight, it would be an unexpected gain. However, he still had more or less thoughts. What if there was another upset and entered the semi-finals? ?

But judging from the current lottery results, the possibility is really slim.

But he quickly calmed down, nodded and said with a smile: "Actually, Barcelona is not completely without weaknesses."

"Left back." Sergio Garcia has followed Gao Han for many years and knows Gao Han's character well.

Since the result of the draw is obvious and cannot be changed, we should work hard to find ways to defeat the enemy.

"Abidal is planning to undergo a liver transplant. After selling Maxwell, Guardiola has always had two options on the left, one is to switch with Puyol, and the other is to use Adriano, but no matter it is Either way, the left wing is Barcelona’s Achilles’ heel.”

It should be said that neither of these two players are Barcelona's options on the left, they are just forced to do so as a last resort.

"We know, Guardiola must also know, he will definitely be ready." Makelele analyzed.

Gao Han nodded, "Yes, but judging from last season, Guardiola didn't have many methods. Attacking instead of defense is his strategy. In European football, there are not many teams that can withstand Barcelona's offense."

After a pause, Gao Han continued: "With Barcelona's style of play and lineup configuration, the loopholes on the left will always exist, but not just any team can attack them, but as long as they can pinch Barcelona's seven-inch Fighting may not mean there is no chance of winning, and I believe Pochettino must be very clear about this.”

Barcelona's problem on the left wing has been exposed since last season. This summer, due to transfer budget issues, they were unable to strengthen the left wing and continued to retain Abidal and Adriano. Unexpectedly, Abidal's condition relapsed halfway through the schedule. , which exposed Barcelona’s left side to a crisis.

Pochettino has played so many games with Barcelona in two seasons, and he must know this.

So, the next step is to see if he can make good use of this.

This can be said to be Chinatown’s only hope for another upset.

However, Pochettino should not have a headache in the Champions League quarter-finals now, because the first thing he will bear the brunt of is the weekend's game against Real Madrid, a guest at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, how can he ensure that the team escapes intact.

After the Champions League quarter-final draw ended, the Europa League quarter-final draw also began. Paris Saint-Germain drew Alkmaar of the Netherlands, and the possibility of advancing to the semi-finals is very high.