Chapter 241 No Need to Look for a Traitor in Rome This Time
The next day, Mourinho still gave the main players a holiday, and Chen Xiaoliang felt tired for the first time.
When I went out for a run with Cesco in the morning, my legs felt like they were rusty.
On the one hand, the fatigue accumulated during the season cannot be eliminated in a short period of time, and on the other hand, there are always concerns in my heart.
AC Milan's match against Atalanta tonight will be crucial to Roma's fate.
Not only Chen Xiaoliang felt tired, but Cesco also felt tired. When he was at Red Bull Salzburg, he only played 20 times a season at most, and many of them were as a substitute.
Although he has improved a lot since coming to Roma this season, his ability and confidence have been significantly improved, and his double-double of 17 goals in the league and 25 goals and 10 assists in all competitions has made him a hot commodity in European football, even a young player like him can find that under such high fatigue, his recent goal efficiency has declined significantly.
In the last four games in the three competitions, they only scored one goal in the second round of the UEFA Cup semi-final against PSV Eindhoven, and failed to score in the other three games.
So this also made Cesco wonder why Chen Xiaoliang seemed to have exploded recently, especially in the two key games against the two Milan giants, scoring 6 goals and providing 1 direct assist. These data can no longer be described as explosive.
Chen Xiaoliang himself didn’t understand it, but he always felt that when playing against strong teams, his concentration and ability to resist interference would be better.
He thought about it and found that it should be the hidden attribute that was at work.
Just as his other attributes at level 15 are already higher than most players, his stress resistance and leadership at level 15 are also enough to free him from most of the negative factors such as game pressure, harassment from opposing fans, etc. when facing top clubs and important matches.
Thinking of this, I couldn't help but recall the scene at the Tottenham youth training graduation match when I was nervous and distracted when I first came on the court and was passed by Rogers.
Time flies so fast, in a blink of an eye, it’s already... Actually, it was just 2 years ago.
He had a good physical therapy at home in the afternoon. In the evening, Riise and Cesco came together to watch the game and discuss the next contract renewal.
Chen Xiaoliang's contract extension has been fully negotiated. In view of his recent hot form, club owner Dan Friedkin personally intervened and cancelled the tiered weekly salary pricing. Instead, he will sign a five-year contract after the end of the Serie A season with a fixed weekly salary of 11 million euros (210,000 euros per week) plus a floating bonus of 3 million euros.
This does not include goal and assist bonuses.
The buyout clause was also agreed upon in advance by both parties, with a one-time payment of 150 million euros set for Italian clubs abroad.
Coincidentally, the last round of Serie A this season is on May 20, and Chen Xiaoliang’s 18th birthday is on May 21. The club also hopes to use such a sincere clause to retain this core player of the team and declare the club’s ambition and investment to continue winning the championship.
Cesco, who is also represented by Riise, will soon sign a big contract with an annual salary of 6 million euros and a bonus of 1 million euros.
The next step is to communicate about the club's transfers and team building for next season. This, as the core of the club's team building, is written in black and white in the contract. Any future transfers of the club's first team, whether sales or signings, will be notified to Chen Xiaoliang in advance and his opinion will be sought.
However, this is not to let Chen Xiaoliang decide on the recruitment work, but the club wants to see from his perspective whether the new players can meet the actual needs of the team and whether the players who are about to leave will have an impact on the lineup.
Chen Xiaoliang had no interest in such things that could easily touch the head coach's reverse scale, and such clauses were indeed set up specifically for certain core players in some big clubs. However, ever since Mbappe was jokingly called "Director M" by the public and publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with Paris Saint-Germain's signings and team building, sparking strong discussions among fans and the media, this practice of core players participating in the team's signings and even having decision-making power has been unanimously criticized.
But Roma insisted on doing so because there was an urgent matter on the table right now - finding a qualified rotation for Chen Xiaoliang.
Riise told him that although Paris Saint-Germain's Dutch midfielder Wijnaldum has basically confirmed that he will join on loan next season, the loan is only temporary after all. In addition, he will be 32 years old when the next season starts. Although there is a buyout clause in the loan contract, he is destined not to be a long-term choice for Roma in the future.
Good midfielders are in short supply now, especially those who have good defensive abilities in addition to offense and organization, and they are the targets of crazy competition among giants.
Manchester United officially announced its new head coach, Ten Hag, before the end of the season in April. He has publicly stated many times that he wants the club to sign his former disciple, Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who is currently playing for Barcelona.
After Real Madrid spent 40 million euros to buy 19-year-old Camavinga last summer, they are preparing to spend 100 million euros to sign 22-year-old Joan Ameni from Monaco this summer, which further proves the scarcity of all-round midfielders and their rising prices.
Therefore, in addition to entrusting a large number of scouts, Pinto also hopes that Chen Xiaoliang can use his "huge network behind him" to find an affordable young midfielder for the team, just as he recommended Cesco, Malacia and Kvaratskhelia.
As for who concluded that Chen Xiaoliang has a huge network of relationships behind him, it no longer matters.
Anyway, when Pinto reported to the boss Dan Friedkin, he said a classic sentence - who would believe that an Asian could handle the transfers of Slovenia and Georgia without any connections, and buy a natural gas field before the war broke out and count the money until his hands cramped?
Reese spoke vividly, Cesco and Helena listened with great interest, but Chen Xiaoliang was speechless.
However, he still gave Riise a name and asked him to go to Argentina as soon as possible to contact River Plate Club.
The 21-year-old can be brought from River Plate for only 12 million euros, while Veretout will leave the club and return to France next season, and the cost of selling him to Marseille is about 11 million euros.
Coupled with the salary difference between the two, Roma can get a more potential and comprehensive midfield without spending a penny more.
Riise looked at the name and said, just like when he first saw Kvaratskhelia, he had never heard of it.
Chen Xiaoliang told him that this man would definitely be effective under Mourinho's bus counter-attack tactics, and within half a year, his name might be known throughout the world.
"So mysterious?" Reese's face, which was born like a Nordic Viking, showed a surprised expression, which made him look even more terrifying and a little funny.
Chen Xiaoliang nodded, but did not answer. Instead, he looked at the AC Milan team entering the stadium on the TV screen.
On one side is AC Milan, which has kept clean sheets in 6 of its last 7 Serie A home games, and on the other side is Atalanta, which has remained unbeaten in its last 7 away games against Milan in all competitions. The outcome of the two teams is affecting the fate of Roma.
Milan fielded a lineup that was almost identical to the one used in the Italian Cup final, with the only difference being Brazilian winger Messias replaced Salemacols in the starting lineup.
Atalanta also fielded all its main players. As the season is coming to an end, the team's lineup is complete and they are also fighting for qualification for the European competition.
Although currently ranked 9th, it is only 1 point away from 7th-placed Fiorentina.
Although this season in Serie A, in addition to the top four teams qualifying for the Champions League, the fifth place can qualify for the Europa League and the sixth place can qualify for the UEFA Cup, but since Roma, who won the Italian Cup, has already secured qualification for the Champions League, the Europa League qualification generated by the Italian Cup championship will be postponed to the sixth place in the league.
What's even more gratifying is that Roma has reached the final of the Europa League. Once they win the Europa League, the Europa League qualification generated by this championship will be given to the seventh-placed team in the league.
In other words, in theory, eight Serie A teams can enter European competitions next season.
Coupled with the current poor economic situation of Serie A, let alone the Europa League, even the Europa League, which has limited revenue and is of little interest to big teams, is an important channel for clubs such as Atalanta, Verona and Fiorentina to increase revenue and increase revenue and reduce expenditure.
Atalanta's coach Gasperini thought very clearly. One is one and two is two. It goes without saying that they should fight for fairness. Moreover, whether the team can play in the European war next season depends on whether they can get points in the last two rounds and Roma's performance in the Europa League final. Since they need Mourinho's help, they have to fight a real battle against AC Milan tonight.
As expected, AC Milan launched a fierce attack at the start.
Left, center, right, front, center, back, top, middle, and bottom, 360 degrees in all directions and at any angle, you can launch an attack as long as there is an opportunity.
The feeling of playing on the field and watching on TV is indeed very different. In front of the TV, you have a God's perspective. Seeing AC Milan's excitement, Cesco was surprised again and again: "We actually beat such a team?"
But after only 26 minutes, everyone had to marvel at the magic of fate.
Atalanta managed to hold on for the first half, only scoring a goal on their first counterattack.
Right wingback Hartbauer made a cross from the bottom, and forward Muriel wanted to shoot at the back post, but the quality of Hartbauer's cross while running was very poor, and the ball did not reach Muriel's position at all.
But it seemed that he was too excited at the start. Tomori, who was returning to defense at high speed, actually tried to clear the ball with his feet near the penalty spot, trying to block the ball back. But in the end, I don’t know what pill he took was wrong. In front of goalkeeper Maignan, he kicked the ball into the upper right corner of his own goal...
Atlanta took the lead amid the astonishment and speechlessness of the home fans. Although Muriel and Hartbauer knew that the goal had nothing to do with them and tried hard not to laugh while celebrating, they had no professional training and could not help but laugh even after covering their mouths.
The director at the scene felt that watching the fun was not big enough, so he turned the camera to England head coach Southgate who was there again to watch the game.
His face was livid and he had no communication with the assistant beside him.
The local commentator in Milan couldn't help but complain that Maguire had lost even his starting position at Manchester United. Many fans left messages on England's social media homepage calling on Southgate not to take Maguire to the World Cup. However, Tomori insisted on refusing the England World Cup list that was handed over to him.
If one is an aircraft carrier, then this one is the supply ship of the aircraft carrier formation...
After conceding the goal, Milan attacked more frantically, but Atalanta, which had withstood three attacks, was no pushover. Taking advantage of the home team's eagerness to achieve success, they tried hard to control the ball and made full use of their expertise in spatial transfer.
At the end of the first half, the two teams had 51% to 49% ball possession and 6 to 6 shots, and the game was evenly matched.
In the second half, Pioli replaced several new players one after another, but Atalanta's steady response and mentality helped them gradually control the ball.
But in terms of the number of shots on target, Milan, with better offensive quality, still has a clear lead.
In the 75th minute, Milan, who had been attacking hard for most of the game, finally reaped the rewards. Theo rode alone from the midfield all the way to the goal, broke through two players who were blocking him in the middle, and then shook off two players in the penalty area and shot into the far corner to score!
Ibrahimovic, who was warming up on the sidelines, and Giroud, who had just been replaced by Rebic, both applauded for this great goal.
But the score of 1-1 was not enough, and Milan showed no signs of giving up.
Chen Xiaoliang and Cesco, who were watching TV, also had sweat in their palms.
Riise, who was flipping through his phone, also found that many Roma players had posted updates on their personal social media. Pellegrini posted one, saying: "Although it was a crappy shot, the ball was really beautiful," expressing his inner depression.
Fortunately, someone didn't seem to want him to be depressed for too long.
In the 82nd minute, Atalanta got a corner kick opportunity. The corner kick fell in the middle and was headed by Zapata, the Atalanta striker who came on as a substitute in the second half. However, the soft ball did not pose much threat and was kicked out on the goal line by Rebic who returned to the near post.
But the clearance hit Tomori, who had just landed after competing with Zapata for the header and had not had time to turn around to observe, and then bounced off his buttocks and bounced into his own goal...
1 to 2...
Tomori was stunned, Maignan was dumbfounded, Rebic knelt down, Ibrahimovic and Giroud were stunned, and Pioli wanted to cry...
Gasperini and his players were also stunned, and the commentator of the local broadcast was also speechless.
Cesco and Riise looked at each other, wondering if there was such a way to play? Three goals scored by Milan in a game... and the score was 1-2?
England assistant coach Steve Holland, who was sitting next to Southgate, raised his hand to cover his mouth and whispered to Southgate: "This guy is so unlucky, let's not take him."
Southgate nodded slightly and thought to himself: Although Ma Datou is slow in turning, he is strong in frontal defense. If he had been there, he would have headed the ball out long ago, and there wouldn't have been so many messy things afterwards.
Seeing that Tomori was mentally unbalanced and unable to handle his emotions normally, Pioli replaced him with Romagnoli.
When the substitution was made, AC Milan fans couldn't help but boo, but it was not directed at Tomori. Although the English central defender's performance tonight could be described as undercover, he still made great contributions throughout the season.
They booed Pioli. Why didn't he make proper personnel rotations after such a exhausting Italian Cup final? Why did he only think of wasting a substitution quota to bring on Romagnoli in the 82nd minute?
Faced with the 3 points handed over by AC Milan, Atalanta had no reason to refuse them.
Gasperini used all five substitutions and continued to pass the ball, control the ball and defend until the 94th minute when the referee whistled. Finally, amid huge boos at San Siro, Atalanta successfully blocked AC Milan!
After the 37th round of the league, Roma overtook AC Milan by 2 points with 84 points and reversed to first place in the second to last round, bringing the suspense of winning the championship to the end.
Inter Milan beat Cagliari 1-3 away and surpassed Juventus with 73 points to rank third. Juventus drew 2-2 with Lazio at home and got 1 point with difficulty, ranking fourth with 71 points.
Napoli, who beat Genoa 3-0 at home, also has 71 points, but is currently ranked fifth due to their win-loss record.
The three teams are only 2 points apart, bringing the suspense of the Serie A race for the top four to the final round.
The next morning at the Trigoria base, the players who arrived for training were very excited.
But Mourinho still poured cold water on them.
Although Torino, the opponent in the last away game, has no desire for ranking, for various reasons this season, the hostility of the Turin media led by Turin Sports Daily towards Roma has become an open secret in Italian football.
Although the people of Turin may not be very united internally, they have always been protectionist towards the outside world. For Roma, the only way to win the championship is to win.
In the case of the same points, because the win-loss record between them is worse than Milan, if they tie with Torino and Milan wins, the championship will still be Milan's.
There is no reason to believe that Milan, who only lost one of their first 14 league games last night, will lose to Sassuolo again.
The Italian Football Association and Serie A have informed both clubs that they will prepare the championship award ceremony at both Turin's home stadium, the Torino Olympic Stadium, and Sassuolo's home stadium, Mapei Tricolori Stadium. However, since Rome starts the game two days earlier, the Serie A championship trophy will be transported to Turin first.
If Roma wins, the award will be given directly.
If Roma does not win, they will immediately transport the trophy to Sassuolo, and if AC Milan wins, the award ceremony will be held there.
But there is also an extreme situation, that is, Roma failed to win, but AC Milan also lost in the end.
In this case, the Serie A will transport the trophy back to Rome and let the club arrange a special day to hold an award ceremony without a match at the Olympic Stadium in Rome.
Such operations have caused endless complaints from the club, media and fans.
Although Mourinho has coached in La Liga and Serie A in the past and is very familiar with the situation of the two leagues being out of sync in the final round, he still expressed his view that this should be improved at the press conference.
Looking at the grand occasion of the last round of the Premier League and Bundesliga season being launched at the same time, especially the Premier League, this season is also facing the championship battle between Manchester City and Liverpool, with a difference of only 1 point in the last round. Manchester City's home opponent is Aston Villa led by Liverpool legend Gerrard.
Starting the championship games at the same time can maximize the tension of the game and be fairer to the players and fans of both teams.
Pioli also agreed on this point in the press release.
He said that if Mourinho led Roma to win in advance, the final round of the game two days later would only be a painful process for AC Milan.
At the press conference, he also repeatedly stated in a pitiful manner that Roma has a great chance of winning.
However, Mourinho warned the players in training this morning that these were all psychological warfare by Pioli, deliberately paralyzing Roma and stimulating Milan's players.
In order to win the final league championship, the team must train strictly and prepare seriously in the next four days.
Mourinho issued an almost harsh "ban order".
Before the end of the league, any player found by him entering or leaving entertainment venues will become the target of the team's cleanup in the summer.
And the players who played under his coaching for a whole season also knew that this threat was not just lip service.
After the nightclub scandal, El Shaarawy's chances of playing have been ranked behind several young players promoted from the youth team, such as Darbo, Beauve and Volpato, while another protagonist of the scandal, Santon, has retired early.
There was also Diawara, who was paid a high salary. Although he wanted to fight the club to the end and was determined to fulfill his contract at the beginning of the season, Mourinho did not give in at all. He actually let him stay in the reserve team for a whole season and even asked the head coach of the reserve team, Alberto De Rossi, the father of the famous player Daniele De Rossi, not to send Diawara to play.
Diawara, who has not played a single official game for the entire season, has completely given in and will transfer to the old Belgian powerhouse Anderlecht for a bargain price of 1.5 million euros.
The only remaining thorn is Karsdorp, who was publicly denounced as a traitor and demoted to the reserve team by Mourinho after being lazy and failing to implement tactics during the game.
Roma does not have giants and big names like Real Madrid and Manchester United, and the new owner Dan Friedkin came less than half a year earlier than him. He has no feelings for the people bought by the original board of directors and the remaining team, and he does not feel sorry for dealing with them. In addition, Diawara, Santon and others are far inferior to Pogba, Hazard and Casillas in terms of status, so he can completely let go and build the team he wants in a swift and decisive manner.
Mourinho's handling of these troublemakers was a warning to others. This not only allowed him to avoid repeating the mistake of "finding a traitor" in Rome, but also allowed him to completely control the locker room with the help of Chen Xiaoliang and Patricio.
Therefore, he had enough confidence to issue such a threatening "ban order" before the final decisive battle, which put the interests of the team first.
All the efforts and hard work will be on the evening of May 20th!
