“First, I should congratulate Cambridge United. Not every team gets the chance to defeat Arsenal.”
At the post-match press conference, Wenger appeared very calm, completely different from his furious self in the locker room.
“Before every match, we make all our plans, but what happens on the pitch is another story, and that’s why we lost.”
“Mr. Wenger, did Arsenal underestimate them? By fielding so many substitutes?”
“When you don’t perform at your level, any team can beat you.” As he said this, Wenger shook his Head Coach slightly, clearly still unable to fully accept the loss internally.
“Actually, we had many scoring opportunities in this match, but unfortunately, our forwards couldn’t convert them. This is an issue we need to thoroughly examine when we get back.”
“Finally, I want to say that the entire team performed very well, and the result doesn’t fully reflect their performance. The loss is my responsibility.”
Although he had been yelling at the players in the locker room, Wenger now took full responsibility for the loss.
“Mr. Wenger, statistics show that Arsenal’s substitute lineup hasn’t scored in 10 consecutive matches. What are your thoughts on this?”
Hearing the reporter pose this rather awkward question, Wenger fell silent for a moment.
“Alright, perhaps they have indeed been under a lot of pressure recently, but I believe they still have a lot of room for improvement. Whether they score or not isn’t the most important issue. As long as our team can win the match, that’s enough.”
“That’s all I have to say about this match. For the remaining time, perhaps you should interview today’s winners more. I think he should have a lot to say. Please excuse me, everyone.”
With that, Wenger stood up and left the press conference.
Huang Hao, standing nearby, watched Wenger leave and thought to himself: Look at him, even his departure is so polite. He truly lives up to his title as a Professor. I still have a lot to learn!
After Wenger left, the reporters’ attention naturally turned to Huang Hao.
Looking at the dozen pairs of eyes below, Huang Hao shrugged his shoulders.
“Uh, alright, I’ve done this before. I think I now understand how the other Head Coach next to me felt back then.”
Huang Hao’s rather humorous remark drew laughter from the reporters.
“But regarding questions like whether winning against Arsenal is surprising or satisfying, I think everyone shouldn’t waste their breath. After all, our opponent is Arsenal; who wouldn’t be happy? It’s like a primary school student defeating a master.”
Several reporters who were about to raise their hands immediately put them back down upon hearing this. Clearly, Huang Hao’s words had directly shut down their questions.
Huang Hao was very satisfied with this scene. After all, Lin Kexin was still waiting for him outside. Spring nights are short, and the sun rises high; why waste time here?
At this moment, Stewart, fearless of death, stood up again. Ignoring Huang Hao’s resentful gaze, he still threw out a question.
“Mr. Huang, Cambridge United will face Aston Villa, Chelsea, and Manchester City next. Will Cambridge United make any special preparations?”
“Alright, Mr. Reporter, thank you for adding a few more unhappy moments to my already pleasant mood. Otherwise, I would have forgotten that Cambridge United still has to face these difficult opponents one after another.”
“Many people believe that Cambridge United will be utterly defeated in this somewhat unlucky November. Yet, today we defeated Arsenal!”
“So, for the upcoming matches, my players and I will give our all to strive for a better result. As for special preparations, Stewart, if I told you, would it still be special?”
Stewart, below the stage, scratched his Head Coach in frustration upon hearing Huang Hao’s answer. This eloquent Head Coach seemed to have said a lot, yet it seemed like he hadn’t answered any of his questions.
It seems my skills still need to improve!
After successfully overcoming Arsenal, Cambridge United welcomed Aston Villa at Selhurst Park.
This was also the last of Cambridge United’s three consecutive home matches. Next, the team would travel to Stamford Bridge and the Etihad Stadium to challenge the formidable Chelsea and Manchester City.
Aston Villa, under Martin O’Neill’s coaching, had been deeply imprinted with solid defense and quick counter-attacks. Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea had all found it difficult against Aston Villa. This match was destined not to be easy for Cambridge United.
Martin O’Neill was good at being meticulous. For Aston Villa’s signings, he only bought what was suitable, not what was expensive.
The acquisition of defender Richard Dunn for 6 million pounds, Stewart Downing for 10 million pounds, Fabian Delph for 3 million pounds, and Stephen Warnock for 3 million pounds all significantly strengthened the team’s capabilities.
Cambridge United’s training this week focused on physical fitness and attention. Compared to the previous period of disarray, Cambridge United players’ performance this week had clearly improved. Even Mahrez, who was a training black hole, escaped punishment several times.
Huang Hao, who temporarily had no plans to change the training schedule, once again disappeared from the training ground.
Although there were still two months until the winter transfer window, Roma was not built in a day.
Identifying targets, making offers, negotiating—a series of tasks that often meant by the time the transfer window arrived, only the official announcement remained.
Huang Hao knew that winning against Arsenal required both effort and luck, neither could be missing.
If they wanted to achieve a greater breakthrough, this winter would be especially crucial.
“Hi, Huang, I’m here again,” Owens appeared in Huang Hao’s office that day.
“Oh, my old friend, seeing your beaming face, you must have brought me good news,” Huang Hao immediately stood up and shook Owens’s hand, so as to avoid any further close contact later.
“I called Pernambucano, and he’s very interested in conquering the Premier League. You can talk to Garafa now, but there’s one thing: his weekly salary must not be less than 50,000 pounds, as the oil tycoons are paying quite a lot.” Owens revealed the news to Huang Hao.
“My old friend, you’re truly amazing! Your commission won’t be a penny less. Now, it’s up to whether Adams can deliver.”
“There’s one more person, Huang. See if you’re interested.” Owens continued to promote his client.
“Oh, who is it that you’re so highly recommending?”
“It’s Umtiti, a 17-year-old youngster with great leadership qualities. If you buy him now, you won’t have to spend a single penny, but my commission…” Owens rubbed his Head Coach’s fingers.
“Let me see, if it’s feasible, how about 200,000 for you?”
“Haha, I knew Huang is the best Chairman in the world! So, it’s settled then. I’ll handle Umtiti’s work.”
Zhang Lei once again appeared at Selhurst Park. Having learned his lesson from last time, Zhang Lei had bought his ticket early on the morning of the first day of ticket sales for this round.
When he left here last time, his heart was filled with mixed emotions.
Originally emotionally inclined towards Arsenal, he had witnessed the rise of a small team here.
Whether it was the fans willingly covering their viewing sight with giant TIFOs or the fighting spirit displayed by Cambridge United players on the field, it had a profound impact on his Head Coach.
Especially since behind this team was also a Chinese boss and Head Coach. After a few days of intensely researching Cambridge United, Zhang Lei reappeared at Cambridge United’s home stadium, already wearing Cambridge United’s yellow jersey, clearly having become a Cambridge United fan.
Passing by the ticket booth, Zhang Lei saw the simple “Tickets Sold Out” sign again.
For some reason, Zhang Lei, holding his ticket tightly in his Head Coach, suddenly felt a slight sense of satisfaction.
After passing through two ticket gates, Zhang Lei once again stepped into Selhurst Park. This time, his seat was clearly much better than the tickets from scalpers, but the price was still a very reasonable 20 pounds.
Luke Young, Milner, Downing, Heskey, Agbonlahor—Zhang Lei, who was quite familiar with the Premier League, saw a series of familiar names and knew that Aston Villa had fielded almost their entire starting lineup.
But for some reason, Zhang Lei wasn’t particularly worried about Cambridge United; instead, a small sense of anticipation arose in his Head Coach.
If Cambridge United could still win this match, I must get a season ticket next season!
Zhang Lei silently made a promise to himself.
What he didn’t expect was that Aston Villa delivered a heavy blow in just 3 minutes! As Huang Hao had anticipated, Aston Villa had fielded almost their entire main squad.
The only change was that Aston Villa had chosen their substitute goalkeeper, Stuart Taylor, today.
Today, Aston Villa did not play their usual 4-4-2 formation. Instead, targeting Cambridge United’s 3-5-2 formation’s relatively weak defense, they opted for a head-on 4-3-3.
As the match began, the overcast sky finally started to drizzle. In less than a minute, the rain reached a moderate level.
The sudden rainfall also added a few uncertainties to the match.
Having learned from their previous experience, Aston Villa took the initiative from the start, constantly threatening Cambridge United’s goal.
Especially Downing, who had recently joined the team on the wing, performed exceptionally actively, with several passes proving quite threatening. O’Neill didn’t want to leave the suspense until the end this time, attempting to directly defeat Cambridge United with an early offensive burst.
Seeing his teammates in good form, Delph, who intercepted Cambridge United’s ball, once again passed it to Downing on the left wing.
Downing first lightly tapped the ball with the outside of his Head Coach’s right foot, stably controlling it, then quickly glanced up and immediately sent the ball forward!
This pass directly pierced Cambridge United’s defense!
Because the young Van Dijk was in a deeper position, Agbonlahor was not offside! Seeing the defense breached by Downing, Van Dijk immediately abandoned his marking of Heskey and accelerated towards the right side of the backfield!
The originally perfectly placed pass, due to the somewhat slippery pitch, accelerated forward after landing.
Seeing Van Dijk falling behind Agbonlahor, Oblak decisively rushed out and finally kicked the ball directly out of bounds before Agbonlahor could reach it!
Van Dijk, breathing heavily, gave Oblak a thumbs-up, expressing his gratitude.
Warnock took the throw-in, and Aston Villa continued to organize their attack in the attacking third.
After Downing’s cross was headed out by Lovren, Delph distributed the ball from outside the box to Ashley Young on the right wing.
Ashley Young tried to lob the ball into the penalty area again, but Ayu, who was marking him, stretched out a Head Coach and blocked the ball out for a goal kick.
Downing ran to the corner flag, voluntarily taking on the responsibility for the corner kick.
Even though Cambridge United had five defenders lined up in front of the goal, Downing still unhesitatingly sent the ball directly towards the goal!
Sun Jihai stared at the rapidly approaching ball, seized the opportunity, and was about to jump when he suddenly saw his Head Coach’s front covered by a dark shadow!
The 190cm tall Isak, like a mountain, pressed down from the air towards Sun Jihai!
Sun Jihai, who was two sizes smaller, knew that if he jumped now, he would only be knocked away.
Heskey, having the aerial advantage, directly smashed the incoming ball heavily towards Cambridge United’s goal!
Unstoppable!
Oblak’s save could only become the backdrop for Heskey’s goal!
0:1!
At 2 minutes and 20 seconds, Aston Villa successfully attacked! Taking the lead away from home!
Huang Hao stared at the tall Heskey for a long time, not retracting his Head Coach’s gaze. This powerful attacking force in front of the penalty area was precisely what Cambridge United currently lacked the most.
Lewandowski, Vardy, Lacazette, none of them were this type of forward.
Aston Villa today paid very close attention to maintaining the distance between their fullbacks and wide midfielders, clearly having made special arrangements for Cambridge United’s tendency to play balls in behind the defense. Cambridge United’s several attempts ended in failure.