The next day at noon, just as Huang Hao was about to take a nap on the sofa, Darren urgently knocked on the door of Huang Hao's office, appearing before him with a serious expression.
“Judging by your expression, it doesn't seem like good news!”
Looking at Darren, Huang Hao frowned slightly. “Hao, our FA Cup third-round opponent has been decided.”
After he finished speaking, Darren’s expression looked even more pained.
“So?”
Huang Hao spread his hands, a little puzzled by Darren’s reaction.
“It’s Chelsea, Premier League Chelsea! Mourinho!”
“Wow, thank you, Darren, for reminding me that Chelsea is still in the Premier League.”
Huang Hao looked relaxed, a little playfully at Darren. “Old man, it seems that not only our players are arrogant now, but you are too!”
Looking at Darren, who seemed to be on pins and needles, Huang Hao shook his head helplessly.
“No matter what the future holds, right now we are still just a Football League Two team.”
“The third round of the FA Cup is already very good for us, old man.”
“I never expected my team to win the FA Cup!”
“So Darren, relax, your performance surprised me, but I’m very happy to see your ambition, hahaha!”
After Huang Hao said that, Darren also seemed to feel that he had overreacted, and he awkwardly rubbed the back of his head, then chuckled sheepishly.
“So Hao, are you going to give up on this match? Just like we did against Leicester?”
“No, no, Darren. I will give it my all!”
Huang Hao's expression suddenly turned solemn.
This time, the one who didn't understand was Darren.
What the hell? Didn't he say he was already satisfied?
Why would he not only put all his main players into a match with no chance of winning, but also fight with all his might!
“Darren, Mourinho is one of the top Head Coaches in the world, completely different from Leicester.”
“If it weren’t for the FA Cup, it would be difficult for us to face such a renowned Head Coach in a short time.”
“So, I will give it my all, so I won’t have any regrets, and I will also know how big the gap between me and Mourinho truly is.”
Darren nodded thoughtfully. After all, being able to stand on the same field as top League stars is a source of pride for any player.
Similarly, for a Head Coach, being able to compete against a world-renowned Head Coach is also an honor.
“The match is on January 4th, New Year’s Day, and I will instruct the team to give their all!”
After Darren finished speaking, he nodded to Huang Hao and left the office, not disturbing his work further.
When the long-awaited chimes of the Elizabeth Tower Big Ben echoed over London, fireworks lit up the Millennium Footbridge spanning the River Thames, officially ushering in the new year. Huang Hao, unable to resist the pleas of Li Jianqin and Ouyang Bing, came from Cambridge with them to watch the New Year’s fireworks display.
It was only 7 degrees Celsius in London at the time, making Huang Hao and Li Jianqin's noses run, but Ouyang Bing was excited like a child, jumping and bouncing.
Looking at the happy Ouyang, Huang Hao breathed into his palms, rubbed his hands vigorously, and chatted with Li Jianqin next to him:
“Youth is truly wonderful! I feel like I’ve aged a dozen years since becoming a Head Coach.”
“Oh, come on! You’re not like that on the field!” Li Jianqin teased. “Why don’t you find a girlfriend soon? I guarantee your youthful vigor will come right back!”
After speaking, Li Jianqin winked at Huang Hao, and his mouth puckered hard in Ouyang Bing's direction.
“Get lost! I’m not like you, able to make a move on someone close by!”
Huang Hao pushed Li Jianqin away and looked at the blooming fireworks all over the sky. At this moment, he really missed home!
The clash between Cambridge United and Chelsea got the London media hyped up again.
After all, their faces had been bruised by Huang Hao, and they had been suppressed for too long.
In the League Two, Cambridge United, whose sixteen-match unbeaten streak was ended, immediately followed up with a strong four-match winning streak!
The negative articles they had prepared didn't even get a chance to be published.
This time was different! Chelsea gave them the best opportunity!
Betting companies offered Cambridge United odds of 13 to 1, leading the media to conclude that Mourinho's team would teach Huang Hao a good lesson!
Some busybody media outlets constantly played footage of Huang Hao's knee slide celebration after defeating Coventry and compared it to Mourinho's celebration moves, attempting to create buzz by suggesting a successor.
At the pre-match press conference at Stamford Bridge, a reporter brought up the topic of a successor to Mourinho, who coldly replied:
“If you don’t have any better questions, then let’s call it a day.”
“By the way, the lowest-level team I’ve coached was Leiria in the Portuguese League.”
With that, the Portuguese man elegantly left the press conference.
Clearly, at this moment, Huang Hao was not even qualified to be considered Mourinho’s successor.
At this time, at Abbey Stadium, facing a press conference with only two reporters, Huang Hao meticulously expressed his respect for Mourinho and Chelsea, a stark contrast to his usual youthful arrogance!
On January 4th, Stamford Bridge was packed with 75,000 fans, and Chelsea's ticket appeal remained undiminished.
In the away team's locker room, Cambridge United's players could hardly conceal their excitement, each looking fervent.
Huang Hao, who was always good at rousing the players' emotions, seemed unusually calm today, watching them with a smile.
“Alright, check your protective gear and control your emotions!”
“Chelsea is a very good opponent for us, and they have many superstars. Although they won the League with 91 points last season, you are not bad either. The additions of Shevchenko and Ballack are their cracks, and you must seize this gap!”
“I hope this match leaves you with unforgettable memories!”
“Let’s go! Go enjoy the match!”
Huang Hao waved his hand, and the players excitedly walked towards the player tunnel.
Led by the four match officials, the players lined up and entered Stamford Bridge Stadium, immediately igniting a thunderous applause from the stadium.
However, this applause was almost entirely for Chelsea.
Last season, Chelsea defended their title with an invincible stance. Although they lost to Barça in the Champions League due to a controversial refereeing decision, on the Premier League stage, Chelsea's 'parking the bus' and iron-blooded defense were impenetrable barriers for any team.
After kick-off, there was almost no probing, and Chelsea quickly took control of the match.
Amidst the cheers of 70,000 fans in attendance, Chelsea frequently launched attacks into Cambridge United's territory.
Mourinho deployed a 4-3-3 formation for this match, with Drogba central in attack, and Robben and Shevchenko on the flanks.
In midfield, Makelele anchored the defense, while Lampard and Ballack were responsible for attack, with Ashley Cole and Ferreira frequently overlapping from the backline.
Under Chelsea's relentless assault, Cambridge United's young defensive line was at times on edge, with dangerous situations arising frequently.
Midfielders Pasquel and Sager also had to frequently drop back to assist in defense, acting as full-backs.
In the 14th minute of the match, Lampard unleashed a sudden shot from the edge of the box! Fortunately, Pantilimon was focused and tipped the ball over the bar with both hands!
Seeing the shot miss, the Englishman characteristically waved his hand upwards, expressing his frustration.
Robben took the corner kick!
Longolo and Pasquel simultaneously double-teamed Drogba, preventing an aerial attack from the beast.
But just as the corner was taken, Drogba suddenly stepped back, shaking off Longolo's entanglement, and leaped high!
Just as everyone thought Drogba was going to head the ball towards the goal, he subtly flicked it in mid-air, passing the ball to the far post!
Carvalho, who had already been lurking at the far post, extended his toe and gently poked it, and the ball obediently entered Cambridge United's goal!
1:0!
Stamford Bridge instantly erupted!
Drogba calmly high-fived his teammates in celebration; scoring against such a weak League Two opponent brought little sense of accomplishment.
Ten minutes later, Shevchenko, whom Abramovich had bought for a hefty sum from AC Milan this season, received a pass from Hilario in the backfield and suddenly sent a diagonal 45-degree long pass!
The ball, like a missile, directly pierced through Cambridge United's entire defense!
On the other side of the pitch, Robben swiftly burst out from the crowd!
Robben calmly brought down the ball, then charged directly into Cambridge United's penalty area!
The lone Pantilimon was helpless against Robben's tricky angled shot!
Fallen to the ground, he could only watch as the ball once again found the net!
2:0!
Robben ran towards the stands with a hint of excitement, sliding on his knees and roaring!
His signature celebration instantly ignited the entire stadium!
In the 45th minute of the first half, just as everyone thought Chelsea would end the match 2:0, Robben burst out again, successively dribbling past Songo'o and Pasquel, rapidly approaching the penalty area!
Upon reaching the edge of the box, Robben suddenly executed an inside cut with his left foot, moving horizontally towards the center, evading MacKenzie's defense, and then curled the ball with his right foot into a beautiful arc, sending it directly into the top left corner of Cambridge United's goal!
3:0!
Cambridge United was completely helpless!
At the halftime whistle, Mourinho on the sidelines nodded with satisfaction and turned to walk towards the player tunnel.
Clearly, at this moment, Cambridge United could not pose any threat to his team.
Let alone talk about any absurd successor.
“Pasquel, how did it feel playing against Shevchenko?”
Huang Hao suddenly asked Pasquel in the locker room.
“Head Coach! He’s really good! His explosiveness, speed, and even strength are all far superior to mine!”
Pasquel rubbed his head, responding somewhat dejectedly.
“So, you were like a fangirl admiring her idol, with stars in your eyes?”
“……”
Pasquel didn't know how to answer; he had indeed been completely suppressed by Shevchenko in terms of momentum.
“It's not just Dwight, all of you are the same.”
Huang Hao pointed to each person in turn.