Chapter 70
"Look at the media now—they're all the same bunch of clowns!"
At Chelsea's Cobham training ground in south London, José Mourinho was holding a meeting with his assistants in the head coach's office.
The match against Atlético Madrid was approaching quickly, and Atlético was expected to arrive in London by noon. Chelsea needed to be prepared. However, the entire British media landscape was overwhelmingly fixated on Atlético.
Even Mourinho found it frustrating.
As a football fan, he could understand why. Atlético was playing incredible football, and it was becoming increasingly entertaining to watch. Messi's solo run past five defenders was undeniably spectacular.
But so what?
As an opponent, Mourinho's job was to find any way possible to defeat the enemy standing in his path, no matter how strong that enemy was.
That was Mourinho's style.
"They keep calling us the world's most pragmatic defensive team and them the world's most attractive attacking team... Oh, for God's sake!"
Mourinho couldn't help but swear.
He felt an urge to summon The Guardian columnist McNamara, who had written an inflammatory piece, just to spit in his face.
"I was playing attacking football while you were still in diapers!"
Going toe-to-toe with Atlético in an open game? Mourinho scoffed. Anyone daring to play attacking football against Atlético would find themselves obliterated.
Last season, Chelsea eliminated Atlético from the Champions League. Sure, they had taken a public relations beating for their style, but a win was a win.
Mourinho currently had four assistant coaches: Rui Faria, his trusted lieutenant; Scotsman Steve Clarke; Brazilian Baltemar Brito; and Englishman Mike McGlynn.
Setting the newspaper aside, Mourinho looked at McGlynn. "What's the situation at Stamford Bridge?"
The four assistants exchanged awkward glances, their expressions a mix of amusement and exasperation.
"I just checked," McGlynn replied. "It's... okay."
But the subtle tension in his brow betrayed the truth. The "okay" wasn't exactly "okay."
It had been raining heavily in London all day, but Stamford Bridge's sprinklers were still running at full blast, and, conveniently, the drainage system had "malfunctioned."
As a result, the pitch at Stamford Bridge was a mess, resembling a muddy swamp.
"Why muddy?"
Oh, right, apologies—it was because Chelsea's hectic home schedule hadn't allowed time to replace the turf. Hence, the current poor quality of the pitch.
"They like to play a lot of possession around the midfield and penalty areas. Focus on those zones," Mourinho instructed.
McGlynn nodded. "I've already taken care of it."
"And what about UEFA?"
Before every match, UEFA officials inspected the pitch to determine whether it was suitable for play. Chelsea had experience navigating these inspections.
"The drainage wasn't broken during the inspection. While the pitch wasn't ideal, it was passable. They gave us a warning—barely passed inspection," McGlynn admitted after some hesitation.
The room broke into quiet laughter.
Rescheduling the match would incur significant financial losses; no one wanted that. In such cases, whoever was more shameless often came out on top.
And Chelsea had plausible deniability.
"It's not personal against Atlético, honest! Just ask anyone in the Premier League—our pitch has been bad for a while now! It's the packed schedule, you know. Can't be helped!"
Why, just a few days ago, during their match against third-tier Colchester United, Chelsea's own players had almost injured themselves on the pitch. Even Colchester's players had grumbled about the state of the turf.
"Mike, tell the Stamford Bridge groundskeepers that they must have the drainage fixed by tomorrow afternoon. Otherwise, there won't be a match."
"Understood. I'll relay the message."
"And send word to Atlético. If they're unhappy with Stamford Bridge, they're welcome to train at Cobham. I'll even lend them a pitch."
Mourinho laughed heartily. "Of course, only if they don't mind us spying on them."
The others chuckled along.
After the humor subsided, the conversation turned serious. Despite Mourinho's confident demeanor, he was deeply wary of this season's Atlético.
He had even admitted as much in interviews, saying Atlético was the team he feared most.
"Their center-backs have improved significantly this season. Lucio is a given, but Thiago Silva has been impressive too. Even youngsters like Pepe and Ramos have made great strides," Mourinho analyzed. "Their biggest weakness from last season is much improved, but there are still some vulnerabilities."
The problem for Chelsea? They had no reliable striker.
Christian Vieri, nearing 33, spent more time charming women in London nightclubs than contributing on the pitch. Chelsea's attacking struggles were glaring.
Without a proper target man, Mourinho's system felt incomplete.
Eiður Guðjohnsen was serviceable in the Premier League, but in Champions League knockout rounds against a team like Atlético, his limitations became apparent.
Why had Chelsea struggled against Liverpool in the group stage? A lack of a striker.
Diego Forlán and José Antonio Reyes were effective in counter-attacks, but they struggled in more static, possession-based situations. Too often, Reyes would sprint forward, only to find no one in the middle to finish the play.
Roman Abramovich had been pushing to sign Andriy Shevchenko, but Mourinho's top choice was Atlético's Didier Drogba. If not Drogba, then Shevchenko would suffice, given Deco's ability to create chances.
"How's Gallas?" Mourinho asked, shifting focus.
Atlético's defense had issues, with its high defensive line leaving space for counter-attacks. But Chelsea's defense had its own problems.
William Gallas was unhappy with Mourinho continually playing him at left-back. The Frenchman believed his best position was at center-back alongside John Terry.
Against Atlético, however, Gallas was needed to counter left-footed threats like Messi and Robben.
Wayne Bridge? The left-back often clashed with Mourinho, refusing to follow instructions. Recently, Bridge had even argued that he deserved the starting role.
Mourinho had retorted sharply: "You? With your defensive awareness? You can't even guard your girlfriend, let alone the pitch."
That jab had become a running joke in Chelsea's dressing room.
When the relationship between Mourinho and his players got more strained...
As Chelsea's captain, John Terry often stepped in to mediate disputes, especially concerning Wayne Bridge. Terry even supported his national team teammate in his bid for a starting position.
"Even if you can't hold your ground, I've got your back!"
Thanks to Terry's efforts, the locker room remained relatively harmonious.
Still, Mourinho had no intention of using Bridge under these circumstances—the guy simply wasn't reliable.
"Gallas has quieted down quite a bit lately. I've spoken to him, and I think we can manage," said Rui Faria.
Mourinho sighed inwardly.
"In this match, we must disrupt Atlético's fluid passing game and cut off their connections," he instructed.
"As for the specific tactics, our main focus remains the same: we absolutely must pay attention to players like Kaká."
Stopping Atlético's attack was always the toughest challenge.
Their midfield featured Iniesta and Kaká, two players with immense individual skill but very different styles—Iniesta excelled at control, while Kaká was a master of driving runs.
It was a nightmare. Stop Kaká, and Iniesta would still punish you. The reverse was just as dangerous.
Up front, Atlético also had Drogba or Torres, each posing their own set of problems. Drogba was a nightmare for every center-back in the world, while Torres, with his explosiveness and physicality, was equally daunting.
Just look at his recent goal against Barcelona—a single touch, a swift turn, a precise left-footed strike—clinical and devastating.
Sometimes, players like him were just unstoppable.
One way to neutralize them? Pull the entire team back, crowd the defense, and rely on numbers to smother their attacks.
That's exactly what Mourinho did last season. The result? Chelsea was universally criticized, even by their own fans.
"We also need to keep an eye on Messi," Faria reminded him.
Mourinho nodded.
Villa, Ribéry, Robben... and now Messi. Atlético's flanks were a nightmare to defend against, with each winger bringing unique qualities to the table.
How could you possibly defend against all of them?
Worse still, Mourinho had no idea what kind of lineup Yang Hao would deploy.
Meanwhile, in London...
Some people disliked the city's perpetual rain, but Yang Hao didn't mind. He even thought London's gray skies had their own charm—at least for short stays. Long-term living? That was another question entirely.
But Mourinho's dirty tricks quickly soured Yang Hao's mood.
How bad was Stamford Bridge's pitch?
Step on it, and your shoes would be soaked—the turf was flooded.
And to top it off, the sprinklers were still running.
"Wow, they're not even trying to hide it anymore?"
Playing on such a waterlogged field made it impossible for the players to train properly—hell, even moving the ball was a struggle.
When Yang Hao inquired about the issue, he was told that the drainage system had conveniently "broken" and was being repaired.
The Atlético squad was furious; everyone knew this was just a cheap trick.
To make matters worse, Chelsea extended a "generous" invitation. Mourinho himself suggested that if Atlético found Stamford Bridge unsuitable, they could use Chelsea's Cobham training ground for free. It had fields of the same dimensions.
Yang Hao saw right through Mourinho's plan.
This wasn't even the first time Mourinho had pulled a stunt like this. In the past, he'd gone as far as sprinkling sand onto pitches to hinder opponents.
The worst part? There wasn't much to complain about.
While Atlético could lodge an official protest, the team had already arrived in London, and the match was going forward as scheduled.
If Yang Hao threw a tantrum, it would only affect his players' morale and distract them before the game even began.
So, Yang Hao called over the pitch manager.
"This field does not meet UEFA standards. If it's still like this tomorrow, I'll formally request a venue change. Stamford Bridge is unfit for play."
The manager nodded repeatedly, promising to repair the field as soon as possible.
"And no, we won't be training at Cobham. Playing Chelsea doesn't require us to familiarize ourselves with the field!"
With that, Yang Hao waved to his players. "Guys, let's head back and rest!"
His team eagerly cheered in response. Training in such swamp-like conditions was a miserable experience. Returning to the hotel to train in the gym seemed like a much better idea.
Field familiarity? Irrelevant. Atlético was confident they could beat Chelsea regardless.
Not only that, but Yang Hao instructed the team's accompanying journalists to take pictures of the pitch and post them online. He wanted the world to see just how bad the conditions at Stamford Bridge were.
With Atlético's current global popularity, even a minor controversy could spark widespread attention.
The photos showed a pitch riddled with puddles and drenched in water. As soon as the images were posted online, fans around the world erupted in discussion.
"Is this supposed to be a football pitch?"
"My vegetable garden is in better shape than this!"
"Mourinho's dirty tricks are over the top this time."
"If you can't beat them, at least don't stoop this low."
"Honestly, Chelsea should just forfeit. Save themselves the embarrassment!"
Yang Hao's bold declaration, "We don't need to familiarize ourselves with Chelsea's pitch to beat them!", was seen by fans as the ultimate power move—befitting of a world-class team.
Moreover, Yang Hao refused to attend the pre-match press conference at Stamford Bridge, citing the unfit training conditions.
The issue quickly caught UEFA's attention. Officials arrived at Stamford Bridge to investigate and discovered clear signs of foul play, earning Chelsea a stern warning.
The next morning, UEFA released a statement on their website, issuing a serious reprimand to Chelsea and demanding immediate rectification of the pitch conditions. They also announced plans to re-inspect the field before the evening match.
Meanwhile, UEFA officials visited Atlético's hotel to communicate with Yang Hao.
The match couldn't be postponed, and replacing the turf at Stamford Bridge was impossible on such short notice. They would have to proceed with the game as-is.
"I promise, this won't happen again," the UEFA official assured him.
Yang Hao didn't expect the game to be canceled but took the opportunity to make his point.
"Think about it. If tricks like this are allowed, every home team will follow suit, sabotaging their pitches to gain an advantage. How can we have a fair competition?"
As long as matches aren't held on neutral grounds, there will always be home and away advantages.
If every team starts resorting to tricks like this, things will spiral out of control.
Fine. Chelsea plays dirty at Stamford Bridge; I'll do the same at the Calderón. I'll destroy them! But what happens next time? And the time after that?
"I understand UEFA has pitch standards, but those standards are outdated and can't keep up with modern football. The benchmarks need to improve, especially for a world-class tournament like the Champions League. The playing field must meet world-class expectations, right?"
"And is this their only trick? Will they resort to overly aggressive or even violent fouls during the match?"
"If they can mess with the pitch like this, what's stopping them from influencing the referee during the game?"
"Don't forget that during the recent FIFA awards, Blatter personally presented the FIFA Presidential Award to Anders Frisk. That decision reflected the voice of fans and media worldwide!"
Swedish referee Anders Frisk had been forced into retirement largely due to Mourinho's antics. Both UEFA and FIFA were outraged by the incident. UEFA President Lennart Johansson, a fellow Swede, had high hopes for Frisk, even planning for him to officiate at the 2006 World Cup. Yet Frisk was driven out, leaving him one of football's unluckiest referees.
Before the Chelsea incident, Frisk had already been struck by a coin in Rome, causing a stir.
Yang Hao knew Mourinho's methods all too well.
The Special One excelled at uniting his locker room by creating an enemy to rally against. He'd train his players to become wolves, rabidly tearing apart their opponents.
Right now, Atlético was Mourinho's chosen target.
But Yang Hao refused to play along. He didn't engage publicly. He left it to UEFA to handle and planned to let the pitch show his team's true strength.
February 22, Stamford Bridge, London
As Yang Hao walked out of the players' tunnel and onto Stamford Bridge, he frowned.
"This is disgusting!"
"I'm sorry, I only just heard about this. Honestly, these people… what a mess they've made."
Mourinho approached with an innocent expression.
Yang Hao shook his hand. "No worries. Good pitch, bad pitch—it makes no difference to us."
A flicker of surprise crossed Mourinho's eyes. He recalled that morning's headlines where Yang Hao was quoted: "We don't need to train on this pitch to beat Chelsea."
"Good to hear."
Still, Mourinho was already mentally bracing himself for a clash.
"I saw your starting lineup. It seems last season's match didn't affect you much."
Yang Hao smiled faintly. "Why would it? Just a minor slip-up."
He paused, then added, "Even The Times says your coaching style revolves around the opponent, while ours focuses on ourselves. That's why we're not afraid of anyone."
"Alright, we'll see then." Mourinho wasn't interested in small talk anymore.
When Yang Hao first started coaching Atlético, Mourinho had noticed him. Back then, he assumed Yang Hao was trying to cozy up to him.
But as time passed, Yang Hao's Atlético began to shine, achieving increasingly impressive results.
Now, Yang Hao had even surpassed him, which made Mourinho deeply uncomfortable.
Last season, Mourinho thought he'd proven himself by knocking Atlético out with Chelsea. If he could do it then, he believed he could do it again this season.
For Yang Hao, the situation wasn't so complicated. He simply found Mourinho's antics distasteful—both the dirty tricks with the pitch and the reported instructions to Chelsea players like Reyes, Carvalho, and Deco not to greet Yang Hao before or after the match.
Still, Yang Hao knew football ultimately boiled down to results.
If Atlético couldn't beat Chelsea, Mourinho would be vindicated, hailed as a hero.
But if they won, Mourinho's antics would be exposed as a farce.
Lineups
Mourinho fielded a 4-3-1-2 formation:
Goalkeeper: CudiciniDefense: Gallas, Carvalho, Terry, FerreiraMidfield: Lampard, Makelele, Maniche, with Deco as the playmakerAttack: Reyes and Gudjohnsen
It was a cautious setup, clearly designed to prioritize defense.
Yang Hao's immediate reaction upon seeing it was: Chelsea had abandoned their wings.
Neither Gallas nor Ferreira were particularly attack-minded fullbacks, and with no wingers in the lineup, Chelsea had effectively conceded the flanks. They aimed to focus on defending and hitting Atlético on the counter through Reyes, Deco, and Gudjohnsen, with Lampard providing late runs into the box.
Atlético's lineup, by contrast, was balanced and aggressive:
Goalkeeper: ČechDefense: Evra, Thiago Silva, Lúcio, MaiconMidfield: Xabi Alonso holding, with Iniesta and Kaká further upAttack: Robben on the left, Drogba in the center, and Messi on the right
Yang Hao had Robben starting on the left and Messi on the right, with Drogba leading the line.
Match Begins
From the opening whistle, Chelsea broke from their defensive mold and pushed forward.
Early on, Lampard, Deco, and Reyes combined on the left, with Reyes delivering a cross into the box toward Gudjohnsen. Thiago Silva intercepted, heading the ball clear.
Atlético immediately countered down their right flank. Kaká drove forward before passing to Messi, who took on Gallas, cutting inside and unleashing a left-footed shot from range—the first attempt of the match.
The tone was set. Both teams were determined not to give an inch.
Chelsea stuck to their defensive setup, looking to strike on the counter. Atlético, meanwhile, sought to dictate the game with their passing and attacking fluidity.
But Stamford Bridge's poor pitch conditions heavily impacted Atlético's style. The uneven, muddy surface made passing difficult and disrupted their rhythm.
Yang Hao, standing on the sidelines, shook his head in frustration. "This isn't a pitch—it's a mud pit."
In the opening minutes, Atlético adopted a slower tempo, probing and adapting to the conditions rather than overcommitting.
The dreadful state of the field was visibly affecting the players. Every step splashed water and mud, with the ball frequently slowing or bouncing unpredictably.
Yang Hao adjusted his team's strategy accordingly, focusing on direct play and set pieces while gradually acclimating to the conditions.
Despite Chelsea's defensive posture, Atlético was determined to impose their will.
The real battle was just beginning.
Mourinho's off-pitch tactics were indeed underhanded, but Atlético had anticipated such moves.
Before the game, Yang Hao had already warned his players to prepare mentally for every possible disruption. He explicitly told them that the pitch conditions would be terrible and that they'd need to adapt quickly.
Even the match commentators expressed their frustration:
"It's unbelievable that a pitch as terrible as Stamford Bridge's could host a Champions League knockout game. This is a complete failure on UEFA's part!"
In the first 20 minutes, Atlético's possession rate was suboptimal, and they committed several errors. Chelsea tried to exploit these opportunities on the counterattack but failed to make any significant impact. The Blues simply weren't committing enough players forward.
Meanwhile, Atlético gradually found their rhythm, adjusting to the poor field conditions.
A key tactical shift in this match saw Drogba stationed firmly inside Chelsea's penalty area, constantly engaging Terry and Carvalho in physical duels, keeping both center-backs occupied.
On the wings, Robben stretched Ferreira on the left, and Messi did the same to Gallas on the right. Iniesta and Kaká, positioned centrally, occupied Chelsea's three defensive midfielders.
This setup left Atlético's full-backs with significantly more freedom to advance.
In the 16th minute, Evra made a blistering run down the left channel, receiving a pass from Robben before charging into the penalty area. He cut inside and delivered a low cross to the middle, but Carvalho's timely intervention cleared the danger.
The close call sent shockwaves through the Stamford Bridge crowd.
Three minutes later, Xabi Alonso sent a long pass down the left flank. Robben and Evra executed a slick one-two, with Robben sprinting to the byline and delivering a cross. Drogba met the ball with a towering header but sent it just over the bar.
As Atlético adapted to the field and grew more comfortable, they began to dominate possession and dictate play.
Their left flank was especially active, something Mourinho had expected. He stationed Ferreira and Maniche on that side to counter the threat, with Deco also dropping deep to help.
Having played alongside Evra at Atlético, Deco knew full well the Frenchman's attacking prowess. Evra's background as a forward gave him speed, technical skill, and an unrelenting drive—qualities that made him one of Yang Hao's most trusted players.
The most dangerous attack from the left came in the 25th minute. Robben drew defenders before passing back to Iniesta, who lofted a perfectly weighted ball into the box.
Drogba used his strength to hold off Terry, controlling the ball on his chest before turning toward the left. Breaking free of Terry's challenge, he surged into the penalty area and struck the ball with his left foot. Unfortunately, he didn't connect cleanly, and the golden opportunity went begging.
Earlier that month, Drogba had scored the decisive goal in the African Cup of Nations final, leading Ivory Coast to a victory over Egypt and securing the championship.
His form was excellent, and he had returned to Atlético with a single-minded focus: to eliminate Chelsea and avenge last season's defeat.
Missing this chance left Drogba visibly frustrated—he even looked like he wanted to slap himself. As he jogged back, he noticed Yang Hao clapping on the sidelines, giving him a thumbs-up in encouragement.
Moments later, Yang Hao called out to Xabi Alonso from the technical area.
The manager gestured for the team to shift their attacking focus and redistribute the ball more frequently. He also instructed them to pull back slightly, giving Chelsea more space to possess the ball.
"We won't repeat last season's mistakes," Yang Hao thought.
Xabi Alonso delivered a cross-field pass, switching play from the left to the right.
Maicon controlled the ball with his chest near the halfway line and began driving forward.
On the right flank, Messi was hugging the touchline, raising his hand to signal for the ball. Maicon passed it to him and continued his run upfield.
Messi collected the ball as Gallas marked him closely, while Lampard shifted across to cover Maicon's run.
At the same time, Kaká made a diagonal run from the center toward the edge of the box, asking for the ball.
Messi chipped the ball delicately toward Kaká, who was being shadowed by Carvalho.
Chelsea's defenders were cautious, knowing they couldn't afford to concede a dangerous free kick in this position. They refrained from making rash challenges.
Kaká controlled the ball superbly, bringing it down from the air with elegance. Carvalho stayed tight on him, preventing him from turning, while Makelele positioned himself to block any attempt to cut inside.
But Kaká had already anticipated his next move.
As soon as Messi made the pass, he started his run—a curved path toward the center before sharply accelerating past Makelele.
Kaká, with perfect timing, flicked the ball over the defense. Messi raced past Makelele, heading the ball forward as it dropped into his path and sprinted into the penalty area.
Chelsea's defense was in shambles. Stamford Bridge erupted in astonishment.
"You don't see combinations like this in the Premier League!"
Inside the box, Messi squared the ball just before Makelele could recover.
At the edge of the six-yard box, Drogba shielded the ball from Terry and lightly redirected it with his right foot, altering its trajectory just enough to evade Ferreira's desperate attempt to intercept.
The ball rolled toward Robben, who was perfectly positioned. He struck it cleanly but narrowly missed, his shot grazing the right post and going out of play.
The crowd at Stamford Bridge let out a collective gasp, their nerves jangling after the near miss.
Robben clutched his head in frustration but quickly sprinted back into position.
"No problem!" Kaká shouted as he jogged back, encouraging his teammates.
Drogba had already squandered a clear-cut chance earlier.
Passing by Messi, Kaká playfully ruffled his hair.
"Leo, this is how we play in set attacks. Keep it up," Kaká said with a smile.
Messi nodded firmly, encouraged by his teammate's support.
Kaká was gradually helping Messi integrate into the team's tactical system, giving him confidence to establish himself as a regular starter.
More importantly, Kaká genuinely enjoyed playing alongside Messi. The young Argentine's extraordinary talent made it easy to connect with him on the pitch.
"Whatever you imagine, however you play, he'll match you," Kaká thought.
Messi's potential was undeniable, but his inexperience occasionally showed.
In one instance, while under pressure from Lampard, Messi played a back pass to Kaká without checking his teammate's movement. The ball went straight to Makelele instead.
Messi immediately tried to recover possession but was whistled for a foul by referee Terje Hauge.
These were common mistakes for a young player—nothing that couldn't be resolved with more matches, experience, and familiarity with his teammates.
As Messi matured, his performances would only grow stronger and more consistent.
More importantly, Messi was beginning to understand the stark difference between starting in a Champions League Round of 16 match and coming off the bench.
A match where both teams were at full strength, full energy, and full morale was an entirely different beast. The intensity far exceeded anything he had experienced in La Liga or the Copa del Rey.
Of course, Messi was already performing admirably. Yang Hao had instructed the team to support him more actively.
In the 36th minute, Atlético launched another attack down the left flank.
As soon as Iniesta entered Chelsea's final third, he realized the Blues' defense was already in position. He passed the ball back to Xabi Alonso.
Kaká, noticing the congestion, dropped deeper to receive the ball and signaled Xabi Alonso to pass to his right. Without waiting for Lampard to close him down, Kaká controlled the ball and quickly dribbled diagonally to the right, passing it to Messi in the right half-space before veering off in another direction to make a forward run.
Lampard, sticking closely to Kaká, inadvertently left a gap on Chelsea's right side of the midfield.
Messi, recognizing Kaká's movement as a diversion, immediately cut inside past Gallas and dribbled horizontally toward the center.
Atlético's attack was sudden and precise.
Chelsea's defensive focus had been on the left flank, but the ball's swift switch to the right caught them off guard. Makelele sprinted toward the edge of the penalty area, while Gallas stayed close to Messi to form a two-man block.
Before Makelele could fully engage, Messi spotted Drogba making a run along the edge of the penalty area. With a feint that opened up a narrow passing lane, Messi threaded a through ball into the penalty arc.
Drogba's movement drew both Terry and Carvalho, who were determined not to let him turn and shoot within his lethal range.
But Drogba had no intention of shooting. Without taking a touch, he played a first-time horizontal pass across the penalty area.
Carvalho pivoted quickly, racing to cover the open space.
Too late.
Kaká had broken away from Lampard, sprinting at full speed into the box from the right. Reaching Drogba's pass, he took a touch to push the ball forward and, before Carvalho could intercept, unleashed a fierce right-footed strike.
"Atlético's passing move… Kaká… GOAL!!!"
"Atlético has scored!!!"
"Kaká opens the scoring for Atlético in the 36th minute!"
"What an incredible team play!"
"Drogba's horizontal pass and Kaká's perfectly timed run—this is a textbook example of fluid attacking football."
"Absolutely stunning!"
"Lampard had been tracking Kaká the entire time, but in the end, Kaká's speed and timing left him helpless."
"This is Atlético!"
"Chelsea thought their defensive line—a veritable wall of steel—was impenetrable. But Atlético's intricate teamwork has shredded that wall to pieces."
"Let's break down that attack again."
"It started with Kaká and Messi combining, followed by Messi's clever through ball to Drogba, and then Drogba's unselfish pass to Kaká."
"The constant off-ball movement and precision passing left Chelsea's defense scrambling."
"Kaká has broken the deadlock!"
"Atlético leads 1-0!"
As Kaká's shot hit the back of the net, Yang Hao jumped from his seat in jubilation.
On the other side, Mourinho stood by Chelsea's bench, shaking his head with frustration.
He knew his defenders had done their best, but they couldn't stop the goal.
"Their constant rotations and overlapping runs are breaking our defensive structure," Faria muttered in frustration.
Mourinho, equally frustrated, was fully aware of the problem.
Atlético's attack had completely unbalanced Chelsea's defensive line.
Their intricate passing plays weren't just about moving the ball—it was about coordinated off-the-ball runs.
This type of dynamic movement created gaps in the defense and provided the attackers with space to exploit. It was Atlético's most dangerous weapon.
Was there a solution? Yes.
Chelsea could retreat into a deep block, as they had done last season. They could sit back, maintain tight defensive lines, and weather the storm.
But that strategy came with its own costs.
Chelsea would forfeit their attacking ambitions and rely entirely on counterattacks. Worse, they would have no control over the game's outcome.
If Atlético played well, Chelsea would be doomed.
Even if they managed to scrape out a victory, the backlash from fans and pundits would be brutal—just as it had been last season.
"They're connecting from the midfield to the edge of our penalty area, even pulling us out of shape as far back as the halfway line. It's clear they've learned from last season's mistakes," analyzed Brito, another of Mourinho's assistants.
Mourinho stood in the technical area, his face grim.
"I see it now," he thought. "Their left side is undoubtedly strong, but from the very beginning, they've treated the right side as the key to winning."
Mourinho cursed under his breath.
There was no clear distinction between Atlético's primary and secondary attacking flanks.
With their current level of strength, they could seamlessly switch between focusing on one side or the other.
With this level of quality, they could do whatever they wanted.
If an opportunity appeared through the middle, Iniesta or Kaká could just as easily break through. And it wouldn't be surprising.
This was the reality of Atlético's strength.
This was the reality of the strongest team in world football.
For a fleeting moment, standing in Stamford Bridge's technical area, Mourinho felt a rare sense of helplessness.
Deep down, he knew Chelsea couldn't hold out in this match.
It wasn't just Kaká's goal.
It was the glaring fact that Atlético had grown stronger than last season.
Kaká was more refined.
Iniesta, Robben, and Drogba were all performing at even higher levels.
And then there was Messi—an extraordinary new addition in the attacking line.
When this young Argentine had the ball at his feet, he was unstoppable. Unless fouled, no one could take the ball from him.
It was like facing Ronaldinho at his peak with Barcelona.
"Too damn difficult to deal with," Mourinho muttered to himself.
The match entered the second half, with Atlético continuing to attack down both flanks.
Right after kickoff, they focused heavily on Gallas's side on the right.
In the first half, Messi had caused enough trouble for Gallas to force Mourinho into making adjustments during halftime. Lampard was now actively supporting Gallas, closing in whenever Messi received the ball on the right flank to form a two-man block.
Even so, every time Messi got the ball, he managed to create a threat. Between the 49th and 51st minutes, in just over two minutes, Messi forced Chelsea into conceding three throw-ins on the right flank. The Blues' defenders were on edge, terrified of being beaten by the young Argentine's sudden bursts.
Messi's brilliance naturally caught the attention of Roman Abramovich in the stands.
Throughout the match, the standout performers were Kaká and Messi. Drogba was dominant in the box, but...
Abramovich shook his head dismissively. "He's too ugly."
Shevchenko, he thought, was far more handsome.
"Deco used to be Kaká's perfect partner in midfield when they were at Atlético," said Jorge Mendes, the Portuguese super-agent now sitting next to Abramovich, having replaced Pini Zahavi as the billionaire's confidant. "But Kaká just won the Ballon d'Or, and he's renewed his contract with Atlético. Trying to sign him is practically impossible—he's completely loyal to them."
"That number 10 is something else," Abramovich remarked, clearly impressed.
Even as someone who didn't understand football deeply, he could see Messi's extraordinary talent.
"Good eye. That kid is a gem," Mendes responded.
"What do you mean?" Abramovich's interest was piqued. For billionaires like him, collecting rare and coveted assets—whether artwork, yachts, or footballers—was always exciting.
"Since last year's U20 World Cup, nine major clubs have reached out to me about him, asking if there's any way to pry him away from Atlético."
Mendes listed the clubs: "Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Deportivo La Coruña from La Liga; Bayern Munich from the Bundesliga; Juventus, Inter, and AC Milan from Serie A; and Manchester United and Liverpool from the Premier League. Now, Chelsea can join the list."
Abramovich laughed heartily. Collectors like him often relished the idea of owning something that everyone else wanted.
"Why not Arsenal? Aren't they a big club too?" Abramovich asked curiously.
Mendes hesitated for a moment, then coughed and said, "Well, they sold Wenger. They couldn't afford even one of Messi's legs right now."
Abramovich burst into laughter, suddenly remembering Arsenal's ongoing financial struggles with their new stadium project. There was no way they could afford a player like Messi.
"How much would his transfer fee be?"
"Hard to say," Mendes replied. "But I've heard his release clause is €150 million. Atlético has been trying to renew his contract to increase it."
"€150 million?" Abramovich raised an eyebrow.
"It's expensive, but if anyone could afford him, clubs like Real Madrid or Juventus would consider it," Mendes explained. "Moggi from Juventus told me they'd pay up to €100 million. Deportivo's Amancio Ortega even joked with me that if Madrid didn't have their new stadium, he'd consider buying Atlético just to watch Messi wear his brand's logo on his shirt every match."
Abramovich nodded thoughtfully. "It makes sense—every three days, you'd get worldwide advertising."
"Exactly," Mendes agreed. "But with Atlético's new stadium progressing smoothly and their current valuation exceeding €1 billion, they're out of reach now."
After pondering for a moment, Abramovich asked, "Do you think €150 million is worth it?"
"Absolutely!" Mendes exclaimed. "Anyone who's seen Messi play will tell you he's the most talented player of his generation. And the way Yang Hao has developed him is remarkable. His only weakness right now is his youth."
At just 18, Messi lacked experience—but that youth was also his greatest asset. If he was already playing at this level against top players like Gallas and Lampard, how good would he be in two or three years?
"Reach out. I'll pay €150 million," Abramovich said decisively.
Abramovich dreamed of a Chelsea side playing the same brand of breathtaking, attacking football that Atlético displayed. Watching Messi was pure joy.
"Don't worry, Roman. I guarantee you won't regret this," Mendes assured him with a smile.
For Mendes, the commission on a €150 million transfer—around €15 million—would be the biggest deal of his career. And if he could also bring Messi under his management, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, the future seemed boundless.
Unaware of the discussions in the stands, Atlético adjusted their tempo after an early flurry of second-half attacks.
But in the 58th minute, Messi earned another throw-in on the right wing.
Dropping deep to collect the ball, he turned and dribbled laterally before quickly passing back to Kaká.
Positioned deeper in midfield, Kaká wasn't always looking to surge forward. Instead, he created space for Messi to run into. But if Kaká spotted an opening, he'd make his trademark bursts, confident that Iniesta or Messi would find him with a precise pass.
This harmony was the hallmark of Atlético's play.
Realizing the right flank was too congested, Kaká calmly switched play with a cross-field pass to the left.
Robben, stationed on the left touchline, controlled the ball on his chest.
As Ferreira and Maniche converged, Robben feinted as if to push the ball down the outside, tricking Ferreira into shifting his weight. But instead, Robben cut inside, bursting between the two defenders with a blistering diagonal run toward the edge of the box.
Ferreira and Maniche were caught off guard. Once Robben broke past them, there was no catching him.
Ahead, Terry awaited on the edge of the box. As Robben approached, Terry stepped forward, determined to block his path or force him wide.
Terry never expected what happened next.
As soon as he stepped forward to challenge Robben, the Dutchman suddenly nudged the ball past him, behind his back, and accelerated with explosive speed into the left side of the penalty area.
A textbook "pass-and-chase" move!
Panic-stricken, Terry instinctively reached out, managing to grab Robben's right arm. But the Dutchman refused to stop and powered forward.
Terry knew better than to risk holding on any longer—this was inside the penalty box.
With a slight advantage in positioning, Robben delivered a precise left-footed cross to the center.
Drogba, charging in, used his strength to keep Carvalho firmly behind him. As the cross reached him, he met it with the inside of his left foot, calmly guiding the ball into Chelsea's net from point-blank range.
"GOAL!!!"
"Drogba scores again!!"
"In the 59th minute, Drogba punishes Chelsea for the second time tonight!"
"A brilliant surge down the left from Robben, and Drogba capitalizes in the middle to double Atlético's lead!"
"2–0!"
"This is Atlético!"
The commentator's voice rang out, full of awe and excitement.
"Yang Hao didn't attend the pre-match press conference, but his statement—'To beat Chelsea, we don't need to train on their pitch'—has shown us Atlético's supreme confidence!"
"And tonight, at Stamford Bridge, Yang Hao and his team haven't let the fans down. Two brilliant goals have opened Chelsea's defense wide."
"And remember, these are two priceless away goals!"
The once-buzzing Stamford Bridge fell silent.
Chelsea's fans couldn't deny the harsh reality: their team was outclassed.
With possession hovering just above 30% and few genuine attempts on goal, the Blues were struggling to even hold the line defensively.
Mourinho's pre-match antics, bold as they were, had failed to stop Atlético's relentless attack. Instead, Chelsea looked disorganized and unsettled, making error after error. Deco had even nearly twisted his ankle earlier on the poor pitch.
Now down 0–2 at home, the writing was on the wall.
After conceding twice, Mourinho finally made his move.
He subbed off Maniche and brought on Shaun Wright-Phillips, switching to a 4-3-3 formation and putting more emphasis on the flanks.
Clearly, Mourinho wanted at least one goal to narrow the deficit and keep hope alive for the second leg.
But Atlético adapted swiftly. They slowed the game down, focusing on patient possession in midfield, using clever passes to stretch Chelsea and keep control.
Xabi Alonso, despite being less of a defensive powerhouse than Mascherano, proved invaluable with his calm presence and excellent game-reading.
His precise passing consistently found teammates in space, maintaining Atlético's rhythm. Every time Chelsea tried to press him, his midfield colleagues—Iniesta, Kaká, or the fullbacks—were ready to support, creating passing options.
Deco and Guðjohnsen attempted several times to pressure Alonso directly, but to no avail.
The alternative—assigning a man-marker to shadow Alonso all game—would leave even more gaps for Atlético to exploit.
This was the dilemma facing every team that played Atlético: their system was so cohesive that targeting one player rarely worked.
Even Alonso's defensive limitations were covered by Atlético's aggressive pressing. Center-backs like Lucio, Ramos, and Pepe often stepped into midfield to press, compensating for Alonso's defensive shortcomings.
And with Atlético's devastating attacking power, opponents had to think twice before committing too many players forward.
Mourinho's tweaks brought a brief burst of pressure, but as the minutes ticked by, Chelsea's energy waned. The Portuguese manager remained cautious, wary of conceding a third goal.
In the end, Kaká and Drogba's goals secured a 2–0 victory for Atlético in London.
When the final whistle blew, Mourinho stormed over to shake Yang Hao's hand.
His face was dark, his frustration palpable. He didn't want to accept the result—every fiber of his being resisted it.
"Fancy a drink?" Yang Hao asked with a cheerful grin.
Mourinho, clearly still fuming, muttered, "Forgot to buy any."
"We could send someone to get some now. I'm not picky."
"No money!" Mourinho retorted before walking off abruptly.
Yang Hao couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Hearing him, Mourinho spun around, glaring at him with mock fury before storming off again.
Yang Hao chuckled to himself, feeling the sweet satisfaction of revenge. For all Mourinho's antics and bravado, it was clear who had come out on top.
The Stamford Bridge showdown had captured the world's attention.
The media and fans had expected a fierce contest, especially after Mourinho's pre-match theatrics.
While the match lived up to its billing in terms of drama, the final scoreline left many surprised. Chelsea failed to pose any serious threat, managing just seven shots (only one on target) compared to Atlético's 26 attempts (14 on target).
Possession? A lopsided 69% to 31% in Atlético's favor.
After the game, while pundits praised Atlético's dominant performance, Yang Hao wasn't entirely satisfied.
"Honestly, this wasn't our best performance. We can do better," he said at the post-match press conference.
"The Stamford Bridge pitch was the worst I've ever seen, and our opponents played aggressively. Chelsea are a very strong team, but I'm happy my players created so many chances despite the challenges."
Earlier, Mourinho had used his press conference to complain about the referee, claiming Chelsea had been unfairly penalized in their own half.
Hearing this, Yang Hao simply laughed. "Well, what can I say?"
Typical Mourinho.
"I'm not sure why he interpreted it that way, but what he said is true."
Everyone was stunned.
Was this an admission that Atlético received preferential treatment from the referee?
"Because the majority of the match was played in their half, so naturally, most of the fouls occurred there. Isn't that normal?"
The room burst into laughter.
What a savage remark!
Not only did Yang Hao win the match, but he also rubbed salt into Mourinho's wound. Did he even consider Mourinho's feelings?
After the match, the British media largely dismissed Mourinho's complaints, acknowledging that Atlético's victory over Chelsea was well-deserved.
In addition to the usual focus on stars like Drogba, Robben, and Kaká, many outlets turned their attention to Messi.
The Times wrote:
"Before this match, everyone knew how terrifying Kaká could be, how dangerous Drogba was, and how lightning-fast Robben was. But not everyone recognized Messi."
"Yet at Stamford Bridge, the little Argentine became the most threatening player on Atlético's side."
The Times noted that 18-year-old Messi had proven himself in a Champions League knockout match against formidable opponents like Chelsea, emerging as a key player who influenced the game.
If there was any regret about Messi's performance, it was that he didn't register a goal or assist. Even so, he was undeniably one of the most dangerous players on the pitch.
Messi completed nine successful dribbles during the game, a remarkable feat.
More impressively, he also recorded three tackles—though they were all in the attacking third. This showed his active participation in Atlético's high press.
The British media generally agreed that Chelsea's chances of overturning the 0–2 deficit in the second leg were slim to none.
After the loss, Mourinho vowed to go all-out in the second leg at the Calderón, promising an attacking approach to stage a comeback.
But both the media and fans viewed this as bluster.
As the Guardian quipped in its commentary:
"Go all-out against Atlético? Have you asked Kaká, Drogba, Messi, and Robben if they agree?"
As Atlético claimed a 2–0 victory at Stamford Bridge, other Champions League ties also delivered notable results.
Barcelona and Villarreal both secured wins, while Real Madrid edged Manchester United 1–0 at Old Trafford.
This set up an intriguing scenario: every English club had suffered defeat.
Despite Liverpool winning the Champions League last season, their failure to finish in the Premier League's top four meant five English teams entered the competition this season. Everton had already fallen in the qualifying rounds to Villarreal.
In the Round of 16:
Arsenal lost 1–2 at home to Villarreal, with Argentinian striker Luciano Figueroa delivering a standout performance.Liverpool suffered a 0–1 defeat away to Benfica.Chelsea fell 0–2 to Atlético at Stamford Bridge.Manchester United lost 0–1 at home to Real Madrid.
Suddenly, the English press and fans were gripped by anxiety.
Could the Premier League's dominance be waning?
In contrast, Serie A clubs had a mixed but respectable showing: one win, one draw, and one loss. Inter Milan won, AC Milan drew, and Juventus lost.
But the overall trend was clear: La Liga was emerging as Europe's dominant league.
Beyond the "Big Three" of Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético, even Villarreal showcased their competitiveness, with coach Manuel Pellegrini and star playmaker Juan Román Riquelme earning widespread praise.
Just as the English press was digesting the results, another bombshell dropped: Chelsea had officially inquired about signing Atlético's 18-year-old prodigy, Lionel Messi.
Known for its exclusive transfer scoops, The Sun reported the story immediately after the Stamford Bridge clash.
"Chelsea are attempting to sign Lionel Messi."
"According to reliable sources at Stamford Bridge, Roman Abramovich is enamored with the young superstar and is prepared to break records to bring him to Chelsea."
The Sun's report quickly made waves, prompting Spanish outlets to investigate further.
Marca confirmed that Chelsea had approached Messi's father, Jorge Messi, who also serves as his agent.
"But Jorge Messi unequivocally rejected Chelsea's advances, stating that Lionel is very happy at Atlético."
Undeterred, Chelsea pressed on.
Famed agent Jorge Mendes personally flew to Madrid, first meeting with Jorge Messi. After being rebuffed, Mendes visited the Calderón to speak directly with Atlético executives.
"Reportedly, Chelsea are willing to pay a €150 million transfer fee to sign Messi from Atlético."
Atlético's general manager, Miguel Gil, immediately rejected Chelsea's inquiry, asserting that Messi's current release clause wasn't €150 million—it was €300 million.
Even so, Mendes didn't give up and continued lobbying Miguel Gil.
After The Sun and Marca broke the story, Atlético held an official press conference to address the rumors.
Spokesman Andrew Velasco confirmed that the club had received inquiries about Messi but had firmly rejected them.
"I can assure everyone that Atlético has no intention of selling Messi or any other player," Velasco declared to the gathered reporters and fan representatives.
He explained that as Atlético's success grew, it was inevitable that their players would attract interest from other clubs.
"There have been reports suggesting we're overspending on our new stadium. Yes, the project has exceeded its initial budget and is now projected to cost over €700 million. But I want all Atlético fans to rest assured: this is well within our expectations."
Velasco emphasized that Atlético had no plans to offload key players. On the contrary, the club was actively negotiating contract extensions with stars like Ribéry and Robben.
"We're committed to competing on all fronts, which requires a deep and strong squad."
"Messi is a cornerstone of our future. We will not sell the future of this team—not for any amount of money!"
Lionel Messi and his father, Jorge Messi, also attended the press conference.
Messi stated that he had been unaware of the situation but confirmed that some parties had tried to contact his family.
"I've been at Atlético for over five years now. I came here when I was just 13 years old. At the time, I had nowhere else to turn. It was our boss, Mr. Yang Hao, who personally came to Argentina and invited me to join Atlético."
"I am very happy here. I have many close friends, and every time I go out, I meet fans who like me. The club's management takes great care of me. It feels like home."
"I know there's a lot of speculation out there, with some saying I'd leave Atlético for money."
"But I want to say, that's not true."
"The truth is, I will definitely stay at Atlético. I just signed a five-year contract with the club. I recently bought a piece of land in the west of this city where I plan to build a house. My girlfriend studies here in Madrid, and I want to settle down here."
"Everything I have now was given to me by our boss, by Atlético. Let me say it again: I will never leave Atlético for money. Never!"
Messi's statement was met with thunderous applause from the audience.
Everyone was thrilled with his words.
Andrew Velasco, Miguel Gil, and others were deeply moved.
When Yang Hao had insisted on renewing Messi's contract, increasing his salary to €5 million and raising his release clause to €300 million, they had thought it was excessive. At the time, Messi's release clause was already €150 million.
Who would go that far?
But reality proved how necessary it was.
Roman Abramovich's approach, coupled with Chelsea's relentless pursuit, forced Atlético and Messi to make a public statement.
Even now, Miguel Gil and his team still felt a lingering fear.
If Yang Hao hadn't insisted on renewing Messi's contract when he did, the situation could have been drastically different.
What if Chelsea had triggered Messi's €150 million release clause and offered him an astronomical salary beyond what Atlético could provide?
Even if Messi himself remained loyal, could his parents and family resist the temptation?
Yang Hao's words echoed in Miguel Gil's mind:
Never test human nature!
In football, that means never testing a player's loyalty.
Seemingly insignificant things can become invaluable under the right circumstances.
"Yang Hao was absolutely right," Miguel Gil admitted wholeheartedly.
Andrew Velasco and the others nodded in agreement.
In the Messi transfer saga, Yang Hao remained behind the scenes, pulling the strings without stepping into the spotlight.
When Jorge Messi called Yang Hao to inform him of Mendes' approach, Yang Hao already knew Chelsea's attempt was doomed to fail.
The moment Mendes contacted Jorge Messi, the latter immediately reported it to Yang Hao. How could such an attempt succeed?
Yang Hao handled the situation calmly, choosing actions over words to demonstrate Atlético's commitment.
Three days after the Chelsea match, on February 25, Atlético hosted bottom-of-the-table Málaga. Yang Hao started Messi on the right wing again.
Just five minutes in, Messi made a breakthrough down the right, delivering a cutback from the byline. Kaká's shot was saved, but Torres followed up to score.
1–0.
Six minutes later, Messi received a pass from Kaká, dribbled past three defenders, and sent a diagonal pass to the edge of the box. Villa slotted it home.
2–0.
Málaga were forced to retreat and focus solely on defending, with their entire team packed into their own half.
Atlético patiently circulated the ball and looked for openings.
Just before halftime, Messi played a clever chip into the center, and Torres headed the ball down for Kaká, who calmly finished.
3–0.
Early in the second half, a one-two between Messi and Kaká saw Kaká brought down by Málaga's goalkeeper. The referee awarded a penalty.
The crowd called for Messi to take it, and the young Argentine didn't shy away.
Messi calmly slotted the ball into the net, securing his first goal of the night.
4–0.
After scoring, Messi turned to the roaring Calderón crowd, kissed the Atlético badge on his chest, and held it close for a long moment.
This was his way of publicly declaring his loyalty to Atlético in front of the world.
No one could predict the future or control how the world might change, but for now, and in the foreseeable future, Messi was devoted to Atlético.
He hoped to follow in the footsteps of Torres, Kaká, and Ramos, playing his entire career at Atlético until retirement.
The entire Calderón erupted, chanting Messi's name.
To the fans, Messi wasn't just an Argentine representing his national team; he was one of their own—a child of the Calderón and a true Atlético player.
Atlético maintained control of the game.
In the 64th minute, Kaká fired a long-range shot that was parried by the Málaga goalkeeper.
Yang Hao then substituted Luka Modrić for Kaká.
No one expected this substitution to spark yet another wave of Atlético attacks.
Just two minutes later, Modrić shook off his marker in midfield and played a brilliant through ball to Messi, who cut inside from the right, beat his defender, and struck the ball off the left post and into the net.
5–0.
Minutes later, Modrić was fouled by Málaga's Duda, who elbowed him in the face. The referee showed a straight red card.
From the resulting free kick, Mascherano took a quick pass to Messi, who dribbled past three defenders and slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
6–0.
The Calderón exploded.
Fans stared in disbelief as Messi celebrated his third goal of the night—a hat trick.
"A hat trick!"
"My God!"
"This is unbelievable!"
"18 years and 246 days old!"
"Messi has delivered a masterclass at the Calderón!"
Even Yang Hao, standing on the sidelines, was momentarily stunned.
He hadn't expected Messi to score again so quickly.
"This kid can't be stopped now," Yang Hao said, equal parts proud and resigned.
Juanma Lillo and the rest of the coaching staff nodded in agreement.
Yang Hao's dedication to Messi was evident to everyone, including his effort to create an ideal growth environment and tactical framework for the young player. He had even developed a comprehensive development plan specifically for Messi.
However, plans often cannot keep up with reality.
From the moment Messi made his La Liga debut, he had improved almost daily, surprising everyone with each appearance. Step by step, with an astonishing rate of progress, he continued to elevate his game.
Yes, Málaga were at the bottom of the table, and Atlético dominated the match. Still, scoring a hat trick in such a game was no small feat.
Yang Hao couldn't help but question, "Is it still appropriate to keep this kid as a substitute?"
Juanma Lillo and the other staff members could only offer awkward smiles in response.
Another question quickly arose: should the plans previously crafted for Messi still continue?
This included the physical conditioning program tailored specifically for him, a major project that not only involved all of Atlético's resources but also incorporated collaboration with research institutes at Madrid University. The program was designed based on Messi's unique characteristics, including his susceptibility to fouls and the fact that he had received growth hormone treatments during his youth.
Currently, Messi was at a crucial stage of physical development, and no one could predict whether taking on too many or too intense match responsibilities too early might negatively impact his body.
The human body is an intricate and mysterious system, especially for athletes.
Yang Hao hadn't yet come to a conclusion, but after Messi's hat trick, he knew one thing for sure: he had to sub him off.
There was no need for Messi to play the full 90 minutes. He had just gone toe-to-toe with Chelsea, and now he had delivered against Málaga. What was the point of pushing further?
Atlético thrashed Málaga 6–0, earning widespread praise in the aftermath.
Young Messi's hat trick drew an outpouring of admiration from both fans and the media.
One clear indicator of his growing popularity was the soaring sales of his No. 10 jersey, which were beginning to catch up to those of established superstars like Torres and Kaká.
Anyone who watched Atlético play was convinced of one thing: Messi was destined to become a world-class superstar.
In other matches, Barcelona defeated Zaragoza 2–0 away, while Real Madrid suffered a 0–1 loss to Mallorca on the road.
With their dual commitments to the league and the Copa del Rey, Real Madrid, under Deschamps, had begun to show signs of decline. However, they had managed to secure a place in the Copa del Rey final by defeating Zaragoza 5–2 on aggregate (4–0 at home, 1–2 away) to set up a showdown with Espanyol.
For Real Madrid, this was a rare opportunity for silverware.
Meanwhile, Deportivo La Coruña, buoyed by new ownership, continued to improve, pulling off a 2–1 comeback win away at Osasuna.
After 25 rounds of matches, Atlético remained at the top of the league table, with Real Madrid and Barcelona close behind.
After completing La Liga Round 25 on February 25, the schedule was disrupted by an international friendly in the short span before Round 26 on March 5.
FIFA described the match as one of the few opportunities to prepare national teams ahead of the World Cup, compressing domestic league schedules and squeezing in these friendlies during such a critical period. Unsurprisingly, this drew widespread frustration from clubs.
Thankfully, most federations and national teams showed some understanding of the situation.
Spain hosted Côte d'Ivoire in Valladolid, not far from Madrid. Since several Atlético players were called up, Yang Hao and his assistants attended the match to observe.
Spain managed a 3–2 win, coming from behind twice before substitute Pepe scored the decisive goal from a corner.
Despite the victory, Yang Hao remained unimpressed with coach Luis Aragonés.
However, as it was a preparatory match with experimental lineups in both halves, Yang Hao refrained from making too many criticisms. He simply suggested that Marcos Senna should start to ensure Spain's defensive stability.
Interestingly, Xabi Alonso, who excelled as a lone defensive midfielder at Atlético, struggled to replicate that success with the national team.
Meanwhile, Argentina played Croatia in Basel, Switzerland.
Modrić started for Croatia, while Messi and Mascherano represented Argentina. Croatia ultimately won 3–2.
Messi, maintaining his exceptional form, recorded one goal and one assist, earning Man of the Match honors, but he played the entire 90 minutes, much to Yang Hao's dissatisfaction.
Pekerman's decision to field an 18-year-old for the full match under the pretext of "evaluating players" struck Yang Hao as absurd.
Did Pekerman not consider that Messi still had league matches to play upon his return to Atlético?
The next game was against Real Madrid, followed by the second leg against Chelsea.
Brazil, meanwhile, scheduled their friendly in icy Russia, prioritizing financial gains over player welfare.
Despite the harsh conditions, they called up Kaká, Lúcio, and Maicon.
Yang Hao was exasperated.
"This lot really knows how to mess things up!" he muttered.
Brazil narrowly beat Russia 1–0.
March 5, midday.
Barcelona hosted Deportivo La Coruña at Camp Nou, eking out a 3–2 win.
Valencia, meanwhile, could only manage a 0–0 draw away at Málaga.
Several teams struggled due to the toll of the international break, with performances clearly affected.
That evening, Atlético stepped onto the pitch at the Santiago Bernabéu to face Real Madrid.
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