On the late afternoon of August 18, 1998, Manchester City were playing Liverpool at a stadium that many football fans considered nothing short of an intimidating fortress. The stands were packed, and the supporters had been making themselves heard from the moment the teams walked onto the pitch.
The score was still 0–0.
The players had been given a brief break, but there was little rest for the coaching staff. Richard, however, had something else on his mind.
He was discussing which clubs might join them in the Champions League this season.
"Are you not worried? After all, you were knocked out at this stage last season," Roman Abramovich said, amusement evident in his voice.
Richard glanced at him and sighed. Of all the people he had expected to see sitting beside him that afternoon, Roman was perhaps the last.
The Russian billionaire had been an old friend of his, though "old friend" was a complicated description. Richard leaned back in his seat and looked at him.
