Free Web NovelChapter 2080: Chapter 540: Camp Nou’s Great Comeback
Huang Kaiwen didn’t smile.
This is quite a vicious incident.
Not to mention the UEFA Champions League, even in the league, it’s rare for matches to be stopped directly.
An early dismissal indicates problems with the referee’s control over the game, so referees generally try to strictly control the actions of both sides. Even if controlling behavior is difficult, they manage the number of cards themselves.
Today, the referee issued many cards for unknown reasons.
Rather than targeting Barca harshly,
Huang Kaiwen feels it’s more likely that the ref forgot Busquets was dismissed early.
Otherwise, the confrontation wouldn’t have led to each team receiving four cards; it was too coincidental.
Barca players kept committing fouls, certainly being the primary cause.
Guardiola glanced at Huang Kaiwen.
Huang Kaiwen nodded and stood up to follow.
When the two arrived at the press hall.
Luis Enrique was already seated on stage, speaking to reporters: "The red card changed everything. Our style is passing control, we need time to wear down opponents. The first goal was a foul, it affected the players’ mentality, that’s why there’s a red card, and then another red card..."
Huang Kaiwen, who had just sat down, almost applauded Enrique.
This person has some skills, reminding him of a Manchester United coach.
"Luis, you mentioned the first goal was a foul, but where exactly?"
A reporter raised his hand and asked.
"That’s for you to verify, not me. What I want to talk about is the red card; this match was the best phase we played this season. Given this momentum, we could have completely reversed, we would have won. Busquets was going for the ball, but the referee gave a red card, changing the game."
Nothing more could be asked of Enrique’s side.
The reporters quickly turned their attention to Guardiola and Huang Kaiwen.
"Pep, did you instruct players to fight today?"
"Did your attitude influence AC Milan players?"
"How do you evaluate Barca players’ several fouls, the two committed by Busquets and Piqué resulting in red cards?"
"Kevin, do you have anything to say about Ramos once again kicking an opponent?"
"De Bruyne previously played very cleanly while on loan; is he affected by AC Milan’s locker room culture?"
"Why didn’t Toni Kroos attend the press conference?"
Huang Kaiwen almost couldn’t hold it in.
Unexpectedly, he wasn’t as favored as Kroos.
Come to think of it.
Reporters definitely prefer Kroos’ style.
Guardiola solemnly said: "Our intention was to play a high-quality match, but things didn’t develop as I wanted. I told the players they must relax and control their emotions, but we failed to do so."
"Do you think AC Milan players fought because Barca committed too many fouls?"
A reporter asked.
Guardiola’s face showed difficulty.
He is Catalan, with relatives and friends in Catalonia. He also has numerous ventures in Barcelona.
If he answers this question, he would offend one party no matter what.
It would either be Barcelona.
Or the Milan team he manages.
After a few seconds, Guardiola nodded and said: "The number of fouls isn’t the issue; tactical fouls are part of tactics, not malicious fouls, but both sides’ players lost their rationality due to some other factors. You can see today’s Camp Nou was different from usual. I think pressure led Barca players to lose their usual style, this isn’t the team I know."
"Will the players who received red cards be penalized?"
A reporter asked.
Guardiola almost wanted to get up and leave.
He was also confused, couldn’t think of the assistant coach arriving.
Now, each question affects his life significantly.
However, compared to earlier questions, this is considerably milder.
Guardiola hesitated little and said directly: "A red card itself is a form of punishment. I will communicate with the players to help them understand what they should do. Missing a few main players next time will affect us somewhat, but the whole team will strive to overcome this."
"How are Kaka and Torres’ injuries?"
A reporter asked.
Only then did Guardiola breathe a sigh of relief and said: "Fernando currently doesn’t have much of a situation. We’ll return to Milan for examination to prevent any skull or nerve damage. As for Kaka, he is already injured, and the team doctor told me his condition isn’t good. He likely will be absent for a considerable time."
"That was a misunderstanding."
Enrique said.
Guardiola almost lost composure but held on.
No choice, Catalonia is quite special for him. Facing Barca in conflict makes him very vulnerable in public opinion.
Huang Kaiwen quickly pulled the microphone and said: "Injuries are inevitable, but fouls can be avoided. I hope other teams don’t deliberately injure my teammates."
"Kevin, you mean someone intentionally injured others?"
A reporter asked.
"Could you say that again, my hearing isn’t great?" Once the reporter repeated the question, Huang Kaiwen replied with a smile: "We played excellently, and then people got injured, one after another. What else can I say? Playing against Barcelona, we’re always getting hurt, at Real Madrid too, at Chelsea as well. Perhaps this reflects Barcelona’s playing style inherently includes harming others."
"Nonsense!"
Luis Enrique shouted, slapping the table: "We are representatives of offensive football; Ramos and Van Bommel are the ones willing to harm other players."
Reporters’ eyes lit up, waiting for Huang Kaiwen’s response.
