Chapter Summaries

Barcelona’s dressing-room conflict between Eto'o, Rijkaard, and Ronaldinho erupted after Eto'o refused to substitute in, then appeared to reconcile before Barcelona lost to Valencia. As Barcelona struggled, Liverpool prepared in Portugal and arrived in Barcelona ready for the Camp Nou showdown.

• Ronaldinho scored twice against Racing Santander as Messi returned from injury, but Eto'o refused Rijkaard’s late substitution and sparked a public dispute with the coach and Ronaldinho.
• Eto'o held a press conference criticizing Rijkaard, Ronaldinho, and Barcelona’s internal divisions; the club announced the next day that they had reconciled.
• Barcelona lost 2–1 away to Valencia after Angulo and David Silva scored, while Deco and Albelda were sent off following a confrontation.
• Benitez and Liverpool’s staff analyzed Barcelona’s form and trained tactical plans to contain Ronaldinho and Messi while protecting the midfield.
• Liverpool trained in Portugal, with Yang Yang helping Arbeloa practice defending Messi, then traveled to Barcelona on the eve of the match.

Barcelona supporters and media placed their hopes on Messi ahead of the Champions League match against Liverpool, while Yang Yang prepared to face the hostile Camp Nou crowd. The chapter left Liverpool warming up amid jokes and nerves as the match approached.

• Catalan newspapers portrayed Messi's return as the key to Barcelona's season and celebrated his readiness to face Yang Yang.
• Xabi Alonso read Yang Yang a report about Messi, and Yang Yang insisted Messi had never beaten him and would not do so tonight.
• Yang Yang rested, chatted with Su Ye, and answered messages of encouragement from family, friends, and former coaches and teammates.
• Barcelona fans jeered and insulted Liverpool as the team bus traveled to Camp Nou, and police cleared the way.
• Yang Yang admitted he was nervous before the hostile crowd, then joked with Gerrard about protecting him from fans if he scored.
• Barcelona entered the pitch for the final warm-up while Liverpool warmed up in their own half and joked together.

Barcelona took an early lead through Deco, but Liverpool adjusted their defense and contained Barcelona’s attacks. The chapter ended with Liverpool still trailing 1–0 as Yang Yang earned a yellow card for Belletti.

• Deco headed in Zambrotta’s cross in the fourteenth minute to give Barcelona a 1–0 lead.
• Benitez instructed Sissoko and the Liverpool players to tighten their marking and pressure Barcelona’s midfield.
• Liverpool settled defensively, pushed their back line forward, and tried to counter into the space behind Barcelona’s defense.
• Barcelona continued attacking but created no dangerous chances, while Agger and Kuyt received yellow cards for fouls.
• Yang Yang received the ball on the left in the thirty-eighth minute, and Belletti fouled him and was booked.

Liverpool adjusted their midfield to counter Barcelona before Yang Yang scored a spectacular equalizer at Camp Nou just before halftime. The chapter left Liverpool celebrating and heading into the break with renewed morale.

• Benitez moved Xabi Alonso deeper beside Mohamed Sissoko and pushed Gerrard forward to support the counterattack and pressure Xavi.
• Yang Yang widened his movement on the left as Barcelona continued to limit his chances to receive the ball.
• Xabi Alonso found Yang Yang with a quick pass, and Yang Yang chipped the ball over Rafael Marcos before beating Valdes with a Pendulum Dribble and scoring into the empty net.
• Yang Yang celebrated with his trademark wristband gesture as Liverpool players rushed to join him.
• Benitez praised Yang Yang and Xabi Alonso, while Yang Yang joked with Gerrard and Xabi Alonso about the jeers from the Camp Nou crowd.

Liverpool used Benitez’s halftime instructions to press Barcelona and control the second half at Camp Nou, while Rijkaard’s increasingly desperate changes failed to break their defensive shape. Barcelona’s attack remained stalled, and the chapter leaves them exposing their defense as Puyol passes back to Valdes under Crouch’s pressure.

• Benitez told Liverpool to press Barcelona’s center-backs more aggressively and counterattack faster while keeping the team compact.
• Barcelona began the second half without major changes, but Liverpool pressed relentlessly and stifled their attacks.
• Rijkaard brought on Iniesta for Thiago Motta after ten minutes, while Benitez kept his lineup unchanged.
• Rijkaard sent on Giuly for Xavi in the sixty-fifth minute, switching Barcelona to a 4–2–4 formation.
• Benitez dropped Gerrard deeper to protect Liverpool’s defense, and Barcelona still could not find a way through.
• Under Crouch’s pressure in the seventieth minute, Puyol passed the ball back to Valdes.

Yang Yang scored from an indirect free kick after Valdes handled Puyol’s back-pass, giving Liverpool a 2–1 lead over Barcelona at Camp Nou. He celebrated his brace as Barcelona faced a crushing setback.

• Valdes picked up Puyol’s back-pass with his hands under pressure from Crouch, and referee Kiros Vassaras awarded Liverpool an indirect free kick inside the penalty area.
• Yang Yang noticed Barcelona’s wall was short, chose to take the free kick, and planned a quick shot after Gerrard’s pass.
• Gerrard nudged the ball to Yang Yang, who curled a left-footed shot over the wall into the upper-left corner.
• Valdes failed to reach the ball, and Yang Yang scored his second goal before celebrating with a knee slide beside the pitch.
• Liverpool took a 2–1 lead as commentators noted Barcelona’s mistake and Rijkaard’s substitutions had not changed the match.

Liverpool overturned Barcelona’s lead at Camp Nou, with Yang Yang scoring a hat-trick in a 3–1 Champions League victory. Barcelona’s attack remained stifled, and the story left their hopes of advancing from the Round of Sixteen nearly over while Yang Yang reflected on the club’s internal divisions.

• Messi struggled against Arbeloa’s marking as Liverpool’s tactics restricted Barcelona’s attack.
• Messi set up Saviola for a shot that Reina saved, then had his own attempt blocked by Finnan.
• Sissoko intercepted the ball and started a Liverpool counterattack, which ended with Crouch heading the ball across the box for Yang Yang to score.
• Yang Yang celebrated his hat-trick with his teammates and greeted Benitez and Jesper on the visiting team’s bench.
• Yang Yang exchanged a polite nod with a dejected Messi and considered how Barcelona’s internal conflicts had contributed to their defeat.

After Liverpool defeated Barcelona 3–1 at Camp Nou, Benitez and Yang Yang praised the team while Rijkaard admitted Barcelona had been outplayed. Barcelona’s newspapers blamed Rijkaard’s tactics and the absence of Eto'o, while Liverpool and Yang Yang received international praise.

• Benitez called Liverpool’s 3–1 victory a memorable match and credited the team’s counterattacks and Yang Yang’s hat-trick.
• Rijkaard said Barcelona had slowed their attacks after taking the lead, acknowledged Yang Yang had been difficult to contain, and insisted his team could still turn the tie around at Anfield.
• Yang Yang celebrated his hat-trick but credited his teammates and said qualification remained uncertain.
• Mundo Deportivo criticized Rijkaard’s tactics and Messi’s performance, while comparing Messi unfavorably with Yang Yang.
• Sport accused Rijkaard of keeping Eto'o out because of a personal grudge and argued Barcelona needed the striker.
• Media outlets around the world praised Liverpool, especially Yang Yang, who returned to the top of the Champions League scoring charts.

Liverpool returned from Barcelona to acclaim after Yang Yang’s hat-trick, while the British press compared him favorably with scandal-plagued Cristiano Ronaldo. In the dressing room, teammates teased Yang Yang over sensational nightclub rumors before Gerrard explained that an American takeover of Liverpool was nearing completion.

• Liverpool received a warm welcome after beating Barcelona, while Arsenal lost to Eindhoven, Chelsea drew with Porto, and Manchester United drew with Lille as Cristiano Ronaldo injured his foot kicking water bottles.
• British tabloids reported that Gemma Atkinson had dated other men and suggested Cristiano Ronaldo should learn from Yang Yang’s discipline and devotion to Su Ye.
• Yang Yang’s teammates joked about a The Sun story claiming London nightclub hostesses planned to pursue him, and Pennant warned him about women seeking fame and money through footballers.
• Gerrard told Yang Yang and his teammates that Liverpool had previously negotiated with the Dubai Consortium and John Miskory, but neither deal succeeded.
• Gerrard said George Gillett and Tom Hicks had joined forces to bid for Liverpool and that the takeover was close to completion, while Rick Parry had promised the deal would not harm the team.

Liverpool’s new American owners met the players before the Reds beat Sheffield United 4–0, with Mascherano impressing in midfield. The chapter ended with Liverpool preparing to face Manchester United, three points behind them in the Premier League.

• Hicks and Gillet completed their £470 million takeover of Liverpool, promising increased transfer investment and a new 60,000-seat stadium.
• Hicks and Gillet visited the dressing room before Liverpool hosted Sheffield United, where they praised Yang Yang and promised bonuses for good performances.
• Benitez rotated seven players, and Liverpool beat Sheffield United 4–0 as Fowler scored twice, Hyypiä added a goal, and Gerrard finished after Mascherano’s pass.
• Yang Yang and Xabi Alonso watched from the stands and discussed Mascherano’s defensive and playmaking ability and his potential partnership with Xabi Alonso.
• Manchester United beat Fulham 2–1 while Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal also won; after 28 rounds, Liverpool trailed league leaders Manchester United by three points ahead of the Double Red Derby.

Liverpool defeated Manchester United 2–0 in a brutal Double Red Derby at Anfield, with Peter Crouch and Yang Yang scoring after Liverpool adjusted their midfield at halftime. Yang Yang's late diving header sealed the win and left Liverpool level with Manchester United on points in the title race.

• Liverpool and Manchester United fought through a chaotic first half, with neither side scoring as Liverpool struggled with midfield passing errors.
• Benitez adjusted Liverpool's midfield at halftime, and Gerrard's pass set up Yang Yang to cross for Crouch's opening goal early in the second half.
• The teams traded attacks and fouls, Rooney left injured, and Gary Neville and Carragher received yellow cards.
• Scholes was sent off in the eighty-sixth minute for striking Xabi Alonso after play had stopped.
• Kuyt crossed past Crouch, and Yang Yang raced in to score a diving header and give Liverpool a 2–0 lead.
• Liverpool celebrated the win as Manchester United's players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, looked dejected.

After Liverpool beat Manchester United, Yang Yang reviewed his performance and noticed Javier Mascherano struggling with a lingering fear from a serious leg injury. Yang Yang offered to connect Mascherano with fitness coach Winston Bogarde, leaving Mascherano with a possible source of help as he tried to regain confidence.

• Yang Yang reviewed his mistakes with Old Bing and admitted he still needed to become stronger as a player.
• Yang Yang found Mascherano training alone after the match and told him his dribbling drill was too slow.
• Mascherano explained that a serious fracture and his difficult spell at West Ham United had left him hesitant in training and matches.
• Yang Yang offered to recommend Winston Bogarde to help Mascherano with his physical condition, and Mascherano gratefully accepted.

After Liverpool beat Manchester United, Yang Yang remained atop the Premier League scoring charts as the Reds prepared for Barcelona’s Champions League visit. Rijkaard and Benitez traded barbs ahead of the second leg, with both teams publicly insisting they could win.

• Liverpool defeated Manchester United 2–0, and Yang Yang’s goal and assist helped Liverpool draw level on points while he led the scoring charts with twenty-one goals.
• At Mascherano’s request, Benitez arranged for Winston Bogarde to create a personalized physical training program for him.
• Eto’o returned to Barcelona’s starting lineup against Athletic Bilbao, assisting Xavi and scoring in a 2–0 victory.
• Barcelona lost 2–1 away to Sevilla after Daniel Alves helped turn the match around, surrendering first place in La Liga.
• Rijkaard said Barcelona would attack at Anfield, while Begiristain claimed Liverpool’s defensive approach could give Barcelona a chance to score three goals.
• Benitez, Gerrard, and Yang Yang declared Liverpool’s confidence ahead of the second leg, and Rijkaard criticized Liverpool’s tactics as simple and predictable.

Liverpool surprised Barcelona in the Champions League second leg by pressing aggressively instead of defending their 3–1 first-leg lead, leaving Oleguer struggling to organize the defense. Yang Yang repeatedly threatened Thuram, and the chapter ended with Liverpool controlling the match and Yang Yang focused on scoring.

• Oleguer started in central defense and was tasked with marking Crouch while covering for the wide center-backs.
• Benitez sent Liverpool forward aggressively, and the press disrupted Barcelona’s back line and midfield from the opening minutes.
• Yang Yang drew Thuram out of position and struck the crossbar with a long-range shot within three minutes.
• Thuram struggled to contain Yang Yang and received the match’s first yellow card in the ninth minute.
• Rijkaard made no major tactical changes as Liverpool dominated the match’s rhythm without holding possession.

Liverpool took a commanding lead over Barcelona at Anfield as Yang Yang scored and then set up Crouch, leaving the visitors facing elimination after losing the first leg as well.

• Yang Yang scored in the sixteenth minute after Xabi Alonso’s through ball sent him past Thuram and into the penalty area.
• Benitez and Jesper praised Yang Yang’s impact and discussed Liverpool’s chances of winning the Champions League.
• Liverpool weathered Barcelona’s response, with Sissoko and Arbeloa receiving yellow cards as the home side contained their attack.
• In the twenty-sixth minute, Yang Yang cut the ball across goal after a pass from Gerrard, and Crouch tapped it in to make the score 2–0.
• Crouch celebrated with Yang Yang while Barcelona’s players looked dejected at their heavy defeat across both legs.

Liverpool defeated Barcelona 2–0 at Anfield to advance to the Champions League quarterfinals with a 5–1 aggregate score, and Yang Yang was named Man of the Match again. After celebrating the victory, Yang Yang congratulated Barcelona’s players and coach Rijkaard while considering the threat posed by AC Milan and the possible departure of Liverpool assistant Jesper.

• Liverpool beat Barcelona 2–0, completed a 5–1 aggregate victory, and advanced to the Champions League quarterfinals as fans and the new owners celebrated at Anfield.
• Yang Yang earned Man of the Match after scoring a goal and providing an assist, bringing his season tally to eight Champions League goals and three assists.
• Yang Yang congratulated Ronaldinho, who praised Liverpool’s preparation and warned him that Kaka was in excellent form at AC Milan.
• Yang Yang exchanged cordial words with Messi and recognized that Arbeloa had successfully contained the Argentine in both matches.
• Yang Yang greeted Barcelona’s players and Rijkaard, then reflected on reports that a La Liga club wanted to hire Liverpool assistant Jesper.

After Liverpool eliminated Barcelona 5–1 on aggregate, newspapers across Britain, Spain, and the world praised Liverpool’s tactics and Yang Yang’s decisive performances. The coverage left Yang Yang celebrated as a rising European superstar and Liverpool increasingly confident about its Champions League prospects.

• The Telegraph reported Liverpool’s 2–0 home victory over Barcelona and highlighted that Yang Yang scored four goals and assisted another across the two legs.
• The Telegraph analyzed how Benitez’s pressing tactics and Yang Yang’s speed and long-range shooting exposed Barcelona’s defensive weaknesses.
• Reuters and The Times praised Liverpool’s team spirit, Benitez’s tactics, and Yang Yang’s role as Liverpool’s most trusted attacker.
• World Football and Mundo Deportivo conceded that Liverpool deserved to advance and praised Yang Yang while criticizing Barcelona’s tactics, players, and lack of hunger.
• International media coverage spread Yang Yang’s reputation worldwide, and Chinese fans celebrated his achievement as a source of national pride.

Liverpool prepared to host an injury-hit Arsenal after drawing with Aston Villa, while Benitez balanced the league campaign against a crucial Champions League tie with Roma. The chapter left Yang Yang focused on maintaining his form and Liverpool ready to exploit Arsenal’s weakened squad.

• Liverpool drew 0–0 away to Aston Villa after Benitez rotated the lineup, leaving them further behind Manchester United.
• Yang Yang and the senior players worried that Jesper might leave and discussed the risk his departure posed to Benitez’s management of the dressing room.
• Gerrard told Mascherano and Aurélio they would start against Arsenal, while Alvaro would also be in the lineup.
• Benitez planned to play Yang Yang for about an hour against Arsenal before resting him for Liverpool’s Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Roma.
• Arsenal approached the match with Henry, Van Persie, and Gilberto Silva injured, and Liverpool intended to take advantage of their poor form.

Liverpool crushed Arsenal 4–1 at Anfield, with Peter Crouch scoring a hat-trick and Javier Mascherano impressing in midfield. Yang Yang did not score, but the media and Crouch praised his teamwork as Liverpool turned their attention to Roma.

• Steven Gerrard fired Liverpool’s first shot wide less than a minute after kickoff.
• Álvaro Arbeloa crossed for Peter Crouch to open the scoring, and Crouch later headed in another goal after a one-two involving Fabio Aurélio and Yang Yang.
• Fabio Aurélio assisted Daniel Agger from a set piece, and Liverpool beat Arsenal 4–1 after Dirk Kuyt set up Crouch’s third goal.
• Javier Mascherano earned widespread praise for his performance and credited Rafael Benitez and Yang Yang for supporting him.
• The media defended Yang Yang’s unselfish display, and Crouch said he valued their growing partnership and would help Yang Yang score more goals.

Yang Yang and Totti exchanged respectful words before Liverpool hosted Roma in the Champions League quarterfinal first leg. Roma attacked early at Anfield, but Liverpool’s defense held firm as the chapter ended with the Reds preparing to counter.

• Yang Yang praised Totti before the match, and Totti said he hoped Roma could earn a draw at Anfield.
• Benitez called Yang Yang the world’s best player, while Spalletti praised Totti and said Roma would defend as a unit.
• Gazzetta dello Sport’s WAGs poll gave Su Ye the highest score, though Roma’s WAGs narrowly won the overall comparison.
• Yang Yang and Totti greeted each other in the players’ tunnel before the match, and Totti warned Yang Yang to be careful.
• Roma launched an early attack, but Mascherano and Xabi Alonso blocked their advances and forced several long-range shots wide.