The Dream of the Champions League Shattered! Juventus Came Up Short, and Allegri Was Thoroughly Humiliated!
"Oh, is that so?"
A hint of disappointment flashed in Bonazzoli's eyes.
In his limited professional career and competitive experience.
That UEFA Europa League final will be one he'll never forget!
But at this moment, his senior Ronaldo, sitting next to him, said that the UEFA Europa League is far from comparable to the UEFA Champions League.
The 18-year-old's initial pride from winning the UEFA Europa League quickly faded.
"Oh, don't mind me. We'll just say what's on our minds. I know you two just won the UEFA Europa League and are in a great mood, but what I said is true. It's okay, whatever it is, you two can both play in the UEFA Champions League next season."
After speaking to Bonazzoli, Ronaldo turned to look at Tang Long and smiled meaningfully.
Tang Long nodded slightly.
He knew Ronaldo was absolutely right; the UEFA Champions League was the ultimate dream for every professional player.
Just as the Olympics are to table tennis, the UEFA Champions League is always the highest mountain a football club can conquer.
As the match time approached, spectators gradually entered the Allianz Arena, filling it to capacity.
The players from both sides then filed out of the players' tunnel one by one.
The Big Ears Cup, symbolizing the highest honor, is placed right in the center of the players' tunnel exit.
Every player who passed by him, whether from Juventus or Barca, felt an overwhelming desire for the championship.
The exciting UEFA Champions League anthem, "wearethechampions," is playing loudly!
A huge UEFA Champions League circular flag fluttered in the very center of the stadium.
Tang Long had heard this UEFA Champions League theme song on television countless times.
But this was his first time watching UEFA Champions League match live, and his first match was the UEFA Champions League final.
When he heard this song, which he had heard countless times, live, his feelings were completely different from when he was watching it on television.
In an instant, he felt his heart racing and the blood surging in his veins, which was reflected on his face, causing his dark eyes to become bloodshot.
"This is the UEFA Champions League!"
Starting lineups for both sides:
Barcelona (4-3-3): 1- Ter Stegen / 22- Alves, 3- Pique, 14- Mascherano, 18- Alba / 4- Rakitic, 5- Busquets, 8- Iniesta (captain) / 10- Lionel Messi, 9- Suarez, 11- Neymar
Juventus (4-3-1-2): 1- Buffon (captain) / 26- Lichtsteiner, 15- Barzagli, 19- Bonucci, 33- Evra / 8- Marchisio, 21- Pirlo, 6- Pogba / 23- Vidal / 10- Tevez, 9- Morata
Seeing the Juventus players' positioning, Ronaldo whispered to Tang Long:
"Juventus has actually abandoned their familiar three-man defense and switched to a four-man defense. It seems Allegri is quite wary of Barca's passing and possession style. Juventus will definitely have to play defensively and counter-attackingly in this match."
Tang Long chimed in, "Llorente, the target man, didn't play. Morata started. Based on my understanding of the two, Morata is more mobile and has a wider range of movement during counter-attacks."
Bonazzoli leaned over and said, "I think no matter how Juventus plays, as long as their three midfielders Marchisio, Pirlo, and Pogba are on the court, Juventus' overall strength won't decline."
The referee blew his whistle, and the 2014-2015 UEFA Champions League final kicked off!
Juventus kicked off first.
Tevez passed the ball back to Pogba, Pogba then passed it back to Pirlo. Immediately, the entire Juventus team rushed into Barca's penalty area!
Pirlo, without stopping the ball, launched a long ball forward!
This is about to be a chance to launch a high-altitude bombardment!
Tang Long watched from the stands, his heart pounding with excitement.
"Good grief, that's a blow right off the bat! Let's just shut them down first!"
Although Juventus launched an aerial bombardment at the start of the game, the experienced Barca Pique outmaneuvered his national teammate Morata and cleared the ball out of the penalty area.
Barca scored with their first shot just 4 minutes into the game!
Iniesta delivered a cross from the left side of the penalty area with the outside of his foot, Rakitic slotted the ball into the right side of the goal from 9 meters out, 1-0!
"Haha, it has to be Iniesta, that's so cool with the outside of his foot, Tang, you should learn from him!" Ronaldo said to Tang Long.
Iniesta's outside-of-the-foot shot was truly exquisite, leaving Tang Long in awe.
Tang Long's outside instep has always been a weakness, and if he has the time, he should definitely practice it more in the Cloud Training.
In the 13th minute, Lionel Messi made a through pass to the right side of the penalty area, Suarez passed it back, and Suarez's shot from 12 meters out was brilliantly tipped over by Buffon with one hand, and Lichtsteiner cleared the ball with a header.
"They almost scored again. It seems like Juventus can't hold on any longer?" Bonazzoli said.
In the 20th minute, Juventus immediately retaliated.
Pogba a high-speed counter-attack down the left flank, delivering a low cross with his left foot!
Mascherano made a sliding tackle to clear the ball ahead of Tevez!
Barca then gradually took control of the game, maintaining possession for extended periods.
Juventus began a tactical retreat.
The best chance after that came in the 39th minute when Suarez's low shot from the right edge of the penalty area went wide of the left post. Then, Neymar's pass to Lionel Messi was blocked by a defender and deflected, and Suarez's shot from 13 meters out was tipped over the bar by Buffon!
During halftime, Ronaldo asked the two players for their thoughts on the second half.
Both Bonazzoli and Tang Long believed that if Juventus couldn't equalize before the 70th minute, they had no hope of winning.
"Good," Ronaldo nodded, "We need to equalize as soon as possible, otherwise we'll be worn down by Barca's passing game. I know them too well!"
Three minutes into the second half, Barca launched a counter-attack. Rakitic played a through ball to the left side of the penalty area, where Suarez's shot from 10 meters out was saved by Buffon at the near post.
The entire stadium erupted in gasps!
Suarez has missed two chances in a row!
Bonazzoli chuckled and said to Tang Long, "Suarez is nothing special. If it were me, I would have scored at least one of those two goals, but he didn't score either!"
In the 51st minute, Lionel Messi cut inside from the left and played a series of one-two passes with Neymar and Suarez, but his left-footed shot from 13 meters out on the left went high.
Although the ball didn't go in, Tang Long still found it incredibly exciting to watch.
He recalled his position as an attacking midfielder, where he often had brilliant connections with the forwards.
However, neither Icardi, Podolski, Shaqiri, nor Bonazzoli could replicate the incredibly fast, continuous one-two passes that Barca just displayed!
The difference is visible to the naked eye.
Just as Barca launched a relentless offensive, an unexpected incident occurred.
Juventus equalized in the 55th minute!
Marchisio delivered a brilliant backheel pass under pressure from two defenders, Lichtsteiner broke into the right side of the penalty area and delivered a low cross, Tevez turned and swept his left-footed shot from 11 meters out, which was blocked by Ter Stegen, but Morata tapped it into the empty net from 5 meters out on the left, 1-1!
Tang Long commented, "If it were Llorente, he might not have been able to get there in time. Morata is faster and has better reaction time. Allegri made the right choice to start him."
In the 63rd minute, Morata passed the ball back from the right side of the penalty area, Marchisio laid it off, and Tevez's shot from 18 meters out went over the bar.
One minute later, Evra passed the ball back from the left wing, Pogba's half-turn shot from 20 meters out was saved by Ter Stegen!
The three people in the stands were thoroughly enjoying the show.
Although Tang Long disliked Juventus, he had to admit that in those ten minutes or so, while Juventus didn't have the advantage in possession, they created more threatening attacks than Barca.
Bonazzoli said sullenly, "The pace is just too fast. I feel that if Juventus continues in this form, we won't be able to beat them in the Coppa Italia final!"
"Silly kid, this is the UEFA Champions League final. Juventus players are playing with everything they have. It's definitely more important than domestic cup matches," Ronaldo said.
Juventus' attack was about to begin.
They even had a chance to overtake them at one point.
Unexpectedly, Barca took the lead again in the 68th minute!
Lionel Messi's counter-attack from the left flank and low shot from the edge of the penalty area caused Buffon to fumble, Suarez slotted the ball into the net from the right, 2-1!
The Barca fans in the stadium erupted in cheers!
The stadium erupted in cheers!
"Haha, Bonazzoli, you were supposed to criticize Suarez, now that he's scored, what do you say?" Tang Long teased.
"So what? My grandma could score from that spot," Bonazzoli retorted.
Xavi then replaced Iniesta.
"If I remember correctly, Xavi is leaving Barca this summer to play in Qatar, and this should be his last appearance for Barca."
Hearing what Ronaldo said, Tang Long and Bonazzoli sighed in dismay!
The 35-year-old core strategist of Barca and the Spain national team is about to leave the Top Five Leagues.
An era has come to an end!
In the 79th minute, Pirlo took a corner kick from the left, Pogba's header from 6 meters out went just over the bar.
In the 89th minute, Marchisio's low left-footed shot from outside the box was saved by Ter Stegen at the right post.
Having missed ten consecutive scoring opportunities, Juventus' players were extremely impatient!
Manager Allegri on the sidelines was also furious, looking like he wished he could go up and play himself.
"It's almost 90 minutes. If we don't score soon, Juventus is doomed, and Italy football is going home!" Ronaldo said, leaning back in his chair.
In the 94th minute, Juventus made a last-ditch effort!
A free kick from midfield! Pirlo launches a long ball into the penalty area!
It's Pique again!
A steel head thrust out!
"Great shot!" Tang Long couldn't help but shout.
Although Ranocchia is similar in height to Pique, his control of the landing point is still inferior to Pique's.
The ball came to Neymar's feet, and the 23-year-old Brazil star launched a quick counter-attack!
After several passes with his teammates, Neymar fired a shot into the net from the right side of the six-yard box, making it 3-1!
Barca have secured the victory!
Bonazzoli excitedly raised his arms and shouted!
Ronaldo clapped his hands and laughed!
Tang Long smiled calmly.
"Haha, Juventus are going home!"
"Allegri still wants the treble? He can keep dreaming!"