Chapter 2168 - 558: Championship Battle
Although Huang Kaiwen went off, the scene became even fiercer.
Chelsea was fighting tooth and nail against Milan.
With Huang Kaiwen gone, Messi became the key focus for defense.
Despite Messi’s constant threat, he couldn’t score with one move like when Huang Kaiwen was there.
Especially when Terry took the initiative to switch positions with Cahill, just to team up with Cole to defend against Messi.
After Huntelaar came on.
The situation for Chelsea improved considerably.
But it wasn’t Mata who went off, it was Bale.
Modric was organizing from the back and covering defense, while Mata played as a high-freedom organizer up front.
With two focal points, it still put considerable pressure on Milan’s defense.
This style of play had no other meaning than to physically challenge your defenders.
If it were an average team, they might have ended up like Senderos after a match.
Even Nesta and Thiago Silva found it not easy facing Drogba and Huntelaar.
Cesare Maldini feared Nesta might get injured, so he substituted him early.
Bender came on and immediately let an opportunity slip, Huntelaar easily scored a solo goal.
Unfortunately, they were trailing by too much.
This goal didn’t have much effect.
After Messi was substituted, Milan hardly attacked.
This London showdown ended with Milan winning by a large margin.
It was the least number of fans Huang Kaiwen had ever seen at Stamford Bridge.
He silently watched the stands, with Ramos and Kaka quietly standing by his side.
"Every team has a day to lose."
Kaka softly consoled.
"It’s best not us!"
Huang Kaiwen replied.
He took off his shirt and threw it to the stands, walking straight into the player’s tunnel.
Old Maldini, already waiting in the tunnel, invited: "Join the press conference?"
"Of course!"
Huang Kaiwen nodded and said.
Domenec Torrent reminded: "Don’t forget Prince William."
"I know."
Huang Kaiwen responded.
"Actually, Chelsea didn’t have to lose this badly today, Carlo made some errors in defensive arrangement, he seemed fixated on offensive transformation."
Old Maldini commented.
Huang Kaiwen shook his head.
He couldn’t quite tell what was happening either.
The two of them arrived at the press conference site, but Ancelotti was nowhere to be seen.
Only Tassotti sat there all alone.
The appearance of Huang Kaiwen and Old Maldini made the atmosphere even more feverish.
English reporters almost wanted to shove the microphones directly into Huang Kaiwen’s mouth.
As the two sat down, reporters eagerly began their questions.
"Mauro, why didn’t Mr. Ancelotti attend the press conference?"
"Was today’s loss because Mr. Ancelotti decided not to use Hummels?"
"Kevin, was it because Chelsea is your former club that you scored so many goals?"
"Cesare, was it your or Guardiola’s idea for Kaka to play forward?"
"Meeting Bayern Munich again in the final, do you think that’s a sure win, Kevin?"
Tassotti, with a bitter smile, pulled the microphone closer and said: "Carlo wasn’t feeling well, so he didn’t attend the press conference, as for the loss, it’s the responsibility of the whole team, not because a particular player didn’t play."
"Such a huge loss, is Mr. Ancelotti going to be dismissed?"
One reporter asked.
"No comment."
Tassotti gestured dismissively.
"Is Hummels going to be cleared out?"
"No comment."
Feeling overwhelmed, Tassotti stood up directly, nodded to Huang Kaiwen and Old Maldini, and left the press conference site.
Cesare Maldini said: "Kevin is young and often says he’s not feeling well. I’m old yet always try to act young, but in reality, I am not young; any question you ask, I might not hear it, so you better think before asking."
Huang Kaiwen silently rolled his eyes.
That was a bit of a tease.
"Will Mr. Guardiola appear in the finals?"
A reporter asked.
"I can categorically tell you he won’t; Pep underwent surgery and will miss all the matches this season. It’s a good thing, early treatment is necessary when you’re ill."
Old Maldini said.
"Will the AC Milan Club continue to renew his contract?"
A journalist with a Spanish accent asked.
"I don’t know, you should ask my son; he might have the answer for you." Old Maldini winked and replied.
"So how do you feel entering the finals as a coach?"
A reporter pressed further.
After a few seconds of silence, Old Maldini said: "You know, everyone dies, I thought my life was over, but unexpectedly, I still have this opportunity, I can tell you that I am very excited, I have thought of many tactics and want to do many things, but in reality, reaching the finals isn’t my achievement."
"He’s lying!"
Huang Kaiwen directly grabbed the microphone and, laughing, said: "Reaching the finals is the achievement of every one of us, being excessively modest is hypocritical, I’ve heard it many times, Cesare is a valued member of Milan."
"How’s your relationship, Kevin?"
A reporter asked.
"We’ve known each other for many years, Cesare is a man of taste and a gentleman; his lifestyle is also regular, we’d often meet at Paul’s place before he became a coach."
Huang Kaiwen responded.
"What do you think about Mr. Maldini’s coaching ability?"
A reporter followed up.
Old Maldini also looked curiously at Huang Kaiwen.
Curious to know what Huang Kaiwen would say.
Huang Kaiwen directly said: "In terms of tactics, I haven’t felt much, because we are still using Mr. Guardiola’s tactics now. But in terms of personnel management, everyone can feel Mr. Maldini’s charm, he is a Milan legend, captain of Italy and Milan, everyone holds him in high esteem."