Chapter 179: Champions League Semi-Finals Kick Off

A week passed in a flash.

Arsenal arrived in Liverpool one day in advance. They conducted closed training here, and no media could interview them during the period.

As this was the semi-final of the Champions League, both sides of the game even declined the official interview invitation. Obviously, they were all keeping absolute concentration on this game.

On May 1, a large number of fans began to pour into Liverpool.

The Champions League came to the semi-finals, and the heat has begun to rise in a straight line.

Different from the previous quarter-finals and quarter-finals.

This is the Champions League semi-final!

A strong dialogue between the four best teams in Europe.

Any game is extremely exciting, and fans can't miss this opportunity.

There are even many fans who traveled thousands of miles to the venue of the game to cheer for their favorite team.

In this atmosphere, the whole city of Liverpool became extremely lively.

The whole city was filled with Liverpool and Arsenal fans.

They walked through the streets and cheered loudly for the home team.

They shouted from time to time, and they showed their loyalty with songs, cheers, whistles and other movements.

The game was in the evening, but the atmosphere of the whole city was still full of excitement, tension, excitement, fanaticism and other emotions throughout the day.

And when night fell.

When the neon lights flickered, the entire Anfield stadium was decorated with bright lights, but when the cheers around poured like waves like a tide, everyone understood that the Champions League semi-final was about to begin.

The reporter team and commentary team of various countries also arrived at Anfield.

They will provide immersive commentary for the fans here.

The whole Anfield is like a pot of boiling water.

In the famous KOP stands, Liverpool's fanatical fans kept cheering for the home team.

The huge flags were flying up and down, waving confetti, and the earth-shaking cheers made people feel scalp numb.

"This is the first leg of the 2018/2019 Champions League semi-final, Liverpool vs. Arsenal at home!"

"We will be at Anfield, and we will provide the most personal game experience for all fans on the spot!"

Andy Gray put the microphone to his lips and roared.

If his voice is not loud enough, then the audience can only hear the cheers on the spot.

Liverpool fans are fanatical.

Especially after Klopp came in and brought them a series of honors such as the Champions League, they became more loyal.

Yes!

They are a group of people who have witnessed the trough, and they cherish it very much.

At the same time, in the east stand, in a designated away fan area, a small number of Arsenal fans are also trying their best to make their voices heard.

Compared to Liverpool fans, they are at a disadvantage in terms of momentum when playing away.

They don't have as many partners as the other side, but they are still cheering at the top of their lungs.

They want the Gunners to hear the voices from the Gunners.

Yes!

They are not fighting alone!

Soon, players from both teams began to enter the field.

Both teams have a large number of star players, which also gave enough gimmicks to this game.

For the commentators far away in the East, Lekai and Chen Man are the absolute protagonists.

Before, the two played a Chinese derby in the Champions League final.

In that game, Liverpool and Chen Man won the championship.

And now, Lekai led Arsenal again, and they came to Liverpool again with a tougher attitude. They were fully prepared this time, and what they wanted to do was revenge.

"There is no communication between Lekai and Chen Man. Although they have a good relationship, they are different teams after all. Therefore, they will not have any communication opportunities before the game starts."

"Lekai's performance in major events this season can no longer be described as excellent. His strong performance has led Arsenal to move forward step by step."

"If! I mean if! Arsenal can win five championships including the Champions League, the League and the FA Cup this season, the Ballon d'Or will be a sure win!"

In the past few seasons, Lekai has been nominated for the Ballon d'Or.

But unfortunately, every time Arsenal has an outstanding performance, he has encountered the World Cup year.

In this quarter, the Ballon d'Or will only consider the World Cup factor, and the Champions League and various events are second.

This season is different, the World Cup has passed.

Modric became the winner of the 2018 Ballon d'Or, and in the 2019 Ballon d'Or, if Arsenal wins five championships, Lekai has a great chance to become the first Asian Ballon d'Or winner with his performance.

This is definitely a pioneering feat.

This news is not groundless, many European media have already started discussing this matter.

After all, Lucky is not alone, the huge Chinese market behind him has also become the target of FIFA.

He has honor, ability, performance, and great commercial value.

Considering so many levels, if Arsenal wins these five championships, it would be a crime not to give the Golden Ball to Lucky.

Of course, these are all later.

For now, Arsenal still has to focus on this game, after all, Liverpool is not an easy opponent to deal with.

Both sides have done a lot of warm-up, and they are very serious about the warm-up session.

During the warm-up, both sides observed and sized up each other from time to time.

Whether it was Arsenal or Liverpool, they both believed that the other side was absolutely threatening.

Amid waves of cheers, the warm-up ended.

The players from both sides returned to the locker room, which also meant that the game was about to begin.

"As the defending champion of the Champions League, Liverpool once again came to the stage of the Champions League semi-finals. If they can overcome the hurdle of Arsenal, then for Liverpool, they have great hope of winning the Champions League again!"

"And for Arsenal, they currently also have a Champions League, and this is their second challenge for this honor."

"Interestingly, in both opportunities, Lucky served as the captain."

"For this reason, many Arsenal fans are saying that this is the era of Arsenal, and also the era of Lucky!"

Zhan Jun was still talking, and at this time the camera turned, and the players from both sides were already standing on both sides of the player's tunnel.

In front of him was the entrance arch, the three referees in front of him, and the opponent of the game next to him.

There was intense cheering around his ears.

At this moment, the tension reached its peak.

The expressions of the players on both sides were also extremely serious.

Soon, the starting lineup appeared in the camera.

Liverpool (4-3-3):

Goalkeeper: Alisson.

Defenders: Gomez, Van Dijk, Matip, Arnold.

Midfielders: Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Henderson.

Forwards: Salah, Firmino, Chen Man.

Arsenal (4-3-3):

Goalkeeper: Martinez.

Defenders: Bellerin, Jimenez, Hummels, Robertson.

Midfielders: Kante, Wilshere, Lukay.

Forwards: Aubameyang, Giroud, Dembele.

"Dembélé has been recognized by Mourinho for his outstanding performance and appeared in the starting lineup of the Champions League semi-finals. Many people even say that Dembélé is Arsenal's best loan player so far. Of course, Arsenal can also choose to buy him out!"

"At the same time, on the Liverpool side, Chen Man actually came to the right! He is going to compete with Lekai in the position."

Zhang Lu added: "This is Klopp's change of formation. Use Chen Man's speed to limit Lekai. At present, the only one in Liverpool's lineup who can threaten Lekai is Chen Man!"

At the same time, on the field, the captains of both sides completed the side selection.

After Lekai came to his position, he saw Chen Man on the opposite side.

Due to Chen Man's personality, he frowned at Lekai and showed a mean expression.

Lekai rolled his eyes and ignored it.

But he was still a little nervous in his heart.

After all, Chen Man really doesn't want to be dealt with.

Both sides stood on the field, and the game was about to begin.

The atmosphere before the game became even more tense, as if the air was about to freeze.

The cheers of Liverpool fans filled the space, which also slightly suppressed Arsenal's morale. The Gunners tried their best to ensure their concentration.

After all, this is not any other game, but the Champions League semi-final!