When Nottingham Forest reached the Champions League final for the second time in a row, the Nottingham Evening Post ran the headline 'Athens' to show their excitement. This time the Nottingham Evening Post didn't make such a move, the revelry had already taken place on the night of the game, and the next day was not the time to celebrate with the league at the start of the day.

Beer was sold out last night in the pubs where all the Forest fans gathered in Nottingham, and a large number of police officers stood guard on the streets and near the pubs to watch out for overdrunk fans. Fortunately, in addition to a few small-scale fights, more were persuaded in verbal conflicts.

Because they are all supporters of the same team, their verbal clash is nothing more than who is the biggest contributor to the game, some say it is George Wood, some say it is David Beckham who scored the goal, and some say it is Tony Towne. But no matter how they fought, after the still sober people came out to play the round, everyone laughed and poured wine on each other with their shoulders.

"What's there to fight about? Aren't they all part of our Nottingham Forest? ”

Nottingham Forest's match against Barcelona took place on the evening of 29 April, and the next morning, Done took Don with him to London, while Chris Lak stayed behind to supervise the team's training and the two of them went to Stamford Bridge to observe their opponents in the final. The Champions League semi-final between Manchester United and Chelsea is underway.

Ahead of this game, Chelsea had a slight advantage as they scored a goal away from Manchester United in the first leg and drew 1-1 with Manchester United.

Grant's side were able to get to this point and draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford, which was a real surprise. Even Done himself has to admit that Chelsea's results were something he didn't expect when Grant took office.

It is also said that Grant relied on what Mourinho left behind to reach the semi-finals. It's a little unfair. After this match, Donn reacquainted himself with the man he had once despised.

Chelsea played Manchester United 1-1 at home, and the two sides could not decide the winner after extra-time, so they had to play penalties. Although Terry missed the penalty in the penalty shoot-out, Cristiano Ronaldo, who had performed well all season, also kicked off. Then the penalty shoot-out went into a single-elimination system, and Kalou won it in one fell swoop, and there were deafening cheers from the audience, but when Nani walked up with the ball. The cheers at Stamford Bridge immediately turned into boos, which caused huge pressure and impact on the United players, as Nani, who came on as a substitute for Wayne Rooney in extra-time, was too angle-seeking to shoot the ball wide.

Chelsea eliminated Manchester United on penalties and qualified!

Tony Down and Don were surrounded by cheering Chelsea fans with their arms raised in the air, and the stands where they were located were trembling slightly. Don has no intention of participating in the celebration of the future enemy, and he and Don quietly leave wearing sunglasses.

He was a little disappointed by the result.

In fact, he wants Manchester United to beat Chelsea and reach the Champions League final, so first. He prepares less information and targeted tactics of an opponent, and his work efficiency is higher; Secondly, Manchester United will inevitably be distracted, and I'm already distracted anyway, so there's no reason why you shouldn't be affected. Everybody's even.

Now, Manchester United have been knocked out of the competition and they will not let Nottingham Forest go at Old Trafford with only the league title to win. Even if they hadn't been eliminated, they wouldn't have spared the Forest, but now they'd be working harder than Donn had thought. When the time comes. If they lose their troops in the league title race against Manchester United, wouldn't it be a good game for Chelsea?

"I didn't like Grant from the start, and for good reason......," Donn complained to Don on the way back to Nottingham.

Disappointment is disappointment, and complaining is complaining. The game still has to go on. The thirty-seventh round of the league, the last battle before the "decisive battle at the top of the Forbidden City". There are plenty of possible outcomes in this round, but only one will have a decisive impact on the outcome – Nottingham Forest lose away to Aston Villa and Manchester United win. Then Ferguson will win the championship one round earlier.

Ferguson certainly wants to appease the team with a league title as soon as they are knocked out of the Champions League, but he can't do anything about it, it depends on the performance of Forest and Aston Villa. What makes Manchester United support this can be a little hopeful - this game Nottingham Forest is away, and they have just played several tough games in a row, and neither physical strength nor form is guaranteed. Also, Aston Villa can't be considered weak.

Manchester United's home game against West Ham United was the first of the league fixture, and the Champions League defeat left the entire United squad hungry for wolves. Poor West Ham United were in the wrong place at the wrong time...... Of course. For the wolves, it was the right time and the right place to play against a perfect opponent.

4：0。 West Ham United were unable to fight back, and the United stars who lost to Chelsea took a good steam out against the weak opponent.

Manchester United fans then began to follow Forest's clash with Aston Villa closely.

Unlike Manchester United fans, Nottingham Forest fans don't care about the outcome at all. Because it doesn't matter if Manchester United wins or loses, as long as their side wins, the result will be the same - the final battle at Old Trafford in the round of 38.

Don didn't arrange for someone to send a message to Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford, so there was no need for that.

In this match, Donn continued the same line-up against Barcelona in the second leg.

At Aston Villa's home stadium, Villa Park, Nottingham Forest picked out the home team with a clean 2:0.

Bendtner scored two goals and was the man of the match.

"The Champions Cup final is on May 21. The final round of the league is on May 11. Donn looked at the schedule and drew a red circle on the calendar for the corresponding day. After doing this, he threw down his pen, clapped his hands, turned to Don and said, "The last two games of the season." Decide whether we're going to be heroes or two games. ”

"It's not that exaggerated, Bear ......"

"That's true. There is nothing more shameful in this world than the King of Twin Arts...... No, there is. He abruptly denied his claim, "That's the king of Sanya, the king of Siya, the king of Wuya, and the king of Liuya." He stretched out three, four, five, and six fingers in turn.

Don grinned. There are times when he and Don have really different football philosophies, but he is always able to work well with Donn, keep his ideas to the bottom of his heart, and don't take them out if he doesn't have to.

He didn't think he could win the championship, and it was not bad to win the runner-up. It's better than failing in the first place. Donn's idea is the opposite, if you reach the final, you have to win the championship, and if you are doomed, it is better to finish it from the beginning - Alan Adams must not approve of his crazy idea, because even if he wins the runner-up, whether it is the Champions Cup or the league, the post-season dividends will be more than the teams at the bottom of the table, not to mention the extra prize money for each additional game played in the cup.

'Not bad, there were 10 days between the Champions League final and the final round of the league. We still have plenty of time to prepare for each of them. Don turned on the TV to study the footage of the United game with Don. Although as old rivals, it is indispensable to know each other, but targeted observation is still indispensable.

"Bruce just called and wanted you to say something about the Champions Cup opponents......" Don reminded.

"Him?" Don shook his head, "Either something is wrong with his brain, or his boss came up with an idea." There are so many days left until the Champions Cup final. What am I talking about? ”

"Probably because of some personal vendetta between you and Grant......"

"Then I can't talk about it. Not now, not again. Don continued to shake his head, this time more resolute than before. 'Chelsea secured the Champions League final in a league disadvantage and with a lot of doubt. Now their morale is high, and the loss of not being able to play in the Champions Cup next season is not considered at all, and no one dares to mention it. At this time, I can't use words to stimulate them, and I don't do anything to add fuel to the fire, send charcoal in the snow, and add icing on the cake. If they were all powermax, we'd be dumbfounded. So......" he looked at Don, "we don't mention them, no matter what kind of hype is out there, we don't even pay attention to it." At this time. Doing our own thing is the number one priority. ”

After he said this, he found that Don was looking at him and smiling.

"Do I have grains of rice on my face that I didn't eat clean for dinner?"

"Nope. Don shook his head and smiled, "It's rare to hear that you've decided not to get involved in a war of words, and I'm just a little surprised." ”

"Hey, don't really think I'm a mad dog who bites people when he sees them. Don rolled his eyes back.

The next day, Donn called Pierce the Bruce back. Tell him he doesn't want to comment on Chelsea's Champions League final. He didn't repeat what he had said to Don to Bruce, only that the focus of the team and himself has been on the league lately, and the Champions League final opponent will be put aside first. As for the league game, it's not a problem anymore - winning the league title. It's too late for the whole city to celebrate. Who cares how Chelsea are? If he didn't win the league championship, Don was in a bad mood, who would dare to ask about it? Of course. Don himself didn't want the second outcome to come to fruition.

The rest of the media is the same as Donn said, the Champions Cup has not yet begun, and the most gimmick at the moment is undoubtedly the fierce competition for the league title.

BBC Five and Sky Sports are both working on a special project about the final showdown, hoping to attract TV audiences.

Other media stayed at the training base of the two teams all day long, trying to trigger a war of words between the two teams.

Everyone knows that Ferguson is a veteran of psychological warfare, and Tony Downe is a rising star in this regard. If the two of them have a wonderful war of words before the game, it must be very selling.

However, the biggest selling point this time is not the two managers, but a player called "David Beckham".

Beckham was absent through injury the last time Nottingham Forest hosted Manchester United in the league, so this is the first time he has faced his former club in the Premier League and the first time he has returned to Old Trafford as an opposition.

He had just scored the crucial goal in the Champions League semi-finals to help Nottingham Forest reach the Champions League final. Compared with Manchester United, who were eliminated by Chelsea on the other side, it is natural that some Manchester United fans have any dissatisfaction in their hearts.

The game was far from starting, and all kinds of voices about him were flying in the sky.

Some say to give Beckham a warm welcome back to Old Trafford, others say to make Beckham "look good" in the stands during the game. Some people feel that he is loyal to Manchester United, while others think that he is more hateful than Judas because he is duplicitous and says how loyal he is to Manchester United, but in reality? But joined Nottingham Forest!

Even Ferguson was interviewed at a regular press conference. They were surrounded by a large number of reporters asking questions about Beckham.

Everyone knows who Beckham left Manchester United because of him, but now that the two enemies are reunited, what kind of sparks will collide?

Ferguson was expressionless: "I wish him good luck." ”

'Sir Alex Ferguson, David Beckham helped Forest reach the Champions League final and Manchester United were knocked out by Chelsea, do you regret not recalling David in the first place?' A reporter asked such a naked question.

"Why should I regret it? Manchester United now have so many good and more promising players. As for the people who left Manchester United, they were leaving, and I don't dwell on the past. Otherwise, Manchester United would not have won so many titles. Ferguson's face didn't look good.

In fact, what he said is true and reasonable. But to the ears of Beckham's supporters, it's not so good. It's no wonder that some people still think that Ferguson and Beckham are enemies when they meet.

And what about Beckham's side?

"Mr. Donn. At today's regular press conference, the media expect David Beckham to attend. Miss Barbara Lucy reminded Donn that as the head of the External Relations Department, she also thought it would be better for Beckham to attend. But the list that Donn gave her was George Wood and himself.

"Why?" Don feigned surprise.

"Mr. Donn. You know why......" Miss Lucy smiled, she didn't eat Donn's set.

"Okay. But no. Don simply refused the other party's request, "Let David go up for interrogation?" I don't want to let these boring flies affect the form of my main players before an important game. ”

Don has the final say in this kind of thing. Barbara Lucy has no decision other than to make suggestions, and since Don doesn't agree, it can only be counted. She nodded and left.

Back on the training ground, Donn watched Beckham for a moment. On the surface, there is nothing unusual at all. But is that really the case? Don doesn't think so. Beckham's heart must have turned over at this moment, right?

During his four years at Real Madrid, he never returned to Old Trafford as an opponent and never went directly against Manchester United. So this experience is his first experience.

In the first half of the season, before the home match against Manchester United. Beckham was a bit injured, and Donn just put him out of the squad to avoid that embarrassment. Now that Beckham is uninjured and in good form, there is no reason for him to rule him out.

So......

Although the two had already taken into account today's situation when they signed the contract, it was not imminent after all. Done suggested that David Beckham should write his contract without playing against Manchester United, but Beckham refused. Just because it's against his work ethic doesn't mean he'll be happy to return to Old Trafford. As an adversary, an enemy......

Between trainings. The players gathered around chatting and joking, and Beckham walked up to Donn alone.

"Can we talk?" He said.

Don nodded. Not at all surprised that David Beckham had come to him.

The two of them found a slightly quieter corner. Everyone else is watching out of the corner of their eyes because they all know who's really going to be in the spotlight in this game.

"Can you bring me with you for the regular press conference in the afternoon?" David Beckham gets straight to the point. His request surprised Don a little.

"You know what? I have just rejected Miss Barbara Lucy's decision to arrange for you to appear at the press conference. ”

Beckham nodded, not surprised that Donn had done so, but he insisted on his decision: "I know what you think, Tony." But I still want to go. ”

"Is it a stupid question to be repeatedly asked by a swarm of flies: 'What do you think about going back to Old Trafford and being an enemy of your old club'?"

"If I don't give an answer. I'm afraid there are more rumors out there. ”

"Are you really going?" Donn looked at Beckham.

"I'm really going. Beckham looked at Don too.

"Okay, you and I and George will go in the afternoon. Since the player himself has this will, there is no need for him to stop it, but he still adds: "If the scene gets out of control by then, I will have to make a move." ”

Beckham smiled at him.

The media attending the press conference had already learned that Beckham would not attend the press conference, and were about to leave the venue en masse after Don came to give Don a big embarrassment, when they saw Don bring George Wood and ...... David Beckham appeared in front of everyone's eyes together.

"I know it's not me who is the main character today. Tony Towne said as he looked at the excited faces below, and sat down. No more talking. Let the media take aim at David Beckham.

In fact, most of the questions are nothing new, just like what Donn told Beckham in the morning. But anyway, people don't care about how the question is asked, only how the person answering the question responds.

But so far, Beckham has been fluent, taking care of both the feelings of Forest fans and the mood of the vast majority of United fans. It wasn't as embarrassing as Donn had imagined. After all, he is a big star, and he has faced many difficult problems.

Someone asked the question "will you take the initiative to apply for a war avoidance", and Beckham smiled slightly: "I don't have any problems myself." If the manager needs me to play, I'll play. I don't need me, I'm okay with being a substitute. ”

In doing so, the anger of the die-hard Manchester United fans was diverted from him. And this was instructed by Donn, because before coming. Donn repeatedly told Beckham that when he encountered a difficult problem, he would always push him as the head coach.

So Don stood up at this moment very timely: "Regarding the issue of the squad and the starting lineup, it is not before the game. It is inconvenient to disclose. One sentence blocked the mouths of the reporters who had just turned their heads to ask him.

If they allowed, the reporters would have been tempted to boo Tony Towne en masse. Now they didn't linger with Donne, and instead asked Beckham all sorts of questions about facing his old club.

"Have you thought about how you'll be treated when you're back at Old Trafford, David?"

"I don't know. Beckham shook his head, "I'm just a little apprehensive." ”

"Do you still hold a grudge against Ferguson?"

'He's a manager I have a lot of respect for. "Beckham doesn't want to talk about it too much.

"How about Tony Downby?" Journalists didn't want to let him go.

Beckham wanted to open his mouth, but Donn snatched the question: "This question is obviously my question. We all have our own strengths. ”

Judging the old and new managers is a dangerous thing for the players, and it will offend people no matter what you say. So Donn didn't let Beckham speak.

As if it were a signal. Then the questions of the media became more specific and harsh.

'If you scored against Manchester United, would you celebrate?'

"I don't know...... I'm not perfunctory. It's a complicated feeling, and I didn't know how to do it until it really came, so I just said, 'I don't know.'" ”

"Would you celebrate if you helped Nottingham Forest beat Manchester United and snatched the league title from Manchester United? Do you think Manchester United fans will accept it? ”

"I don't know ......"

Don stood up: "Alright. Remember that you are a journalist by profession, not a police officer at Scotland Yard. That's the end of today's press conference! ”

"We're not done asking ...... yet"

"Wait until you're done asking questions. Britain and the European continent are united. Donn sneered unceremoniously. He just couldn't get used to a group of reporters surrounding his players and interrogating prisoners. He turned around and was about to leave with the people.

Journalists rose from their seats. I didn't care about the rules of asking questions only when I was clicked, and raised my hands one by one and scrambled to throw out the questions I hadn't remembered to ask.

"David! I still have questions......"

"David. David...... There are rumours that a return to Old Trafford could affect your form, but if you play, will it shake the hearts of the Forest? Will it cause more serious ...... Belch. ”

This sentence caused all three of them to stop, and at the same time turned to look at the person who asked the question.

Tony Downe: "David Beckham is wearing the Nottingham Forest red shirt right now. ”

George Wood: "Shake the morale of the military? We are not idiots. ”

David Beckham: "I'm a professional. ”

The three of them turned and left the venue, letting the reporters call in the back, never looking back or staying.