On December 19, before the last training session in the afternoon, all the Real Madrid players gathered in the conference room, accompanied by the coaching staff, watching the draw for the Champions League round of 16 knockout match live on TV.

Yang Cheng was genuinely worried, because what he didn't expect was that Chelsea would finish second in the group, which was really not something to be happy about.

The eight teams that topped the group are Roma, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Liverpool, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Porto and Real Madrid; The eight teams that finished second in the group were Chelsea, Panathinaiques, Sporting Lisbon, Atletico Madrid, Villarreal, Lyon, Arsenal and Juventus.

According to the rules of the draw, for Real Madrid, among the teams that have a chance to meet the second team in the group, if you deduct the three teams of Atletico Madrid, Villarreal and Juventus in the same group and country, there are only five teams left: Chelsea, Panathinaix, Sporting Lisbon, Lyon and Arsenal.

From Chelsea's point of view, the chances of meeting Real Madrid are just as good as the three teams in the same group and the same country who are top of the group.

And no matter which way you look at it, Real Madrid meets Chelsea, it's a brilliant hype topic, isn't it?

Of course, Barcelona share Real Madrid's fears, and the Catalan media are worried about the Champions League draw after losing the derby of the century, and they have an equally high chance of meeting Chelsea.

Laporta is definitely the last person who wants to meet a strong team at the beginning, because stopping in the round of 16 will be a big loss for Barca's financial revenue, and at that time. The club's financial problems will be even more apparent.

Yang Cheng is not worried at all, what he said in an interview with the media that the words he most hopes to meet Chelsea are not a bluff, but because he really wants to touch Chelsea, and he wants to use Chelsea to test Real Madrid's lineup and tactics.

But after the draw, the results came out quickly.

The Anglo-Spanish duel is the main theme. But not Real Madrid. It's Barcelona.

Chelsea meet Barcelona. This is undoubtedly an ideal topic of hype, especially after the summer disc gate, coupled with the signings and a series of tactical changes made by Pep Guardiola after taking over at Barcelona, which are similar to those listed in the disc gate. Everyone is looking forward to whether Mourinho can take out the team that plagiarized his tactics.

Real Madrid's opponent is Lyon, which should be a good sign, but it would be more perfect if Panathinaix could be drawn, but if this team is really drawn, it is estimated that the whole world will scold Beckenbauer for protecting Yang Cheng's Real Madrid.

As soon as the results of the draw are out. Yang Cheng's phone rang quickly.

"Huh. Jose! Yang Cheng walked out of the conference room. Answer the phone with a smile.

"You're in luck!" Mourinho said with a smile.

"I'm sorry I didn't run into you!" Yang Cheng fought back.

Jose Mourinho looks in a good mood. was able to let him meet Barcelona in the round of 16 knockout round, and he really felt that this schedule was really wonderful, "It's a shame that I deliberately only finished second in the group, and I didn't even touch you like this!" ”

"Haha, that's really hard for you, you lost so badly at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, by the way, did you lose on purpose?" Yang Cheng pretended to believe his words and asked.

Mourinho couldn't hold back either, smiling from ear to ear, the bastard just wouldn't admit it, "What? Are you going to accuse me of match-fixing? ”

"No, I mean, when you plan to lose again in the future, please notify me first, I have to bet quickly, and make a little extra money!" Yang Cheng replied with a smile. …,

Both of them knew that the other was joking, that is, laughing, and then revealing it.

"I'll help you kill Barcelona, you owe me a favor!" Mourinho finally said a little cheekily.

"Why do I think it's me who helped you finish off Barcelona?" Yang Cheng asked rhetorically, "At Camp Nou, I have taught you a vivid lesson, if you still can't kill Barcelona, Jose, you go back to your hometown!" ”

Mourinho on the other side of the phone smiled coldly, "A pistol, in the hands of an adult is a deadly weapon, but in the hands of a small child, it is just a fun toy, I will definitely earn all the accounts back, I will make them pay the most painful price!" ”

Yang Cheng knows that this is an eternal pain in the hearts of the Portuguese.

He made no secret of his yearning for Camp Nou, he was even very eager to coach Barcelona, and at one point, he thought he would be able to join Barcelona, but in the end he found that everything was played by someone, and this humiliation is definitely not something that the arrogant Portuguese can endure.

Barça could not have chosen him from the start, but he should not be toyed with in this way!

"Why do I think you look like a resentful woman who has been abandoned by men?" Yang Cheng asked with a deliberate smile.

Mourinho on the other side of the phone couldn't help but laugh, but scolded: "you! ”

"Anyway, I hope we meet again, and I'll definitely teach you another lesson!" Yang Cheng smiled confidently.

was defeated and eliminated by Mourinho's Chelsea for two consecutive seasons, Yang Cheng also felt uncomfortable, although he also knew very well that Mourinho's victory was actually nothing, he was just hitting Yang Cheng's target, and he won if he hit it right, and Yang Cheng led in front, which were two completely different realms.

But he still can't allow himself to lose like this, and he wants to use Chelsea to prove his progress again!

"I'll wait!" Mourinho said triumphantly.

"I'm going to knock you down!"

…………

…………

As soon as the results of the lottery came out, some complained bitterly, and some shouted good luck, and they had any expressions.

Sometimes Yang Cheng really thinks it's strange, the knockout round is cruel, but if you really have enough strength, then what opponent do you draw, is there a difference? If you don't have that strength, then even if you get a good draw in this round, what about the next round? What about the next round? Will you be able to have the last laugh?

After all, we still have to lose, it's just a matter of time!

So. He has always taken the draw very lightly, and even he is not resistant to meeting strong teams at all.

Perhaps, after winning so many Champions Leagues, the realm is indeed different.

On the third day after the draw, Real Madrid played their final match before the winter break, hosting Valencia.

Although in the past week. Quite a few players are running around. But the training was still very good. Yang Cheng replaced Villa with Aguero in this game, because Villa's leg injury recurred during training on the morning of the 19th, which was not serious, but it was still safe.

Outcome. In the 3rd minute, Real Madrid, who took advantage of the home advantage to launch a blitzkrieg, took advantage of Aguero's shot in the penalty area to break through Valencia's goal. Silva.

In the 32nd minute, Xiao Xiaoluo once again took advantage of a direct free kick of about 25 meters. Another city for Real Madrid. 2：0。

In the second half, the two sides changed sides and fought again. Marchena fouled Sergio Aguero in the 67th minute. During the battle, there was a clear elbow action, Aguero bled off the field on the spot, Marchena was sent off the field with a red card, and Kaka hit the penalty kick to make it 3-0.

Negredo, who came on in place of Sergio Aguero, received McCone and David on the right side in the 74th minute. Silva combined with the cross, the header was ferried to the back point, and the little Luo who was inserted in the back made it 4:0. …,

It was also the final score of the game, with Real Madrid beating the Bats 4-0 at the Bernabeu.

At the post-match press conference, Yang Cheng denounced Marchena's malicious foul, believing that such a player should be punished most severely, and also said that Aguero's injury is still unclear, but it was seriously injured and bled a lot.

But actually, it was a nosebleed, and it stopped, and it was no big deal, but the real horse was annoyed by Marchena's malicious foul, so you don't have to show your elbows, right?

As soon as the game ended, Real Madrid collected all the evidence and submitted it to the Spanish Football Federation, demanding that Marchena be severely punished, but because Marchena admitted his mistake immediately after the game and was very sincere, coupled with Aguero's injury, the Spanish Football Federation banned him for 2 games.

Almost at the same time as the Spanish Football Federation's punishment came out of the 2008 Team of the Year list, which was published by the authoritative French media Le Vars, which considered the best players in the past 2008.

The goalkeeper is Casillas, and the backline is Patrice Evra and Thiago? Silva, Nemanja Vidic and McConn, Ronaldo, Gerrard, Kaka and Messi in midfield, and Villa and Torres up front.

There is arguably not much controversy in the goalkeeper's position, Cech has slipped since his injury, Reina has not been very consistent this year, but Casillas, who has been solid in the past two years, is the anchor of Real Madrid's backline.

Manchester United's left-back Patrice Evra has shown world-class quality in the past year, and the light has completely overshadowed Chelsea's Ashley? Cole is the best left-back of the past year.

In fact, left-back has always been a hole for Real Madrid, but whether you look at Patrice Evra or Ashley? Kerr, they are all the kind of full-backs who insert assists, and their assists will definitely leave a risk, the key is how to use tactics to minimize this risk.

In Yang Cheng's view, instead of spending a lot of money to buy Evra and Ashley? A famous star like Cole, it is better to cultivate Marcelo, or reuse Arbeloa, one is a young boy, and it can be regarded as his own youth training, and the other is his own child, no matter how you look at it, it is more appropriate than buying a big-name star.

All teams that operate reasonably will not easily consider recruitment, because the introduction of a new player means that there will be a lot of contradictions and problems in the team, such as competition conflicts in the same position, such as the integration of newly introduced players, and the personality of teammates, a lot of headaches.

So at left-back, Yang Cheng firmly trusts Marcelo, Arbeloa and Miguel? Torres, refusing to bring in reinforcements.

Thiago? Silva has proved his strength in the past two seasons, whether it is with Ramos or Pepe, he can show the level and consistency of a top central defender, but it is Ramos and Pepe's partner, which is not a small problem.

The personalities of both have created that in a short period of time, they must be equipped with a steady partner.

Kompany hasn't played a lot of games so far this season, one being injuries. Second, his strength cannot compete with his teammates, but Yang Cheng has tailored a set of physical strengthening programs for him through the laboratory, and in training, everyone can see that Yang Cheng admires Kompany.

He has the height and strength of an English centre-back, and his physical fitness is excellent. But with the agility and speed of a small player. If you look at it purely from the point of view of physical fitness. Kompany is simply synonymous with the perfect centre-back, and Bithiago? Silva is even better because the Brazilian's height is a weakness, even if it is a good bounce.

There is one more thing that makes Yang Cheng appreciate Kompany. It's that he is willing to use his brains when he plays, he is good at thinking and analyzing, he has a strong ability to read games, and he is very predictable in defense, which also has a lot to do with the fact that he has played many positions and played in the back for a long time, and his skills are also very good. …,

Although from these aspects. Kompany is a piece of jade. It may not turn into a brilliant gem. It will take a long time to progress and mature, but Yang Cheng just likes to watch the boys shine in his hands. So he often gives Kompany a chance in training, in games.

It is believed that if Kompany's injuries are reduced, he will get more appearances.

McCone spent half a year to completely establish his position as a world-class right-back, and he didn't dare to say that he was the first in the world for the time being, but he could only say that he was the top, in La Liga and Alvesby, the attack was not bad, the defense was more stable, and he won completely!

There is no suspense in the other midfield positions, Kaka has performed so well after the transformation, and is very consistent, he deserves a best position, and Gerrard has led Liverpool all the way in the Premier League this season, and he also deserves a best position, Ronaldo and Messi, Villa and Torres, these four are not too controversial to be selected.

It's just that in the 11-person best team in Europe, Real Madrid occupied 6 seats at once, and the best team was completely monopolized by the Premier League and La Liga, which is indeed a bit controversial, after all, this is tantamount to admitting that Real Madrid's superstars have overshadowed opponents in other positions one by one.

The team's explanation for this is that Real Madrid's tactics have created the outstanding performance of these players, and Real Madrid has performed very well and consistently in all competitions throughout 2008, except for the elimination of the Champions League by Chelsea, while other teams are somewhat inferior.

…………

…………

When Real Madrid's official website announced the best squad in the team report, Real Madrid fans were so excited that they got carried away.

But the announcement of the best squad was accompanied by Christmas gifts from the club's players.

That is, every Real Madrid player dressed up as Santa Claus, stood in front of the Christmas tree, and said a word of blessing for Real Madrid's next fixtures, for Real Madrid's fans, and for all people around the world.

This is a plan recently proposed by the club, which was filmed by the staff, edited into a video, and then put on the official website for fans to enjoy, as a gift from the club to all fans, Yang Cheng also came out of the video, he wished everyone around the world a Merry Christmas.

The club also announced the itinerary and training arrangements for the winter break.

From the 21st, the team entered the Christmas holiday, which lasted for a week, and the team resumed training on the 28th.

This time, in order to better prepare for the second half of the season, Real Madrid rejected invitations from many regions and will arrange the training camp in David? Silva's hometown of the Canary Islands, where the squad will have a closed training session, but can bring their families for a week in hopes of being in the best shape for the second half of the season.

Real Madrid's schedule in January is very tight, and although there is a two-week winter break, as soon as the competition resumes, there will be frequent double matches in a week, and Real Madrid will have to make sure that the team is in game form from the start.

The winter break is a good thing, you can rest, but it can also interrupt the team's state of play, which is also a big test for the team's adjustment.

Villarreal at home on January 4, the first leg of the Copa del Rey against Real Betis in China in the week, Mallorca away on January 11, the second leg of the Copa del Rey in midweek, Osasuna at home on January 18, and the Copa del Rey round of eight knockout rounds in midweek if Real Betis can be eliminated in the Copa del Rey in midweek.

With such a dense schedule, it is a big test for any team's preparation.

Real Madrid's current lead over Barcelona is only four points, and if they don't survive this stage, then the lead is likely to disappear, which will put more pressure on Real Madrid in the Champions League. …,

Therefore, Yang Cheng is still the same, he does not attach much importance to the substitute in the Copa del Rey, and the main lineup focuses on attacking the league and the Champions League.

Not only Real Madrid is anxious, Barcelona is also nervous, they have recently purchased a batch of fat detection equipment, and it is said that each player is given a diet booklet, requiring all players to follow the manual to eat.

Everyone knows that on the Christmas table in European and American countries, almost all of them are that kind of high-fat diet, once the players have no self-control, it is easy to gain weight quickly in just a few days, so Barcelona's physical fitness coaches are like monitoring primary school students, requiring players to eat and drink according to the manual, and use instruments to detect fat every day, record it on the form, and return to the club to hand in homework.

It is somewhat ironic to use this method similar to that of managing primary school students to restrain such a multimillion-year-a-year star, but it can also be seen that Barcelona's current pressure and the importance of every game are said to have given Laporta the order to win the Copa del Rey first.

With two consecutive seasons of nothing, the league trailing Real Madrid and the Champions League being fiercely competitive, it is better to win the Copa del Rey first, at least one trophy in the account, so as not to reach the final stage of the season empty-handed.

Contrary to Barcelona, Real Madrid's player management pays more attention to self-discipline, Yang Cheng just said in a word, look at the performance after the winter break, who performs well and who is on, Real Madrid's bench has players who are not weak, and full competition can ensure that every player is more self-disciplined, because only in this way can they continue to occupy the main position.