Chu Zhongtian's ability to participate in the finals is indeed bad news for Sevilla's head coach Juander Ramos. But it has not been bad enough to affect his mood, which will make the finals a little more complicated. If Chu Zhongtian cannot play, Sevilla can devote more energy to the offense in the game. If he can play, he will send someone to defend him.

Sevilla regarded Ribery's words to the reporter as just a joke and didn't take them much to heart.

By this time, they had arrived in Glasgow, and there was still one day before the game.

Metz also arrived in Glasgow on the same day, and they arrived earlier than Sevilla.

The reporters did see Chu Zhongtian in the team outside the airport. Judging from his walking posture, there was no problem.

"Maybe this is Jean Fernandez's psychological tactics? Regardless of whether Chu can appear or not, if this news comes out now, it will put some pressure on Sevilla."

"Is Chu a nuclear deterrent?"

The reporters were chatting.

"Maybe it's just to inspire your team? After all, if Chu really can't play in the final, it will be a serious blow to the team's morale..."

"No, I think Chu will definitely play in the finals, and it is likely to be the starter. But in fact, his injury did not heal, he was just gritting his teeth and persevering. I understand Chu, he is a person who will do everything to win, and enduring the pain is not a big problem for him."

"If I were him, I would have persisted in playing with such a little injury. The chances of the League Cup final are so rare..."

Seeing that Chu Zhongtian was approaching their area, the reporters finished chatting and picked up tools and rushed up.

"Is your injury really okay, Chu?"

"Is this a fight with injuries?"

"What prompted you to make up your mind to compete in the final?"

Various questions were thrown at him. Before the final, due to injuries and a series of suspense such as whether to participate in the final, Chu Zhongtian became the most media-viewed star in Metz's team, and Ribery had to stand aside.

Chu Zhongtian did not stop. He walked towards the bus outside while answering the reporters' questions.

"Yes, it's okay. My body is normal and I don't go out to fight with injuries."

"What's the reason?" Chu Zhongtian felt that the reporter's question was simply nonsense. "Is there any determination required to participate in a League Cup final?"

After saying that, he waved to the reporters and got into the car with his teammates.

When the last Metz player got into the car, the door slowly closed and then drove out of the reporters' sight.

"This final is interesting." Someone among the reporters sighed.

※※Seville flights arrived at Glasgow Abercinche Airport one and a half hours later than Mes. They were also sought after by the media, and in terms of number, there were more journalists who sought after them than Mes.

After all, they are the defending champions.

The League Cup is not as weird as the European Cup of Winners. No team has been able to defend their title successfully in thirty-nine years.

The UEFA Cup was founded in the 1971/72 season, and its predecessor was the European Expo Cup, which was a very chaotic cup. Because it had to take care of the time of the industrial expos in various cities, the schedule was very slow and the team selection criteria were strange - not based on clubs, but on cities, so many of the participating teams were temporarily pieced together, such as "London Eleven" and "Barcelona Eleven"... Real Madrid fans were proud that their team completely monopolized the Champions League in the first five years of the European Champions League, winning five consecutive championships in the Champions League, which were unprecedented and probably no one to come.

However, Barcelona fans don’t have to be too jealous, because they also have the “great cause” of three consecutive European Expo Cups. Although Barcelona’s energy was actually always in the Champions League at that time... With the emergence of more and more classic competitions, the influence of the Expo Cup has increased day by day, which has attracted the interest of UEFA. On September 22, 1971, UEFA officially announced that it would include the event under its jurisdiction, and it will be renamed to the “UEFA Cup” from the 1971-1972 season. The quota will be allocated according to the UEFA ranking system, and the competition system basically follows the Expo Cup.

At this point, the Expo Cup withdrew from the stage of history, and the League Cup, which was later called one of the "Three Major Cups in Europe", has made its debut. Together with the European Champions League and the European Winners Cup, it formed the era of the Three Major Cups in Europe that has been surging for more than 20 years.

Compared with the Cup of Winners, there are many defending teams in the League Cup. Barcelona, ​​Valencia, and Real Madrid, these three Spanish teams have successfully defended the League Cup, and all the defending teams are Spanish teams. This has made Sevilla, who is also from Spain, be highly expected.

Since the Expo Cup was renamed as the League Cup by UEFA, only Real Madrid has successfully defended its title in two seasons 84-85, 85-86. After that, no team can defend the title again. In fact, this is normal. To successfully defend the title in a high-level event, it requires not only super strength, but also super good luck. Not to mention that the title has been successfully defended, since Real Madrid has successfully defended the title, there has not even been a case of defending the title in the final.

Sevilla successfully reached the finals and they are currently the team with the highest reputation for winning the championship.

Many critics and media believe that Sevilla has all the factors that defend its title, being the number one favorite to win the championship, while Metz is more like a dark horse.

Judging from the strength of the players and the team, Sevilla surpassed Metz in all aspects. Metz only has three muskets, and only Ribery can truly be regarded as a first-tier star in Europe because he has proved his ability in the World Cup. Chu Zhongtian and Menez are just players who have performed well in France and lack the opportunity to prove themselves in the whole of Europe. This final may be an excellent opportunity.

Almost all of Sevilla's team have the experience of winning the championship last season. They have experienced many battles and cooperated with each other. Everyone is a star.

Brazilian fullback Daniel Alves said in an interview with reporters at the airport: "Of course we are here to defend the title. I know it is difficult to defend the title, but we have a great opportunity this time. Yes, there is no better opportunity than this time. We are united and everyone is eager to win the League Cup for the second time. If it weren't for defending the title, why did we come?"

Sevilla's captain goalkeeper Palop also said: "We have confidence in winning the championship. I respect the opponent, but we are indeed stronger."

Head coach Juander Ramos was a little low-key. He said that the team would do its best and wait until the game is over. "If we do our best and do our best in every aspect, I think the result will not be too bad, right?"

Sevilla is now in the limelight. At the beginning of the year, they won the title of Best Team of the Year 2006 selected by the International Football History and Statistics Association (Iffhs), and became the world's number one football club. Juand Ramos was elected the Best Coach of the Year, and there are many top players in the team.

In the league, Sevilla, who played one more game, surpassed Barcelona and Real Madrid by one point, temporarily ranked first in the league. In the Copa del Rey, they eliminated La Coruna with a total score of 5:0 and entered the finals. The opponent was Getafe, who was not strong.

Sevilla has hope of winning the championship on three fronts, and they are likely to become the triple-winning champions of La Liga this season.

This wonderful prospect stimulates Sevilla's players and allows them to do their best in every game and work hard for the championship.

"Good luck to you, Juander!" Before Ramos got on the bus, a Spanish reporter shouted at him.

Ramos turned around and waved to the reporter as a thank you.

※※※"Look! Chu is indeed on the team's roster! He is indeed in Glasgow!" In the south of the same country as Glasgow, in the Wimbledon bar in Wimbledon, London, a group of people were pointing at the TV and said excitedly.

"What did I lie to you? I said Chu would definitely participate in the finals. I was right?" Boss John said aggrievedly.

"Okay guys, since Chu has confirmed to participate, we should prepare to go to Hampton Park Stadium to cheer him up!" Old Bente stood up and raised his arms and said to everyone. "Bring your equipment well, we will set off tomorrow morning. Jackson, you are responsible for contacting everyone and telling them the time we gathered and set off. Phil, you are responsible for keeping our equipment... In addition, let me say, I am ashamed of our performance at the last time at White Hart Lane Stadium! Our voice was completely suppressed by the Tottenham fans. We were few and we were not prepared enough. I don't want this to happen again in tomorrow's game! We have to be loud and louder! Let Chu hear our voice clearly!"

"oh!!"

Old Bente said something that made everyone excited, and then raised his fists and replied loudly.

There was only one news about the League Cup on TV, and then it returned to the English football world. No one cared about what was said on TV anymore. They gathered together in groups of three or five, discussing how to cheer Chu Zhongtian up tomorrow.

Old Bente returned to the front of the bar and asked Boss John for a glass of wine. After talking for a long time, he was a little thirsty.

"This store is going to close again tomorrow, old man."

"Aren't you talking nonsense?" Boss John was busy and bickering with his old friend.

"You said... Is Chu's injury really okay?" Although the media said that Chu Zhongtian had been examined by the team doctor and thought he could participate in the game. As a fan who cares more about him, Old Bente was still a little worried. "I understand Chu, he is the kind of person who hides his injuries in order to participate in the game..."

"I don't know." Boss John shrugged. "At least he said it was OK to me." In fact, he himself didn't believe it. The reason was, just as Old Bente said, he also knew Chu Zhongtian very well and knew what kind of person Chu Zhongtian was.

The two of them looked at each other and knew what kind of person Chu Zhongtian was in their hearts.

Then they sighed.

"I hope Chu will not aggravate his injuries..." Old Bente murmured.

"Cough! Cough!" Boss John coughed twice.

※※※ "The following is a message that my station just received - the League Cup final is about to begin. For the majority of Chinese fans, there is good news: Chu Zhongtian, a Chinese player who plays for Metz, has been confirmed to play in the final with Sevilla."

This news is the most noticeable thing about the evening sports news of CCTV Sports Channel.

Previously, Chinese media said that Chu Zhongtian would be sure to be unable to play in the finals, and then said that it was not as serious as everyone thought, and participating in the finals should not be a problem. There were also various comments, some said that Chu Zhongtian was just a minor injury, while others swear that Chu Zhongtian's injury would become a stubborn disease and would bother him throughout his career, and he almost said that he was going to break his legs.

So everyone was nervous and frightened.

Now that this news comes out, everyone breathes a sigh of relief.

Chu Zhongtian walked out of the club on the TV screen and nodded to the reporter: "Yes, I will go to the finals."

Chu Zuosheng and Zhou Xiaoxiang, who were sitting in front of the TV to watch the game, reacted differently. Zhou Xiaoxiang didn't care whether her son could participate in the final. She just needed her son to be healthy and safe. Chu Zuosheng, who was a father, felt relieved that his son did not miss the final.

"Watch the finals early the morning after tomorrow!" Chu Zuosheng announced happily, but his wife glared at him.

"You know the game! You don't care about your kids!"

"Why don't I care? Didn't he say he has nothing to do with it?"

"Is there any problem? I'll talk about it then!"

※※※ Chu Zhongtian has arrived in Glasgow, and his girlfriend Emily has not set off yet. She is going to take a plane to Glasgow to watch the game on the day of the game.

Now she is at Chu Zhongtian Meis' home and updates her blog.

"... Chu has confirmed to participate in the finals. I am happy for him because this is his goal for a season. If he misses this final, he and I will be very disappointed. I am very happy that everything will not happen. At that time, I will go to the scene to cheer him on, hoping that he can win a championship trophy, why not? Teams that can enter the finals have the chance to win the championship, and the probability is 50%. I think the probability is quite high..."

※※After the Metz team's bus drove to the hotel where they stayed, the players put their luggage back to their respective rooms, put on training clothes, and set off again. This time it was to go to Hampton Park Stadium.

They will have the only and last time they adapt to the field training before the game.

Jean Fernandez will also attend the pre-match press conference there, and according to regulations, he will bring a player to attend.

Who should I bring?

He found Chu Zhongtian.

"After training is over, please accompany me to the press conference, Chu?"

This is not the first time Chu Zhongtian attended a press conference, but it is the first time he attended before a major competition. He nodded: "Okay, sir."

Fernandez smiled and patted his shoulder and walked back to his seat.

There is nothing to say about adapting to the field training. When the media filmed, they carried out warm-up and shooting training. After the media left, the team began to practice set-pieces, including offense and defense. Now Chu Zhongtian is no longer the person who guarded the backcourt to prepare for defense when his team made a free kick. He actively stepped forward according to Fernandez's request, appeared in front of the goal, and competed for the top of the opponent's defender.

He has two balls in the league that were pushed into the frontcourt free kicks and corner kicks.

For Chu Zhongtian, this was his only chance to practice with the team before the game. Fernandez understood his mood, but he still told him to pay attention to his body during training, not to get hurt anymore, or not to aggravate his injuries.

As he ran onto the court, Ribery stretched out his hand in front: "Hi, welcome to return!"

Chu Zhongtian celebrating with him.

As soon as the training session ended, team doctor Tang Ji ran to the field and grabbed Chu Zhongtian: "Don't hurry to leave, let me do a checkup for you." He pressed the place where Chu Zhongtian was wounded and used force. Then he asked Chu Zhongtian: "Does it hurt?"

Chu Zhongtian shook his head: "It doesn't hurt."

"To be honest!" Tang Ji said to Chu Zhongtian with a serious expression. "I just checked you in the morning. You still felt a little painful at that time, but now you don't feel any pain at all?"
To be continued...