The cold wind of February in AC Milan, carrying snowflakes from the Alps, cut San Siro into a polar region of red and blue.
Tens of thousands of seats in the South Stand were preheated by AC Milan's loyal fans with rain covers, and a giant TIFO was descending from the third tier – the image showed Ibrahimović as a Viking war god, stepping on a torn Arsenal flag.
Three thousand Arsenal away fans were squeezed into the corner of the North Stand, their "England Gunners" banner flapping under the heating vents, creating an ice-and-fire standoff with the home fans' flame throwers.
Fly followed his teammates off the bus and headed to the away team locker room at San Siro.
Wenger and Allegri, meanwhile, attended their respective pre-match press conferences.
Facing the sports journalists from Fleet Street and Italy below the stage, Wenger remained very calm, saying faintly:
"The importance of this match is beyond doubt... If we want to create a great season, then we must go far enough in the Champions League!"
"I don't want to say we'll take it as it comes; you know those are just polite words. I also believe that this Arsenal team today should have enough ambition!"
"AC Milan is a very great club; they have reached the pinnacle of Europe seven times..."
"But I still want to say, the past is the past, and the present is the present. In terms of strength alone, today's Arsenal is only stronger than AC Milan. We ought to win!"
When asked about Fly and Ibrahimović, Wenger smiled faintly:
"I don't mean to disrespect Ibrahimović... But we all know that when he left Inter Milan in 2009, Inter Milan immediately won the Champions League. I believe if he had still been at Inter Milan at the time, the final championship would likely have fallen into someone else's hands..."
"Anyone who analyzes Ibrahimović's past Champions League experience can easily conclude that the Swede's performance against strong teams in the Champions League has not been satisfactory..."
"I don't know what right a player who has never proven himself in the Champions League has to make grand statements in front of the media."
"There are quite a few players in the AC Milan team who have won the Champions League. His Champions League-winning teammates haven't come out to speak, yet he's here running his mouth. This makes me wonder, don't his teammates feel disgusted seeing him like this?"
The journalist from Gazzetta dello Sport saw Wenger starting to sow discord and immediately retorted.
"Zlatan Ibrahimović (Ibrahimović) is part of the AC Milan family; no one dislikes him..."
Allegri was also giving a pre-match interview on the other side.
Compared to the aggressive Wenger, he adopted a "we are the challengers" stance, and his remarks to the media were submissive.
Seeing that their team's coach didn't even dare to make a bold statement, the local AC Milan sports journalists were very annoyed...
Although the previous coach Ancelotti was also a good person who never showed an aggressive side when interviewed.
But at least he wasn't submissive...
Look at this Italian now; he doesn't even dare to make bold statements before the match to build the team's confidence. It's like heaven and earth...
One must know that AC Milan is currently first in Serie A this season, leading second-place Inter Milan by a significant 2 points.
Although this point difference is not comparable to Arsenal's 20-point lead over second place in the Premier League, it's just a fraction.
But this at least shows that today's AC Milan can still be considered a strong team.
A strong team should have its own demeanor. If you treat yourself as a weak team before the match even starts, how can you win?
Unlike Coach Allegri, who was submissive at the press conference, the players in the AC Milan locker room were very relaxed.
Gattuso hit an iron cabinet with his boxing tape: "Those London chicks' knees are softer than macaroni!"
Ibrahimović, meanwhile, was fixing the hair gel on his head in the mirror, and hearing this, he turned back with a smile and said:
"Today, we'll teach those young kids a lesson... Especially Fly. This match will be a nightmare he'll never forget in his life, I guarantee it!"
In the Arsenal locker room, Fly, who was preparing for the match, simply mentioned to Wilshere and a few others:
"Remember what I said before; if you feel nervous, just give the ball to me to handle."
Wilshere nodded and said grumpily:
"Fly, it's not like I haven't played in the Champions League knockout stage. Do you need to keep reminding me? It's you who is a genuine Champions League knockout stage rookie. Can you do it?"
Fly didn't speak; he just held up two fingers.
"What does that mean?"
"Two goals? I'll score at least two in this match. Not even Jesus can stop me..."
Seeing Fly's familiar "showing off" look, Fabregas and the others couldn't help but smile.
It seemed Fly hadn't been affected at all; he was still the goal machine they were familiar with.
After Wenger entered the locker room and emphasized a few key points to the assistant coach, the Arsenal players walked into the player tunnel together.
On the wall of the player tunnel hung a photo of the 1963 Champions League Final, with Paolo Maldini's grandfather Cesare Maldini gazing at his descendants from the depths of history.
"Too bad... Maldini has retired. Otherwise, I'd really like to have a go against this greatest left-back in history."
Led by the referee Howard Webb, Fly, holding the hand of a ball boy, was the last player to walk onto the green field.
As the familiar Champions League anthem played, Fly looked up, closed his eyes, and meditated for half a minute, making his final physical adjustments.
After the Champions League anthem ended, as the captains exchanged pennants, the remaining snow on the San Siro roof began to collapse.
"Tsk tsk... It seems Italy's weather is just so-so..."
As the players from both sides entered their respective halves, Ibrahimović, the AC Milan striker who had the priority to choose possession, stepped on the ball, looking at the Chinese mixed-race player a few meters away, a grin spreading across his face.
"Welcome to the Champions League knockout stage, rookie..."
Fly just shook his head and smiled, a smile on his lips, looking like a fearless young man.
"Damn it... This rookie isn't showing any stage fright. This is unbelievable..."
Seeing Fly's calm expression, the Swede inexplicably felt annoyed.
He vaguely remembered that even he, the god of football, couldn't avoid feeling a little nervous the first time he participated in the Champions League knockout stage.
Seeing Fly's appearance now, a thought arose in Ibrahimović's mind: "He's better than I was when I was young."
"No, impossible. I am the god Zlatan Ibrahimović, and apart from Ronaldo, no one is stronger than me!"
Ibrahimović shook his head, quickly shaking the ridiculous thought out of his mind.
Finally, he could only point at Fly and say fiercely: "Kid, remember this, I'm going to tear you apart in this match, your grandpa Zlatan Ibrahimović said so!"
Fly just replied: "How many goals have you scored in the Champions League this season? Trying to show off in front of me, the Champions League top scorer? Buddy, you've got the wrong person, haven't you?"
As soon as this was said, Ibrahimović was speechless.
You know, Ibrahimović had only scored three goals in the Champions League this season.
What about Fly?
11 goals!
And these 11 goals were based on him only playing four matches.
If Fly had participated in all six group stage matches, he would probably have scored 15 goals or even more...
If he had scored that many goals, Fly would have directly created a historical record -
The first and only player in history to break the Champions League single-season goal record solely based on the group stage.
Because the current Champions League single-season goal record was set by the King of the Penalty Box, Van Nistelrooy, at Manchester United in the 2002-2003 season, Fly is now only one goal away from equaling that record.
Fly came into this match aiming to equal... No, to break this record.
Because Fly's system, after more than two months, had issued a task again -
[Task Name: Career Champions League Knockout Stage Debut]
[Task Content: 1. Help the team defeat AC Milan]
[2. Score a goal or provide an assist personally]
[3. After scoring a goal, perform Ibrahimović's signature celebration in front of the San Siro fans]
[Task Reward: 100 Intermediate Soft Rice Points for each task. If all three tasks are completed, an additional 100 Advanced Soft Rice Points will be rewarded]
[Additional Task: Break Van Nistelrooy's Champions League single-season goal record]
[Additional Task Reward: Obtain a skill and a Champions League limited item card]
....
Seeing the system task, Fly couldn't help but exclaim:
"System, you're finally here! Do you know how I've been living these past two months?"
Thinking about how the system didn't give any rewards for breaking the Premier League single-season goal record and the European top 5 leagues single-season goal record.
Fly felt some dissatisfaction with the stinginess of this dog system.
Due to the system not giving tasks for a long time, Fly's basic attributes had improved very little in the past two months...
[Physical Data: Speed 99, Acceleration 99, Explosiveness 99, Strength 78, Jumping 95, Hang Time 76, Stamina 83, Balance 80, Agility 78, Injury Resistance 99]
[Technical Data: Shooting 90, Dribbling 90, Ball Control 89, Short Pass 85, Long Pass 56, Crossing 70, Long Shot 80, Heading 60, Shot Power 80, Set Pieces 70]
[Other Data: Mentality 80, Football IQ 75, Poaching 78, Vision 67, Anticipation 70, Creativity 72, Aggression 75, Off-ball Movement 70, Tackling 42, Interception 28, Sliding Tackle 20, Goalkeeping 10]
[Overall Rating: 88]
Compared to the data after defeating Manchester United, Fly only gained one new 90+ attribute, which is [Dribbling].
Then the [Short Pass] attribute reached a value of 85, showing some improvement.
Other attributes were basically enhanced in Poaching, Off-ball Movement, and Anticipation through [God's Eye].
However, these three attributes of Fly are more evident during the specific 'cheat' time.
After all, without [God's Eye], Fly's Poaching, Off-ball Movement, and Anticipation could only be considered passable.
Perhaps only his Poaching ability is slightly better; Anticipation and Off-ball Movement have just reached a value of 70, which, when converted to real-world standards, is just the average level of a regular European top 5 leagues player.
This is definitely far from enough for a player like Fly who is dedicated to becoming the world's best...
Fortunately, a new system task has been issued now, and Fly has the opportunity to give himself a significant boost with this reward!
"AC Milan, my first system task was triggered by you, and this system task after more than two months is also triggered by you. You are truly my great benefactors..."
"To express my gratitude, I will give my all in this match and strive to tear you apart!"
AC Milan: Oh, thank you very much...