"I admit Ousmane Dembélé has talent, but his talent for staying up late playing games and sleeping in is no less impressive than his talent for football."
"So among all those talents, Ousmane Dembélé chose to play football, play games, and sleep late at the same time. It seems he isn't willing to waste a single talent he has."
"If Barcelona start Ousmane Dembélé, I don't think they can beat Liverpool."
"Compared with Ousmane Dembélé, I prefer Coutinho. Both of them still need to improve, but Coutinho has the better attitude."
As the Champions League semifinal was about to begin, Barcelona fans also expressed their dissatisfaction with Ousmane Dembélé in interviews.
"He cost us a lot of money. Of course, that was the club management's decision."
"As fans, we only hope every star player can work hard for Barcelona, both on and off the pitch. At the very least, you are our player, and you are a professional footballer, so you need to have professionalism."
"But look at his previous performances. He wasted too many chances. I'm really not trying to pick on him, but there were some chances even I could have scored. Messi had already passed the ball into the most comfortable position possible, and he still managed to send it flying."
"So, Ousmane Dembélé, if you have the ability, use this Champions League semifinal to prove me wrong. Make me apologize to you for your outstanding performance. Make me take responsibility for what I said."
The Barcelona fans were clearly trying to provoke him, hoping Ousmane Dembélé could rise from the ashes in this Champions League semifinal.
At that moment, in Ousmane Dembélé's home, Suárez was sitting beside him.
"Messi and I aren't going home tonight. Tomorrow morning, we'll drive you to the training ground with us!"
Ousmane Dembélé looked at the game controller Messi had placed inside the cabinet not far away, feeling wronged but unable to say anything. It seemed he would not be enjoying any games today.
Barcelona's overall strength was still very strong, but Busquets' form was gradually declining, and the partnership between Lenglet and Piqué was not especially stable. Coutinho and Ousmane Dembélé had moments of quality in the front line, but they were not consistent enough.
On their way here, Barcelona had relied heavily on the link-up play of their forwards, as well as Ter Stegen's excellent performances.
Compared with Liverpool, who were stronger overall and in better form, the positions of the two teams had switched from last season. This time, Liverpool were the side with the greater hope of advancing.
April 30, Champions League preparations. Liverpool's final training session before the semifinal began.
"Our attacking target must be Lenglet. His recent form hasn't been good, and he's especially prone to losing his man."
"So Firmino, show me just how good your attacking movement is."
"As for their midfield, the reason they want to play a controlled game is that their running ability can no longer keep up with a high-speed tempo."
"So we won't play a possession battle with them. We'll use movement to drag Busquets around and attack Rakitić."
"At the back, focus on Suárez. We need to actively give Coutinho and Ousmane Dembélé space to receive the ball out wide, while making sure Coutinho can't cut inside and Ousmane Dembélé can't accelerate in a straight line."
"Some of you have been teammates with Coutinho before, so you definitely know how he likes to attack."
"His long shots and the way he passes with his right foot are both things we need to watch."
Zubizarreta's defensive tactics were built entirely around the characteristics of Barcelona's players. And Zubizarreta was very clever. He had Liverpool's defenders leave more opportunities for Coutinho and Ousmane Dembélé.
Doing this might be a little risky, but Barcelona now liked playing a 4-4-2. Coutinho, Ousmane Dembélé, Messi, and Suárez. Compared with Messi and Suárez, leaving space for the other two was clearly more beneficial for Liverpool.
Leo Lin felt time had passed so quickly. He had not expected to face another decisive moment so soon. The Champions League semifinal that everyone had been waiting for had arrived.
Scholes, Gullit, and Ashley Cole, who had taken leave because of a cold. Ashley Cole had not originally planned to take leave, but Gullit clenched his fist and warned him.
"If you dare pass your cold to me, I'll pound your chest with my little fist!"
Looking at Gullit's so-called little fist, Ashley Cole finally decided to take leave.
May 2, Liverpool's home ground, the sacred ground of Merseyside.
In the live broadcast room, Leo Lin's pre-match interview was being played.
"Washed-up Busquets?"
"I don't like that label. Every player who works hard on the pitch deserves respect, especially Busquets."
He's my teammate for Spain. I won the World Cup with him, so I know what he can do.
"Every star goes through different stages. I hope everyone will always remember the Busquets of the past."
"And besides, is he really playing that badly now? I still think he's a pillar of the team."
Leo Lin spoke up for his teammate Busquets.
In the players' tunnel before the match, Leo Lin chatted with Busquets, while Ousmane Dembélé stood beside him.
The starting lineups for the first leg of this semifinal had already begun appearing across the major live streams.
"Barcelona's starting goalkeeper for this match is still Ter Stegen. Alba starts at left back, Semedo at right back, and Piqué partners Lenglet at center back."
"In midfield, Busquets partners Rakitić. Coutinho is on the left side of midfield, and Ousmane Dembélé is on the right."
"The two forwards are Messi and Suárez."
"For Liverpool, Alisson keeps his place firmly as the starting goalkeeper. The fullbacks are Robertson and Joe Gomez, with Van Dijk and Matip at center back."
"The midfield is Rodri, Henderson, and Leo Lin. Mané starts on the left wing, Salah on the right, and Firmino through the middle."
The moment both sides stepped onto the pitch, the Liverpool fans began applauding wildly. They desperately wanted to see their team win the Champions League again.
With Suárez kicking off, the match officially began.
The match had only just started, but Barcelona were the first to create a good chance.
"Liverpool's defense is giving Coutinho and Ousmane Dembélé quite a bit of space in this match."
"Alba plays it through. Coutinho receives the ball, dribbles, turns, and Gomez has been beaten!"
"Look at the right side!"
"The far post is actually quite open!"
"He sends it to the far post. Ousmane Dembélé is there!"
Ousmane Dembélé's speed was still obvious. Once he started running, he was about half a body ahead of Robertson.
Suárez made the first attempt, but he did not touch the ball, and Van Dijk could not clear it either.
Coutinho's pass carried a lot of power.
At the far post, Ousmane Dembélé had basically shaken off Robertson. Facing Coutinho's pass, he chose to drive it hard at goal.
Gullit shouted.
"Ousmane Dembélé!"
...
If you'd like to support my work and unlock advanced chapters, you can follow me on p-@-treon.
p-@-treon/GhostParser (60 Chapters Ahead)
You can also follow as a free member to read a few advanced chapters.