At five o'clock that afternoon, the pre-match press conference for Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid officially began.
The first person to face the reporters was Bayern head coach Hansi Flick.
"Coach Flick, please talk about tomorrow night's match against Real Madrid. So far this season, Real Madrid have not lost a single match. They are also the only team across Europe's major leagues to maintain a perfect winning record. Do you believe Bayern can beat Madrid tomorrow night?"
Flick leaned toward the microphone with a relaxed expression.
"I'm very confident," he said. "We were the Champions League winners last season, and right now, there are no injuries in our squad. That means we can face Real Madrid with our strongest lineup."
His tone remained calm, but his words carried clear authority.
"Our opponent's form this season has indeed been outstanding, but this is the Allianz Arena. This is Bayern's home. Our players will do everything to hand Real Madrid their first defeat of the season."
After Flick finished speaking, Lewandowski, as Bayern's player representative, also accepted questions from the reporters.
A reporter from German sports outlet Kicker raised his hand.
"Robert, tomorrow's match will be the first direct clash between you and Theodore Bjorn. As everyone knows, your meeting with him at the Ballon d'Or ceremony was not exactly pleasant. In the eyes of many Bayern fans, Theodore took away the Ballon d'Or that should have belonged to you. Do you have anything you would like to say about that?"
Lewandowski's expression did not change.
He spoke into the microphone in front of him with a calm, almost cold voice.
"A thousand people will have a thousand different Hamlets in their hearts. Perhaps the Ballon d'Or judges believed Theodore deserved the award more than I did. Personally, I am calm about this matter."
Then his eyes sharpened slightly.
"Of course, tomorrow night, I will use my performance to prove that the judges made the wrong choice. I will beat Theodore on the pitch. The Ballon d'Or can belong to him, but victory will belong to me."
The moment Lewandowski finished speaking, applause broke out among the German media below the stage.
But very quickly, a Spanish reporter broke the atmosphere with a sharp question.
"As far as I know, you have scored eight goals in the Champions League so far this season, while Theodore has already scored eighteen, a full ten more than you. What do you think about that?"
After the AS reporter finished speaking, the entire press conference fell silent.
All eyes turned toward Lewandowski on the stage.
Lewandowski gave a cold laugh.
"So what?" he replied. "We will eliminate Real Madrid in the semifinals, and we will win the Champions League. As for the Champions League top scorer award, I can let him have it."
He paused briefly.
"I only want the trophy."
...
After that, Zidane and Theodore arrived at the press conference.
Compared with the confidence shown by Bayern's side, Zidane kept his tone deliberately low-key.
"Every time we come to Germany to play, it is never easy," Zidane said. "Bayern are a strong team, and they have dominated the Bundesliga for a very long time. Tomorrow night's match will be extremely difficult."
Then he added calmly, "But Real Madrid's players are also ready."
He glanced at the reporters below the stage.
"Let's wait and see."
After Zidane's brief statement ended, it was Theodore's turn to be interviewed.
"Theodore," the same Spanish reporter asked, "Lewandowski just said he would win tomorrow night's match. Do you have any response to that?"
Theodore's answer was direct.
"Bayern are very strong, but Real Madrid are stronger. I have always believed Real Madrid will win tomorrow night."
Then he continued, his voice steady.
"I also know that in Germany, especially in Munich, many fans believe Lewandowski deserved the Ballon d'Or more. Tomorrow night, I will use my performance to prove that I deserved that award more than him."
...
After the press conference ended, the remarks from both managers and players immediately dominated the football headlines.
📰 Kicker: Clash of Titans at the Allianz! Bayern and Real Madrid Prepare for a Champions League Semifinal War!
📰 Sport Bild: Lewandowski Fires Back! "The Ballon d'Or Can Belong to Theodore, But Victory Will Belong to Me!"
📰 Bild Sport: Bayern Ready to Defend Their Crown — Flick Vows to End Madrid's Perfect Season in Munich!
📰 AS: Theodore Responds to Lewandowski! "Madrid Are Stronger, and I'll Prove I Deserved the Ballon d'Or!"
📰 MARCA: Ballon d'Or Tension Explodes Before Kickoff! Theodore vs Lewandowski Becomes the Center of Europe!
📰 Madrid Sports: The Allianz Awaits! Theodore Bjorn Faces Lewandowski in the Ultimate Champions League Duel!
📰 Sky Germany: Defending Champions vs Europe's Perfect Team — Bayern and Madrid Set for a Thunderous Semifinal!
In the comment sections, Bayern fans and Madrid fans immediately launched into a fierce war of words.
📱 @BayernZone ✔
As a Bayern fan, I firmly believe we will destroy Real Madrid at the Allianz. Just like the 8–2 against Barça. La Liga teams don't scare us.
| ↳ 📱 @MadridModeOn
| Reply: You beat Barcelona. Congratulations. Now try facing Theodore.
📱 @MiaSanMiaTalk ✔
This is the Allianz Arena. Bayern's home. If Madrid win here, I'll eat my own words live.
| ↳ 📱 @BlancoPulse
| Reply: Screenshot saved. See you after the match.
📱 @BayernForever ✔
Lewandowski deserved that Ballon d'Or. Tomorrow night, he proves it.
| ↳ 📱 @UCLMadridista
| Reply: Theodore has eighteen Champions League goals. Lewandowski has eight. The numbers are not whispering, they're shouting.
📱 @MadridistaHQ ✔
Lewandowski saying victory belongs to him is brave. Very brave. Maybe too brave.
| ↳ 📱 @FootballThreads
| Reply: This is exactly the kind of quote that comes back to haunt players if Theodore scores early.
📱 @GermanFootballLive ✔
Bayern vs Madrid already feels like a final. Flick, Zidane, Lewandowski, Theodore — the storylines are ridiculous.
| ↳ 📱 @NeutralUCLFan
| Reply: Best striker in the world vs best player in the world. Give me this match right now.
📱 @MadridCN_Insider ✔
The crazier Bayern fans talk now, the harder the silence will hit later.
| ↳ 📱 @TheodoreEraCN
| Reply: After tomorrow, they'll disappear from the internet as a group.
...
That night, after Theodore returned to the hotel, the first thing he did was open his system panel.
Back in the 30th round of La Liga, when Real Madrid defeated Barcelona at home and won the league eight rounds early, the system had rewarded Theodore with a Peak Card.
He had not opened it yet.
Tomorrow night, Madrid were about to face Bayern in what would undoubtedly be a brutal battle.
So Theodore decided to open it now.
That way, he could increase his strength before the match.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have obtained the Peak Xavi Through Ball Card!]
[Ding! Through Ball: 76 → 96]
Theodore's eyes immediately sharpened.
Peak Xavi's through ball ability.
For the current Theodore, this was exactly the kind of upgrade that could change a match.
Bayern were physically strong, aggressive, and excellent at pressing high.
Against a team like that, breaking the defensive line with one precise through ball could be even more lethal than dribbling through traffic.
His current attributes were as follows:
Host: Theodore Bjorn
Age: 19
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 80 kg
Position: Midfielder
[Physical Attributes]
Speed: 98
Strength: 87
Jumping: 76
Health: 78
Stamina: 100
[Technical Attributes]
Long Pass: 100
Short Pass: 75
Through Ball: 96
Curve: 80
Finishing in the Box: 73
Long Shot: 100
Set Pieces: 96
Heading: 100
Penalties: 76
First Touch: 83
Vision: 84
Breakthrough: 84
Dribbling: 73
Interception: 92
Ball Winning: 78
Sliding Tackle: 97
Defending: 77
Rating: 93–94
Grade: A-Level
Star Skill Cards: Peak Pirlo Long Pass Card, Xabi Alonso Vision Card (Platinum), Schweinsteiger Strength Card (Platinum), Peak Klinsmann Heading Card, Peak Nedvěd Stamina Card, Sterling Box Finishing Card (Black Gold), Grealish Breakthrough Card (Platinum), Peak Cristiano Ronaldo Long Shot Card, Peak Beckham Free Kick Card, Peak Bale Speed Card, Peak Gattuso Interception & Sliding Tackle Card, Peak Xavi Through Ball Card.
After seeing the new attribute upgrade, Theodore slowly exhaled.
The timing could not have been better!
Against Bayern Munich, against Lewandowski, against the defending champions of Europe, Real Madrid would need every weapon they had.
And now, Theodore had gained another one.
---------
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