Chapter 176: Rematch with Bayern
The first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 was over.
English clubs as a whole performed poorly; the British press called it "a day of disappointment."
Manchester City lost 0–2 at home to Barça,
Chelsea drew 1–1 away with Galatasaray,
and the most jaw-dropping result was Manchester United losing 0–2 to Olympiacos, the weakest of the last 16.
Those results left Manchester United and the British press in despair over "Fergie's final years"; some fans even shouted at Sir Alex Ferguson: "Sir, please retire soon!"
That night Ferguson was admitted to hospital… Back in Manchester, newly promoted to Manchester United U18, Marcus Rashford and another young England wunderkind James Wilson were called up to the first team.
(Wilson was once named the 2013–2014 best academy player; unfortunate that injuries dogged him.)
…
The next day,
Arsenal returned to London tired and bruised from a last-gasp defeat.
All they faced was criticism. Judging by the match, this was the most regrettable and least deserved loss for Arsenal.
Manchester United's defeat was an upset, but on content it was justifiable; that's why a high-standing figure like Ferguson would be stabbed in the back by fans.
So Arsenal, who could have preserved English football's face, became the target of furious British media.
No Arsenal player escaped—everyone was criticized, but Arsène Wenger and Xia Qi were the two most heavily attacked.
Wenger was criticized on two points: first, that in the second half he had Xia Qi drop back and switch to a two-striker system; second, why didn't he make substitutions when leading 3–2 rather than waiting until it was 3–3?
Xia Qi was criticized on two points: first, his all-round box-to-box striker was missing; second, he vanished in the final minutes…
Spanish outlets AS and Marca seized the chance while Xia Qi was being "smeared" to campaign for Cristiano Ronaldo's Ballon d'Or.
Their headlines read: "Stability, efficiency and responsibility are the only standards for the World Footballer."
They praised Cristiano's hot form in La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League, arguing Cristiano's "decisiveness" far outweighs Xia Qi who cooled off in the final minutes.
The British press of course could not cede the Ballon d'Or. The Daily Mirror's hotshot editor Smith wrote overnight to clear Xia Qi's name:
"This year's 2013 Ballon d'Or—Xia Qi is more deserving than anyone."
"Words cannot describe this Asian youth's performance: European Golden Boot, Golden Boy, domestic and Champions League double, inclusion in Europe's best XI, the highest market value among young players…"
The piece lavishly praised Xia Qi for leading a "top-four" club to Europe's pinnacle.
Its closing line: if such a single-core ability to carry a team without relying on system or teammates can't win this year's Ballon d'Or, then the Ballon d'Or voting must be tainted…
While British and Spanish media were busy self-praise and counter-praise, the first leg of the World Cup playoff between Portugal and Sweden kicked off.
Cristiano scored the only goal away, giving his team the advantage over two legs.
Suddenly Cristiano's momentum surged far beyond the young star Xia Qi; who would ultimately win the 2013 Ballon d'Or grew murkier.
The final three shortlisted were Xia Qi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi.
With Messi injured and underperforming this season, the Ballon d'Or would realistically be decided between Cristiano and Xia Qi.
The final winner would be announced a month later at a live ceremony at the Paris Opera.
Xia Qi's failure in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg was a negative mark, while Cristiano's performances for club and country were positives.
These days Cristiano's campaign team frantically pushed PR, emphasizing national team performances should count more than Champions League results to make up ground on Xia Qi.
The British press struck back, pointing out Xia Qi's importance to England too—he was key in England qualifying three rounds early.
The Cristiano–Xia Qi rivalry had become a matter of pride for the world's top league: it was no longer just Cristiano and Xia Qi—the British, Spanish and Portuguese media were all in the fray…
…
A week later the Champions League return leg would be vitally important for Xia Qi. If Arsenal were knocked out by Bayern, while Real Madrid progressed and Portugal qualified,
Cristiano could complete a huge turnaround and claim the Ballon d'Or.
Wenger understood the stakes—not just Xia Qi's honor but Arsenal's real interests.
On the weekend of January 11, 2014, Wenger rested many starters in Arsenal's away match at Villa; Xia Qi and others watched the broadcast from Mario Balotelli's big villa.
The result was disappointing:
Hosts Villa beat Arsenal's "B team" 2–1.
Watching TV, Martínez clicked his tongue: "Villa's female fans are so pretty! I want to join, what should I do?"
Hearing that, Xia Qi suddenly felt a flash of anger—he feared Martínez meant it, that he was a backstabber who might one day betray his club and topple it from the top.
A command: "Brothers, it's time to root out the traitor, no mercy!"
Instantly the room erupted into a pillow, cushion and throw-pillow battle…
After Christmas Arsenal's three matches were two draws and a loss, while Manchester City were on a three-game winning streak.
In the Premier League table Arsenal still sat top with 56 points, City close behind on 50, Liverpool 47, Chelsea 46.
Seventeen league rounds remained—six points was not an insurmountable gap.
What had seemed a foregone conclusion in the Premier League became tense and fierce because Arsenal were competing on two fronts.
Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea… all not only supported Arsenal's double campaign but encouraged Arsenal to take the FA Cup seriously next month.
Even Mourinho, usually at odds with Wenger, softened and flattered Wenger, feeding him sweet words.
"Back at Inter I created the great Inter era. If Wenger wants to surpass me, he must create his own dynasty. I think this Arsenal side can achieve the unprecedented Grand Slam this season," Mourinho said. (Arsenal at that point had the Community Shield and League Cup; last season they also had league and Champions titles in this story's continuity.)
Wenger, of course, saw the cunning in Mourinho's words, but such "poisoned honey" was hard to refuse.
Wenger and Xia Qi both knew Wednesday's return leg against Bayern was hugely important: win and you can dream, lose and you can only rage at home.
Compared to Bayern, who could play for a draw, Arsenal were clearly disadvantaged.
Moreover, from Bundesliga matchday 20, Guardiola had already been maturing Bayern—Bayern not only beat longtime rivals Leverkusen 5–0, at least three of the goals were classic tiki-taka.
Over Colney the air was heavy, and all of England seemed overcast and drizzling…
…
On January 17, 2014, Bayern's entire squad arrived in London by private jet. (more to come) (END CHAPTER)
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