On April 1, April Fool's Day, Real Madrid welcomed Eibar to the Bernabéu.
In this match, Theodore recorded both a goalscoring hat-trick and an assist hat-trick.
Three goals.
Three assists.
A perfect set of numbers!
Theodore single-handedly tore Eibar apart and helped Madrid maintain their flawless La Liga record.
After that, on April 4, Real Madrid faced Sevilla in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals.
Although Zidane once again sent out a rotated lineup, Madrid still had the last laugh.
In the 90th minute, Casemiro fired in a long-range strike to snatch a late winner against Sevilla.
Real Madrid successfully reached the Copa del Rey semifinals.
The day after that Copa del Rey match ended, Real Madrid boarded a flight to England.
On April 8, Real Madrid would challenge Liverpool at Anfield.
This was the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals.
Then, only three days later, Madrid would return to the Bernabéu to face Barcelona.
That meant over the next week, Real Madrid would have to face two fierce rivals in a row.
Liverpool.
Barcelona.
For Zidane and every Madrid player, this would be an enormous test.
...
April 7.
The day before Real Madrid vs Liverpool.
At the pre-match press conference, the head coaches of both teams had already begun exchanging sharp words before a ball had even been kicked.
As Liverpool's manager, Jürgen Klopp was the first to make a bold statement.
"Back in the 2017–18 season, we lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League final," Klopp said.
"At that time, Salah injured his shoulder after Ramos' challenge, and that meant we could not play at our strongest level. We lost that final with regret, and now we finally have the chance for revenge."
Klopp's expression was serious, but his voice carried absolute confidence.
"This season, after Real Madrid gained Theodore Bjorn, their strength increased tremendously. They have won almost every match they have played, and that is a frightening thing. But tomorrow night, I believe Liverpool's players will hand Madrid their first defeat of the season at Anfield."
Clearly, Klopp had prepared carefully for this match.
In order to take revenge on Madrid at home, he had deliberately rotated six main players in Liverpool's Premier League match the previous weekend.
That decision led to Liverpool being held to a draw away by relegation-threatened Everton.
But Klopp did not regret it.
Right now, he only wanted one thing.
To beat Real Madrid!
Liverpool's star player Salah felt exactly the same.
When interviewed by reporters, Salah spoke in a serious tone.
"I have been waiting for this meeting with Real Madrid," Salah said. "Ever since we lost the 2018 Champions League final, I have looked forward to facing them again every single day."
He paused for a moment, then continued.
"I want to take back what I lost. The current Real Madrid are even stronger than they were in 2018, and they have the best player in the world, Theodore Bjorn. But just like Coach Klopp said, every Liverpool player will fight at home until the final moment."
Facing the bold words from Klopp and Salah, Zidane refused to back down.
The Real Madrid head coach responded firmly.
"In La Liga, every team wants to beat us, but so far, no one has succeeded," Zidane said. "There is no denying that Liverpool are a great team, but they still do not have the ability to defeat Real Madrid."
His voice remained calm, but his words were full of confidence.
"Real Madrid beat Liverpool 3–1 in the 2018 Champions League final, and we are equally capable of winning at Anfield."
After Zidane finished speaking, it was Theodore's turn.
Before Theodore could even open his mouth, the cameras below the stage began flashing wildly.
For English reporters, Theodore would forever be a legend of the Premier League.
Last season, he had single-handedly led newly promoted Aston Villa to the Premier League title.
Without question, it was the greatest miracle in Premier League history.
There was no equal.
On top of that, Theodore had broken both the Premier League single-season goalscoring record and the single-season assist record.
In short, there was no one in England who did not know Theodore Bjorn.
"I'm very happy to return to England," Theodore said. "Last season, I faced Liverpool several times with Aston Villa. They are a difficult opponent, and Klopp is a passionate coach. I believe Liverpool will cause Real Madrid problems tomorrow night."
Theodore first praised Liverpool.
Then he expressed his confidence in beating them.
"Real Madrid are stronger than Aston Villa. Last season, Aston Villa beat Liverpool twice, so I have reason to believe Real Madrid can also beat Liverpool twice."
He smiled slightly.
"Let's wait and see."
After the press conference ended, the English media immediately began pushing the match into full hype mode.
📰 Sky Sports: The King Returns! Theodore Bjorn Heads Back to England as Real Madrid Prepare for Anfield Showdown!
📰 The Times: Liverpool Host Europe's Most Dangerous Team — Can Klopp Stop Theodore's Real Madrid Machine?
📰 The Guardian: Real Madrid vs Liverpool: Theodore Bjorn, Mohamed Salah, and a Champions League Rivalry Reborn!
📰 Daily Mail: Theodore Fires Warning at Anfield: "Madrid Can Beat Liverpool Twice!"
📰 BBC Sport: From Villa Miracle to Madrid Superstar — Theodore Returns to England for Champions League Quarterfinal!
📰 Mirror Football: Salah Wants Revenge, Klopp Wants History, But Theodore Stands in Liverpool's Way!
...
On English social media, countless fans were already looking forward to the match.
📱 @VillaParkFaithful
Theodore back in England for a Champions League night? Yeah, I'm watching every second of this.
| ↳ 📱 @AVFCForever
As a Villa fan, I'm fully backing Real Madrid for this one. That man gave us the greatest season of our lives.
📱 @PremWatchLive
What exactly are Liverpool supposed to do against Theodore Bjorn? The best player the Premier League has ever seen is coming back.
| ↳ 📱 @MadridModeOn
Conservative prediction: Liverpool lose by five.
📱 @AnfieldRedZone
Everyone is acting like Theodore can't be stopped. This is Anfield! We've seen bigger names freeze here.
| ↳ 📱 @UCLMadridista
He won the Premier League with Aston Villa. You think a loud stadium scares him?
📱 @SalahSeason
Salah revenge arc. I need it. I've waited years for this Madrid rematch.
| ↳ 📱 @NeutralUCLFan
Salah vs Theodore at Anfield is box-office. This is what the Champions League is supposed to be.
📱 @FootballThreads
Klopp rotated half his team just to prepare for Madrid. This game is going to be chaos.
| ↳ 📱 @TacticalView
Liverpool need the press to be perfect. If Theodore receives between the lines, Madrid will punish them.
📱 @SkyBlueScout
Funny seeing Haaland mentioned with Madrid and City already. Theodore basically told him Guardiola won't build around him.
| ↳ 📱 @CityWatchers
Imagine if that actually happens. Haaland at City with Pep sounds insane, but Theodore might have a point tactically.
📱 @GlobalFootyFeed
Theodore returning to England, Salah chasing revenge, Klopp facing Madrid again, Anfield under the lights. This is pure Champions League theatre.
...
April 8.
Matchday.
By seven in the evening, dark clouds had already gathered over Liverpool, hanging low above the city as though a storm might break at any moment.
Even so, Anfield was packed to the brim.
The stands were a sea of red, and the home supporters were already singing the club anthem.
You'll Never Walk Alone.
In the previous Champions League round of sixteen, Real Madrid had only just eliminated Dortmund, another club that sang the same anthem with all the force of its soul.
Now, Madrid had arrived at Anfield to face Liverpool.
It seemed Real Madrid had somehow become entangled with this song.
Inside the players' tunnel, the starting players of Liverpool and Real Madrid had already lined up, waiting to step out onto the pitch.
Theodore Bjorn stood at the very back of Real Madrid's line as usual.
He looked completely relaxed, even greeting several Liverpool players with an easy smile.
After all, English football was hardly unfamiliar territory to him.
"Welcome to the official Champions League global broadcast! I'm Rob Palmer, joined by Terry Gibson, bringing you live from Anfield for this huge quarterfinal first leg between Liverpool and Real Madrid."
"The atmosphere is exactly what you would expect from a European night at this stadium," Rob announced. "The clouds are heavy, the noise is relentless, and Liverpool will want to make this as uncomfortable as possible for Madrid from the very first minute."
"The team sheets are in," Terry added. "And there is quality all over the pitch."
"For Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool, it's the familiar 4-3-3."
"Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker."
"Defence: Andrew Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Joël Matip, Trent Alexander-Arnold."
"Midfield: Georginio Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Naby Keïta."
"Forward line: Sadio Mané, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah."
"As for Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid, they also line up in a 4-3-3."
"Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois."
"Defence: Lucas Vázquez, Éder Militão, Nacho Fernández, Ferland Mendy."
"Midfield: Luka Modrić, Theodore Bjorn, Toni Kroos."
"Forward line: Rodrygo, Karim Benzema, Vinícius Júnior."
"The big talking point, of course, is Theodore's return to England," Terry noted. "Last season, he turned the Premier League upside down with Aston Villa. Tonight, he comes back wearing Real Madrid white, and Liverpool know exactly how dangerous he can be."
By the time the lineups had been introduced, the two teams had already walked out onto the Anfield pitch.
The handshakes were brief.... but the noise was not.
Then the referee blew his whistle!
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