Istanbul, Turkey, Atatürk Olympic Stadium.
This stadium, destined to be linked with football epics, was completely ignited by a wave of red and white on the night of the Champions League final.Liverpool's "You'll Never Walk Alone" and Manchester United's "Glory to Manchester United" intertwined and collided in the stands, the roar almost lifting the heavens.
Inside the players' tunnel, the atmosphere was heavy, almost palpable.Cristiano Ronaldo stood in the middle of the team, his gaze calmly fixed ahead.He could feel Rooney's slightly rapid breathing beside him, and Keane's rock-solid aura behind him.He gently stroked the black captain's armband on his left arm—a decision made unanimously by the entire team, to be worn by him on the night Ferguson was absent.
This is not an honor, but a responsibility, a shackle, and also a strength.
"For the boss." Keane's deep voice rang in his ears, just three simple words.
Cristiano Ronaldo nodded emphatically without turning around.
Stepping onto the pitch, the roar of the crowd was like a tsunami.Cristiano Ronaldo took a deep breath and glanced at Liverpool's lineup—Gerrard, Carragher, Alonso, Hamann… a tenacious, resilient team, full of the rugged style of England.
The match commenced at a high-speed, competitive pace from the outset.Liverpool's pressing in midfield was exceptionally aggressive, with Hamann and Alonso forming the first line of defense, effectively cutting off Manchester United's passing lanes.Cristiano Ronaldo found himself entangled with Riise and Carragher on the right flank, each touch of the ball accompanied by intense physical contact.
In the 23rd minute, disaster struck.A seemingly harmless cross from Liverpool was cleared in time by Manchester United in the ensuing scramble in the penalty area, allowing Liverpool striker Baros to poke the ball into the net!
0:1!
Liverpool fans broke the deadlock!The red Liverpool stands erupted in cheers!
Conceding the goal was like a bucket of cold water poured over the heads of Manchester United players.Anxiety began to build, and passing errors increased.Ronaldo attempted to break the deadlock through individual skill, but a forced breakthrough was intercepted by three Liverpool players, giving the opposition a quick counter-attack opportunity.
"Calm down!Stay calm!" Ronaldo clapped his hands and shouted to his teammates, even though he himself was just as anxious.He glanced at the empty coaching box on the sidelines, where the figure who should have been chewing gum and calming the team should have been standing.
The first half ended with Manchester United on the back foot.The atmosphere in the locker room was tense.The assistant coach was explaining tactics, but everyone's eyes were involuntarily drawn to the empty head coach's seat.
Cristiano Ronaldo stepped forward, walked to the center of the locker room, and scanned every face, whether it was one of frustration or resentment.
"Do you remember what the boss said to us in the hospital?" His voice wasn't loud, but it struck everyone like a hammer blow."He believed we could win!And now, is this how we repay his trust?"
He walked up to Rooney: "Wayne, where's your impact?Eat them up!"
He looked at Scholes: "Paul, pass the ball around, we need your playmaking!"
He finally looked at Keane and the entire defense: "Roy, hold on!We can't afford to concede a second one!"
He didn't roar; he simply used the most resolute tone to awaken everyone.Then, he walked to the tactics board and drew a line from the right wing inside to the edge of the penalty area.
"In the second half, I'll be moving here more often.Paul, Wayne, draw their defense away." His eyes were sharp, as if he could already see the path to the goal."Give me space, just a second."
Without Ferguson, they have to become Ferguson themselves.
In the second half, Manchester United resembled a lion awakening.They intensified their midfield pressing, making more decisive passes and running more aggressively.Cristiano Ronaldo became more flexible in his positioning, no longer confined to the wings, but frequently dribbling inside to combine with Scholes and Rooney.
In the 58th minute, the opportunity finally presented itself.Scholes delivered a brilliant through ball from the center, and Rooney, anticipating the play, made a diagonal run into the left side of the penalty area, drawing the attention of two Liverpool center-backs!
Just as the defensive focus shifted to the left, Ronaldo cut inside from the right wing like a ghost, speeding towards Rooney and taking away the gap left by the defense!
Scholes delivered a perfectly timed pass to his feet!Without stopping the ball, he unleashed a powerful shot!
The ball, like a cannonball, skimmed the grass and hurtled towards the bottom right corner of the goal with astonishing speed!Liverpool goalkeeper Dudek made a desperate save, but it was too late!
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!Cristiano Ronaldo!Manchester United have equalized!A perfect team play!A calm and deadly strike!" the commentator shouted wildly.
1:1!
After scoring, Ronaldo didn't rush to the corner flag.Instead, he ran straight to the camera lens on the sidelines.He kissed the captain's armband on his left arm and pointed at the camera, as if to transcend time and space and tell the person in the hospital bed: We are with you!
This goal ignited Manchester United's fighting spirit and shook Liverpool's confidence.The game went into extra time.
In extra time, both sides were exhausted and unable to change the score.A penalty shootout became inevitable.
Under the Istanbul night sky, the air seemed to freeze.