"Ugh…"
"Ugh!"
"Seriously…"
"For crying out loud!!!"
"Smack!"
Mrs. Guardiola swung her hand and smacked it squarely against that gleaming bald head.
"I just got up and sat down for breakfast, and all I hear is you sighing non-stop. What are you sighing for?!"
Maria laughed as she wrapped her arms around her father.
"What's wrong, Dad? I've never seen you this stressed."
Guardiola looked at his daughter, and suddenly Leo Lin came to mind—the guy who might one day steal Maria away from him.
Then came Liverpool.
Then the FA Cup final in two days.
And at the center of it all—Leo Lin again.
Guardiola's last line of mental defense finally gave way.
It felt like Leo Lin had taken over his entire life.
He had been racking his brain trying to figure out how to deal with Liverpool's dynamic triangle system. Back when he managed Barcelona, he was confident he understood this style inside out.
But Klopp had taken it to another level—because he had Leo Lin.
As a modern all-around midfielder, Leo Lin elevated the dynamic triangle to something far more powerful, creating an attacking system completely different from traditional triangular play.
And when Guardiola thought about the media pressure and fan criticism he might face after potentially going two straight seasons without a single trophy, the weight on his shoulders felt overwhelming.
He had left Bayern to conquer English football.
To win.
To succeed.
People had always called him a serial winner. His possession-based philosophy had dominated La Liga, the Bundesliga, and much of Europe.
Before arriving in the Premier League, he had boldly declared:
"I will prove that possession football can thrive in England."
But against Liverpool's high-speed counterattacks and relentless attacking football, his Manchester City side still hadn't managed to win a single trophy.
Guardiola's coaching staff was elite.
First, Juan Manuel Lillo.
An experienced coach with deep roots in La Liga, exceptional at organizing defenses and balancing attack and defense. He had worked with players like Iniesta, Busquets, and Puyol.
Second, Maresca.
Known as an expert in English football, with deep knowledge of youth development and a strong eye for attacking structure.
Third, Estiarte.
A core figure in Guardiola's staff, specializing in set-piece organization, both defensively and offensively. He was Guardiola's most trusted tactical planner in attacking scenarios.
Together, the three formed a powerhouse coaching unit.
Right now, they had only one goal.
Find a way to stop Liverpool's dynamic triangle.
And shut down the Mad Four led by Leo Lin.
It was an enormous challenge.
Guardiola and his staff worked through the night, skipping meals and sleep, doing everything they could to prepare for the FA Cup final.
The decisive phase of the season had arrived.
Liverpool's next three matches would determine the fate of two trophies.
April 29, Sky Sports special program.
A host of Premier League legends gathered on set.
Zola, Bergkamp, Stam, Zambrotta, Beckham, Gerrard, Carragher, the Neville brothers, Vieira, and many more.
"Liverpool's next three matches start with the FA Cup final against Manchester City in two days."
"If they win, that will be their second trophy of the season."
"Then come Matchday 36 in five days and Matchday 37 in nine days. If Liverpool win both—and if Manchester City don't slip—they'll secure the Premier League title with one round to spare."
"So Liverpool have a real chance to complete a domestic treble and head into the Champions League final in peak condition."
After finishing his analysis, Gerrard wore a confident smile. Among all the legends present, as a Liverpool icon, he clearly had the most reason to be proud.
"It looks like Liverpool are set for a successful season."
"Of course, they could also lose all three matches and end up with just the League Cup."
"After all, this is football. Anything can happen."
The Neville brothers chimed in together. As Manchester United legends, they had no interest in seeing Liverpool succeed.
Carragher scoffed.
"Rubbish."
That single word set the Neville brothers off.
"What did you say?!"
Beckham stood up as well.
Gerrard didn't back down.
The studio erupted into a heated argument.
Viewership numbers kept climbing. This was exactly the kind of chaos fans loved—football talk shows in Europe often leaned heavily into entertainment.
And it also showed just how big this final was.
Manchester United fans overwhelmingly chose to support Manchester City.
They would rather see City win than watch Liverpool lift another trophy.
Neutral fans were split.
In a pre-match poll, Liverpool had 52% support, while Manchester City had 48%.
Just a 4% gap.
In their league meetings this season, Liverpool had one win and one draw, remaining unbeaten—laying the foundation for their lead over City.
But what tactical surprise would Guardiola unveil in the final?
That uncertainty kept Klopp on edge.
Klopp and Krawietz had also prepared in meticulous detail—even mapping out how the team should adjust depending on who scored first and at what minute.
What to do if they led by two.
What to do if they were one or two goals behind.
For Klopp, details determined everything.
May 2.
FA Cup final day.
Wembley Stadium, the grand stage of English football, was packed to the brim—over 70,000 seats sold out.
No one wanted to miss this clash.
Broadcasts went live across platforms.
On ESPN's coverage, Derek Rae appeared alongside Jon Champion in the commentary booth.
"Good evening, everyone. I'm Derek Rae, and alongside me today, Jon Champion will be joining as co-commentator for this match."
Although Jon Champion is usually the lead play-by-play voice, a match of this magnitude was simply impossible for him to miss. When invited to join the broadcast in a different role, he didn't hesitate for a second and gladly accepted, determined to be part of the occasion in any way he could.
The pairing of Jon Champion and Derek Rae sent fans into a frenzy.
"This is FA Cup final-level commentary. Absolute enjoyment!"
"Guys, remember me? I was cheering for Leo Lin among Brazil fans at the U17 World Cup final. Now I'm sitting with Manchester City fans. The moment Leo Lin scores, I'm pulling out my Liverpool shirt and celebrating!"
"Respect! Just make sure you stay safe!"
"Mate, if you couldn't get a Liverpool section ticket, just say it. I've got an extra. Since you're one of us, I'll let it go for just an extra thousand pounds!"
...
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