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The following evening, the Allianz Stadium filled beneath a black-and-white sky.

Juventus were among the relatively small number of Italian clubs that owned their stadium, and the financial advantage had played a major role in their domestic dominance.

Tonight, their supporters expected that dominance to extend into Europe.

...

Sarri appeared combative during the pre-match press conference.

"People are criticizing me?" he asked. "Perhaps I stepped on something sensitive."

His expression suggested a less polite version of the answer had occurred to him first.

"When I accepted this job, I said our objectives were Serie A and the Champions League."

"The season has not always been simple, but we remain top of the league and have reached the European semifinal."

A reporter asked whether his departure from Chelsea had damaged his reputation.

"I was not forced out," Sarri replied. "I chose to return to Italy."

"Serie A has always been where I wanted to work. When Pavel Nedvěd contacted me, I understood that Juventus possessed the players required to achieve my ambition."

He leaned toward the microphone.

"Manchester United are strong. Everyone knows that."

"But Cristiano Ronaldo's mentality affects the entire dressing room. His desire to win will push everyone around him."

"We believe we can beat them."

...

Mourinho faced the press in another room.

A reporter from The Guardian raised Pogba's recent interview.

"Paul said defeating Manchester United would make him twice as happy as an ordinary victory. Do you have a response?"

Mourinho gave a quiet chuckle.

"No."

That was all.

He saw no reason to participate in a public argument with Pogba. Words would not decide the semifinal.

The best response would come on the pitch.

Mourinho had already designed specific measures to target his former midfielder.

Pogba remained dangerous when he received time and space, but his defensive concentration frequently disappeared.

When he advanced, gaps opened behind him.

United intended to use every one of them.

The reporter tried another subject.

"Ling has fifteen goals in this season's competition. Do you believe he can break Cristiano Ronaldo's record tonight?"

"Of course."

Mourinho raised one eyebrow.

"He is the greatest player I have ever coached."

"I am fortunate to work with him, and I believe he can break every scoring record available."

He paused before adding a necessary qualification.

"That is my belief. Football guarantees nothing."

"Anything can happen."

...

Inside the away dressing room, Manchester United's players formed a circle.

Ling stood in the center.

"We all know why we came here."

"To win."

His voice carried through the room.

"A third consecutive Champions League title would be historic. It would also be one of the most difficult achievements any team has ever completed."

"We've already passed several obstacles."

"Juventus are the next one."

"They lead Serie A. They have Cristiano Ronaldo, Pogba, and players who have won almost everything."

"We respect that."

Ling looked around the circle.

"But if we choose a goal as difficult as winning this trophy three years in a row, then we also choose what comes with it."

"We have to beat the strongest teams in Europe."

He extended one hand.

"So let's beat Juventus and take the advantage back to Manchester."

The players placed their hands over his.

"Manchester United!"

"COME ON!"

...

Ling saw Cristiano as the teams gathered in the tunnel.

Both wore number 7.

For Cristiano, it remained the number through which he had built his identity, first at Manchester United and later at Real Madrid and Juventus.

For Ling, it represented the legacy he had inherited at Old Trafford and the era he was now creating for himself.

They exchanged a brief nod.

No theatrical confrontation.

No insults.

Both understood what the match meant.

Pogba stood nearby.

United's players treated him with cold professionalism, offering little beyond the minimum required greeting.

They had won trophies together.

They had also watched him attempt to force the club into choosing between his interests and the structure built around Ling.

Pogba was entitled to pursue the career he wanted.

United's players were equally entitled to remember how he had done it.

The conflict had ended with Pogba leaving.

Now the pitch would decide which side had benefited more.

The Champions League anthem began.

The tunnel opened.

...

Peter Drury welcomed the teams into the stadium.

"Turin receives two clubs bound by history and separated by ambition."

"Twenty-one years ago, Manchester United came here, fell two goals behind, and fought their way toward a treble."

"Tonight, they return in pursuit of something no club has achieved in the Champions League era—a third consecutive crown."

"Juventus possess Cristiano Ronaldo, the competition's greatest scorer."

"Manchester United possess Jeremy Ling, the man closing upon his records."

"One number 7 built an age."

"The other intends to inherit it."

Jim Beglin described the tactical choices.

"Sarri has selected a 4-4-2. Cristiano starts beside Higuaín, who has recovered in time, while Dybala is only fit enough for the bench after suffering a calf problem."

"Cuadrado operates from right-back and will be expected to provide width, although that could leave space behind him."

"Mourinho has moved to a 4-3-3. Ling starts centrally, with Grealish and Mahrez stretching Juventus on either side."

"The midfield remains built around Kanté, Matić, and Herrera, giving United enough protection to release the wingers."

A banner stretched across one section of the home support.

NINE IN A ROW—AND NOW EUROPE.

Juventus had not yet secured their ninth consecutive league title, but their supporters already considered it inevitable.

The Champions League was the trophy they truly wanted.

The referee checked both teams.

BEEP!

The semifinal began.

The Allianz Stadium erupted.

Juventus showed none of the traditional caution associated with Italian knockout football.

Cuadrado immediately sprinted forward from right-back, received a pass from Bentancur, and attacked Matić.

A sharp touch carried him beyond the Serbian.

Kanté arrived from the side.

His tackle separated Cuadrado from the ball before the Colombian could enter the final third.

Matić recovered possession.

United countered.

The camera raced forward with Grealish.

Cuadrado had advanced so aggressively that Juventus's right side stood completely open. Grealish crossed halfway without encountering a defender.

Bernardeschi sprinted backward to cover.

By the time he arrived, Grealish had already passed inside toward Ling, who had dropped away from the defensive line.

De Ligt followed him aggressively.

Ling shifted right.

Then left.

Two rapid changes of direction created half a yard.

He struck from distance.

THUD!

The ball flew toward the top corner.

Szczęsny threw up one hand and managed to tip it over the crossbar.

Peter Drury's voice rose with the first warning.

"LING FROM RANGE—SZCZĘSNY SAVES JUVENTUS!"

"Less than a minute was required for Manchester United to discover the space behind Cuadrado and deliver the ball to the most dangerous man in Europe!"

Beglin pointed toward United's target.

"That left half-space will be important."

"Pogba moves forward when Juventus attack, and Cuadrado overlaps beyond him. If possession is lost, De Ligt can be left defending an enormous area against Ling and Grealish."

"United have identified it immediately."

Juventus cleared the corner and attempted to rebuild.

Cuadrado again remained on the ball too long.

Grealish tracked him, waited for the loose touch, and stole possession.

United broke forward once more.

Only a moment of hesitation in Grealish's decision prevented Ling from confronting the center-backs again.

Sarri exploded from his technical area.

"Stop messing around at the back!"

"Move the ball into midfield!"

He pointed furiously toward Cuadrado.

"You don't have to dribble every time you touch it!"

The Colombian understood the message.

On Juventus's next possession, he released the ball early and remained more conscious of the space behind him.

That solved one issue.

Another quickly appeared.

Juventus's buildup lacked speed.

Whenever Pogba received, Matić moved tight enough to prevent him from turning comfortably.

Herrera and Kanté then closed the nearby passing lanes, forcing the Frenchman toward safer, slower options.

Pjanić took possession under pressure from Herrera.

He protected the ball and managed to find Cristiano between the lines.

The Portuguese attempted to turn.

Kanté appeared behind him and stole possession before the movement could be completed.

"KANTÉ TAKES IT FROM RONALDO!"

Beglin explained the difficulty.

"Cristiano can no longer receive thirty yards from goal and defeat an entire defense with the regularity he once did."

"That is not an insult. He is thirty-five."

"He remains devastating near the penalty area, but Juventus must progress the ball well enough to place him there."

Pogba gestured for his teammates to move closer.

Higuaín remained high, offering little support during the buildup.

The Argentine had returned from injury looking heavier than expected, and United's defenders were happy to allow him to remain disconnected from midfield.

Drury could not resist.

"Higuaín appears to have enjoyed his recovery period."

Beglin laughed.

"Perhaps Hazard recommended the catering."

Ten minutes had passed.

There was no goal.

The physical intensity continued rising.

Juventus had attempted to seize control through aggressive full-back play and Pogba's progression.

United had answered by closing midfield and attacking the space Juventus left behind.

Ling glanced toward Cristiano across the pitch.

The first duel had begun.

Neither number 7 intended to yield.

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