"Will there be a change?" Jill Hazel asked, looking nervous.
"There will be!"
Even though she didn't understand football, Ivanka was now infected by the tense and heavy atmosphere in the stadium. She instinctively held Jill Hazel's hand, and both of them were very anxious.
Meanwhile, Gilbert held a glass of red wine in one hand, still chatting and laughing, commenting on which female fans had the prettiest faces or the most impressive assets as the stadium screen panned over them.
The Italian national TV commentators were ecstatic, believing Arsenal had no chance to turn the game around. Meanwhile, the UK Sky Sports commentators sighed, as if the sky itself was about to collapse.
Amid this tense, thrilling, suffocating, desperate, yet miracle-believing atmosphere, the second half finally began.
As soon as the second half kicked off, Arsenal launched a fierce attack. Fabregas received more of the ball, and the team's offense started running smoothly.
In the 50th minute, Fabregas took a long shot from 28 meters, which AC Milan goalkeeper Dida deflected out for a corner, making Ancelotti break into a cold sweat.
He roared, urging his team to strengthen their defense.
Even the usually calm and collected Professor Wenger couldn't stay elegant. Standing on the sidelines, he shouted furiously, cheering on his disciples and pushing the attack.
In the VIP box, Gilbert shouted, "Yes! That's it!"
"Yes!" Both women stood up to watch the game. "There's hope, boss, there's hope!"
"Of course there's hope, keep playing like this," John Richard also got carried away, completely turning into a fervent fan.
Fabregas took the corner on the left. The penalty area was crowded, everyone jostling for position to prevent the opposition from gaining an advantage.
Fabregas glanced over, calculated quickly, and sent the ball into the box.
Chaos erupted immediately inside the penalty area. At that moment, a young player leapt high above the crowd and headed the ball into the net, leaving Dida stunned.
The young player landed and immediately checked the ball—it was in the net. He jumped up in celebration.
The stadium fell silent for a moment, and when the referee confirmed the goal, Arsenal fans erupted, their deafening cheers threatening to shake the skies of Istanbul.
In the VIP box, Gilbert was thrilled. "Who took the corner and scored?"
"Fabregas and Van Persie," John Richard replied, equally excited.
"Excellent! Give them a bonus, double it! Such great players!" Gilbert exclaimed.
At the moment of the goal, Jill Hazel and Ivanka had grabbed Gilbert's arms on either side, almost jumping up with excitement.
On the field, the two young players remained calm, signaling the team to return to defense quickly, not wasting any time—they were still two goals behind.
This single goal caused a slight psychological tremor among the usually flawless AC Milan players, and Fabregas, highly perceptive, immediately noticed it.
He coordinated with Vieira, using the front trio of Henry, Reyes, and Van Persie to launch repeated attacks into AC Milan's penalty area.
The opposition was not to be outdone. Kaka and Shevchenko also created a few dangerous plays, and the two teams engaged in an attacking duel.
Just three minutes later, Vieira carried the ball to the right and passed it to Fabregas in the center. Fabregas then sent it to Silva on the left.
Silva delivered a precise through ball to Reyes, positioned in the penalty area. Reyes didn't rush or try to score himself; he returned the ball to Van Persie, who had arrived running.
The substitute, having just scored earlier, was especially calm this time. With a powerful strike, he scored, bringing the score to 2:3.
Now it was AC Milan fans who went silent. From 3:0 to 3:2, what had happened on the field in just three or four minutes?
Arsenal fans, previously downhearted, regained their energy, singing their team anthem and cheering passionately.
In the VIP box, Gilbert was already celebrating with Jill Hazel and Ivanka, hugging and cheering, too focused on the goal to notice anything else.
"Penalty! Penalty!" Only three more minutes had passed when John Richard excitedly pointed to the pitch. The referee firmly pointed to the penalty spot.
AC Milan's Gattuso had fouled Fabregas in the box and paid the price for his reckless action.
The stadium fell into a deadly silence. Henry stepped up to take the penalty, remarkably calm. He took a deep breath, accelerated, deceived Dida, and sent the ball into the net.
The score was tied, 3:3.
Gilbert now had two lipstick marks on his cheeks—Jill Hazel and Ivanka were too excited to resist, each planting a kiss.
Poor John Richard, the third wheel, didn't even realize it, though he was thrilled. The team had clawed their way back from the brink, now standing on equal footing with Milan.
The AC Milan players on the field were completely stunned. They had endured a nightmare fifteen minutes of the second half, conceding three consecutive goals in just fifteen minutes.
Ancelotti on the sideline was also dumbfounded. He roared and vented his anxiety, but it seemed to have no effect.
In contrast, Arsenal had come back with all three goals. Morale was high, and the team was united as one.
AC Milan quickly adjusted, reinforcing their defense. Both teams continued to play into stoppage time, with their fans cheering fiercely. The score remained 3:3.
Now it was a test of which side had stronger resolve, which could push themselves to the limit and unleash the final burst of energy.
Arsenal's front three were already gasping for breath, but possession remained with Arsenal. Yongbery sent a long pass to Henry. Exhausted, Henry still charged into the box with the ball.
But AC Milan's defense was as solid as a fortress. Henry was immediately surrounded and trapped in a heavy cluster of defenders.
Fortunately, he passed the ball back in time to Vieira, who saw his position was poor and quickly sent it forward to the charging Pirès.
Pirès didn't attempt a long-range shot but instead passed to Fabregas, who was still some distance from the penalty area.
As stoppage time was about to end, Fabregas took a few steps forward with the ball, eyed a gap, and launched a powerful long-range shot.
All the fans' eyes followed the flying, spinning ball. Everyone knew this could determine the fate of the Champions League title for the season.
AC Milan's goalkeeper Dida rushed to raise his hands, but the ball flew past his fingertips.
It was impossible to stop unless God himself intervened.
And if God had come, He surely stood with Arsenal, because the scoreboard now blazed: 4–3, Arsenal in the lead.
The match ended, and Arsenal became the 2004–2005 Champions League champions, lifting the big ears trophy.
AC Milan fans stared at the scoreboard in disbelief. Forty-five minutes ago, they had led by three goals, and now they were on the losing side.
The star-studded AC Milan had actually been defeated by Arsenal, leaving the Rossoneri fans in shock.
Truth be told, Arsenal's lineup wasn't weak either. But with such a big lead in the first half, to have it overturned in the second half was astonishing.
Emotional AC Milan fans even shed tears, while the more irritable ones began cursing.
Meanwhile, Arsenal fans, who had traveled thousands of miles to Istanbul, began celebrating, repeatedly singing their team anthem, cheering for their club's first Champions League title.
In the VIP box, after Fabregas's goal, Gilbert hugged each woman in turn, spinning them around in celebration.
The atmosphere of watching the game live had infected him as well. This was the true feel of a Champions League final.
"There's no more exhilarating way to watch a match—from trailing, to leveling, to the ultimate winning strike," Gilbert said.
"Yes, boss!" John Richard was equally excited. "This is football. This is the magic of football."
"Enough talking," Gilbert quickly composed himself after celebrating. "The club will give bonuses to the players, and I'll make an additional personal contribution."
"Alright, I'll deliver the good news to the players."
"Yes," Gilbert nodded. "Let the team and fans celebrate. I'm tired too; time to rest."
John Richard asked, "Boss, aren't you going to the locker room to see the players?"
"No," Gilbert replied, wrapping his arms around Ivanka and Jill Hazel. The two women glared at him. "Let them celebrate properly; the team has a championship parade to prepare for."
Trying to take advantage while we're excited, huh?
But in this happy moment, the two women didn't object, tacitly allowing Gilbert's actions. Jill Hazel didn't mind; she was already prepared.
Ivanka's attitude was even simpler. After all, rumors had long claimed she had slept with the boss.
Having worked with Gilbert for so long, Ivanka had little interest in the idle rich heirs of New York. Better to endure a little inconvenience herself.
Gilbert was excited—usually sharing these moments with Naomi Watts and others, hugging other men wasn't his habit.
John Richard immediately understood. "Got it, boss. Don't worry, I'll make sure your intentions are communicated to the whole team."
"Good," Gilbert said, holding the two women. As they were about to leave the box, he turned back and said, "By the way, when Batman: Begins releases in Europe, invite the whole team to attend. Just tell them I said so; let them experience it."
"Understood," John Richard replied immediately.
This was a win-win for Gilbert. The team had won the Champions League, making him even more prominent as a club owner, which would draw attention to his upcoming film.
With the Champions League champions attending the premiere of Batman: Begins , it would surely become a hot topic for publicity.
Watching this Champions League final was thrilling, and thankfully, Gilbert had no heart issues, or he might have needed an emergency heart medicine.
That night, Istanbul became a sea of sorrow for AC Milan fans and a celebration for Arsenal supporters.
Meanwhile, in Gilbert's suite, it was a scene of joy and excitement, with the aroma of fine wine in the air. Jill Hazel's graceful dancing and Ivanka's long legs left Gilbert dazzled.
Here too, it was a sea of happiness.
...
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