Compared to last year, Leeds United didn't come away from the Champions League draw with quite the same stroke of luck. Sitting in front of the television with a glass of wine in hand, Arthur watched as the little plastic balls were swirled about and cracked open one by one by UEFA's smiling officials. His team's fate was revealed late in the proceedings, in the third-to-last round.
The verdict: Group F.
Leeds United would be sharing the stage with Roma, last season's Serie A runner-up; Sporting Lisbon, Portugal's ever-dangerous second-place finisher; and Dynamo Kyiv, perennial kings of the Ukrainian league.
Arthur leaned back, let out a long breath, and muttered, "Well, that could've been worse… but it also could've been a hell of a lot better."
Roma were the obvious danger. Not only were they seasoned in Europe, but they had spent heavily in the summer, adding reinforcements across the pitch. Sporting Lisbon had the habit of producing irritatingly tricky players who ran like hares and pressed like their lives depended on it. And Dynamo Kyiv—while perhaps the least glamorous—were never to be underestimated at home in freezing Ukraine, where even the most glamorous Premier League sides could look like lost tourists.
Still, Arthur wasn't about to lose sleep over it. Leeds had started the season like a train with no brakes, steamrolling opponents domestically. "Apart from Roma, I don't see anyone keeping us awake at night," he told himself.
But of course, he wasn't the only one with an opinion. As soon as the draw wrapped up, the internet exploded into debate.
"[This year's luck looks decent. I'd say four English teams into the last sixteen, no problem!]" one fan declared confidently on a football forum.
"[Leeds, Chelsea, and Arsenal will walk it, but United in their current state? Forget it. Porto and Marseille will eat them alive.]" another posted, throwing shade at Sir Alex's men.
"[Relax, Ferguson always sorts it out after a wobble. United will be fine. Only Porto pose a proper threat in their group.]" came the voice of optimism, probably from a United supporter still clinging to faith.
"[Honestly, this year looks golden for English clubs. Just please—Arsenal—please don't bottle it again!]" begged one poor soul, clearly scarred by past disappointments at the Emirates.
Arthur read some of these later that night and chuckled. "They've all already penciled us into the knockouts," he muttered, shaking his head. "That's exactly when football comes along to smack you in the face."
With the Champions League groups finalized, the summer transfer window officially closed. Leeds United's activity remained the talk of Europe. Arthur had expected it, and he wasn't wrong: the club had been front-page news all summer long. The blockbuster was, of course, Kaka. His move set records, becoming the most expensive transfer of the 2007 window at a cool €45 million. Every headline screamed it. The rest of the continent could only look on as Leeds became the summer's undisputed protagonist.
But transfers and headlines were yesterday's story. September had arrived, and with it came a packed schedule that made Arthur's head hurt just glancing at the calendar.
Four league games.
One Champions League group match.
One League Cup tie.
Oh, and just to twist the knife, an international break was wedged right in the middle of it all.
Arthur grimaced when he thought about it. International breaks were the bane of his existence. Last season, he had let Alves disappear for what was supposed to be a harmless friendly, only for him to return battered, bruised, and carrying an injury like an unwanted souvenir. Arthur still hadn't forgiven him—or the national team staff.
Now, Leeds United were no longer a plucky underdog with a handful of internationals. They were a serious force, which meant almost every starter—and half the bench—was called up by their countries. International week didn't just nibble at his squad; it gutted it. Arthur knew when the break came, Thorpe Arch would look like a ghost town. He would be left with a handful of academy boys and the medical staff for company.
"Fantastic," Arthur muttered during one team meeting, staring at the fixtures pinned to the board. "We finally build a squad worth shouting about, and then FIFA decides to scatter it to the four corners of the earth for two weeks."
But there was no avoiding it. The calendar was the calendar. The only thing to do was focus on the immediate battle in front of them before the exodus began.
That battle came quickly. On September 1st, in the fifth round of the Premier League, Leeds traveled north to face Newcastle United at St. James' Park.
The Magpies, still swaggering with their black-and-white stripes, had developed a reputation for being unpredictable. One week, they looked like they could upset anyone. The next, they looked like they had no idea what sport they were playing. But one thing was guaranteed: St. James' Park was loud, and Newcastle at home always had a point to prove.
Leeds had been cruising, four wins from four, steamrolling opponents without conceding a goal. They looked unstoppable, a bullet train on a clear track. But football has a funny way of pulling the brakes just when you're picking up speed.
And that day in Newcastle, the Magpies reached out with both feet and slammed them down hard on the brake pedal.
******
"Oh! Cannavaro's timing of the tackle was not right, he tackled Viduka's foot firmly!" Lineker kept staring at the referee who was running towards the place where Cannavaro committed the foul, his face full of worry, "It's not good news, I have seen the referee touching his trouser pockets!"
"It is most likely a red card... As expected! The referee directly showed a red card and sent Cannavaro off the field!" Jon analyzed very rationally, "We saw Li standing on the sidelines with a sullen face and said nothing, but there was nothing he could do. Law, Newcastle United has formed a quick counterattack for this ball. Once Viduka breaks through Cannavaro's defense, he will directly threaten the goal guarded by Neuer! It would be fine if Cannavaro shoveled the ball, but unfortunately, he shoveled directly on Viduka's feet, which the referee saw clearly! "
Jon's statement made Lineker, who wanted to struggle, give up resistance. Even Li Shiguang did not run to the fourth official to protest after seeing Cannavaro was sent off. It would be useless for him to protest sitting in the studio.
The two commentators were right.
Li Shiguang, who was standing on the sidelines, saw Cannavaro's foul clearly and there was no need to protest.
Although Li Shiguang immediately made adjustments and replaced Ibrahimovic with Silva.
But Newcastle United is not a small-time team after all.
The two teams fought for nearly 90 minutes on the field. Michael Owen finally helped the home team knock on the door of Leeds United with a cold shot outside the penalty area in the 87th minute.
In the end, Newcastle United also ended Leeds United's unbeaten record since the start of the new season at home with Owen's goal!
Watching the slightly disappointed Leeds United players on the field after the referee blew the whistle to end the game.
Jon was also full of emotion in the studio of Sky Sports: "September seems to have a curse for Leeds United. Last year, they suffered a large-scale injury wave after entering September, and their points once fell outside the top ten! And this year, they suffered a defeat on the first day of September. In fact, inBefore Cannavaro left the field, Leeds United had an absolute advantage on the field. Whether it was ball possession or number of shots, they were far higher than Newcastle United! But there was no way, this was football, anything could happen in a 90-minute game! "
And Li Shiguang on the field also sighed slightly.
He knew that his disciples had tried their best. Kaka had made a single breakthrough several times with his strong strength, but he was not lucky in the final shot and never scored a goal!
But as the backbone of the team, even if he was disappointed, Li Shiguang could not show this emotion in front of the players.
Pulling Simeone and Rivaldo out of the bench and giving some instructions, the three of them went to the field separately to comfort the Leeds United players who were in a bad mood.
····
After the first defeat of the season.
Leeds The entire Leeds United team was disbanded on the spot in Newcastle, and the players who were called up by the national team took a plane back to their home country to report. Several young players who were not called up were granted three days of precious vacation by Li Shiguang.
Li Shiguang, who returned to Leeds, originally planned to spend a few days of happy life with Shakira at home.
But on the second day of vacation.
A call from the scout director Ron summoned him to the Thorp Arch training base.
····
When Li Shiguang arrived at the door of his office.
Simeone, Ron and Rivaldo were already waiting at the door.
"Boss! Aren't you taking three days off? You have to calculate our overtime pay today!"
As soon as he walked in front of the three people, Simeone started yelling.
"Get out!" Li Shiguang chuckled and kicked Simeone's butt.
Simeone jumped lightly to avoid Li Shiguang's attack, but he didn't stop talking: "Look! Look! Ferreira, this is what I just told you, the face of a capitalist, he actually wants us to work for free! "
"Okay, get in now!" Li Shiguang took out the key to open the office door, pointing at the stack of papers in Ron's arms, "So many scout reports, you plan to let me read them alone? Selecting good seedlings is also your job as an assistant coach, okay! ? "