Barcelona, having introduced Lewandowski in the new season, was in fiery form. However, in the more advanced arena of the Champions League, they finally met their match.
They barely held on in the first half, conceding two goals in the second, losing 0-2 to a Bayern Munich that had shown no weaknesses all season!
This result ignited the players in the Arsenal locker room.
After all, since shaking off their bad luck, Barcelona's performance had been on a steady decline. As Messi's current teammates, they naturally wished to see the ruthless man who had unceremoniously driven him away fare worse and worse in the days to come.
And this was precisely what the current situation reflected.
It turned out that for a while, everyone had truly believed Barça was an incredibly strong team. Now, they had a sudden awakening: it wasn't Barça that was strong, but merely Messi.
Just then, Cao Baiming felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning, he saw it was Messi himself beckoning him.
He hadn't noticed earlier. Suddenly, he realized a group of people had gathered behind him, seemingly watching something. Cao Baiming stood up and walked closer, only to find Vieira's tablet displaying an interview.
"Tomorrow's opponent, PSG, is giving a pre-match interview. Let's see what Mr. Mbappé has to say!"
Cao Baiming’s lips curved into a slight smile, and he hurried over. Several teammates beside him voluntarily made space, leaving the most suitable central position for him. Even Messi consciously stepped back two paces.
"Heh, quite interesting."
On the screen was PSG, being interviewed before the match. Mr. Mbappé was being questioned by a reporter holding a microphone.
A glint flickered in his eyes, and the corners of his mouth curled upward, exuding an air of arrogance.
The reporter, having gone to great lengths to secure this interview, had prepared several bombshell questions, interspersed with ordinary ones.
"What are your thoughts on Messi's departure?"
As soon as the reporter asked this, a commotion erupted among the teammates. The entire locker room seemed on the verge of exploding.
Messi simply stood in the back, offering a faint smile.
However, Mr. Mbappé seemed unfazed by the reporter's question, showing neither fear nor nervousness.
He had anticipated such a question. After a moment of thought, he confidently replied.
"Messi is the best player in the world, but that doesn't mean he will always be. I believe that no matter where he goes, he cannot hide the fact that he is aging. Conversely, PSG can still dominate the field even without Messi."
Mbappé began to chuckle as he spoke, not a nervous laugh, but one of triumph.
"I am very satisfied with the current form of my PSG team. Messi seems to be doing well at Arsenal too. I suppose everyone is happy!"
The reporters nodded emphatically.
In the locker room, many began to vent their disbelief.
"Hahahahahahaha, I'm dying of laughter!"
"Can he really be this arrogant?"
"Highlight this! Highlight this! 'My PSG'! It seems Mr. Mbappé has officially ascended the throne and truly considers himself the boss!"
"Let's not talk yet, keep listening."
Cao Baiming quickly interrupted his teammates' banter. On screen, the reporter was already posing further questions.
...
"Then, what are your thoughts on the opponent's current strength? Arsenal, like PSG, has achieved seven consecutive victories in the league this season and remains undefeated. Are they a formidable opponent?"
Hearing this, everyone leaned in, focusing their attention.
"Yes, they are a formidable opponent."
No one expected Mbappé to dismiss the question so curtly.
"Hey, no way!"
"Just that?"
Then, Mbappé paused for another two seconds before continuing.
"Tomorrow's match is a clash between giants, a collision of the strongest teams. It will definitely be exciting. However, I think their style of play is too flashy and full of loopholes. As long as I'm on the field, I can easily break through their defense and score. Just you wait and see."
He remained as arrogant as ever.
He remembered when he went for trials at Paris, he was kicked out just for saying one bad word about Mr. Mbappé.
"The world's two strongest teams! I'm almost too embarrassed to say it myself..."
"He's just a braggart. We'll blow him away tomorrow! Cao Baiming, you go defend him and see how he fares."
"Yeah, thinks he's invincible, haha, I'm going to laugh!"
Cao Baiming shrugged helplessly.
Defense was possible. If Haaland could be contained, Mbappé wouldn't be any tougher.
This guy's only truly top-tier attribute in the football world was his speed; everything else was a disaster.
"No problem!"
"Let him brag if he likes, let him kick people out if he likes. Let's see how he loses!"
"Exactly, this guy can't tolerate anyone being stronger than him, nor can he tolerate anyone being weaker. And if they're equally strong, that's even worse!"
White said, slinging an arm over Messi's shoulder.
Laughter filled the locker room.
It was the final period of rest. The match would be held the next day.
This was Arsenal's home game, and they absolutely could not afford to lose.
Arteta meticulously reviewed the tactical arrangements overnight before finally going to sleep with peace of mind.
The next day, the PSG team bus arrived at the stadium early.
The spectators were also arriving in droves. With an hour left until the match began, crowds had already gathered around the stadium.
Some time later, it had become a sea of people, interspersed with various vehicles and equipment.
Everyone cheered, excited. A joyful and fervent atmosphere permeated the stadium surroundings; the fans were impatient!
At this moment, the time in Tang Country was two o'clock in the morning.
Since Cao Baiming was participating, he had, as expected, made it onto the starting lineup. Fans watching late-night games was a natural occurrence!
Regardless of early morning classes or work the next day, regardless of how tired or difficult the day might be, missing this match would be a lifelong regret!
Because the news of Cao Baiming's expulsion from PSG had later spread through Tang Country's football news, fans in Tang Country harbored a deep hatred for Mbappé.
How dare he expel Cao Baiming? He was truly unafraid of being slapped in the face!
The fans almost wished they could visit him in person and teach him a lesson!
Now, it was time for revenge. This was Cao Baiming's first match against PSG since joining Arsenal, and the fans' hearts were already ablaze.
Sleepiness was simply non-existent!
In the early hours of the morning, Tang Country was brightly lit!