At the pre-match press conference for the Manchester Derby, the tension was palpable.
"Manchester City's squad is stronger than last season, and they've achieved 11 consecutive wins at the start of the season. Do you think Manchester City can win today's match?" a reporter asked.
Listening to the pointless question, Pep Guardiola gripped the microphone and spoke solemnly.
"We are confident of securing victory, but that doesn't mean we will underestimate Manchester United. Respecting our opponents is also respecting ourselves."
Guardiola paused, his confidence evident. "If you've watched Manchester City's last two matches, you'd probably have even more confidence in us than I do."
It was a fair statement.
Manchester City had recently demolished Southampton 6-1 and Young Boys 6-0—looking unstoppable in both the Premier League and the Champions League.
Among the squad, Bernardo Silva had maintained excellent form, Fernandinho had shaken off his post-World Cup slump, and the center-back partnership of John Stones and Aymeric Laporte was incredibly solid.
It's fair to say that Guardiola's Manchester City had reached its complete, ultimate form.
"Mr. Guardiola, Kevin De Bruyne suffered a back muscle strain last week, yet we've seen him included in the squad list. Will he have a chance to play in today's match?" another reporter asked.
"That will depend on the specific circumstances of the match," Guardiola replied evasively. "I hope he won't need to play."
"Another question," a journalist chimed in, leaning forward. "Rumors suggest that Man United player Jeremy Ling and your daughter Maria—"
The reporter's question was abruptly cut short as Guardiola frowned and retorted sharply.
"I have no obligation to answer questions unrelated to the match."
Don't be fooled by Guardiola's graceful demeanor in front of the media; in private, his temper could rival Sir Alex Ferguson's.
If he lost his temper, it wouldn't be surprising if he ended up spending some time behind bars.
Fortunately, Ling had stepped in to stop him when the rumors first broke... otherwise, the matter wouldn't have been resolved so easily.
Meanwhile, in another press room, Jose Mourinho was facing the media.
"Mr. Mourinho, you and Guardiola have faced each other 21 times in the past, with you recording 7 wins, 6 draws, and 8 losses, putting you slightly at a disadvantage," a journalist pointed out.
Under the incessant flashing of camera lights, Mourinho flashed a defiant, arrogant smile.
"Tomorrow, my record will become 8 wins, 6 draws, and 8 losses."
Over the past decade, the fates of Guardiola and Mourinho seemed intertwined, transforming from amicable colleagues at Barcelona into lifelong rivals.
Following a fierce Spanish derby years ago between Real Madrid and Barcelona, Guardiola had proudly declared, "I'm proud! The whole world saw how we play football."
Later, playing with one man down at Camp Nou, Mourinho's Inter Milan had eliminated Guardiola's Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate with rock-solid defense.
Mourinho had famously replied, "This is the most beautiful defeat of my life. This is about character, not technique. Every single one of our players is a hero. It's a pity I couldn't be on the pitch, because I have the same character."
Before a Champions League semifinal clash, Guardiola had snapped back. "Since Mourinho calls me Pep, allow me to call him 'José'—tomorrow at 8:45 PM, we'll settle this on the pitch. Off the football field, he has already won."
When Mourinho was later managing Chelsea and suffered a Champions League defeat, he bitterly remarked, "Chelsea is crying, while Barcelona is laughing with the referee, because they robbed my Chelsea boys of their qualification."
The two men could never return to how things were before they became managers, but facing each other as fierce rivals like this was just fine.
Nothing gets the blood pumping more than a national derby, except perhaps a local derby.
The excitement of two teams from the same city competing for the championship carries an extra flavor for local and global fans alike—a completely different kind of exhilaration.
Even when both teams are mid-table, the derby is incredibly important.
But today? Today is a title decider!
..
In the tunnel before the match, players from both teams lined up for final preparations.
Fernandinho, David Silva, Kyle Walker, Benjamin Mendy, Ederson, and Guardiola stood together on the City side.
Ling rubbed his eyes in disbelief—why were there so many shiny bald heads today?
"Is baldness becoming a trend in football lately?" Ling muttered.
David Silva, who had recently shaved his head, casually remarked, "Aerodynamics."
Ling ran a hand through his thick black hair, immediately dismissing the idea of shaving his head bald.
But it seemed that being bald did indeed boost players' performances.
For instance, Walker had been exceptionally fierce in both attack and defense recently.
"I heard you're about to become a father? Congratulations!" Ling said, clasping his hands in a gesture of goodwill toward young Phil Foden.
Foden appeared very excited.
As a product of Man City's youth academy, he deeply admired how Ling could save United at crucial moments.
It must be said that Foden truly is a winner in life.
Under Guardiola's guidance, he achieved a rapid rise and became an indispensable part of Man City.
"Well, we're planning to call him Ronnie. How about that? It's a cute name, right?" Foden replied with a smile.
"I'll be hosting a party later, and I hope you and Maria can come."
"Sure," Ling nodded.
Speaking of which, he and Foden are the exact same age, both of them just 19 this year.
Could Ling potentially overshadow Foden's entire career?
In the future timeline Ling knew, Foden would go on to win every trophy Manchester City competed for.
But now, it seemed Ling's rebirth had disrupted the timeline, making him the one to achieve the club treble with United instead.
Kyle Walker looked at Ling with a highly complex expression.
Ever since he had drunkenly teased Guardiola's daughter last season, Walker had endured considerable hardship, nearly being demoted to Manchester City's reserve team by an angry Guardiola.
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