Football Dynasty

Just five days later, Barcelona would face Manchester City in the knockout stage of the 1997–98 UEFA Champions League. However, in today's Clásico, Barcelona fielded all their star players: Rivaldo, Figo, Luis Enrique, Guardiola, and others.

They definitely held nothing back, and this had nothing to do with being five points behind Real Madrid in the league. It wasn't just about narrowing the gap; it was pure competitive spirit—to crush their opponent!

This is what El Clásico means—the derby that represents the voice, pride, and identity of an entire region.

Even though the situation was favorable for City, some of the players were naturally unhappy. To them, it felt as if Barcelona was looking down on them, signaling that Manchester City was merely a stepping stone on the way to a semi-final ticket.

What shocked everyone the most in that year's Champions League was that all Italian teams failed to qualify for the knockout stage—they all fell at the group stage!

Juventus, who had been favorites to go far, struggled in the group stage. Similarly, AC Milan faced tough opponents like IFK Göteborg and IFK Stuttgart and ultimately failed to qualify, which was a major shock given their status in European football.

The season highlighted the increasing competitiveness of other leagues, especially in Spain and Eastern Europe, which began to challenge Italy's hegemony.

It was considered a "nightmare" for Italian teams—they had expected to dominate but instead suffered unexpected eliminations and tactical setbacks, exposing vulnerabilities in squad depth and strategy.

O'Neill definitely noticed this and shrugged, beginning, "This is advantageous for us. La Liga still has 22 teams. Barcelona must fight for the title, and they have to chase Real Madrid. Today, they deployed all their stars for the Clásico, while our players rested just a week ago. We have the advantage and don't need to worry about the league."

Everyone agreed with his sentiment, and Mourinho couldn't disagree—it was indeed the truth.

Barcelona had a tough road ahead, with a packed La Liga schedule, and today's intense Clásico would leave them exhausted ahead of their trip to England on 15th February. They likely wouldn't be at peak form.

"This season, Barcelona has been on a crazy roll. In past years, they'd have certainly won the title, but they happened to face Jupp Heynckes' Real Madrid—perhaps the strongest Real Madrid in the last decade defensively."

Skill alone doesn't guarantee mental strength. With Barcelona chasing relentlessly like wild beasts, this would add pressure on Heynckes' men.

Unfortunately, Real fans dislike this year's Real Madrid for their conservative style. While some disapprove, others see it differently; the current Real Madrid can transition seamlessly from attack to defense—they are strong both offensively and defensively.

Mourinho took a sip of his drink, expressing a deep sense of helplessness about the football environment at both Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Real Madrid fans always dreamed of seeing eleven attacking geniuses on the pitch, expecting their opponents to simply act as eleven defensive dummies. The match often felt like a showcase of Madrid's offensive brilliance, while the other side played the role of punching bags.

If Real Madrid played rugby, they would undoubtedly be the top team in the world—they could assemble the best offensive unit and still secure a formidable defense. But football isn't that simple; offense and defense cannot be separated so neatly.

Mourinho took a slow sip of his coffee before speaking. "You're right. From Capello to Heynckes, Real Madrid has been one of the strongest teams in recent years. Did you see the first Clasico? Jupp Heynckes used an Italian-style defense and counterattack to beat Barcelona 2–0. The teamwork was simple, quick, and fluid—an absolute knockout. Forget about stars rushing down the field or performing solos. Sure, those moments can matter, but if a coach relies solely on individual brilliance, the team is doomed. Even the best players can't shine in every match. When the stars have an off day, how does the team secure victory?"

As everyone watched the match, the room buzzed with discussion, the debate flowing freely alongside the commentary.

Ultimately, Barcelona won via a penalty.

Rivaldo missed the first attempt, but Figo quickly retrieved the ball in the box and passed it back to Ronaldo, who calmly slotted it in—the match's only goal—cutting the points deficit against Madrid to two.

Still, European commitments awaited, and during the final stretch of the league, Real Madrid managed to maintain their advantage.

On the day of Manchester City's first Champions League knockout match, Richard had already arrived at Barcelona–El Prat Airport aboard his Gulfstream.

The sleek jet had cut through the morning sky, touching down on the sunlit tarmac of Catalonia.

As he stepped off the aircraft, the crisp February air carried the faint hum of distant traffic and the anticipation of thousands of football fans. From here, it was just a short drive to the city, where Camp Nou awaited.

The plane from Manchester had just touched down, and soon a figure emerged first. Barcelona, known for its unique scenic beauty as a famous port city in Europe, provided a stunning backdrop for the team.

On the second day, the players ventured out in pairs, exploring and reveling in the wonders of this foreign land.

Dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, O'Neill strode confidently, his left hand casually in his pocket while his right pulled a sleek suitcase. He led the group with a steady, upright poise that drew all eyes.

Behind him followed Mourinho, the coaching staff, and the entire Manchester City squad, each impeccably dressed in suits, radiating charisma and quiet authority.

The fans, who had been waiting anxiously, erupted in unison:

"Look! City is here!"

"Ronaldo! It's really him! The dribble king—the phenomenon!"

"Zidane! Cannavaro! It's really them!"

"Makélélé! Makélélé!"

The Manchester City players were used to the attention of local fans at their training ground, but nothing had prepared them for the level of enthusiasm abroad.

Seeing the fans who had waited patiently for hours genuinely touched them. They stepped off the bus to take pictures and sign autographs, much to the delight of everyone around.

Yet the center of attention remained squarely on the four star players. Even Larsson, a household name, barely captured half the excitement that greeted the Manchester City squad on their first visit.

Thanks to Manchester City's unprecedented record—six wins without conceding a goal in the Champions League group stage—the club was already turning heads. Initially, many had mocked City, expecting them to be completely outclassed by Barcelona. Now, however, those same observers watched with a mix of curiosity and cautious respect, realizing this was a team that could not be underestimated.

Particularly impressive was their back four, rumored to be the tightest defense in all of Europe.

O'Neill was the first to board the bus. Turning to the players, still recovering from the initial shock, he said, "If you're willing, feel free to sign autographs and take pictures with the fans. We can wait for half an hour before we depart."

Outside the airport, even more fans had gathered, surrounding the bus under the watchful eyes of security personnel. Though the traveling party included few security staff, the airport authorities ensured that the entire Manchester City squad could exit smoothly.

This was the magic of the Champions League.

In their last few group-stage matches, City had faced tough competition, but their disciplined defense and lightning-fast counterattacks had already earned them recognition across Europe, especially for their group-stage campaign.

That night, the team stayed in a five-star hotel in Barcelona. O'Neill didn't impose strict rules; the players were free to explore the city, provided they returned before 11 PM to rest.

Preferences among the players varied. Some disliked extra practice on the pitch, seeing it as a waste of time, while others preferred to stay active to maintain their form. Mourinho, tasked with managing the entire team in training, had to balance these differences.

Every decision prioritized the collective over individual preference—after all, this was a team. Nothing the head coach did was random; every choice was deliberate, informed, and carefully considered.

On the same day, the Barcelona team arrived at Camp Nou, creating an even bigger stir than Manchester City's arrival.

Major media outlets from across Europe had descended on the stadium, eager to capture every moment leading up to the clash.

The match was quickly dubbed the "Future Summit Clash."

The term "future" carried a double meaning. Not only was the game yet to be played, but both Manchester City and Barcelona were young, dynamic teams brimming with rising stars. They represented the next generation of European football, destined to leave their mark on the sport in the years to come.

On one side stood Manchester City, young and ambitious; on the other was Sir Bobby Robson, over sixty years old. Both were Englishmen, a fact that made the British media particularly proud.

England had produced its fair share of legendary coaches—figures like Clough, Nicholson, and Sir Ramsey from earlier eras, and more recent icons such as Paisley and Revie. Yet in modern times, few English managers remained in the public spotlight, with Sir Bobby Robson being a notable exception.

He had guided England to one of its strongest performances since winning the World Cup on home soil. Combined with his extensive coaching experience across Europe and his remarkable resilience as a cancer survivor, Robson commanded widespread admiration and respect throughout England.

Despite O'Neill's rising fame and growing popularity in England, it was fair to say he didn't quite measure up to Robson.

While O'Neill might have had a certain flair and charm that captured the public's attention, Robson's achievements spoke for themselves—years of European success, World Cup campaigns, and an enduring reputation as one of football's great tacticians.

As the players filed into the narrow, dimly lit tunnel leading to the pitch, the tension became almost tangible.

On one side, Ronaldo stretched and adjusted his boots, his eyes scanning the stadium ahead.

On the other, Rivaldo did the same, his gaze steely and focused, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

The two legends crossed paths just meters from the pitch.