After Gao Bo finished speaking, the players stood up, chests puffed out.
Before they left, Haruko stood at the door and placed a cotton ball soaked in ammonia water into each player's nostrils.
The irritating smell made the players wince as they went out, and some even fanned their mouths with their hands, trying to get some fresh air.
But the effect was good. As soon as the ammonia gas entered their lungs, the players felt as if their heads were about to open up. A cool sensation descended from above, and the feeling of fatigue seemed to vanish.
How could they not be energetic? The smell of ammonia is actually the smell of fermented urine... Anyone who has used a latrine in the countryside would be very familiar with this smell.
When the two teams lined up on the sidelines, the Roma players looked strangely at the Luton players, whose expressions were somewhat distorted and whose hands were constantly moving.
They didn't know what these guys were doing. Was it some kind of mysterious pre-match ritual?
The Roma players couldn't figure it out, and at this moment, both head coaches were already standing on the sidelines.
Ranieri came over and shook hands with Gao Bo. The two head coaches exchanged a brief greeting and then separated.
Gao Bo stood on the sidelines, and the television broadcast camera gave him a close-up.
At this, the entire stadium of 100,000 Roma fans collectively booed.
Being booed by over 100,000 people collectively was a first for Gao Bo. However, his expression remained unchanged; he looked very calm.
"As a head coach, one must have very strong pressure resistance!"
Wright Atkinson's words came from the television.
At this time, the fans watching the game in Luton expressed their agreement.
"Our head coach is the best head coach in the world!!!"
The fans clinked glasses. For this match, Luton's fans desperately wanted their team to win, so they could vent their anger.
The actions of the Roma ultras had truly infuriated Luton's fans.
At this moment, both teams' players finally began to enter the field led by the referee.
The deep red Roma players, the orange Luton players.
The two teams lined up, clearly distinct.
"Alright!! Ladies and gentlemen!!! The fourth round of the 2009-2010 Europa League group stage, a crucial match in Group E, Roma versus Luton at home, is about to begin!!"
Wright Atkinson perked up and raised his voice.
"The night before the match, Luton's players were disturbed by Roma's ultras and couldn't sleep for an entire night. We are not optimistic about whether they will have physical problems because of this!" Wright Atkinson said.
"I hope Luton's players stay focused, ninety minutes!! For these ninety minutes, they need to fight like warriors!!" Redknapp, known for his composure, couldn't help but say some words of encouragement for Luton.
In England, almost all fans were supporting this small team, Luton.
For the English, Luton was just a small third-tier team, and Roma had used such tactics against such an opponent.
It was simply too much bullying.
"Come on, Luton!! Today, as a Chelsea fan, I'm temporarily supporting Luton!!"
"Kill Roma!!! A blessing from a Manchester United fan!!"
"Arsenal fans support Luton!!!"
"Come on, Luton!! Roma is too much of a bully!!!"
"Tonight, we are all Luton fans!!!!"
In pubs large and small across England, many people were also following this match. Since the Europa League matches were after the Champions League matches, and the league wouldn't start until the weekend, many fans came to join the excitement of this match.
Luton, of course, couldn't receive these cheers from England at this moment, but the Luton players were still in high spirits.
Gao Bo's pre-match speech had a very obvious effect.
The players from both teams were already performing the pre-match handshake ceremony.
"Let's look at the starting lineups for both teams!"
Wright Atkinson quickly announced the starters before the match officially began.
"For Roma, compared to the last match, there have been significant changes in their starting lineup, mainly due to several players returning from injury!"
"Goalkeeper Sergio, the defensive line is the partnership of Andreolli and Mexes, right-back Marco Motta, left-back Riise, the midfield is lined up with number seven Pizarro, number thirty-three Brighi, De Rossi, and Perrotta, and upfront, Ranieri has chosen the partnership of Vucinic and Menez for this match. Menez is likely to play as a shadow striker and attacking midfielder in the center, with Vucinic leading the line! A 4-4-2 formation!"
"Luton also uses a 4-4-2 formation! Goalkeeper Schmeichel, the central defenders are the returning veteran Sol Campbell and young Dutch player Jeffrey, left-back is Alex Sandro, right-back Mitchell Piran, the central midfield is the partnership of Kante and Drinkwater, right midfielder Kevin Keane, left midfielder Adam White, and up front, the highly anticipated Griezmann is indeed in the starting lineup, and his partner is still Luton's number nine striker Jamie Vardy!!!"
Just as Wright Atkinson was eloquently announcing the starting lineups, the captains of both teams were already in the center circle for the coin toss.
De Rossi looked suspiciously at Kevin Keane, and even the referee couldn't help but look at Luton's captain.
Because Kevin Keane actually had a... smell of urine?!
De Rossi couldn't help but let his imagination run wild. Did the entire Luton team collectively soak in urine?
Perhaps amused by his own humor, De Rossi couldn't help but laugh.
Then the refereeing team turned their attention to De Rossi.
Both captains of these two teams seemed a bit odd today.
The German famous referee Dr. Brych, who was in charge of officiating this match, mused inwardly.
The coin toss ceremony was quickly completed!
Luton got the kick-off, while Roma got to choose ends. However, Roma didn't ask to switch sides with Luton or anything, as the turf and lighting in this stadium were quite uniform, so being on either side didn't significantly impact the game. Getting the kick-off was more meaningful—this way, Luton could launch the first attack.
Gao Bo immediately came to the sidelines.
Today, he was wearing a black suit and a black tie, standing tall and straight in this stadium filled with hostility towards them.
"Gao Bo!! Luton's head coach!! What tactics will he employ to contend with Roma in this match?" He Hongfa's voice came from the television.
Old Mr. and Mrs. Chen were still in front of the television. When they saw Gao Bo in a suit standing on the sidelines, Old Mrs. Chen couldn't help but say, "Xiao Gaozi must be twenty-eight, right?"
Old Mr. Chen nodded: "Yes, he's twenty-eight!"
"He's almost thirty, and I haven't heard of him dating? What do you think about Old Man Liu's daughter being introduced to Xiao Gaozi?" Old Mrs. Chen suddenly thought of arranging a blind date for Gao Bo...
It seems that no matter who it is, no matter what profession, one cannot escape the fate of being dragged to a blind date by elders.
Gao Bo didn't know that there was an Old Man Liu's daughter in China waiting for him to go on a blind date. All his energy was now focused on this match.
He had to win this match!!
Gao Bo's eyes were burning, staring at Vardy and the others who had the ball in the center circle.
At this moment, the Stadio Olimpico in Rome seemed to have fallen silent. Everyone was waiting for the referee to blow the whistle to start the match!...