"I am very dissatisfied with your performance in the first half!"
Scolari's voice boomed through the Chelsea locker room, but the reaction was mixed. While some players listened attentively, others seemed distracted, going about their own business.
The frustration stemmed partly from Scolari's use of Spanish. His limited English proficiency meant he often needed a translator to communicate effectively with the team.
"We need to attack in the second half!"
When the translator repeated Scolari's words in English, the players turned their attention to him.
"Didier will play in the second half!"
Hearing this, Drogba, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly perked up.
Finally, the old Brazilian remembered me when he needed to attack!
---
Drogba had spent a significant portion of the season sidelined with an injury. Upon his return, he found his starting position taken by Anelka. While that arrangement made sense during Chelsea's strong early-season form, the team had struggled over the past two months. Anelka, playing as the lone striker, was mired in a goal drought.
Many pundits had called for Drogba's return, or at least a partnership with Anelka upfront. However, Scolari had stubbornly persisted with his preferred lineup.
The news unsettled Anelka, who knew Drogba's reputation as a dominant forward. If Drogba performed well and Scolari stuck with a single-striker system, Anelka could find himself relegated to the bench—a prospect no player relishes. Beyond the desire to play, there were financial implications, too. Substitutes missed out on debut bonuses, goal bonuses, and even smaller shares of match-winning bonuses compared to starters.
Meanwhile, senior players like Lampard and Čech welcomed the decision. Drogba had better chemistry with them, and his physical presence in the penalty area provided a strong focal point for attacks. Anelka, on the other hand, was better suited for counterattacks and had struggled in games requiring physicality.
---
"Joe! You'll rest in the second half!"
Scolari's announcement drew surprised glances around the room.
Replacing Joe Cole?
Could this mean Chelsea would play with two strikers?
Joe Cole was equally taken aback but understood the reasoning. The team needed to attack, and deploying two forwards was a logical move.
"Now we have two strikers on the pitch!" Scolari declared. "One will play wide, and you'll switch positions as needed!"
Lampard frowned, frustration evident on his face.
This old man… still can't let go of his obsession with the lone-striker system. Is he really asking Drogba or Anelka to play on the wing? Neither of them is suited for that!
"I'm not playing wide," Anelka said flatly, looking up.
Drogba scowled, clearly annoyed. If you won't play wide, does that mean I have to?
Tension was building between the two forwards when the locker room door suddenly opened.
---
Abramovich strode in, his presence silencing the room instantly.
The Chelsea owner's expression was one of fury. His abrupt entry embarrassed Scolari, not only because it interrupted a near-conflict but also because it breached an unspoken rule: the sanctity of the locker room. Traditionally, only players and coaches had access, and any outsider entering during halftime was seen as a violation.
"I want to win!!!" Abramovich roared, veins bulging on his forehead. "I want a big win! Send those arrogant Chinese fans out of the stadium humiliated!"
His voice echoed in the room before he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
---
Meanwhile, in Luton's cramped and poorly soundproofed visiting locker room, Gao Bo stood by a tactical board, pointing emphatically.
"We'll defend for another 20 minutes in the second half! The match will be decided after the 70th minute!"
The players listened intently. For 17-year-old Adam White, this was an especially exciting moment. Gao Bo had promised to bring him on around the 65th minute, making him the centerpiece of Luton's attack.
"You will be the one to win this match!" Gao Bo said, clapping a hand on Adam's shoulder.
The young player nearly trembled with excitement. Facing Chelsea as a game-changing substitute was a dream come true.
"Stay calm," Gao Bo said, ruffling Adam's curly hair. "As a professional player, the only time you should lose your composure is after scoring!"
"Yes, boss!" Adam replied, standing tall and determined.
Laughter filled the room, lightening the tense atmosphere.
---
Halftime ended quickly. As the players filed out of the locker room, Gao Bo watched them with a smile.
"After this match, many of these boys will become stars overnight," he thought.
He closed the locker room door behind him, confident that his team was ready to make history.