403 Advancement Part 2 (1/2)

Eastwood's return gave Twain great confidence. Confidence to go further in the Champions League.

Now the team basically had no major injuries. Everyone was in good shape. Twain could finally arrange his players and set the formations without having to factor in injuries this season.

After defeating the Rangers team in the away game, Twain met with the coaching team to readjust this season's goals, which were to not compete for the title in the league tournament, letting Chelsea defend their own crown. It was good enough as long as the Forest team could maintain its current ranking. They would mainly focus on the Champions League. As for the FA Cup, their opponent for the next round was Chelsea. Twain decided to still send the players with few appearances to play in this game, regardless of the outcome. It would certainly be nice if they could eliminate Chelsea. But he would still be fine if they could not.

Where was the best stage to become famous? It was not a domestic league and definitely not the middling ”oldest cup in history,” but the UEFA Champions League, favored by the television broadcasters.

Of course, as a former Chinese fan, Tang En still had a bit of a ”Champions League Complex.”

This goal was consistent with Evan Doughty's. Therefore, he was also very supportive after Twain told him the team's future direction. Nottingham Forest no longer had the need to prove themselves in the domestic league. Now everyone recognized the Forest team's ability as a first-rate domestic team. Twain now needed them to prove themselves internationally to the European continent and the entire world. Let everyone know Nottingham Forest through the Champions League. Let AC Milan, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus… Let all those big guys know that from now on, they have another powerful opponent. We'll take their money. Yes, Robin Hood is here to rob them of their money and honor!

So, even though there was another game, the Rangers team's ending had already been determined.

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Before the second leg of their match with the Rangers team, the Forest team lost to Everton in an away game for the league tournament, but no one was surprised by it. Twain had hidden away most of the main players. Even the main goalkeeper, Edwin van der Sar, who had played in the league tournament ever since he first started, was put on the bench. Twain's thoughts were known to everyone.

Eastwood, who had scored the winning goal in the last game, was not in the starting lineup. Instead, he continued to sit on the substitutes' bench and watch the game.

Twain gave him fifteen minutes in the game and his performance was quite satisfactory. The Romani Gypsy striker still lacked a rapport with the team, but he did not have to prove himself with a goal. He had already done that in the last round of the league tournament. Now no one doubted his ability anymore.

Moyes's team sent his strongest lineup to face Nottingham Forest with half of its main force. Perhaps Everton never forgot that Nottingham Forest had surpassed them in the final stages of last season and become the fourth team to represent England in the UEFA Champions League.

Seeing how impressive the Forest team was now, the Everton side would inevitably think, If that were us, we would be just as impressive!

As a result, the game with Nottingham Forest had some special significance. They had lost to the Forest team in the away game in the first half of the season. This time, back at their home ground, Moyes did not want to lose again.

It was as he wished. The final score of the match was 1:0. The home team, Everton, defeated Nottingham Forest. Even though Nottingham Forest had deliberately retained their strength, the points were valid and solidly fought for. Nothing was more important than that.

After the game, Moyes was in a good mood. When he shook hands with Twain as friends, he wished the Forest team all the best in another tournament.

”I think the best result will be for Everton to be second in the league at the end of the season and for you to be the champions of the Champions League.”

Twain laughed when he heard that. He was not the slightest bit upset that he had lost the game. ”You're so unambitious, David. If it were me, I would say this: the best result will be that we become the Premier League champion and you become the Champions League champions. We'll all be happy.”

Moyes also laughed. ”No, that's not your style, Tony.”

”No?”

”Well, your style is more like...” Moyes lowered his voice and said in a gruff voice, ”The best result will be that we get the league title at the end of the season and then also win the Champions League.”

Twain scratched his head. That day was still a great distance away from him. Even though he wanted to say that, he and the Forest team did not have that kind of stamina yet.