Una wey wan happen tomorrow for Champions League na real gbege! Jose Mourinho go face im former pupil, Álvaro Arbeloa, as Real Madrid dey clash with Benfica. E go be wahala!
As dem talk say ‘show me your friend, I go tell you who you be’, dis matchup no be different. Arbeloa and Mourinho don sabi each other well since dem dey for Bernabeu together from 2010 to 2013. Dem share lot of memories wey go fit shape wetin go happen tomorrow.
Mourinho, na man wey sabi how to dish am for pitch; him no carry last, but e sabi how to make enemies sef. Arbeloa dey follow him like loyal dog, so as Arbeloa don take up new coaching role for Madrid after Xabi Alonso, na im time to show wetin him don learn from ‘The Special One’.
Back in the days, Mourinho dey give players like Ronaldo hot lecture when dem no want run. Arbeloa tell us how Mourinho don change dem as players, say “E no send if you be superstar; if you no fit run, you go sit down for bench!” Na wetin him eye see for LA Galaxy match that time wey dem de lose 2-0 at half-time.
Now, as Arbeloa don inherit coach gbola, e go must face same big names wey dey perform under pressure. Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and the rest no go wan see am spoil dem game. Arbeloa don already dey show say he fit combine Mourinho style wit im own style. E dey face players with ginger and pep instead of dey shout them down. The pressure don start carry dem like wetin we fit dey expect for tomorrow match.
As Mourinho dey use his mind to think strategy for tomorrow, e go try teach Arbeloa a lesson too. But e get something wey no fit hide; Arbeloa don show loyalty to his mentor and e still dey carry some of his teachings for heart.
With Madrid needing only a draw to secure their Champions League knockout place and Benfica needing win to keep hope alive, na only one thing dey for their mind: no dulling! Mourinho’s side dey come with everything while Arbeloa dey find his footing as coach.
Make we just hope say dem no go throw banter for touchline. Na Champions League we dey talk about! But one thing we fit sure say, whoever come out better na we go celebrate am like real Naija victory. Get your drinks ready for the action wey go unfold tomorrow!
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