"The match is over! The match is over!!"
"Luton defeated Roma three-to-one away, and now, in terms of qualification, Luton has practically advanced from the group!!"
"Since Roma only got three points, and CSKA Sofia didn't get any, even if Luton loses all their remaining two group stage matches, Roma and CSKA Sofia won't be able to overtake Luton in points!"
"To compete in the Europa League as a third-tier league team and then advance from the group stage is already enough to command respect. But if you've seen Luton's group stage performance, perhaps you'll have even higher expectations for them in the knockout rounds! They defeated a strong Serie A team like Roma in both legs!! Their performance in the first four rounds of the group stage has been impeccable!!!" Wrightkinson spoke effusively.
At this moment, the television broadcast camera was firmly fixed on Gao Bo.
"This young coach single-handedly built this strong team from the lower leagues!! His team is attracting more and more attention in the Europa League; they are not just making up the numbers in the group stage, they are about to enter the knockout stage!! For the other powerhouses in the Europa League, they probably won't want to face such a combative team!!"
Gao Bo was beaming, while his opponent Ranieri's face was ashen; he had even walked into the players' tunnel before the match officially ended.
The beaming Gao Bo had originally intended to go over and reminisce with Ranieri. As the victor, he was currently feeling very pleased with himself.
However, Ranieri didn't give him the chance to gloat.
The players didn't celebrate for long on the field, but once they returned to the locker room, they completely let loose.
Being able to defeat their opponent under such circumstances was definitely a cause for celebration for the Luton players.
Because they not only defeated the formidable Roma but also advanced from the group with two matches to spare!
"Well done, everyone!!!" Gao Bo didn't stop the players from celebrating.
Advancing from the Europa League group stage was indeed something worth celebrating, and now, for Luton, the meaning of the remaining two group matches was that they still had to compete with Basel for first place in the group.
As for Roma, their next two matches are at home against Basel and away against CSKA Sofia. They need to win both of these matches and then see the result of the match between Luton and Basel.
If Basel loses, Roma still has a chance to qualify, their points would then be the same as Basel's.
However, if the two teams draw, or if Luton loses to Basel, then Roma will have no chance of qualifying whatsoever.
Ranieri's team only had a theoretical chance of qualifying.
And Gao Bo wouldn't just hand over first place in the group to Basel, in the knockout draw, the group winners play against the second-placed teams from other groups, so if Luton secured first place, they could avoid most of the strong teams.
Gao Bo didn't participate in the locker room celebration for long, as he had to attend the post-match press conference immediately.
However, just as he walked out the door, he saw two men in suits approaching him.
"Coach Gao Bo!" one of them spoke.
"We are members of the UEFA Disciplinary Committee!"
Disciplinary Committee?
Facing the outstretched hand, Gao Bo also extended his hand: "Has it been decided that I'm to be randomly selected for a post-match urine test?"
"That's not it!" The other person seemed to completely ignore Gao Bo's humor.
"Someone reported that Luton used stimulants before the match!!!"
Stimulants?!!
Gao Bo's face darkened.
"We would never use that stuff!!"
"Of course, but that requires our investigation first!" the other person said.
"So... all players on the Luton team need to undergo urine tests!!"
...
When Gao Bo walked into the press room with a dark expression, it seemed the reporters there had probably already figured out what had happened.
"Coach Gao Bo, what are your thoughts on Luton being accused of using stimulants?"
A reporter stood up and asked.
"I have no thoughts. Since the Disciplinary Committee doesn't trust my players, then let all the players go for urine tests." Gao Bo leaned on the microphone on the table. "I know that for many people, Luton defeating Roma is an incredible thing. They don't believe in our strength, and they think we must have used some other method to win!"
"The Disciplinary Committee decided to conduct urine tests on our entire team without any basis, and we respect the Disciplinary Committee's authority," Gao Bo continued. "However, if the urine tests show no issues, will UEFA provide us with an explanation?!"
"But Luton's away victory against Roma is indeed an incredibly unbelievable thing, isn't it?"
A reporter stood up, looking very indignant.
Gao Bo stared at the reporter, not speaking for more than ten seconds, until the reporter started to feel uneasy.
"Which newspaper are you from?" Gao Bo didn't answer directly.
"Gazzetta dello Sport! You can call me Perolla!"
"Mr. Perolla, you think Luton defeating Roma is unbelievable?"
"That's right!"
"Why do you think that?!"
"Because of strength!! Roma's strength is far superior to yours!"
"Strength? But we won three-to-one!"
"So there must be something wrong..." Perolla said with a triumphant smile.
"Bullshit!!!!!" Gao Bo suddenly stood up and exclaimed, startling the reporters present.
"If Roma was destined to win, then what was the point of holding this match? Just give Roma three points directly!!! Right, Mr. Perolla!! All future matches could be allowed under this model, competing based on team values, saving ninety minutes of playing time. That way, football would become a numbers game. The star-studded Real Madrid would always be the Champions League winner." Gao Bo mocked.
"But before this match started, Luton..." Perolla's face darkened.
"The night before the match, someone caused trouble outside the hotel where we were staying, preventing my players from resting all night!" Gao Bo picked up the microphone directly from the table.
"That's right, although I personally don't condone such behavior, objectively speaking, Luton shouldn't have had such physical condition for this match!!" Perolla said.
Gao Bo grinned: "Their tricks didn't work, you seem very disappointed... Mr. Reporter!"
"Please don't change the subject! Why did Luton have such physical condition? Do you have a reasonable explanation?"
"Yes!"
"I'm all ears!"
Gao Bo smiled: "I won't tell you."
The English reporters in the press room also laughed.
At this point, Gao Bo became serious.
"The reason my team won is because we have well-organized tactics and an unwavering belief in victory!"
"Most importantly, my players... they are all warriors!!"
Gao Bo finished speaking, put down the microphone, and left the press conference with his head held high. ...