Chapter 336: Challenge from Ronaldo
After the match, Wang Feng called Kaká to console him. The Brazilian was not in high spirits, having worked hard for most of the season, only to end up with nothing due to injury, which was a devastating blow for anyone.
"Can I accept conservative treatment and return early?" he seemed to ask Wang Feng, but also himself.
"I advise you not to do that, because it concerns your entire career," Wang Feng advised.
AC Milan coach Ancelotti is not one to favor rotation, and Kaká's injury this time was mainly due to fatigue from consecutive matches.
The Brazilian responded with a "Hmm" over the phone, but it's unclear if he really took it in. He admired Wang Feng, this outstanding player, and didn't want his peak to be short-lived.
Back in Madrid on April 8th, the Galacticos welcomed Osasuna for the 29th round of La Liga at home.
Coach Schuster learned from Ancelotti's lesson and made significant changes to the lineup, allowing key players to rest fully, including Wang Feng.
According to him, Kaká's sudden injury sounded the alarm for Real Madrid. "We can't expect you to be healthy all the time." This rhetoric also made Wang Feng somewhat helpless; he couldn't just shout that he would never suffer a major injury.
Fortunately, substitute youngster Iguaín was very effective, seizing the opportunity to score the only goal of the game in the 77th minute of the second half. The Galacticos' defense, led by Pepe and Heinze, also performed well under his leadership, allowing them to win at home by a narrow margin.
On April 12th, the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals was held at the Bernabéu, with Real Madrid hosting AC Milan from afar.
Coach Ancelotti made adjustments to the lineup, with Oddo and Yankulovski replacing Carragher and Cafu in the starting lineup. Carragher was out of form, while Cafu was injured.
Serginho was no longer used as a forward, and instead, Gilardino's position was pulled back to play a connecting role. AC Milan's tactics remained centered around penetrating attacks through the middle.
After the start of the game, the Italian forward didn't quite adapt to his new position. He lacked Kaká's surging explosiveness and ability to dribble forward at high speed, making him more suitable as a "receiver" rather than a "creator."
AC Milan's attack couldn't break through, while Real Madrid grew stronger amid the cheers of the home fans. In the first half, Wang Feng cooperated with Reyes and Guti on the right flank. When the Chinese superstar dribbled inside, Yankulovski reached out and pulled him down.
The referee's whistle blew immediately. He ran to the Czech defender and showed him a yellow card, awarding Real Madrid a direct free kick just outside the penalty area.
This free kick was relatively close to the goal, and the fans in the stands suddenly became noisy. Many shouted, "Wang Feng! Goal!" His method of taking free kicks as penalties had already become well-established.
Wang Feng stood at the penalty spot amidst the anticipation, looking at the constantly adjusting wall and the anxious goalkeeper Dida, with a confident smile on his face.
The whistle blew, the run-up, the shot!
The ball pierced through the wall like a sharp blade, flying straight towards the left side of the goal. Dida didn't expect the ball to pass through the wall, and in a moment of unpreparedness, he missed it, 1-0! Real Madrid took the lead!
At the moment of the shot, Wang Feng knew this ball was in! So he raised his hands on the spot, waiting for his teammates to come and celebrate. Raúl excitedly tugged at his hair, "How are you so amazing, every free kick you take is like this!"
In fact, this wasn't surprising at all. As long as a high success rate is achieved from the beginning, everyone will gradually accept the idea of "taking free kicks like penalties," and opponents facing free kick situations will become more timid and doubtful, naturally increasing the error rate.
With opponents making mistakes, one's own success rate will increase, continuing in a cycle, and eventually, free kicks become an unsolvable weapon.
As the second half began, AC Milan's attack failed once again. From the back, Cannavaro got the ball, quickly passed it to the midfield to Guti, the "Golden Wolf," who then passed it to Wang Feng on the right flank.
Wang Feng dribbled all the way to the bottom line, suddenly made a quick stop and change of direction to shake off Yankulovski, then passed the ball into the penalty area. Raúl rushed to the penalty spot, and with a volley, sent a low shot.
Goalkeeper Dida leaped to save it, but the ball still brushed against the post and into the net, 2-0! The Galacticos sealed the victory!
The Bernabéu Stadium instantly turned into a sea of celebration. After four years, they finally made it into the Champions League semi-finals again! Everyone joyfully sang the team's song, calling out Wang Feng and Raúl's names.
With a combined score of 5-1 over two legs, Real Madrid eliminated AC Milan, getting closer to their tenth Champions League trophy in history.
The other three teams in the semi-finals are Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea, with the Premier League unexpectedly occupying three-quarters of the spots, which delighted the British media, exclaiming about the resurgence of their professional league.
As for Real Madrid's opponent in the semi-finals, it will be Manchester United, while Liverpool will face Chelsea, setting up an English derby.
"The Premier League is undoubtedly the strongest league in European football at the moment. It deserves a Champions League trophy," said Manchester United coach Ferguson in an interview.
Speaking of their opponent Real Madrid, this renowned coach gave his assessment: "Wang Feng's ability is beyond doubt, but he is ultimately just one person. In my opinion, it's not easy for Real Madrid to get to where they are now."
"There is an element of luck in this, facing Bayern Munich in the round of sixteen, goalkeeper Kahn and key defender Lahm both injured, gave Real Madrid an opportunity."
"In the quarterfinals against AC Milan, Kaká's injury once again opened the door to victory for them, but unfortunately for them, the players in Manchester United are all in very good health. They will face the full strength of the Red Devils."
Meanwhile, Manchester United's mainstay Cristiano Ronaldo expressed his confidence in an interview: "We will break through Real Madrid's defense, they won't stand a chance!"
This controversial 22-year-old has contributed 21 goals for Manchester United in various competitions this season, with his statistics and abilities significantly improving compared to last year.
But he's not happy at Manchester United, with conflicts with teammates during the World Cup and the inability to fully control the field being his sticking points.
Ronaldo's most coveted club is Real Madrid, the shining Galacticos, the traditional Spanish powerhouse, and the unparalleled heritage are all irresistible temptations for the Portuguese youngster.
Since the first day of playing professional football, his biggest dream has been to play for Real Madrid, enjoying the attention and praise of the whole world.
But Real Madrid already has Wang Feng! The Chinese player is only two years older than him but has a more dazzling array of honors. If he joins, wouldn't he just become a supporting actor?
So he must assert more authority, arrive at the Bernabéu with a stronger stance, so that he can become the center of attention!
So he issued a challenge to Wang Feng in front of the media: "I will defeat Wang in the game, lead Manchester United to the final, and lift the ultimate Saint Brelade Cup!"
It was the first time reporters had heard such a straightforward challenge, so they asked what would constitute defeating him. "Manchester United winning is beyond doubt, and I will score more goals than Wang!"
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