Chapter 194: Chapter 193: This is the Real Electric Shock Bike!
In the 36th minute, Maniche was knocked down by Altino, who came charging in and didn’t pull back in time.
This belonged to a normal clash, basically warranting a foul on Altino, but not enough for a card. In the future, most players will play like this, mainly to prevent the player passing the ball from making a run or moving to support.
Maniche was so angry, he got up and started arguing with Altino again.
Altino, still vigorous with age, blended the One Yang Finger and Lion’s Roar Skill perfectly, puffing up his chest in a "come at me" stance.
The referee came over again to signal both players to calm down and seriously pulled Altino aside for a second warning.
If it happened another time, he was certain to be carded.
Altino nodded in agreement once more.
39th minute.
Altino and Maniche were jostling for position off the ball, resulting in physical contact.
While elbowing Maniche, Altino whispered into his ear, "Did anyone ever tell you that your long hair is very pretty?"
A normal man would not accept being described as "pretty."
In the movie "Bright Future of Summer" starring Zhang Zifeng and Wu Lei, the male lead reveals his orientation early on with a pleased "Do you think I’m pretty?" laying the groundwork for what followed.
"You’re freaking disgusting! I f*** your entire family!" Unable to restrain himself any longer and beyond the need for restraint, Maniche shouted.
He shoved Altino with his shoulder, then spun around and pounced, pressing Altino to the ground, ready to punch him.
But Altino was prepared, raising his knee and thrusting his belly upward, flinging Maniche off over his head.
This sequence of moves left the director in shock.
Was this WWE?
The players from both teams rushed over to pull the two apart immediately.
Of course, some took the opportunity to start hurling insults at the opposition.
This time, the referee didn’t hesitate, showing yellow cards to both Altino and Maniche, then holding the yellow card up towards the other players as if to say, whoever comes forward will get one too.
His determined attitude quelled the battle.
But what the Benfica players found unfair was that Maniche already had a yellow card.
Two yellows make a red, and Maniche was sent off the pitch.
Pinto complained to the referee, arguing that Altino should also be sent off.
But according to the assistant referee’s response, Altino was engaging in normal defense, and even if he really did say something, it would be hard to use as evidence.
Plus, Maniche’s action was too aggressive this time; had Altino not reacted quickly, he would likely have taken a few punches.
Swinging fists on the pitch must be dealt with strictly.
The referee told Altino that the next time he committed a foul, regardless of the circumstances, he would be shown another yellow card.
Don’t use your on-field experience to challenge the intelligence of a referee.
This time, Altino finally listened.
Because he had perfectly completed the task Trigella had set for him.
Honestly, when he first heard the task, he thought it impossible.
Such harassment was common for them, and facing a hot-headed player might occasionally result in a yellow card.
A red card was absolutely out of the question.
Yet Maniche... was not just any hot-head.
Such a player really shouldn’t be on the forward line.
Because as a forward, you’re in constant contact with the opposing defenders, and as the attacker, you have to endure more fouls targeted against you.
The same fiery temper in a defender isn’t as easily provoked.
Because you’re more often using sneaky tricks to bully others, you’re the one with the advantage, so why get mad?
What?
You say you’re defending against Neymar?
Then it’s fine.
Neymar naturally carries a "super weak" expression pack, and just about any feint can infuriate the defender, prompting irrational actions.
But from Neymar’s career, especially in major competitions, such provocation often results in mutual destruction, unlike the greater benefit defenders gain from taunting attackers.
"He really is an excellent defender, with that kind of temperament," Trigella mused.
"Altino? He was once selected for the Primeira Liga’s Best XI in his early years," the assistant coach said.
"No, I mean Maniche," Trigella corrected.
After Maniche received a red card and left the field, Benfica, down to ten players, had to actively shrink their formation.
The game instantly turned in favor of Moreirense controlling the ball.
In the forty-second minute, Ronaldo exploded past Okunowo again, and after penetrating near the penalty area, he executed a backward triangle pass.
Deng Kai took a direct shot without stopping the ball.
The football deflected off the body of Benfica’s central defender Feliciano, changed direction, and struck the post before bouncing out.
Moreirense was getting closer and closer to scoring a goal.
The forty-fifth minute.
On the right flank, Alex, seeing no great opportunity to cross, passed the ball back to Emerson.
Emerson switched the ball to Deng Kai, allowing Deng Kai to reshuffle the cards.
This pass was a bit too soft with slow ball speed.
Benfica’s midfielder Kandorov, seizing the opportunity to intercept, immediately stepped forward.
Deng Kai turned his body halfway to withstand Kandorov; he was no longer the short player he used to be.
Moreover, he had been on a strength training program for some time, which had greatly improved his core strength.
Controlling the ball, tapping it along.
Deng Kai turned past Kandorov and launched a direct assault through the midfield.
Facing the defensive midfielder Andrade at the edge of the penalty area, Deng Kai suddenly started a stepover move.
The stepover was blisteringly fast, clearly the electrifying kind he did in the last game that went viral.
The video had circulated so widely that even Andrade was worried for Deng Kai.
But this time, Deng Kai didn’t stumble.
Although his electrifying stepover wasn’t very deceptive, Deng Kai suddenly knocked the ball to the right.
The football angled into the right side of the penalty area.
"Ah! Deng Kai’s stepover this time, though not a stumble like a zombie’s move, but that final touch was too strong!"
"Unless his speed far exceeds Andrade’s, he’s definitely going to lose the ball with that move."
"Crucially, the left-center back Feliciano is also very close to the direction of the ball; he’ll touch the ball before Deng Kai does."
"Did Deng Kai... get past?"
"Deng Kai’s speed this time is so fast! He’s blown past Andrade!"
"Is that move Deng Kai is doing..."
Bang!
The football flew toward the Benfica goal.
The next moment, Deng Kai, who caught up with the ball to take the shot, collided with the rushing defender Feliciano.
Deng Kai was sent flying like he’d hit a wall, rebounding in the opposite direction, rolling several times upon landing, and curling up in pain.
But his first reaction was to open his eyes and look towards the goal.
The net was still shaking, with the football bouncing inside the goal.
"GOAL! Deng Kai! Deng Kai scores!"
"That’s our Caesar!"
"One to two; Moreirense pulls back a goal."
"From now on, they have at least fifty minutes to score the next goal."
"The Moreirense players are very excited, as are the Sporting Lisbon fans at the scene."
