Chapter 330: Chapter 329: The Absolute Core Hat Trick
The match then entered half-time.
A small portion of Kaiserslautern fans left the stadium.
And the commentators from various TV stations that broadcasted the game were all discussing Deng Kai’s incredible goal.
The news of Sporting Lisbon thrashing Kaiserslautern with an aggregate score of 8-2 spread across the European continent like wildfire within fifteen minutes.
Football fans all over Europe started turning on their televisions and tuning into the match to witness this remarkable goal fest.
Because everyone believed that at least three more goals would be scored in the second half.
In Europe, there were not as many fans of Sporting Lisbon and Kaiserslautern, especially compared to the big clubs.
But many fans love to see goals scored.
Even if you are two lesser-known teams, as long as the match is high-profile and features plenty of goals, people are more than willing to applaud you and boost your ratings.
At the return from the break.
The players of Sporting Lisbon had relaxed smiles on their faces; usually, when the team was behind, Trigella would discuss tactical adjustments with Deng Kai.
Maxa would be there bringing Deng Kai tea and water.
But when the team was leading, especially by a considerable margin, Trigella would retreat into the background.
And Deng Kai would not nitpick his teammates’ performance.
Managing a team is like raising children; you need to scold them when necessary, but you also need to give them space to express themselves when appropriate.
With a comfortable lead, what’s wrong with a player showing off a bit?
Even if a mistake leads to conceding a goal, the team can afford it.
Moreover, this kind of showboating can push a player’s limits higher.
Most people remain cool and collected not because they are born with a big heart, but because they have seen a lot and gotten used to it.
Someone who has never seen a piano might be curious the first time they discover that pressing the keys produces sound, and in such a clear and elegant way.
There’s no shame in that.
Someone who has never been to a high-end restaurant may not know the proper dining etiquette and make a fool of themselves.
That’s not shameful either.
It’s simply a matter of not having seen it before, and once they have, they’ll be fine, and naturally more familiar and graceful the next time.
What’s truly shameful is feigning knowledge when ignorant; or, upon becoming knowing, mocking those who are still unaware.
Are they really mocking others?
No, they are essentially mocking their former selves.
So, with both Trigella and Deng Kai remaining silent, Maxa took the stage and delivered an inspiring speech to the players.
The speech got many players pumped up and filled with excitement.
"Alright, just as I said earlier, play the second half full of thoughtful plays, understand what I mean?" Maxa finished the motivational speech and then followed up with a question.
The players nodded in agreement.
Feng Te thought to himself, "What does he mean, exactly? What did he say just now?" while he began to clap fervently.
The second half of the match started.
Sporting Lisbon restarted the game.
After simple passing, the football reached the right flank.
Quaresma successfully took on his opponent one-on-one and then cut inside.
After drawing defenders, he passed back to Deng Kai who was outside the box.
Deng Kai received the ball and immediately charged toward the penalty area.
"Here comes Deng Kai’s dribbling again!"
"Bicycle dribble, and unlike the ordinary ones, Deng Kai’s bicycle moves—oh no, the speed of his moves—are really fast. This is the type of bicycle dribble that Ronaldo is very good at, looks like it’s electrifying, somewhat stiff, but indeed very fast!"
"Beautiful! Deng Kai has successfully dribbled past his opponent."
"He’s been fouled with pulling and shoving... Deng Kai goes down! Penalty! The referee awards a penalty!"
"The players from Kaiserslautern seemed very hurt, but Deng Kai did indeed fall inside the penalty area. This was an undisputed penalty kick, and not only that, the midfielder also had to receive a yellow card."
"Today, Deng Kai has already drawn two yellow cards, he’s simply unstoppable!"
"Eh, what happened... Oh! Quaresma passed the football to Deng Kai, and he held up three fingers, meaning that Deng Kai had already scored two goals, and with one more, it would be a hat-trick!"
"Everyone knows that a hat-trick means much more to a player than just scoring three goals; it’s also a matter of honor."
"Quaresma has a great sense of the big picture, knowing that his form hasn’t been good recently, with a significant drop in goals and assists. In such a situation, to still give up a penalty kick, you have to be very selfless."
"The team atmosphere at Sporting Lisbon is quite good, they are very united. Of course, this might also have to do with Deng Kai intentionally helping Quaresma out of his slump recently."
Deng Kai looked at the football in his hands and had to admit, he was a little moved.
After all, Quaresma was the team’s first-choice penalty taker.
This... Quaresma really paved the way here.
Who are we playing next match?
No matter who we play, Ben Shiyi Middle School will definitely feed you well!
Better say sorry to Ronaldo, next match Quaresma’s taking your spot for sure haha.
Ronaldo: ???
After ten seconds, Deng Kai threw his arms around Quaresma in celebration.
Then the rest of the team followed, and everyone celebrated the goal together.
"Deng Kai is so relaxed, he actually chose to shoot down the middle for the penalty. The goalkeeper from Kaiserslautern obviously didn’t expect that; he dived to the left."
"Four to one! Sporting Lisbon continues to extend the lead, and they have now made the aggregate score over two legs nine to two! This is terrifying! They have the top firepower in this year’s Europa League! They have scored the most goals!"
"Similarly, Deng Kai has completed a hat-trick in this match. With three goals and an assist, his performance is absolutely stellar! He has told everyone with solid figures who the absolute core of this team’s midfield is!"
"When Viana is on, Deng Kai retreats to play like Matthaus or Deschamps. When Viana is off, the advanced Deng Kai turns into Zidane, Maradona, Ronaldinho!"
In the 51st minute, Sporting Lisbon continues to press Kaiserslautern.
Deng Kai tore apart Kaiserslautern’s defense with a through ball from three steps outside the penalty arc.
Without even stopping the ball, Quaresma cut inside and shot with the outside of his boot, but failed to completely circumvent the defender in front of him, resulting in a blocked shot and a corner kick.
Deng Kai took the strategic corner, passing it to Quaresma on the side.
With a feint, Quaresma tricked the players inside the penalty area into jumping, then he passed the ball across the front of goal, trying to create chaos where anyone who touched the ball could score.
However, Kaiserslautern’s goalkeeper recklessly came out, taking a risk to catch the ball before anyone else.
He then stood up and cleared the ball with a big kick.
Drogba ran back a couple of steps before remembering to hassle the opposing goalkeeper, and by the time he looked back, it was too late.
The football flew to midfield.
Klose and Terry engaged in a fierce contest.
Klose seemed to be at a disadvantage, but after yielding his position to Terry, he nudged Terry as he jumped.
His move was sufficiently subtle and within the intensity that the referee would permit, not constituting a foul.
Terry was affected during the mid-air header, and although not completely off-balance, he intended to head the ball forward but instead sent it towards his own penalty area.
But the force wasn’t enough, and Schmeichel couldn’t possibly run out of the penalty area to catch the ball.
Meanwhile, Klose burst forth in an instant, racing towards the football.
"One-on-one! Terry’s header mistake, Klose with a breakaway... Schmeichel comes out, neither of them makes the first move, they’re both getting closer, engaging in a mental battle!"
"Klose shoots! The ball is fast! Schmeichel dives... just a bit off!"
"The football flew under Schmeichel’s arm... Goal!"
"Two to four! Klose has done everything he could, despite the team still being massively behind in the score, but he has performed very well in these two matches!"
"Scoring all three goals for the team over the two legs, Klose deserves to be hailed as a hot young striker in Bundesliga! That breakaway really showcased his technique; Schmeichel is a top-class goalkeeper, and his presence is very imposing."
"From Terry to Schmeichel, Klose demonstrated his physical prowess, speed, mentality, shooting skills... he excelled in all aspects, he is an all-rounder forward!"
"It’s a pity that Sporting Lisbon’s young players are just too strong, otherwise this should have been a balanced series of games."
"Come to think of it, Klose’s age actually makes it feel like he should be on Sporting Lisbon’s side. There are lots of exceptionally talented young players here, and Klose would definitely mesh well with them."
