Chapter 344: Chapter 343: Strengthening the Weakest Link in Lisbon Athletic
"Good evening, viewers. You are now watching the second leg match of the European Union Cup semifinal between Barcelona and Lisbon Athletic, live from Camp Nou, where the players have just arrived in the tunnel."
"In the first leg, the match ended with a three-all draw, and Barcelona, with the advantage of three away goals, is temporarily in the lead. However, Lisbon Athletic is by no means a pushover."
"These two teams have a lot of history. Before Figo transferred to Real Madrid, Lisbon Athletic and Barcelona were strategic-level partners. But Figo’s betrayal enraged the Barcelona fans, especially the club’s members."
"As a result, they vented their anger on the supplier, Lisbon Athletic, and last summer they forced the management to give up on Lisbon Athletic’s winger, Quaresma."
"At the time, this seemed like the pride of a big club, but looking back, it’s extremely costly, even worth more than the former five million euros. Because Quaresma, who was valued at over seven million euros at that time, is now worth over twenty million euros."
"Moreover, Barcelona’s resentment toward Lisbon Athletic has also manifested with Simon. Only recently, thanks to his hot form, has he suppressed Enrique and Cen Deng to regain his place in the starting lineup, as he spent most of the time on the bench prior, even though his skill level is higher than both of theirs."
"Of course, when it comes to Barcelona and Lisbon Athletic, one cannot forget to mention Deng Kai. In his early years, Deng Kai received a trial invitation from Barcelona, but he declined due to his commitment to his studies, which led to his name being blacklisted at Barcelona’s La Masia academy."
"Three years later, in ’98, when Deng Kai returned to football, even with Guardiola’s repeated recommendations, the Barcelona youth department still refused to sign him."
"Deng Kai then declared he never intended to join Barcelona and uttered that famous saying, ’Players who actively join Barcelona often don’t end well.’
"As it stands, this statement seems to have had some effect. In the last two years, Overmars and Simon, who joined Barcelona of their own accord, have not been doing well and failed to meet the high expectations of the public."
"Alright, with the whistle, the match has officially begun... Whoa! Deng Kai starts off with a long-range lob, he’s so fierce, and this is Barcelona!"
"Reina moves quickly and solidly, turning to chase back, he dives with a great effort, and with one hand, pushes the football out of the goal. What a beautiful save!"
"Deng Kai’s midfield lob was beautiful, as was Reina’s save."
"Boos are heard from the crowd; they are angry at Deng Kai’s act of not taking Barcelona seriously. The more casual a player appears to be against the opposition, the easier it is to provoke them. And a midfield lob is definitely a very relaxed and bold action."
"Deng Kai points to the corner area with his finger, reminding the Barcelona fans that their crisis is not over."
"Oh! It’s getting exciting! Guardiola approaches Deng Kai, apparently saying something to him. He must be warning Deng Kai not to provoke their own fans. A player must maintain the dignity of the fans, as that’s one condition of their adoration. Guardiola is a good captain, but he hasn’t encountered the best Barcelona or his best self."
"If not for the multiple leaders and frequent injuries at his peak, perhaps Guardiola’s status among midfielders could have climbed even higher."
"Wow! Deng Kai dodges around Guardiola. Seems like he doesn’t want to listen to Guardiola’s babbling, Guardiola pursues Deng Kai, who turns and confronts him chest-to-chest... Oh! Forehead to forehead, the tension escalates!"
Nobody expected the tempo of the game to pick up in the very first minute.
Guardiola didn’t expect such a strong reaction from Deng Kai.
"Don’t treat me like a kid, Guardiola. I am the core player on the field right now, everyone is looking up to me!" Deng Kai looked at Guardiola without any courtesy, "Off the pitch, I don’t mind greeting you respectfully as a junior, but not right now."
"You know very well the influence my attitude has on my teammates. Knowing that, if you still try to take advantage, that’d be disrespectful due to your age."
"So don’t blame me for not giving you face, today, you lost that face all by yourself."
After being pointed out, Guardiola seemed to deflate a little.
Damn!
This youngster is too cunning; he’s figured everything out.
This is why sometimes a team leader can’t be too gentle or polite. You might internally be as powerful as a tiger, delicately smelling the roses, but your teammates might truly mistake you for one who only likes roses, without the tiger within.
It’s demoralizing.
In the end, the head referee, Gandour, intervened before other players could join the quarrel.
He warned Deng Kai.
Deng Kai told him that it was Guardiola who had come looking for trouble.
Gandour then warned Guardiola, but it was clear he was not pleased with Deng Kai.
Deng Kai didn’t indulge Gandour either; in fact, he intended to use Guardiola to probe Gandour’s standpoint.
As a result, today Gandour was clearly siding with Barcelona.
Otherwise, he should have warned Guardiola first, the instigator, instead of approaching Deng Kai.
This match...just got even tougher.
...
In the eighth minute, Simon cut inside and shook off Terry, then successfully passed the ball to Cruyff amidst Matthaus’s pressure.
The latter took a powerful shot, of superb quality, but it was matched by an equally impressive save from Schmeichel.
In the twelfth minute, it was Simon again, getting the better of Terry in their contest.
This time it was Viana who came back and committed a foul to stop Simon.
But the position of the free kick was relatively dangerous, close enough to try a direct shot on goal.
Rivaldo stood before the free kick, ready to take it.
The Sporting Lisbon side had a tall wall, with Feng Te, Barzagli, Terry, and Drogba, all big men.
Rivaldo took a deep breath and ran up to shoot.
As expected, he went for goal directly.
Bang!
The football soared into the sky.
Not because Rivaldo failed to keep it down.
But because Feng Te leaped up and headed the ball away.
He was the tallest point of the wall.
No one else could have managed that ball.
And once it cleared the wall, it would almost certainly have been a goal.
Rivaldo’s free kick was very powerful.
Feng Te had made a crucial play!
But soon, everyone gathered around, signaling the medics to come onto the field.
Because Feng Te remained on the ground without getting up.
Rivaldo, who was second only to Ronaldinho in taking spot kicks, was known for the strength of his shooting.
Feng Te’s nose was bleeding profusely, worrying everyone who saw it.
But Trigella and Maxa exchanged a look... the chance to strengthen Sporting Lisbon’s weakest link had come.
Soon, the medics helped Feng Te to the sidelines and discussed his condition with Trigella.
Medic: Feng Te is fine, it’s just a nosebleed.
Trigella: Feng Te might not be fine.
Medic: He really is fine.
Maxa: He really might not be fine.
Feng Te: Coach, I think I can keep playing.
Trigella: No, you don’t have to keep playing.
Feng Te: I’m fine, Coach, let me go back on, I can handle it.
Maxa: It’s not fine, if you go back on, the team can’t handle it.
So, Trigella quickly made a substitution before Feng Te completely regained his senses, replacing him with Pepe.
Apart from Trigella, Maxa, and Deng Kai, no one understood what this substitution meant.
Sporting Lisbon’s young squad was about to undergo a super evolution...
Feng Te: MMP!
