Chapter 463: Chapter 462: Injury Crisis Incoming?
Why did this happen?
Because the current Portugal team was led by the Golden Generation of Figo and Rui Costa.
They won back-to-back World Youth Championship titles in 1989 and 1991, and made it to the semi-finals of the European Championship in 2000.
This year was their best chance to make a run for the World Cup.
The team had a complete roster, mature tactics, players were full of understanding towards each other, and they were just one step away from making history... If you were in their shoes, would you want some unknown newcomer to come in and reap the rewards?
Even if you weren’t worried about someone else reaping the rewards, the addition of any newcomer at this time could potentially disrupt their chemistry, leading to unpredictable consequences.
And moreover...
To put it bluntly, Ronaldo could possibly be selected, but Deng Kai stood no chance.
Ronaldo: Is that supposed to sound harsh?
Why?
Because Deng Kai was the core of the team.
Even if he was better than Rui Costa and Figo, Portugal certainly wouldn’t let him become the core of the team at this stage.
Team cohesion isn’t something that can always be resolved with strength alone. It takes time, like polishing with water.
Moreover, Deng Kai at this stage was not even better than Rui Costa.
Not to mention Figo.
Perhaps Deng Kai’s honors from the previous year far surpassed those of Rui Costa, but look at the teammates around Rui Costa, then look at the teammates around Deng Kai.
While outsiders might not appreciate the true worth of Ronaldo, Drogba, Ibrahimovic, Pepe, Terry, Barzagli, and others, could Deng Kai himself be unaware?
These three reasons, the first two are just the last two straws that broke the camel’s back.
The last one is the real reason.
You can’t say Figo and Deng Kai didn’t get along. Damn it, Kai, Figo could even endure the pain to squeeze you in as a winger, but look at Ronaldo... but you, damn it, are the core.
And not just any core, but a super core.
Ronaldo: ???
Ronaldo: Damn it, I’m the winger! I’m Yi Yang Qianxi, shit... I’m the forward!
After listening to Beckham’s analysis, Victoria clapped and praised, "That’s great, then there’s no problem with our summer sailing plan."
Beckham was puzzled, "But I have to play in the World Cup, how can you go then?"
Victoria: "You play your World Cup, we’ll go sailing with Deng Kai, what’s the problem with that?"
Uh... Beckham always felt there was something odd, but couldn’t pinpoint the flaw.
...
February 22nd, the 24th round of the Portuguese League.
Sporting Lisbon, fresh from drawing with Arsenal, won 4-0 against Guimarães.
February 27th, the second phase of the Champions League, fourth round.
Barcelona defeated Juventus 2-0 and, with one win and one draw against Juventus, held the advantage.
And with seven points, they became group leaders.
On the other hand, Arsenal crushed Sporting Lisbon 4-1 at their home ground.
For the fans of Sporting Lisbon, this was hard to swallow.
But for the outside world, this was considered normal.
Sporting Lisbon could defy expectations and draw against Arsenal once, but you can’t expect them to keep drawing against Arsenal.
After all, that’s the leader of the English Premier League.
The Portuguese League and the English Premier League are not on the same level.
Arsenal also finished as the second in the group with seven points, with Barcelona having the advantage over them due to head-to-head results.
However, the internal view within Sporting Lisbon didn’t agree with the outside world’s opinion.
They could’ve reasonably hoped to draw with Arsenal again this match.
But then Schmeichel had to withdraw early due to injury.
After Reina came on as a substitute, he gave a disastrous performance, showcasing a butterfingers technique in front of Himan that made Himan realize what it means to be outdone by the new wave.
As such, Lisbon Athletic’s fourteen-round unbeaten streak across all competitions was finally ended by Arsenal.
For a moment, the English media felt elated, covering the result of the game extensively as though Arsenal had won the Champions League after defeating Lisbon Athletic.
They were very eager to capture Deng Kai’s disappointed expression after the game.
But what they ended up with were only photos of Deng Kai dropping Hathaway off at the "Pirates of the Caribbean" set.
Out of options, they mismatched the photo of Deng Kai sending Hathaway with the news of the Arsenal game.
"Deng Kai’s helpless face! He has no words in front of the mighty Arsenal!"
In the news, Deng Kai was wearing casual clothes.
"Holding hands is of no use! Deng Kai reaches out to Wenger for goodwill, but Wenger mercilessly crushes Lisbon Athletic without mercy!"
This photo was of Deng Kai holding hands with Hathaway, cleverly joined with the image of Wenger professor searching his pockets, creating a visually excellent effect.
"Embrace Farewell! Before leaving London, Deng Kai hugged a red-haired person. And among all the players in the game, only Ljungberg’s hair is red! This..."
This was getting ridiculous.
Because Deng Kai was hugging Hathaway in such a way that he obscured her, leaving only a bit of her red hair visible, and the English media made up stories.
Ljungberg was wronged.
Hathaway: Wait, you’re taller than me now? You can block me?
Deng Kai: Ever heard of height-increasing insoles? You’d better not have; otherwise, you’ll be taller than me again.
Hathaway: Don’t worry, we women don’t use height-increasing insoles. I’ll wear high heels next time.
Deng Kai: High heels hurt your feet!
Hathaway: Oh, I thought high heels hurt your pride.
Deng Kai rests in peace.
"Kiss Goodbye! Hathaway tearfully bids farewell to Deng Kai, begins shooting ’Pirates of the Caribbean’!"
This piece of news finally wasn’t stirring up trouble.
...
Affected by the Champions League, Lisbon Athletic’s performance dropped in the 25th round of the Portuguese League on March 2nd.
They drew 2-2 with Braga and failed to increase their lead over Porto.
On March 7th, the quarterfinals of the Portuguese Cup kicked off.
Lisbon Athletic vs Benfica.
The process of this match wasn’t heart-stopping.
Lisbon Athletic took the lead right from the start.
But not long after the start of the second half, Kaka had to leave the field due to injury.
This cast a further shadow over the future of Lisbon Athletic.
They were clearly hit with an injury crisis.
The side effects of battling on three fronts began to emerge, as the physical crises of the players turned into injuries.
Once such a situation occurs, it’s often not an isolated case, but rather comes in droves.
In the end, Lisbon Athletic beat Benfica 2-1 and advanced to the semifinals of the Portuguese Cup.
This only added to the weight of their triple-front battle.
Rational fans suggested it was time for the team to give up the Champions League.
Although it’s the summit every club aspires to reach.
But for the fans of Lisbon Athletic, reaching the last 16 of the Champions League was already enough; they were very satisfied.
Having reached the quarterfinals, it wasn’t likely to make it to the semifinals, so why struggle so hard in the Champions League?
Moreover, the toll of each Champions League battle is higher than that of other games.
Conversely, Lisbon Athletic should focus on the league and the Portuguese Cup, aiming to successfully defend these two titles.
