Chapter 657: Chapter 656: Ronaldo, Emotional Intelligence Isn’t Something Everyone Can Learn
That exhilarating solo run spanning a thousand miles.
The crucial goal that put the team ahead in the score.
The illusion of passing to Deng Kai, the freedom behind Ada’s feint.
The jeers of the opposing fans, the cheers of our own supporters.
All of these were things Schweinsteiger greatly envied.
Schweinsteiger had already learned through some channels that Lahm was very likely to be called up to the German national team for the upcoming session.
As for himself, it was hard to say.
Of course, with Schweinsteiger’s talent, it was only a matter of time before he joined the German national team.
But he might not make it in time for next summer’s European Championship in Portugal!
This was even more anxiety-inducing for Schweinsteiger than not getting the chance to play at his club!
...
Soon after Lahm scored, the first half of the match ended.
Both teams surely received their coach’s tactical instructions during the halftime break.
The battle between Huo Li’er and Maxa began.
Guardiola: ???
The second half.
In the 56th minute, Robbie Fowler passed back to Gerard, who then sent a through ball that split the Manchester City defense.
Owen scored on a breakaway.
But the linesman raised his flag.
Owen was offside.
The 66th minute.
Deng Kai and Baggio performed a wave of coordination on the left wing, and after receiving Baggio’s pass, Deng Kai completed a cut inside with a sudden dash.
The one defending Deng Kai was Gerard.
Gerard had studied Deng Kai’s sudden dash theory, but when he actually faced the move, he was caught somewhat off guard.
If you can’t keep up, you can’t keep up.
People thought the impressiveness of this move was in the counting of steps.
But it wasn’t.
Only at this moment did Gerard realize why Deng Kai had published the principles of his sudden dash.
Whether the popularization of this method has produced a batch of excellent wingers remains to be seen.
But the deterrent effect it had was exactly what Deng Kai needed.
If you knew Deng Kai was going to count his steps, what would you do?
Either you stand further forward, or you anticipate Deng Kai’s pace and step forward alongside him in advance.
Whichever method you choose, you leave your backside exposed.
It looks like a forward breakthrough, but actually, as you move with him, Deng Kai can easily dribble past you from behind.
Then, you need to turn around, adjust your footwork, and pick up speed again... This process gives Deng Kai the same level of advantage as the sudden dash itself.
In the process of turning around, Gerard reached out and tugged on Deng Kai’s shirt.
But Deng Kai was too determined in his breakthrough, a true embodiment of the Wild Gale.
Gerard couldn’t accelerate when turning.
In the end, Gerard ended up tearing a piece from Deng Kai’s shirt.
And Deng Kai, like an unrivaled knight, charged into the penalty area.
Dudek charged out!
Deng Kai suddenly started swaying left and right, his feet dancing the stepover.
Bang!
After just two stepovers, Deng Kai took a shot at goal.
Dudek was caught rigid.
The football rolled between his legs.
"GOAL! What a beautiful shot!"
"Deng Kai! Deng Kai scores his second goal of the match!"
"Just like Lahm’s goal earlier, Deng Kai’s goal fully showcased his immense personal ability!"
"His inward cut was so sharp, even Gerard couldn’t stop it! Oh, and the referee has shown Gerard a yellow card! Although Deng Kai scored, Gerard still had to be carded for the defense."
"The subsequent one-on-one with the goalkeeper was nothing short of artistic performance. It definitely wasn’t inferior to Ronaldo’s pendulum dribble!"
"In fact, I think if Deng Kai wanted, he could also pull off the pendulum dribble!"
"Over the past season, people have been discussing Deng Kai’s goals and assists without knowing the reason."
"Now I think we’ve found the answer – Deng Kai is not purely a midfielder. He’s actually capable of playing as a forward as well, and he has been doing both jobs all along."
"So as cruel as it might be to say... Henry may not really be the Premier League’s number one forward. And it’s very possible that Deng Kai truly is the top forward + the top midfielder in the Premier League!"
Absurd.
But this commentator’s deduction was also very accurate.
Not to speak of center forward, but at least Deng Kai currently has no problem playing as a winger.
People say that Ribery is the biggest gain for the Premier League in recent years on the wing position, but in reality, on the aspects of breaking through, creating assists, and scoring, Deng Kai is no less impressive than Ribery.
Following Deng Kai’s goal, Guardiola made a substitution from the sidelines.
Villa replaced Baggio.
This was a regular substitution.
They didn’t make all the changes at once because they wanted to save substitutions for time-wasting later.
After all, the opponent was Liverpool.
If Liverpool scored another goal later on, and there wasn’t much time left, then Manchester City would definitely start to waste time.
It has nothing to do with which team it is; this is just a basic tactic in football.
The media that criticizes others for time-wasting at the last moment are oftentimes simply pretending to be foolish and stirring the pot.
But in the 68th minute, Tu Lei, who was sprinting across the field, was brought down and injured by Liverpool’s new defensive midfielder Dio.
Guardiola, after some deliberation, decided to bring on David Silva.
Although Fabregas was somewhat better, his style overlapped too much with Deng Kai’s; Fabregas wanted to play too centrally.
That is to say, he wasn’t comfortable being just a utility player.
For most games, Guardiola would put in Fabregas, trying for a dual-core drive to further explode their output.
But when facing strong teams, it was better to play the more down-to-earth David Silva.
Between them, it was actually a choice between the ceiling and the floor.
In the 71st minute, Ribery’s breakthrough was stopped by Riise.
Manchester City won a corner.
Ribery took the corner.
Inside the box, players from both teams fiercely contested for the ball amidst chaos.
It was unclear who touched the ball first, but it bounced off Happia and fell to the ground.
Bang!
The shortest player on the pitch, David Silva, shot the ball as it sailed under Gerard’s feet and into the net.
"Oh! David Silva! David Silva, who has been on the field for just three minutes, scores!"
"This tiny midfielder from Spain is so lucky!"
"Liverpool paid him no mind, and he has punished them for their disregard."
"In fact, Manchester United’s new David isn’t as good as Manchester City’s David!"
The commentator was referring to Manchester United’s David Berrion.
At first, people thought he was the new Beckham.
But as the season progressed, Berrion’s shortcomings became apparent.
Not only was he unwilling to participate in the defense, but he also didn’t show many highlights in the attack.
Mediocre, that was how Manchester United fans rated him.
It is said that Ferguson is now considering the possibility of having Ronaldo play as a right-wing forward.
After all, Ronaldo previously said that as long as it benefits the team, he can sacrifice himself and give up the forward’s spot to play on the wing, being a support act.
Deng Kai believed that Ronaldo must be regretting it now.
"That’s what you get for not listening to my advice about ’Emotional Intelligence.’" Now what?
You’ve got yourself into trouble!
