Chapter 758: Chapter 757: The Most Perfect Zidane, The Most Pinnacle French Team
No one would deny that Ribery’s shooting was subpar, performance-wise or statistically.
But sometimes, your greatest strength can become your greatest weakness.
Ribery’s habit of "holding out for the right price" and "waiting for the right opportunity," combined with the advantage of being an attacker, made him practically unbeatable.
However, this same long-term approach of "acting according to circumstances" meant that Ribery lacked the courage to go all-in.
He lacked the real feel for that decisive final strike.
The kind of shot where, facing the football, you unleash a Flying Immortal Outside Heaven, or a dribbling move capped off with a Batistuta goal – such feats were forever beyond Ribery’s capability.
As long as the goalkeeper was bold enough to wait, Ribery would be the one put at a disadvantage.
Even his teammates at Manchester City couldn’t analyze this.
The information was there, but very few actually understood how to analyze it.
This was the profound revelation that "Magic Ball Theory" brought to competitive sports.
It wasn’t that data was important.
It was the thought process behind the data that mattered.
"As for Zidane..." Deng Kai spread his hands, "as helpless as it sounds, Zidane is invincible."
"At least I believe Zidane is perfect."
"His temper may be a bit rough, but it’s very hard for us to actually trigger that aggressive side of him."
"This year at least, Zidane still has a strong sense of career ambition. This will, to some extent, make him control his temper, so we can’t capitalize on that."
Cristiano frowned, "Kai, based on what you’re saying, we can’t beat the French team. Because nobody can limit Zidane, and with him, the French team is always at its strongest."
Deng Kai nodded, "That’s exactly what I’m saying. We will only win this match under one condition, and that’s to defeat the perfect Zidane, to beat the strongest French team!"
"There are no shortcuts!"
"If we can do this, then we will not just be the strongest team in the world. What we win won’t just be this Delaney Cup right in front of us."
"But also the Hercules Cup two years from now!"
Upon hearing Deng Kai’s words, the breathing of the entire team visibly deepened.
The World Cup!
Deng Kai was really daring to think that far!
With the European Championship final imminent, he was already dreaming about the World Cup!
Finally, Figo shattered everyone’s beautiful illusion: "From what I know about Zidane, with a fully equipped French team, we... simply cannot defeat the perfect Zidane."
"Kai! I know you are also the world’s number one midfielder. You might even be the number one in the world."
"But personally, I believe Zidane has reached the peak in midfield. You’re as strong as he is, but it’s very hard to surpass him!"
The atmosphere around was a bit tense.
Some of the younger players might not be convinced.
So what about Zidane?
Figo, are you glorifying the past and belittling the present?
Can Zidane win the European pentachampion twice?
Can Zidane win a treble in the Champions League?
Can Zidane achieve a hundred goals in a single season?
Can Zidane lead his team through an entire season of sixty-five games undefeated?
Things that Deng Kai had done, Zidane simply couldn’t.
Deng Kai had already surpassed Zidane!
That was a fact!
Yet Deng Kai nodded, "Yes, that’s the point I want to emphasize to everyone. The bad news is, in this match, Zidane is unbeatable."
"But the good news is, in this match, I won’t be weaker than Zidane."
"I will, just like Zidane, inspire the entire team to make each and every one of you the best version of yourself."
"You are the key to the match."
The entire team looked at Deng Kai with a burning sense of trust.
They felt an exhilarating surge at being trusted. This game, they were the real protagonists?
Who could refuse such an invitation?
Especially Cristiano: "Don’t worry, Kai! This match will be my last before I become the world’s number one forward!"
Then Trigella went on to give some other explanations.
After the meeting finished,
Cristiano pulled Deng Kai aside to stay behind.
"So Zidane really represents the end of the line for midfielders?" Cristiano was still skeptical, "You’ve never been one to leave the game to others. Never!"
Deng Kai smiled, said nothing, and turned to leave the meeting room.
"Hey! I knew it!" Cristiano chased after him, "Tell me, how are you planning to handle him?"
Deng Kai: "It’s a secret."
Cristiano: "Tell me now! Otherwise, I’ll refuse to play!"
Deng Kai: "When the time comes, you’ll naturally know. But if it’s not the time, even saying it is useless!"
Cristiano: "Fuck! Then you won’t make it to that time."
"Because the greatest Cristiano will use a hat-trick to defeat the perfect Zidane and the peak French team in the European Cup final!"
"You really think I can’t beat you, Kai?"
"I just didn’t want to ruin your season’s undefeated record, that’s all!"
"Or else I would have massacred Manchester City when we faced them!"
Deng Kai nodded repeatedly: "Yes, and you’ve taken a Football Association Cup, right? Then let me, on behalf of the fans of the Premier League’s number one Manchester City, say ’thank you’ to the Premier League’s third-ranked Manchester United’s forward Cristiano!"
Cristiano: "Damn it!"
...
July 4, 2004.
The day of the European Cup final in Portugal.
Estádio Alvalade.
Where Deng Kai and Cristiano’s dream began.
The match between Portugal and France was about to kick off.
Neither side had any tricks left up their sleeves.
The line-ups didn’t surprise anyone.
For Portugal:
Deng Kai, Cristiano, Figo
Deco, Costinha, Viana
Veloso, Pepe, Kilop, Carvalho
Byia
=
The return of Pepe was an enhancement for Portugal, being much more reliable than Feng Te.
This is Portugal at its peak!
Similarly, for the French team:
Henry, Trezeguet
Zidane, Makélélé, Vieira, Pires
Lizarazu, Gallas, Desailly, Thuram
Barthez
=
This is also France at its peak.
In addition, Ribery sat on the bench, certain to play in the second half.
Although his understanding with the other French players was somewhat lacking.
His capability could completely make up for that.
The two top three teams in the world began their final battle.
The other team within the top three was off on vacation.
That was Brazil.
Although the Copa America was about to start, the Brazil team in the Copa America was not the top three team in the world.
It was Brazil’s B team.
To see the real Brazil team, one would have to wait another two years.
So, it’s fair to say that the two teams present were the strongest national teams in the world.
Beep!
With the sound of the whistle,
The game officially started.
Portugal kicked off.
But the football was quickly stolen by France.
However, on Portugal’s side, Deng Kai dropped back to participate in the pressing, essentially creating a four-midfielder structure.
The third minute.
This midfield meat grinder finally came to a temporary halt.
With Deng Kai’s encirclement, French defender Gallas lost his passing route.
Cristiano knocked Gallas over and then blasted a shot.
The ball hit the back of the net.
The dragon... took flight!
