Chapter 89: Chapter 89: Switching Sides Is Not Shameful, It’s Called Understanding Tactics
In the second half, Lisbon Athletic’s positions changed.
Ronaldo was no longer on the left wing, but... on the right wing.
His complexion was sullen, and his eyes refused to make contact with Bayern’s players and the cameras.
Clearly, for Ronaldo, this was a shameful admission of weakness.
He was extremely unwilling.
He even directly told Maxa in the locker room that he absolutely refused to change lines, wouldn’t that mean he was scared of Lahm and Schweinsteiger?
However, the legendary coach Maxa didn’t argue with Ronaldo. He generously stated it was Deng Kai’s suggestion, and attached the menu for Deng Kai’s meals for the next week.
Seeing the list with braised pork intestines, spicy sliced pork, and stir-fried kidney... Ronaldo then agreed to the change.
"Oh! Boos are coming from the crowd! They are mocking Ronaldo who was full of confidence before the game, because Ronaldo chose to flee."
"Moving away from the left side, where Lahm and Schweinsteiger are, to the right side. Isn’t this fleeing?"
The live commentary also teased Ronaldo.
But soon, the boos on the field gradually subsided.
Because on the right wing... Ronaldo began to frequently attack Bayern’s penalty area, threatening Bayern multiple times!
In the fifty-third minute, Ronaldo received a lob from Deng Kai on the same side and managed a direct touch and flick, gobbling up Bayern’s left midfielder, then made a high-speed run to the bottom for a cross from the flank.
Bayern’s left-back ran desperately and stretched his leg but still couldn’t stop the cross.
Unfortunately, Lisbon Athletic’s striker Lorenzo was too short to win the header, but Lisbon Athletic still got a corner kick opportunity.
In the sixty-first minute, Ronaldo inside dribbled on the right side, impressively executing stepovers in front of Bayern’s left midfielder, eventually drawing a foul and earning a well-positioned free kick.
Deng Kai took a tactical free kick, Ronaldo won the header, heading towards the goal. The ball grazed the post and went out, narrowly missing the chance to level the score.
Since Ronaldo changed positions, Lisbon Athletic had launched a ferocious wave of attacks.
Although Lahm, Schweinsteiger, and Hitzlsperger also produced highly threatening plays on the right side.
Ronaldo alone created an offensive momentum on this side that was not inferior to theirs.
Led by Ronaldo, Lisbon Athletic was also surging!
In the sixty-eighth minute, Ronaldo received a pass from the backfield teammate Duarte and attempted a breakthrough.
Bayern’s left-back, already rattled by Ronaldo, was panicking and full of errors.
Ronaldo immediately seized the opportunity to deliver a key pass, slanting the football to the right flank.
And Deng Kai had already run into position.
After receiving the ball, a flick and a...
Bang!
Hitzlsperger brought down Deng Kai!
Otherwise, Deng Kai would have been in the same position where he had scored earlier to take another shot.
This was too risky.
Beep!
At the sound of the whistle, the main referee came over and showed Hitzlsperger a yellow card.
Hitzlsperger tried to explain to the main referee, but the referee said don’t quibble, I’ll give you a red card if you continue.
"Indeed, this was an indisputable yellow card offense."
"We find it hard to judge whether Hitzlsperger’s defense was a success or a failure."
"Because this position is very dangerous! It’s just a bit outside the great penalty area arc, one of the highest-scoring points for free kicks!"
"Ronaldo! It’s Ronaldo from Lisbon Athletic who’s taking this free kick."
"This team’s penalties are usually taken by Deng Kai, but when it comes to shooting skills, Ronaldo is definitely stronger. He is also currently the top scorer in the Portuguese U15 league, having scored thirty-six goals in the league!"
"A beautiful curveball! The football bypasses the wall... it’s in! Goal!"
"GOAL!!!"
"Ronaldo scores directly from a free kick! Helping Lisbon Athletic level the score! Two to two! Now, the score is back to square one!"
"This was a successful change of wings. Left winger Ronaldo still has a powerful lethal force after moving to the right!"
"The trouble he and Deng Kai are causing Bayern is no less than the trouble Bayern’s trio has caused Lisbon Sporting!"
The players of Lisbon Sporting began to celebrate enthusiastically, as drawing level with the powerful Bayern was no easy feat.
"Steady on! We must stay steady now! They are the ones in more of a hurry!" Deng Kai took the opportunity to communicate with his teammates and unify their thoughts, confirming the strategy for the next phase of the match.
Then, the game continued.
As expected, Bayern urgently pressed forward with an aggressive attack.
Lisbon Sporting, in turn, fell back completely and managed to withstand this wave of Bayern’s offense.
Bayern could only resort to frequent long shots, which were largely ineffective.
In the seventy-eighth minute, the young star rose to the occasion.
Schweinsteiger made a break on the wing and passed the ball to Lahm, who had joined the attack.
This time Lahm didn’t stick to the flank but cut inside instead, taking a long shot upon receiving the ball, nearly breaching Pilar’s ten-finger pass.
Corner kick.
Lahm took the corner kick, Schweinsteiger, unmarked, leapt high, and scored with a header!
But before they had time to celebrate, the referee’s whistle blew, signaling the goal was disallowed.
Offensive foul!
The Bayern striker had pushed down Angelo as the corner was taken, leading to Schweinsteiger capitalizing on the loose ball.
Schweinsteiger, visibly frustrated, unwillingly argued with the referee.
But the referee had already blown the whistle to continue the game.
Pilar immediately tossed the football to Ronaldo, who had just been involved in defending the corner.
Ronaldo touched the ball and sprinted, quickly bypassing a Bayern player.
"Bastian!" Lahm called out while retreating, calling for Schweinsteiger, who then realized and chased after Ronaldo.
But he couldn’t catch up.
"Ronaldo and Duarte perform a one-two! He’s through!"
"Deng Kai plays the wall, and Ronaldo is past again!"
"Bayern’s formation is in disarray, they’re all moving towards Ronaldo."
"Ronaldo passes the ball!"
"The football comes to Deng Kai’s feet, a backheel drag, it seems to be his habitual move, he likes to use it to change his body orientation from right to left. The football transitions from his right foot to his left foot."
"But this move is slower than directly flicking the ball to the left and wastes a bit of time, it’s counterproductive in a counterattack."
The commentator hadn’t finished criticizing Deng Kai when he suddenly exploded into a sprint, charging towards Hitzlsperger, who had advanced to close him down in the defensive midfield position.
There was an immediate chorus of booing from the crowd.
Because Deng Kai performed the audacious move three meters away from Hitzlsperger.
This wasn’t a move to get past an opponent.
It was a showboating gesture.
The fans thought Deng Kai was provoking them.
Having done such things before, they believed Deng Kai was up to his old tricks!
Bang!
After completing the flashy move, Deng Kai caught up with the football, and his left foot, which was supposed to touch the ball and bring it back under control, instead stabbed the ball forward to the left.
The football was suddenly poked seven meters ahead!
And it went flying under the approaching Hitzlsperger’s legs.
This is...
With the double acceleration, it wasn’t hard to guess what Deng Kai was going to do!
"It’s a sprint! Deng Kai nutmegs and pokes the ball forward, then starts a speed duel with Hitzlsperger!"
"Hitzlsperger is no Schweinsteiger, his speed among midfielders is definitely not a weakness, he..."
"Oh my! He’s overtaken him! Deng Kai has outpaced him! Deng Kai’s speed is much faster than Hitzlsperger’s!"
