Chapter 11 Time Flows

Time passed.

The game gradually stabilized.

After getting used to Arsenal's offensive rhythm, the Galácticos slowly stabilized the situation.

Modrić was everywhere: tracking back to assist in defense, organizing and orchestrating, stretching the front line.

In the framework of the rhombus four-midfielder rotation, he was simply an omnipotent super midfielder from a movie.

He was the one playing the piano.

Casemiro was the one carrying the piano.

Kroos was the pedal.

"Real Madrid's past coaches have left a rich legacy for the Galácticos."

"Most of the players active on the field at this moment have been baptized by different systems."

"Mourinho's counter-attacking storm."

"Ancelotti's rhombus four-midfielder formation."

"Pellegrini's three-dimensional attack built around Ronaldo."

"Benítez's balancing of the midfield trio."

"Zidane kneaded and perfectly integrated all of the above tactical characteristics!"

On the sidelines.

Zidane crossed his arms in front of his chest, his expression grave, his thoughts a little blurry.

28th minute of the match.

Ronaldo worked hard to defend, assisting Marcelo in the thirty-meter area of his own half, hindering Bellerín's advance.

When trailing in the score, his defensive attitude was very upright. Viewers could often see his positioning move back, sprinting in his own half during the defensive phase, and pressuring the opponent's attacking players together with his midfield teammates.

He refused to admit defeat, working hard to contribute to the Galácticos.

"Beautiful, Real Madrid regain possession!"

"Ronaldo's contribution on the defensive end cannot be reflected in the data. His tracking back has a profound significance for the defensive linkage of Real Madrid's entire formation."

"Marcelo did not drag his feet after the interception, passing the ball diagonally to Modrić in front!"

"Arsenal's defense is not pressing too far forward, they are ready to meet Real Madrid's counterattack."

Modrić received the ball with his back to the goal in the left half of the field.

Walcott quickly pressed up.

Xhaka did not dare to press too closely. He had improved rapidly in the Premier League this season, gradually emerging from his youth.

The Swiss midfielder's mind raced: let alone two people, three people may not be able to contain Modrić in a "back-to-goal state." He couldn't let a big gap appear in the midfield barrier and had to cut off his connection with Kroos!

It was not just forwards who emphasized back-to-goal play.

The emergence of Busquets that year made the world of football realize that if a midfielder possessed a "god-level" ability to handle the ball with his back to the goal, it could evolve the team's offensive and defensive transition speed and form into a super state!

This was also one of the reasons why Guardiola drove away "the world's number one defensive midfielder" Yaya Touré.

In today's football, there are four midfielders who can reach Busquets' level of handling the ball with their backs to the goal: Modrić, Çalhanoğlu, Pogba, and Li Kang.

The latter two possess strong physiques, switching to a domineering combat mode to cut grass.

Çalhanoğlu falls easily, good at drawing fouls. Drawing fouls with his back to the goal is also a technical skill.

Modrić, on the other hand, has been baptized by different leagues, and with his gifted outside instep, his handling skills in a static back-to-goal holding state are the most abundant, making pressing players extremely passive.

What's more.

There was also Kroos on the right half of the field, who was invincible in handling the ball statically from the front.

What would it be like if Modrić and Kroos merged like in *Dragon Ball*?

"Outside instep flick?"

"Modrić completes a simple step-over, breaking free with ease!"

"Would it be better to pass it back to Casemiro or transfer it to Kroos? No! Marcelo and Ronaldo are about to step forward!"

"Real Madrid has established a combat team in the left half of the field!"

"The familiar local group advancement is coming!"

Arsenal's defense quickly tilted to the left.

It was uncomfortable.

Many outside instep prodigies have emerged in football in the new century: Rosický, Quaresma, Bale, Carlos, Di María.

They can use their outside insteps to fire shots and assists that stun the audience.

However, only Modrić and Ronaldinho can integrate the outside instep into the "decision-making offensive direction" stage.

Their outside insteps can perform various forms of escape and space grabbing in any high-pressure environment, passing long, medium, and short distances within a limited time frame.

The football often drifts outside the individual's center of gravity, making it difficult for opponents to figure out the overall offensive direction.

In the VIP box.

Beckenbauer raised his glasses.

His eyes revealed appreciation.

"Modrić is very similar to Cruyff... I forgot, his nickname back then was 'Young Cruyff'."

"A seemingly thin body contains great energy."

"He is a Cruyff with more stamina, more focus on the game, stronger defense, stronger will, weaker forward propulsion, and worse jumping ability."

"A simple back-to-goal step-over can allow Real Madrid to establish a local advantage on the left!"

"If he distributes it to Kroos, Real Madrid will establish an advantage in the right half of the field to defeat the high defensive line."

"If he passes it back to Casemiro in the rear, although the passing options will be more abundant, Real Madrid will lose a good opportunity to advance."

"You see, he plays like a winger now... Ten minutes ago, he was like a defender."

"A midfielder who can switch different roles and adapt to different system changes and switching abilities according to different game frequencies and intensities."

"A structuring midfielder."

"Yes, he's like Cruyff, Li is more like me."

Millennium Stadium.

Real Madrid fans were ecstatic.

Banners, team flags, and scarves waved wildly, forming waves of white.

Arsenal's defense tilted greatly to the left.

*Pa!*

The football suddenly flew to the right half of the field!

"A highly concealed transfer ball!"

"Kroos!"

The football fell rapidly, but quietly kissed Kroos's white shoes.

Cazorla decisively pressed up.

*Pa!*

A push from the white shoes.

The football avoided the direction of the Arsenal master's pressing.

Then it quickly rolled to the right wing.

Carvajal combined the stop and dribble, slashing diagonally into the penalty area!

The speed of the two passes was too fast.

The originally tilted Arsenal defense now had no time to adjust the number of players in the zone defense.

Li Kang ignored the cursing Nesta phantom, but had Čech block the near post, while he stood near the far post.

Real Madrid had already played out a complete offensive chain, with many finishing points.

Unless there was a Saúl in Arsenal's lineup, Li Kang could only stand behind the defensive line, resisting the final offensive.

"Monreal is very calm, he will not let Real Madrid's full-back pass easily!"

"Carvajal's backwards pass!"

"The inserted Casemiro!"

"Coming with his leg stretched out!"

Casemiro's progress this season was very obvious. Under Zidane's patient training, this guy's physical and technical advantages were perfectly integrated, and his long-range shooting level had also greatly improved.

*Ping!*

The right foot struck the oncoming football!

The whole audience exclaimed!

A Samba Scimitar appeared at the Millennium Stadium!

The football accurately curved towards the far post of Arsenal's goal.

Real Madrid fans were full of expectations: the Galácticos were about to tie the score.

*Pa!*

The close-range sound equipment for this Champions League final was synchronized with the Russian World Cup, using the most advanced technology.

Tens of thousands of spectators at the scene felt as if they had been hit in the face by the football.

The football bounced out of the baseline.

Li Kang fell headfirst onto the turf.

His teammates rushed forward, and Isco, who was closest, anxiously inquired about the injury.

The referee stopped the game, waving to signal the team doctor to enter.

Xhaka reacted the fastest, immediately pretending to be injured and falling on the turf: according to the rules, if Li Kang was the only one injured, he would be asked to leave the field for treatment, and Arsenal would be short one player for a period of time, but if two players were injured, the game would be suspended.

"Real Madrid's excellent scoring opportunity! Was blocked by Li Kang's face."

"Too bad."

"Li Kang, once again becomes Arsenal's hero!"

Casemiro dejectedly put his hands on his hips: it was clearly a sure goal.

On the sidelines.

Wenger looked worried, anxiously urging the team doctor.

Zidane touched his bald head, his expression complex.

[Injury Immunity Module triggered.]

[Repairing.]

[Repair completed.]

The number 5 phantom in Li Kang's vision flashed and disappeared.

Only because Casemiro's long shot was too focused on arc and angle, it was not a super cannon.

This level of minor injury recovered too quickly under the effect of the Injury Immunity Module, unable to maintain Beckenbauer's "Unbreakable Soul" for a long time.

"There's nothing serious!"

"Arsenal's team doctor took out a small bottle and placed it near Li Kang's nose."

"It contains a special gel that helps to quickly stop nosebleeds. The team doctor held up a few fingers in front of Li Kang, no problem! His mind is clear, there is no potential risk of concussion!"

"Hopefully, this Champions League final will not replicate the Krammer amnesia incident in 2014."

"He wiped his face, the nosebleed did not stain his jersey, no need to change it!"

Arsenal's number 10 stood up again.

Millennium Stadium, applause like a tide.

Spectators from all over the world shouted words such as "tenacity" and "iron blood."

Li Kang did not enjoy these praises, blocking the ball with his face was just a matter of probability:

If Carvajal's final pass had been given to Isco, who was cutting into the penalty area, this phenomenon would not have occurred.

Time passed by minute by minute.

The Galácticos' midfield gradually controlled the game, creating threats repeatedly.

Under Zidane's instructions, Casemiro also rotated and switched positions multiple times, stepping forward to become a fulcrum on the side ribs.

Kroos and Modrić acted as continuation points for the second attack on the periphery.

Benzema roamed in the gap between Arsenal's two centre-backs, heading and kicking, repeatedly sending deadly passes.

The offensive chain formed by the Galácticos in positional warfare was extremely complete.

Either out of bounds.

Or a second attack.

Each player's competitive state was getting better and better as time went on.

Arsenal fans couldn't help but feel their hearts clench.

As if the opponent would tie the score in the next moment.

43rd minute of the match.

Positional warfare phase.

"Real Madrid wants to tie the score in the first half!"

"Relying on adversity... Ramos is also up!"

"There are too many finishing points."

"This time, Kroos's wide-range transfer is given to Marcelo... An extremely wonderful stop! Does he have super glue on the soles of his shoes?"

The shadow in Li Kang's brain spread wildly.

"Bullet Time" activated.

Time seemed to be slowed down countless times.

Several of Real Madrid's next passing routes were automatically deduced in the God's perspective.

Several flaws appeared in the timeline.

The valuable asset that Pellegrini left to the Galácticos was not in line with Ancelotti's midfield framework.

The river of time flowed again.

The football left Marcelo's right foot, rolled into the penalty area, and Ronaldo, feigning a tendency to turn back, deceived Maguire, taking advantage of the gap in the left ribs to step forward!

*Pa!*

In everyone's eyes.

Arsenal's number 10 abruptly cut off this perfect passing route.

"Ronaldo's pace adjustment is perfect, and his starting speed is not slow, but Li Kang seems to have predicted Marcelo's thoughts."

"The Galácticos' offensive chain has been shattered."

"Arsenal's counterattack!"

Walcott and Bellerín, two super-fast horses, sprinted wildly.

Sánchez started at high speed from the left.

What about Giroud?

He had been involved in defense for the past ten minutes, and because he was too slow, he couldn't outrun the returning Real Madrid players in the counterattack.

Li Kang passed the ball to Maguire and then ran forward.

A neighing sound came from his ear.

The phantom of Borussia Mönchengladbach struggled out.

Maguire made it difficult for Casemiro and Kroos, who were trying to counter-press.

It was difficult to judge the direction of the ball from this guy's supporting foot and body inclination.

Why was his passing action so slow?

Even if it was slow, they couldn't steal it.

They were still several bodies away.

*Ping!*

Amid the cheers of tens of thousands of Arsenal fans.

Maguire's long pass finally did not hit the opposing player in the face.

"Master-class long pass!"

"The strength is too full!"

"The lead is very sufficient!"

"Bellerín takes advantage of the situation, Real Madrid's high defensive line is in danger!"

"Arsenal's three points in the frontcourt..."

"Wow, Li Kang is also up! He's too fast!"

Bellerín's dribbling range was very large, so he could maintain his speed.

After all, not everyone can have the ball control during high-speed running like Bale and Kaká.

But it was enough.

At this time, only Pepe and Carvajal were left in Real Madrid's backcourt.

When he reached the thirty-meter area.

Walcott had already cut to the center.

Arsenal completely spread out the offensive fan, and there was also Li Kang coming from behind.

"Real Madrid is in danger!"

"Bellerín passed the ball to Walcott."

"Pepe lost his position and pressed up... This decision is a bit impulsive."

"The football came to Sánchez's feet."

"Huh?"

"How can Pepe, who lost his position, block Li Kang!"

Sánchez dribbled the ball to the edge of the right side of the penalty area, stopped suddenly, changed direction, and shook off Carvajal!

*Ping!*

A curling shot!

Navas reacted quickly, stretching his body to the extreme, and his purple gloves changed the trajectory of the fatal arc!

The football finally smashed into the junction of the left post and the crossbar... bouncing out of the baseline.

"Too bad."

"Arsenal's corner kick... Huh? Why did Li Kang fall to the ground again?"

"Pepe..."

Millennium Stadium.

The noise rose.

Spectators from all over the world cursed everything that had just happened on the field in different languages.

Pepe looked innocent.

Bending over and shrinking his hands, he pitifully explained to the referee.

Live broadcast room.

The big screen replayed the process of the foul just now:

Pepe, who lost his position and pressed up, failed to interfere with Walcott's pass, and still rushed forward, raising his arm and smashing his elbow into Li Kang, who was sprinting at high speed.

After Li Kang fell to the ground.

The back of his hand was also stepped on by Pepe.

The barrage exploded instantly.

-

[Damn, so dirty, it's outrageous not to give a red card!]

-

[Hard to say, last time Messi was treated like this by Pepe, and what happened? Pepe only got a yellow card!]

-

[Koke was treated like this last time, and Pepe only got a yellow card.]

-

[A meaningless foul.]

-

[The referee and linesman's attention must have been on Sánchez receiving the ball and shooting, pay attention to the overhead view, Pepe pinched the referee's blind spot.]

-

[I heard that starting from the Confederations Cup, the top five leagues will gradually use VAR technology, and such malicious fouls will not escape punishment in the future.]

-

[Is this guy playing football or fighting?]

-

[It's over, if Li Mingdeng can't continue the game...]

The pain on Li Kang's face and the back of his hand quickly faded.

He opened his eyes again.

The phantom of the white number 5 shone with a faint white light.

Beckenbauer.

Unbreakable Soul.

(End of this chapter)