The two teams returned to the starting line.
ssi showcased his exceptional dribbling abilities, while Chen Zhong demonstrated his excellent jumping ability.
One charged through alone, the other overpowered the opposition.
Both displayed their unstoppable sides.
The fans in the stands were still discussing Chen Zhong’s recent header, with Valdes jumping to reach, but only reaching Chen Zhong’s chin, which was extrely impactful.
Many fans even joked online, asking how Valdes couldn’t reach Chen Zhong even with his hands!
Barcelona kicked off again, patiently executing high-frequency passing combinations, with nearly 30 passes within a minute, leaving Real Madrid players exhausted.
This was Guardiola’s third season coaching Barcelona, and most of Barcelona’s players had been cooperating since they were young.
They seed to play seamlessly without needing to think in midfield.
The level of cooperation was sothing even Chen Zhong couldn’t counter.
However, while Real Madrid was troubled by Barcelona, Barcelona was equally troubled by Real Madrid.
Real Madrid built a "wall" around Chen Zhong, and Barcelona couldn’t find a breach, resorting to lateral or backward passing.
After nearly a minute of ball control, they had to concede that penetrating the goal through the center was a fantasy.
"Barcelona continues to control the ball."
"But Real Madrid’s defense is incredibly tight."
"Shifted to the flank."
"Trying to find an opportunity from the wing."
"Alves gets the ball."
"Crosses."
Barcelona tried to seize an opportunity from the wing. Alves initially intended to cut inside but chose a low cross after a brief probe.
A low cross suits quick and agile forwards, and the small-statured Pedro and Cavaleiro both went for the ball’s landing spot, with Pedro getting it.
But he only managed to get it.
When he attempted to shoot, Cavaleiro blocked it.
Villa retrieved the ball but didn’t dribble himself, opting to push it toward the center, with ssi keenly advancing and trying to speed up with his short legs.
But Chen Zhong was tightly glued to him, stifling ssi’s speed, forcing him to watch the ball miss, and finally Khedira cleared it to the sideline.
"Barcelona’s coordination inside the penalty area is beautiful."
"Pedro tid his forward run very well."
"But Cavaleiro wouldn’t let him shoot so easily."
"Villa attempts to set up for ssi."
"But ssi is thwarted by Chen Zhong’s interference."
ssi put his hands on his hips and glanced at Chen Zhong, his expression seeming to say, "Stop sticking to ."
That scene of Chen Zhong marking ssi also opened the eyes of many coaches, realizing that assigning a player like thick glue to stick to ssi could yield miraculous results!
Chen Zhong, observing ssi’s expression, raised an eyebrow. While he’s not as agile as ssi, he relies on defensive intuition, strong physique, and wide vision.
He allows ssi to experience what it ans to be just a step ahead.
As the na suggests, when he sees an opportunity, soone else beats him to it and snatches his chance.
In the next few minutes, both teams had their offensive and defensive monts, but Barcelona clearly "wasted" more ti.
Guardiola’s Barcelona had too many "useless" passes.
"ssi gets the ball."
"Straight to Iniesta."
"What?"
Chen Zhong’s tight marking dimd ssi’s presence, and ssi dared not keep the ball at his feet because Chen Zhong embodied the idea that "power brings miracles" upon him.
However, Barcelona’s prolonged possession to so degree numbed Real Madrid, as evident from their declining pressure intensity.
Iniesta seized this mont, trying to pierce Real Madrid’s defense with a direct pass.
"ssi passes back."
"Gives it to Iniesta."
"A direct through ball!"
"Trying to break through Real Madrid’s defense."
"Pepe!"
This is a common tactical combination, with Iniesta’s pass being very decisive. Casillas adjusted his position, ready to rush out at any mont.
But Pepe launched himself to intercept Iniesta’s pass.
Pepe made contact with the ball, causing Chen Zhong’s expression to change, quickly leaving ssi’s side, while ssi was utterly surprised, realizing the opportunity only as Chen Zhong began his run.
Could this man be so sharp?
"Pepe’s sliding tackle."
"Made contact with the ball."
"The ball deflected!"
"Xavi!"
Xavi!
Like a ghost, he obtained the deflected ball under fate’s favor.
Noticing Chen Zhong approaching nacingly, Xavi quickly dribbled diagonally.
Then...
A ground-hugging shot!
Casillas, caught off guard, couldn’t fully block the shot, only able to watch it go into the net.
"2:1"
"Xavi!"
"Barcelona takes the lead again."
"This is Xavi’s first goal against Real Madrid in his six years with Barcelona!"
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