Chapter 149

The next day.

Li Kang and Welbeck sat in front of the TV, game controllers in hand.

"Li, how can you not score?"

"How is this guy, Piero, even worse than me!"

"The model is too poor."

"His shooting is almost as bad as Morata's, terrible footwork, hehe, I'm going to win again!"

"Let's play World of Warcraft and run some Mythic+ dungeons this afternoon, I'll carry you! Then we'll watch Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid tonight, what a wonderful day off."

"I almost forgot, you have to study this afternoon."

The little black egg kept complaining. Some people talk a lot when playing games; they feel uncomfortable if they don't say anything.

Li Kang scratched his head: So, even if I can make difficult shots in the Piero zone under various disturbances, it doesn't guarantee a goal.

Or maybe not.

Because the game can't simulate Piero before he was 22 years old.

Maguire sat on the sofa, looking serious: "I think Atletico will win this leg, but Real Madrid will ultimately advance to the final."

Then he picked up his phone on the table to counter the racist remarks on social media directed at Welbeck.

Even in the 2017 Premier League, racial discrimination against people of color by fans was still rampant.

For example, Tottenham's Son Heung-min was recently targeted by fans with a song: "Yellow monkey, you sell CDs, you can earn 5 pounds selling 3 of them."

The sun set.

The Calderón stadium was hosting a Champions League semi-final watched around the world.

The Madrid derby!

In the past five years, there had been four Madrid derbies on the European stage.

Two of them were in the Champions League final.

In the 13-14 season, Atletico broke Real Madrid and Barcelona's La Liga dominance, winning the league title, but in the last minute of stoppage time in the Champions League final, Ramos equalized in desperation, forcing extra time.

In the 15-16 season, Ramos's goal again forced the game into extra time.

"A century of entanglements, old scores and new grudges, will continue to play out tonight!"

"Atletico doesn't have much of a chance."

"Ah! Goal! Saúl scores with a header!"

"In the 12th minute, Atletico takes the lead! Assisted by Koke!"

"Real Madrid has been starting slowly this season, they concede more goals in the first half, but they always manage to turn the game around in the second half!"

"The King of Europe!"

The Calderón stadium was a sea of joy.

Saúl patted his forehead and hugged Koke tightly.

The two Atletico youth academy players joined forces to defeat the enemy, exciting the home fans. Well, not entirely true, Saúl was originally in Real Madrid's youth academy, but he transferred to Atletico's youth academy because he was bullied by his teammates and youth coaches.

Simeone touched his slicked-back hair, looking relaxed.

Zidane looked grave, he put his arm around Isco's shoulder, whispering constantly.

Bale on the bench looked a little frustrated.

This season, due to his injury-prone body and conflicts with the coaching staff, Bale hadn't had many opportunities to play. Real Madrid often fielded a 4-4-2 formation, with the classic midfield trio plus Isco in a diamond configuration.

How intense was the atmosphere of the Madrid derby? The two teams could be playing a friendly, and their fans would still fight.

"Judging from the scene, Real Madrid will soon equalize!"

"Ah! The ball's been intercepted!"

"Torres!"

"He's off!"

"Into the penalty area!"

"Varane can't stop him!"

"Down in the penalty area! The referee points to the spot! Penalty!"

"Just two minutes after the last goal, Atletico has another penalty opportunity!"

"Looking at the slow motion, there's no problem, Torres's momentum was too strong, Varane's right foot tripped his knee!"

Torres waved his hand, giving the penalty opportunity to Griezmann.

He was old.

The future belonged to the young.

Real Madrid fans tried to disrupt Atletico's penalty taker with boos, but this was Atletico's territory, and the home fans of the Mattress Makers quickly responded with cheers!

"Goal!"

"Atletico 2-0 Real Madrid!"

"Unbelievable!"

"Griezmann missed a penalty in the Champions League final last season, he didn't choke this time!"

"This season, Atletico's defense has been plagued by serious injuries, but they have persevered step by step to get here!"

"Twice they suffered heartbreaking defeats in the same-city derby on the Champions League stage... Third time's the charm! They have gained a huge advantage from the start!"

"Real Madrid is in a difficult position! Someone must stand up..."

North London, brick villa.

Giroud exclaimed: "It's a good thing we didn't draw Atletico in the semi-finals!"

Morata nodded: "I grew up in Atletico's youth academy before I was 15, and many of my teammates were better than me, especially Koke and Borja Bastón."

"But, if we can reach the final, the opponent is likely to be Real Madrid."

Maguire put away his notebook, crossed his arms, and frowned: "Atletico's defensive injuries haven't fully recovered, their support speed and defensive thinking are half a beat slower. I think Real Madrid can reverse the situation."

"Jiménez will be Real Madrid's breakthrough point, the injury to his right thigh hasn't fully healed, his speed is far from what it used to be."

The others nodded, not questioning Maguire's analysis.

This guy had recently imitated Kroos, also opening a course on social media: "How to Defend: Lessons from a World-Class Center-Back."

Li Kang often made guest appearances as an attacking player in it.

42 minutes into the game.

Cristiano Ronaldo stopped Marcelo from throwing the ball in.

Then he gestured, signaling the Samba full-back to participate in the attack, and he would take the throw.

"Cristiano Ronaldo's team awareness has improved significantly this season!"

"Let's see how he decides on the direction of the attack..."

"Beautiful! Cristiano Ronaldo's powerful throw-in, explosive! He threw it to Benzema, who had moved to the left!"

"Attacking Jiménez's side again!"

"Ah!"

"He's past him!"

"Benzema is surrounded by three players, dribbling the ball into the penalty area from the touchline!"

"Pull-back!"

"Kroos with a ground shot... Oblak with an incredible save! He fumbled it!"

"Isco!"

"Rebound! Goal!"

"2-1!"

"Cristiano Ronaldo's decision was correct!"

"He used his powerful throw-in to instigate this perfect Real Madrid attack!"

"This goal... allows Real Madrid to tie Bayern Munich's record of scoring in 61 consecutive games!"

Real Madrid teammates surrounded Cristiano Ronaldo!

Cristiano Ronaldo made a shushing gesture to the Atletico Madrid fans, then raised his arms to the Real Madrid fans, signaling them to cheer even louder.

Real Madrid was still behind! He didn't revel in the celebration, but ran to the back of the net, picked up the ball, and ran back to the center circle.

Simeone squatted down, shaking his head helplessly.

Zidane still looked grave, his bald head shining brightly under the Calderón's spotlights.

Anything can happen in the Madrid derby.

This globally watched derby ended in the rain.

Atletico Madrid 2:1 Real Madrid.

Torres and Cristiano Ronaldo had a verbal altercation.

The conflict didn't escalate.

Cristiano Ronaldo smiled and walked away.

North London, brick villa.

Maguire was full of confidence: "I told you Jiménez's injury hadn't healed. Atletico is in danger in the second leg. All three teams in the Champions League semi-finals have weaknesses, but Real Madrid doesn't. I think they'll advance to the final!"

Welbeck asked puzzledly: "What are Arsenal's weaknesses?"

Maguire paused, wiggled his fingers, and finally sighed: "Li can cover up some of our weaknesses."