Chapter 586: Watch Me Crush Him!
The Century Derby is About to Begin! After the Champions League match, Spain immediately enters the time for the national derby, which is one of the most important events in La Liga.
After a slow start to the season, Real Madrid gradually found their form, while Barcelona is currently the only undefeated team in the league, with a lead of more than 5 points. In this match, if the Galaxy Battleship wins, they can return to the title race, while a victory for the Catalan team will essentially secure their advantage in the championship.
Therefore, compared to the past Century Derbies, both teams will adopt a more aggressive and desperate attitude.
A day before the match, Spanish TV channel 6 began a pre-match live broadcast, not only covering player warm-ups and coach speeches but also inviting various experts to analyze the situation.
"No one would have predicted before the season that Barcelona, ??which changed coaches continuously, could achieve six consecutive victories at the beginning of the season," said Andres, a special editor invited by the National Newspaper. "The same goes for Real Madrid's extensive injuries."
"The biggest highlight of this match is whether the Galaxy Battleship can at least maintain the gap and keep hope alive for the league title."
"Of course, the direct confrontation between Wang Feng and Messi is also very intriguing. In the past few seasons, they have indirectly compared in attack, and the result has always been the victory of the Chinese superstar."
"And this time, with Wang Feng taking on more defensive responsibilities in a crisis, we rarely get to see the world's best players facing each other head-on."
"Based on their previous performances, they have both performed exceptionally well in their respective positions, perfectly executing the tasks assigned by the coach."
The host Mottas asked, "So, what tactics do you think the two sides will adopt?"
Andres smiled and said, "I think Barcelona will definitely stick to their possession-based and aggressive style of play, which has been inherited since the Guardiola era."
"Real Madrid, on the other hand, needs to make a choice, whether to attack or stabilize and counterattack. The reason they can choose a more aggressive tactic is mainly because Barcelona's defense also has difficulties."
"Pique has been playing hot with Shakira lately, and his on-field performance has been like sleepwalking. Abidal is likely to miss the national derby due to a knee injury, so there are significant defensive gaps in the Catalan team."
Mottas nodded and said to the live camera, "Alright, let's stop the analysis here for now and turn our attention to the Bernabeu."
"The players of both teams are currently undergoing adaptation training, while the two head coaches are attending the pre-match routine press conference. Let's hear what they have to say."
Neither Ancelotti nor Rula revealed their starting lineups, but the Italian expressed the team's determination and confidence in winning.
"In addition to the first two games of the season, we have won the next four league matches and two Champions League matches. The team's performance is getting better, and the players are constantly improving."
"In the past seasons, we have defeated countless enemies, and even defeated ourselves. Why can't we overcome injuries further? I believe the players have the perseverance and determination."
Rula said that Barcelona and Real Madrid are archenemies, and the team is tired of being suppressed. It's time to sound the horn of counterattack. "In any case, we will try to establish an 8-point lead after the game to release the pressure."
"Real Madrid is a great club and has one of the best players in the world, but they cannot always be unbeatable. Six consecutive victories are a good sign, and we are confident to continue."
On the evening of October 7, 2012, at 8 o'clock, at the Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, the main referee Robert blew the whistle to start this highly anticipated match.
As expected, Barcelona lined up with their strongest 4-3-3 attacking formation, with Valdes as the goalkeeper.
The four defenders are Alves, Mascherano, Adriano, and Alba. Pique was ultimately placed on the bench by the coach because of his recent poor performances.
The three midfielders are Xavi, Busquets, and Iniesta. Facing the Galaxy Battleship, Rula dared not let Xavi rotate at the beginning and showed absolute strength from the start.
The three forwards are Messi, Neymar, and Pedro.
Barcelona took control of the ball first, quickly advancing to the frontcourt. Messi used his small steps to change the rhythm and shake off Essien before passing diagonally into the penalty area. Pedro's shot was blocked by Saint Casillas.
"In less than a minute into the game, Barcelona has completed a very threatening shot and won a corner opportunity. It seems that Real Madrid is in a bit of a precarious situation."
"Yes, although Wang Feng's role as a defensive midfielder has made the home team's defense much more stable, they have not yet faced a severe test. Now, facing Barcelona led by Messi, it is the biggest challenge."
Iniesta took the corner, Ramos cleared the ball forcefully in the penalty area, and then Morata followed up with a big kick to send the ball out of the danger zone.
The away team reorganized their attack, and Essien, with a somewhat depressed expression, lowered his head. That sense of powerlessness appeared again. He was a defensive liability against Manchester City, and now facing Barcelona, it was the same.
Wang Feng noticed and walked to his side, patting his shoulder. "Mate, don't be so discouraged. You just faced Messi, that genius player whom even the gods admire."
"I have no confidence in stopping him at all," Essien said with a bitter smile. "I don't even have the ability. I just feel like he brushed past me whenever he approached."
"Then you go mark Iniesta and Pedro tightly. Leave Messi to me. Watch me crush him!" The Chinese superstar made a bold promise, and the Ghanaian nodded gratefully, nodding heavily.
Next, Barcelona continued to organize their attack. Messi withdrew to the left side of the frontcourt to receive the ball. Wang Feng quickly approached him to form a one-on-one situation. "Here it comes, the most exciting moment! The Chinese superstar one-on-one against the Argentine superstar!"
Wang Feng made the first move, pressing forward with his right foot, while Messi dodged with his left foot. At the same time, he planned to break through sideways after taking a step forward. Usually, other defending players would subconsciously move to the right, that is, Messi's side, to chase after him. However, they would lose the initiative this way and could only watch the opponent run further away.
But the Chinese superstar did the opposite. Instead of staying in place, he quickly stepped aside while turning left and made a sweeping leg with his left foot, instantly sweeping the ball out of Messi's reach, forcing him to give up the breakthrough and seek control again.
A successful interception!
When Messi regained control of the ball, Wang Feng blocked him again. This time, the Argentine took a deep breath, took a step forward, and suddenly moved sideways.
He usually relied on this sudden change of pace to shake off countless defending players, but this time it failed because when he approached, the Chinese superstar did not stay in place but quickly stepped aside.
Don't underestimate this move. It's not about creating space but about being a step ahead. Whether the opposing attacking player is breaking through in a straight line or accelerating sideways, there is enough reaction time left.
And it was the same at this moment. Wang Feng, who made the preemptive move, was not shaken off by Messi but seized the opportunity to slide and tackle, knocking down the Argentine before kicking the ball to Essien.
A successful tackle!
Messi was somewhat skeptical of life, and as the game went on, he became more and more frustrated, constantly being blocked and intercepted. His once proud breakthroughs were useless against Wang Feng.
Until the 23rd minute, he finally managed to break into the penalty area, but because the Chinese superstar was half a beat faster than him, once again, he slid to the ground and disrupted the ball out of the bottom line. The frustrated Argentine angrily pounded the Bernabeu turf.
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