Chapter 662: Dramatic Changes at Barcelona
Corresponding to Atletico Madrid's rise is the decline of Barcelona. Last summer, they formed the "MSN" front line, which was highly anticipated, and their performance at the beginning of the season was impressive.
However, as core player Messi gradually declined, the team lost its former power and agility, almost announcing its withdrawal from the championship race prematurely.
Recently, former Barcelona assistant coach Capa made startling remarks in an interview with Catalan TV: "Messi has lost his drive and passion. He seems indifferent to his performance on the field."
"Perhaps many people don't want to hear this, but I have to say that an outstanding player needs to play with full passion. Maradona did it, Wang Feng does it now, and even Ronaldo is the same."
"But our core player has lost all of this, especially in the match against Valencia. I think any fan who has watched that game won't question my words."
"I don't know if his injury or other reasons are affecting his performance. I see him being very professional on the field, but that's clearly not enough."
"If a player behaves professionally, he stops shining. Miracles can only come from a genuine love of football from the heart."
A stone creates a thousand ripples. Capa's remarks sparked heated discussions among Catalan fans, and almost everyone agreed that the Argentine star seemed to show signs of giving up this season.
Some believe the main reason is that he is afraid of facing Real Madrid led by Wang Feng. Several consecutive defeats have indeed left people feeling hopeless. "Nevertheless, our core cannot be a surrendering player. Perhaps the club should consider promoting Neymar or Suarez and abandoning Messi."
Others believe that the Argentine star's mind has long been on the national team, as he has repeatedly expressed his desire to achieve something significant in the World Cup in Brazil.
"If we can win in Brazil, it will be more special than any other time," Messi said in an interview with the BBC. "This is South America, we have countless supporters, and I am sure Argentina can achieve something special."
"I am now full of energy and hope, eager to put on the blue and white jersey and everything is possible on the World Cup stage." Unlike the club's negative attitude, Messi is always enthusiastic when talking about the World Cup and the national team.
So far, the 26-year-old Argentine star has played 8 World Cup matches for the national team, scoring only 1 goal in the group stage, which is also criticized.
Therefore, it is understandable that he wants to break through. However, if it is at the expense of the club's interests, I believe many Catalan fans will find it hard to accept.
To make matters worse, there is another storm brewing in the Barcelona locker room, as core player Xavi is reported to be determined to leave.
As early as 2008, the Spanish midfielder had thoughts of leaving, but at that time, Guardiola had a long conversation with him, promising him an absolute starting position, which eventually led to the classic midfield combination of Xavi and Iniesta.
Now, in Martino's tactical layout, he is not indispensable, and there is no place for him in the club's future plans.
Looking back at Barcelona's history, it seems that it has become a norm for star players in their prime to be forced to leave. From Romario, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, they all smelled danger before truly entering the twilight of their careers.
In the first leg of the Spanish King's Cup semi-finals, Real Madrid hosted Real Sociedad at home.
The away team had two extremely unfortunate moments in this game. In the 8th minute, Di Maria sent a cross, and Wang Feng took a powerful shot from 25 meters on the right.
The ball hit Anzotegi and deflected unexpectedly. The goalkeeper Bravo, caught off guard, could only watch helplessly as it flew into the net behind him.
Then, in the 57th minute of the second half, Bale overtook on the right side and crossed into the penalty area. Wang Feng slid in ahead of the Real Sociedad defenders and poked the ball into the net.
Trailing by two goals, the away team intensified their attacking intent to try to pull one back. However, they suffered another fatal blow. In the 73rd minute, Di Maria failed to break through in the frontcourt, so he decided to take a long-range shot.
The originally harmless shot hit Martinez, causing a strange deflection, and Bravo could only watch helplessly as it crossed the goal line.
3-0! The Galacticos defeated Real Sociedad convincingly!
Three days later, in the 23rd round of La Liga, Real Madrid continued to dominate at the Bernabeu against Villarreal.
An early goal in the 3rd minute signaled another passionate offensive battle. Wang Feng seized an opportunity to attack upfront, intercepted Dorado, and entered the penalty area, then chipped the ball into the far corner.
In the 25th minute, Bale's cross from the right side of the penalty area was blocked by J-Costa, but it still looped into the penalty area. Higuain scored from close range.
Ten minutes later, Aquino sent a through pass, and Mario took a powerful shot from 15 meters on the right side of the penalty area, blasting it into the top left corner of the goal, pulling one back for Villarreal.
In the second half, Di Maria organized an attack, formed a two-on-one situation with Wang Feng, approached the bottom line, and then passed the ball back. The Chinese superstar, positioned near the near post, volleyed it into the far corner, making it 3-1!
This goal was also Wang Feng's 30th league goal of the season, scoring 30 goals in 23 league matches. Although it was slightly less impressive compared to his previous seasons with over 100 goals, it was still the most elite data in European football during the same period.
Subsequently, the away team seized another free-kick opportunity, and Jaume Costa's direct shot beat Casillas's outstretched fingers.
In the 76th minute, Wang Feng cut inside from the wing and passed diagonally. Higuain, near the penalty spot, fired a low shot into the bottom left corner of the net.
The score settled at 4-2, and Real Madrid took all three points to continue leading the league standings.
In the second leg of the Spanish King's Cup semi-finals, the Galacticos visited Anoeta Stadium to challenge Real Sociedad.
With a 3-goal advantage, they started the game very relaxed. In the 7th minute, Wang Feng used his dribbling skills to get past Martinez and entered the penalty area from the left side.
Helpless, the home team defender could only choose to bring down the Chinese superstar from behind, and the referee decisively awarded a penalty. Wang Feng stepped up to take it himself and scored.
Eight minutes later, Bale received a pass from the right side of the penalty area from Jesé, cut inside past Musacchio, and fired a powerful shot. The ball grazed the inside of the post and went into the net.
This goal became the last straw that broke the home team's back, as they no longer had the confidence to fight back.
The score remained unchanged until the end of the game, with a total score of 5-0 over two legs, and the Galacticos proudly advanced to the Spanish King's Cup final!
The other semi-final battle took place between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. In the first leg at Camp Nou, the two sides fought to a 0-0 draw. When they met again at Calderon Stadium, Atletico Madrid ultimately won 1-0 thanks to Diego Costa's decisive goal, advancing to the final.
The King's Cup final will witness the Madrid derby. This will be the fifth time the two teams have faced each other in the final stage since 1902. In the previous four encounters, Atletico Madrid won three times and lost once, but facing the "King of Finals" Wang Feng, who knows what sparks will fly.
With the league title virtually out of reach and being denied entry to the King's Cup final, Barcelona fans are completely furious, calling for the dismissal of Martino and Rosell.
Unexpectedly, the day after the defeat, there was a dramatic change at the Barcelona club as Rosell, as desired by the fans, ended his term early and handed over the club to the first vice president Bartomeu until 2016.
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