Chapter 735: Offense and Defense Integrated
The highly anticipated century derby ended with a dismal defeat for Barcelona. When the referee blew the final whistle, many Catalan players wore looks of confusion on their faces.
They had dominated the field, only to be destroyed by wave after wave of fast and efficient attacks from Real Madrid.
Even now, many people still couldn't believe or accept this cruel reality, as if they had been played by their opponents like puppets.
"What a brilliant display of mastery!" In the luxurious box of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, King Felipe VI of Spain couldn't help but applaud.
"Pérez, your team is as strong as ever. The Galacticos are not only a symbol of La Liga but also the pride of Spain as a whole."
These words made Barcelona President Bartomeu, who had come to watch the game nearby, even darker. He regretted coming here!
Everyone knew that FC Barcelona was more than just a club.
Being suppressed by Real Madrid for so many years, the people of Catalonia were somewhat unable to hold their heads high, which also greatly relieved the burden on the royal family.
Therefore, whether it was the former king Juan Carlos or the current king Felipe VI, they all looked at the Galacticos with different eyes and treated Wang Feng with great respect.
Ignoring the increasingly gloomy Bartomeu, King Felipe VI affectionately linked arms with Florentino Pérez and said, "Let's go, let's go congratulate the team's heroes together!"
After this battle, the Galacticos once again surpassed Barcelona by two points to the top of the La Liga standings, and history seemed to be repeating itself.
Ten consecutive championships! Thinking of this, Florentino Pérez couldn't help but feel passionate. This pinnacle achievement in La Liga and even in the history of the top five leagues was about to be achieved under his leadership!
Of course, he also understood that the team couldn't be said to have firmly achieved this goal. They still had to play one game at a time, and as a leader, he needed to find ways to motivate the players.
Although only contributing one goal and one assist, all five goals scored by Real Madrid were closely related to Wang Feng.
Coupled with his top-notch all-around midfielder data of 96% passing accuracy, 19 interceptions, 12 tackles, and 10 key passes, the Chinese superstar was undoubtedly selected as the best player of the match, even surpassing the brace from Gonzalo Iguaín.
After the match, he immediately accepted an interview with the reporters: "The biggest contributor? No, no, no, I don't think so. Who can say that the performances of Gonzalo, Gareth, Luka, and Toni, among others, were not outstanding?"
"It was the collective effort of all the players on the field that led to this epic victory. We did not disappoint the fans' expectations, nor did we disappoint the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium!"
Regarding his role as a defensive midfielder again, Wang Feng admitted that this position was very important, and he had to shoulder the responsibility.
"Whether it was three years ago or now, injuries to midfield and backline players have a big impact on the team."
Regarding Barcelona's front three collectively losing their way, especially Messi not being able to play a crucial role, the Chinese superstar believed it was due to Real Madrid's overall tactical merit.
"The coaching staff conducted detailed discussions and arrangements before the match, and every player executed Ancelotti's will very well on the field."
However, Barcelona coach Luis Enrique clearly didn't think so. At the post-match press conference, he claimed that losing in this manner was "unfair and unacceptable."
He didn't think that his team's tactical arrangements were completely countered by the opponent but believed that they lost due to issues such as luck and form.
"Barcelona needs to quickly get out of the shadow of this defeat. This win or loss doesn't represent anything, and we will face many challenges ahead."
The media naturally wouldn't let Enrique off the hook and continued to question whether many of his tactics were subpar and if the team's response to being at a disadvantage was too weak.
"Holding onto the ball undoubtedly creates more opportunities, which is the traditional style of Catalan football. I don't think there's any problem with that."
"Of course, the reason why the team suffered a painful defeat must be closely related to all the players."
"In the future, the coaching staff will carefully study and analyze the entire process of this match and find solutions. I believe that when we meet Real Madrid again this season, Barcelona will not make the same mistakes."
"The Galacticos stifled Barcelona, and Wang Feng's ability to integrate offense and defense is unparalleled in the football world."
After the century derby, Spanish sports television interviewed coach Capello, and he said so facing the camera.
"In such a peak showdown, it's fatal for Real Madrid not to field all their core players. Their incomplete defense line probably couldn't stop Messi, Neymar, or Suárez."
"Ancelotti's temporary formation change has many uncertain factors because the players didn't have much time to familiarize themselves with it."
"It's a defensive formation, with five players in midfield, which shows the meticulous thinking of the coaching staff."
"Faced with a team like Barcelona that passes a lot, you must maintain a compact formation, form a wall, and try to intercept and counterattack."
"In these aspects, the Galacticos did very well, and the most crucial player is of course Wang Feng."
"His figure is almost present in every key defensive play, and he also plans the team's counterattacks."
Capello was amazed by the defensive ability and diligence of the Chinese superstar.
"He only had one season of experience as a defensive midfielder, and he performed well at that time. But to maintain such a high level after several years is truly surprising."
"More importantly, Wang is already 32 years old, and I have never seen a player at his age transition so smoothly between offense and defense."
Capello believed that Enrique had made mistakes; he shouldn't blindly trust possession. Every action on the field should exist to score goals.
"Barcelona should consider more alternative plans to break through the wall built by Real Madrid, rather than immerse themselves in false control."
At the end of the interview, the Italian coach expressed full confidence in Real Madrid's performance this season. "They will continue to win, I don't see any signs of failure."
"Real Madrid humiliates the absurd Barcelona!" Marca placed such a headline on its front page.
The article stated that the Galacticos humiliated the Catalan team at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, as it was evident from start to finish.
Although Barcelona seemed to be the dominant side throughout, they were actually constrained by the home team at every turn.
The presence of Wang Feng in the defensive midfielder position meant that the away team's front three had no chance to perform well, as he had already proven his strength.
"Now that Real Madrid has successfully reversed Barcelona to the top of the league table, but this is not the most important thing. The most important thing is that they have proven the huge advantage of the Galacticos over the Catalan team in the football field."
"This defeat will greatly affect Barcelona. If Enrique cannot come up with a solution, they still cannot stop their arch-rivals from climbing to the top of La Liga."
"Sport Daily" ran the headline "Catalonia in Crisis," stating that Real Madrid had destroyed Barcelona, and the Galacticos made their arch-rivals sink at their own home ground.
"Being obsessed with possession without scoring goals, when did Barcelona become like this?"
Although the schedule is still long and the point difference between the two teams is not that large, there is an inexplicable feeling that they are about to lose their qualification to continue challenging Real Madrid.
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