Chapter 750: Chapter 750
The next morning, Huang Kaiwen still saw Cruyff’s comments about Real Madrid in the newspaper.
Although the old guy’s remarks were somewhat exaggerated, they were more or less on point.
The main issue with Real Madrid now is the defense. A complete Real Madrid defense is somewhat stronger, but any change on the backline, and the understanding and coordination drop a level.
But Huang Kaiwen felt he didn’t need to worry about such things.
With four goals away in the first leg, he still had his Immunity Card.
Even if Roma put all their effort into it, they wouldn’t be able to come back in the second leg.
On March 4th, Milan’s match was a day early.
Suspended from the UEFA Champions League, Ronaldo, who had recovered from his injury, made his start at San Siro, and Milan drew 1:1 with Arsenal, advancing with a total score of 2:1 over the two legs.
UEFA Champions League match day.
Real Madrid’s team arrived at Bernabeu early.
Capello was still struggling with the lineup, unable to decide on the starting players until now.
The large number of injuries in the midfield and defense troubled him.
"Is everything arranged?"
Galbiati nodded and said, "I’ve already communicated with the fan groups. They’re very willing to cooperate with us to catch the person using witchcraft on Kevin. They’ve assured me that they’ll treat that person well."
"What about preparations in the away fan’s stand?"
"Yes, they’ve also arranged for a few insiders in the visiting fans’ area, and they can speak Italian, so they definitely won’t be exposed,"
"That’s good, you’re indeed the one I trust the most,"
Looking at the players who were joking around, Capello walked over to Huang Kaiwen, expecting to hear, "Kevin, how about playing in the midfield today?"
The Yellow Ball King doesn’t get to decide his position.
It depends on his condition that day.
With Capello standing in front, Huang Kaiwen didn’t even have the chance to scratch a card.
He had no choice but to bravely opt for the draw.
[Ding, you have obtained the 2016-2017 Premier League Round 24, Arsenal vs. Chelsea, single-match experience card of Engolo Kanté]
It’s been so long since he drew a midfielder or defender, and now one showed up.
Did he learn this from "Mr. Dynamic"? It’s so fitting!
Looking at Capello in front of him, Huang Kaiwen smiled and said, "Alright, I’ll play midfield."
"Ok, let Guti and De Jong partner as defensive midfielders, you play as attacking midfielder,"
Capello nodded and said.
"No need, I can play as a defensive midfielder,"
Huang Kaiwen said with a smile.
Who’s [Kanté] afraid of playing as a defensive midfielder?
The papers have always said the Yellow Ball King’s defense attitude is not bad but his defensive capability has declined a lot. Today, let’s show them what it means that there are no insurmountable obstacles in the world, but there is an insurmountable Kevin.
"Why are you smiling so happily?"
Cassano asked suspiciously.
"Because I thought of something happy!"
Who would have thought Cassano was so observant?
Cassano said with a clap, "Is it because Shakira came to see you again?"
Damn it, does this guy think of nothing but women?
Pre-match press conference.
"Real Madrid indeed have strength, they are the most famous club, but fame is not equivalent to power. My team and I are prepared, and even as challengers, we’re going to fight hard,"
Spalletti said with a smile on stage.
Real Madrid’s recent injury crisis had given him confidence.
Capello, wearing a light grey suit, snorted softly.
Back at Bernabeu, he wasn’t afraid of Spalletti pulling any tricks.
As for midfield injuries, is that a problem?
Even if a goalkeeper was injured, Capello would dare to let Huang Kaiwen play.
"Fabio, can you tell us how you are coping with the injury crisis?"
"Are Real Madrid’s injuries due to the change in the medical team, because it seems Dr. Meiselmann hasn’t reduced the injuries at Real Madrid."
"You haven’t played Kevin in the last two league matches, will Kevin start today?"
"After their match against you, Roma has found a good rhythm. How are you planning to counter this situation?"
Capello smiled and waved his hand, "Tactics and the starting lineup are definitely not going to be revealed before the match, so don’t even ask. But I can tell you that Real Madrid will not fear any challenge."
Spalletti watched Capello’s figure with a sneer, "Last time, Huang Kaiwen left the field early, and I believe the Wizard’s stuff must be effective."
This time he spent another 82 dollars and 50 cents!
"Last match ended 4-2, both teams brought us an exciting game, and if nothing goes wrong, today will still be about counter-attacks," one commentator said.
"Yes, but Roma is not a team that gives up on opportunities easily, today they’ll definitely look for chances to score at the Bernabeu," another commentator replied.
"Huang Kaiwen is warming up, he should be starting today, which is good news," remarked the first commentator.
Huang Kaiwen felt good during the warm-up.
As for Kanté, his defensive abilities naturally need no further mention, he would rank high among defensive midfielders at his peak.
As a French player, Kanté’s skills are above average. Capable of running over a large range, in addition to his strong ability in tackling and anticipation, he also poses a certain threat with his passes and has the skills for organizing attacks, so there’s no need to worry much about the offensive side.
"Why don’t you go play as an attacking midfielder?" Guti said with some concern.
Another aspect was that Huang Kaiwen would be playing as a defensive midfielder, responsible for protecting him, which felt odd to Guti.
"No problem, I’ll do it," Huang Kaiwen said with a smile.
After warming up with his teammates, he returned to the players’ tunnel, and Totti turned to Huang Kaiwen, saying, "Today, we will strive for a victory."
"Then give it your all!" Huang Kaiwen said as he stretched his wrists.
Today he was playing as a defensive midfielder, which meant he’d be directly facing Totti in the middle.
"Both teams have now taken the field, let’s look at the starting lineups," said the commentator.
Real Madrid’s 4-3-3 with double defensive midfielders:
Goalkeeper: Casillas,
Defenders: Torres, Pepe, Ramos, Salgado,
Midfielders: Huang Kaiwen, Guti, De Jong,
Forwards: Raul, Higuain, Cassano.
Roma’s 4-3-3 with double defensive midfielders:
Defenders: Tonetto, Juan Santos, Mexes, Cissinho,
Midfielders: Aquilani, Perrotta, De Rossi,
Forwards: Mancini, Totti, Taddei.
"From the list we got, Huang Kaiwen is listed as a midfielder," remarked one commentator.
"Huang Kaiwen has played as a midfielder before, I wonder if he will be playing as an attacking or defensive midfielder. His position change suddenly increases my expectations, he he," said the other commentator with a chuckle.
At 7:45 in the evening, the Greek head referee Kiros Vassaras blew the whistle to start the match.
Roma kicked off first.
Today, in hopes of taking away a victory from the Bernabeu and advancing to the next stage, Roma fielded multiple Brazilians, aiming to score many goals.
Cissinho, who had just transferred to Roma this summer, breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Huang Kaiwen wasn’t playing as a winger against his old team.
Had he been matched up against Huang Kaiwen...
Huang Kaiwen would dare to get past him, and he wouldn’t have been able to intercept Huang Kaiwen once during the training sessions.
Cissinho was well aware of his own defensive capabilities, to be nothing more than a backdrop for Huang Kaiwen.
After receiving a pass back from a teammate, Cissinho quickly drove the ball forward, crossing the halfway line.
Huang Kaiwen charged at Cissinho to press him.
Cissinho intended to show off his skills in front of Huang Kaiwen and didn’t immediately pass the ball to a teammate.
Cissinho started to shake his right foot over the ball, making a fake move that Ronaldo loved to use.
Huang Kaiwen wasn’t sure what to say.
The guy who had barely spoken up in the locker room before the transfer now felt emboldened?
Spotting the right moment, Huang Kaiwen extended his left foot. Cissinho quickly flicked with his right foot.
A smile spread across his face.
To have dribbled past the core player of his former team was indeed a joy for him.
However, Cissinho hadn’t realized that Huang Kaiwen was just waiting for him and hadn’t committed his weight fully.
Cissinho might not be familiar with Huang Kaiwen’s playing habits, but Huang Kaiwen knew Cissinho’s all too well.
Huang Kaiwen’s outstretched left foot stepped on the turf, swiftly switching the supporting leg and center of gravity, his right foot sweeping out accordingly.
The ball was poked by Huang Kaiwen behind Cissinho.
"Idiot!" De Rossi muttered under his breath nearby.
Who gave that idiot the courage to provoke Kevin? To prepare for the match against Real Madrid, De Rossi had watched many highlights of Huang Kaiwen.
De Rossi had already concluded that Huang Kaiwen’s defensive abilities were superior to his own. That idiot Cissinho had just served himself up!
He gritted his teeth and charged towards his own half.
Huang Kaiwen squeezed past Cissinho and also sped toward the ball.
De Rossi was closer and got to the ball first on the flank.
Before De Rossi could turn around to adjust, Huang Kaiwen’s foot had already reached in front of him, a precise slide tackle sending the ball out of play!