Chapter 140: Lewokusen's Crisis!

Barcelona.

Cruyff lay weakly on the hospital bed.

Around him stood a group of Barcelona executives in suits.

Among them, a middle-aged man with glasses and white sideburns said: "The foundation side..."

He is the current president of Barcelona: Bartomeu.

Before last year's election, the Cruyff Foundation's charitable return, joining hands with several Spanish banks, built many stadiums in Catalonia, leading members to mistakenly think it was Bartomeu's achievement!

Bartomeu won many votes, and with MSN's "treble," he was able to continue in office.

The Barcelona executives then realized: this lifetime honorary **'s importance to the club.

Cruyff did not answer the question, raised his hand and pointed at the TV, saying: "I want to watch Lewokusen's match."

Robert quickly picked up the remote and turned on the TV.

Bartomeu added: "We will hurry to renew Messi's contract; he will spend his retirement at Barcelona!"

"The club has prepared a charity match; Ronaldinho will return to Barcelona as the club's ambassador. Moreover..."

"Moreover, Juventus's Pogba—we secured his pre‑emptive purchase rights last summer; he will fit perfectly into Barcelona's midfield system..."

Robert quickly gave a cue: both palms quietly raised four fingers...

"La Masia's number‑8 position!"

Pfft!

Several executives with technical backgrounds couldn't hold back!

Bartomeu flushed with embarrassment and shot Robert a vicious glance!

Fortunately, thinking quickly, he immediately explained:

"Number‑4 position! I mean Pogba can match two number‑four players...."

In the ward, thunderous applause suddenly erupted.

If he did not involve himself in football affairs, Bartomeu would be a very outstanding politician.

He is a third‑generation scion of the Catalan financial conglomerate.

A basketball player.

In his youth he kicked a ball for a few days, playing for... Barcelona's same‑city rival, Espanyol.

Having brushed past death, Cruyff was not angry; he stared at the TV and waved for everyone to leave.

The Barcelona executives, feeling relieved, hurriedly took their leave.

"Lu Er, stay behind."

Before leaving, Robert gave a sharp look, signaling the youth‑training director not to talk nonsense.

Lu Er nodded seriously, looking honest.

A moment later.

The spacious ward now held only master and disciple.

"Cruyff teacher, Barcelona is sicker than you!"

"We can't let Li return to Camp Nou; Robert and Enrique will..."

On the TV screen, the score showed 0:1.

Cruyff laughed: "Our La Masia crown prince is about to suffer a crushing defeat."

Lu Er said seriously: "That kid Mourinho studied La Masia's stuff thoroughly back then; no matter which club he coaches, he is Barcelona's toughest opponent!"

BayArena.

The match reached a stalemate.

Chelsea had not yet started to park the bus.

Lewokusen's advances were repeatedly blocked.

Li Kang faced no restriction, but simply could not find any forward passing lane.

The midfield barrier formed by Matic and Fabregas completely choked off all passes threatening the back line.

Many people have the mistaken impression that the defensive ability of organizational cores like Fabregas and Pirlo is very weak.

Actually, it is not weak.

When they are not required to act as midfield playmakers at a certain stage of the match, their defensive and interception skills are also top‑tier in their league.

During his time at Chelsea, Fabregas faced many crucial matches and could even contribute an over‑80% tackle success rate.

Single‑function players have long been knocked down by the tide of the times.

League strengths differ, so the objects of comparison differ.

For example, throw Maguire into the Chinese Super League and he would be a top‑level striker!

18th minute of the match.

Calhanoglu faced William's press and quickly passed the ball back to Papadopoulos!

The latter had not yet settled the ball!

Oscar arrived as scheduled!

Smack!

A kick‑out stab!

Easily won the ball!

"Dangerous!"

"This mistake is too low‑level!"

"Chelsea's attack is coming again!"

Although Oscar's character is terrible, he perfectly fits Chelsea's tactical system.

Why he could squeeze out Mata and De Bruyne, an important point is his defensive ability and aggressiveness!

Thirty-meter zone!

Papadopoulos wants to win the ball back on the spot.

Oscar's footwork is really excellent.

A simple pull and push easily opened up the passing lane!

Smack!

A straight pass!

Once again tore through Lewokusen's defensive line!

Diego Costa dragged Van Dijk away!

Hazard swayed his big butt, exploded with terrifying acceleration, leaving everyone in the dust!

Jonathan Tah had no chance to foul and obstruct!

"One-on-one!"

"Hazard!"

Pitchside.

Tuopu Laotou slumped onto the coaching bench.

Dino's expression was terrified.

Hiddink wore a smile, stretched out his arms, ready to celebrate.

Van Dijk immediately gave up on Chelsea's striker and rushed toward the goal!

He knew he couldn't catch Hazard, trying to help the goalkeeper by blocking space!

"From the running line, as long as I block the far corner, Lai Nuo blocks the near corner..."

His train of thought was suddenly interrupted!

A miraculous scene appeared!

Hazard surged to the edge of the penalty area.

His whole body and the ball simultaneously "brake"!

A pause!

Even Van Dijk couldn't help but stop his steps!

Accompanied by the gasps of fans from both sides.

Hazard made a small leg movement!

Lai Nuo simply couldn't judge the opponent's foot shape and shot direction!

Thud!

The ball skimmed the grass, slicing toward the lower left corner of Lewokusen's goal!

Exactly the space Van Dijk hesitated to block!

From the Premier League to the Champions League duel, the Dutch center-back once again came up slightly short!

Fortunately, the ball eventually slid out over the baseline!

The stadium erupted in an uproar!

Hazard's expression showed slight regret as he raised his arm, indicating he had wasted the chance.

"Too focused on the angle!"

"What a pity, just a little bit off!"

"Chelsea fans' cheers are growing louder! They are full of confidence in winning this match!"

Live broadcast room.

Comments flooded the screen.

-【No wonder they're last season's Premier League champions!】

-【Chelsea is steady, won't produce a rout; this match will at most be 0-3!】

-【The strength gap is too huge, unless there are two Van Dijk's in the back line!】

-【Li Mingdeng's curse... will be broken today! Even calling wind and rain won't help; Chelsea actually prefers rain! Hehe!】

-【With modern football's development, individual ability's role is shrinking; just wait for Li Mingdeng to strategize and break the deadlock!】

-【It's hard to find a breakthrough chance; Mourinho's team, at every stage of the match, will "change form"!】

Lewokusen's fans felt despair.

Tuopu Laotou was like a defeated rooster.

Faced with the huge strength gap, he couldn't think of any tactical adjustment.

Even if he set up three center-backs.

Chelsea still went head-to-head with you in midfield!

The overall running speed is not on the same level!

If Li Kang were to play that "slow progression" of Xavi? He'd be beaten even worse by Chelsea.

Dino paced back and forth anxiously.

"Boss, we might have to stop at the Champions League quarter-finals..."

On the other side.

Hiddink clapped satisfied.

As long as he doesn't miscommand, Chelsea can easily take a victory from Bei lai yin!

Lai Nuo took a goal kick.

He wouldn't dare pass to Papadopoulos and Jonathan Ta, those two useless guys!

After Van Dijk received the ball, Diego Costa came on aggressively!

Chelsea's nearly entire attacking line has pressing ability that is an overwhelming advantage even for ordinary strong teams!

The Dutch centre-back could only pass back to the goalkeeper again.

Lai Nuo even felt like dying.

Let alone midfield advancement.

Now even the back line can't get the ball out!

Lewokusen's goalkeeper just trapped the ball with his foot.

Oscar again madly pressed forward!

Smack!

The ball flew over the goal line!

"Ah, that's dangerous!"

"Chelsea's corner kick opportunity!"

"Although Oscar has been turned into a weird hybrid by Mourinho, against a team like Lewokusen it's still an overwhelming advantage!"

"Without the expected tight defense, Chelsea's aggression in this match is terrifying!"

Lewokusen's penalty area was packed with players from both sides.

Fabregas raised his hand and took the corner kick!

Smack!

The ball didn't fall straight into the penalty area!

Instead, it was passed to William's feet nearby!

Chelsea's winger's explosive hair lightly trembled!

Bellarabi quickly challenged!

William dropped his shoulder, leaned forward, and hooked the ball with his foot!

He easily shook off Lewokusen's winger!

At the same time.

The angle for a long shot also appeared!

Boom!

A loud bang!

The ball spun violently, tracing a strange arc, howling as it slammed into Lewokusen's goal!

Lai Nuo's view was blocked by his own teammates, leaving him no way to make a save in time!

Lewokusen fans were utterly despairing!

That was a long shot straight into the top corner!

Tuopu Laotou looked dazed.

Dino's legs were trembling.

Hiddink laughed out loud!

Before the ball crossed the goal line...

Lewokusen's number 10 leapt high!

It was that unbelievable height again!

Boom!

Li Kang flicked his head and headed the ball out of bounds!

In his vision, the little goat phantom weakly knelt on the grass and gradually faded...

William almost couldn't help but rush over to give Li Kang a thumbs up!

The four stands of Bayer Stadium were filled with two emotions.

Despair and hope.

Lewokusen's despair.

Chelsea's hope.

"That was close!"

"Li Kang's header clearance in front of the goal line was brilliant!"

"Have to say, William's footwork is outstanding! This Chelsea midfield-forward line has almost no weaknesses! The arc is too beautiful!"

"William's nickname is Mourinho's version of little Ronaldo!"

"During his time in Brazil and the Ukrainian Premier League, he was pure little Ronaldo style! When he first joined Chelsea, under Di Matteo, he still loved showing off tricks!"

"Mourinho changed his style to be more pragmatic!"

"We see Chelsea's substitute players warming up! Every name is thunderously famous! The bench depth is too deep!"

"Having money is great!"

Match time passed second by second.

Chelsea didn't park the bus.

They were using the tactic for dealing with lower-tier Premier League teams, madly besieging Lewokusen!

Forced, Li Kang had to retreat to defend the big penalty area, assisting Van Dijk and Lai Nuo in defusing the danger!

Match minute 38!

Oscar sent a exquisite lofted pass from the top of the penalty arc!

Van Dijk leapt high and headed the ball clear!

Didn't clear it far!

The ball fell towards the right side of the penalty area!

Li Kang and Diego Costa both charged into the penalty area!

The shadow in his mind spread wildly!

A phantom of a young colt suddenly appeared in his vision!

Bang!

The close-mic audio equipment picked up a fierce scuffle!

Diego Costa felt a terrifying surge of strength and staggered!

But as he fell, he dug his heels in, summoning all his strength, and fiercely wrapped his arms around Li Kang's chest!

What is this?

This is experience!

Holding the waist will be pulled away; holding the chest will disturb the opponent's balance!

Chelsea's striker's physical ability is a top-tier presence among the five major leagues!

Moreover, it's a foul!

Li Kang seemed like a ferocious beast trapped in chains!

Diego Costa's pupils contracted slightly; as he was moved, he exerted force again!

The referee brought the whistle to his lips.

But he saw the left foot of Lewokusen's number 10 touch the ball!

In mid-air above the BayArena, the ball soared into the sky!

Li Kang fell heavily onto his back in Diego Costa's arms!

"Lewokusen's counterattack!"

"Chelsea will pay the price for this period of fierce attack!"

Near the midfield!

Son Heung-min silently sprang into action!

He and Li Kang have a high level of understanding.

Gradually, he could find the best counterattack route even before Li Kang sent a long pass!

Lewokusen's fans cheered wildly!

Tuopu Laotou and Dino waved their arms wildly on the sidelines, signaling other attackers to keep up the tempo! Increase attacking points!

They knew that even if Son Heung-min got the ball, it would be hard to break through Chelsea's defense!

Hiddink's expression was calm.

He lifted his eyes with his middle finger.

After all, he's a renowned coach, and he long ago understood Lewokusen's best counterattack style.

So.

Son Heung-min couldn't get the ball.

A tall figure blocked Son Heung-min's path.

Gary Cahill!

A severely underrated top-class center-back.

Son Heung-min tried to get past him, then surged forward again, but it felt like hitting a wall!

Where the ball landed.

Terry lifted his foot, trapped the ball, and gently pushed it to Courtois.

He couldn't help but remark: 'Lewokusen's number 10's pass is of superb quality, it feels great to control, but no matter how good the pass, it still needs a teammate to receive it.'

"Terry's choice was very cautious!"

"Lewokusen's formation is already disordered; he didn't choose to play the ball out immediately, but instead gave it to goalkeeper Courtois!"

"No rush, Chelsea is currently leading by one goal!"

"This move should be a signal to slow the pace!"

Lewokusen's fans fell silent.

Applause rang out from the Chelsea stands.

Tuopu Laotou painfully covered his forehead.

Hiddink turned his head and chatted happily with the substitute players.

"That kid is very good at finding the opponent's weak side and loopholes, then using his own advantage... to gain the upper hand in the match."

"Too bad, what Mourinho left behind is too perfect."

"Even Havertz and Pirlo have tasted their share of bitterness."

Diego Costa stood up and pulled Li Kang up in one motion.

He casually patted his butt.

"Your strength is incredible; you almost dislocated my arm!"

The referee blew his whistle to stop the match and gave a verbal warning to Chelsea's forward.

The livestream.

The comments floated by.

-【Kaxier and Teli's central defender partnership is really stable!】

-【Halftime is coming up, Chelsea's match really doesn't need to be watched; if you wake up, it'll be at most 0:2!】

-【This match tells us, football is a team sport... Li Mingdeng is unable to turn the tide!】

-【Why after Muliniao is sacked, Chelsea's players always manage to return to normal form? Whether it's Muliniao's first term or second term...】