Chapter 244: Li Kang vs Messi's Sequel
The Gunners' celebration moved to the bench.
Wenger, worried, asked concernedly:
"Li, are you sure your left leg is fine? Such a powerful long shot comes with a heavy physical toll..."
"Boss, Li's leg has no problem at all; don't believe me, let him walk two steps."
Arsenal's medical team is very professional.
The staff, having accumulated rich experience following the injury wave, for example, clubs like West Ham United and Southampton—such strong teams—actually wanted to poach Arsenal's physiotherapist to become their medical director.
What is this?
This is the star-making factory of the medical team, huh.
The substitute players also excitedly joined the celebration.
Especially Maguire—just a few months ago he was still playing in the English second division; now his situation... feels like a dream.
"Is this really Camp Nou?"
"How can Barça's midfield and defense play almost like the Championship?"
"So soft!"
Li Kang's goal clip spread quickly across major online media.
Viral spread.
-【Li Mingdeng is awesome!】
-【Camp Nou's nemesis.】
-【The professor's two hundred million... was worth it.】
Has anyone said, if Little Li wins the Champions League this season... how high could his value soar? Don't even mention reaching the ceiling—Paris over there is offering 220 million to buy Neymar.
-【Neymar definitely deserves that value, but right now Barça's midfield and defense can't give him support.】
-【How did Barça spend their 150 million? They drove away Alves, are preparing to sell Mascherano to the Chinese Super League, Rakitic was criticized as 'not fitting the tiki-taka' and benched... Yinniesita also gave way to newcomers.】
-【Arsenal slaughtering Barça? I wouldn't even dare think that before.】
The camera went to Barcelona's bench.
Turan was eager to try, he really wanted to go on the field to avenge the European Cup.
Mascherano felt helpless; the situation in his eyes was like the World Cup and Copa América final: Messi acting as both dad and mom... even with full skills he couldn't win the match.
Rakitic could be considered the opponent who understands Li Kang's growth trajectory best.
"Li seems a bit stronger than during the Euro, having learned how to hide his deficiency when receiving the ball forward."
"But he still has weaknesses: he's not short enough, this crazy acceleration, crash-and-bang style consumes too much stamina."
"Arsenal can't support a nurturing style of play like the Spanish national team."
Yinniesita beside him didn't respond.
Over the years, he has witnessed Barcelona's decline and rise.
But when he saw the No. 4 from La Masia standing on the opposing side, his heart felt immense torment.
Vinsue and the coaching staff members were busy as a team.
"Boss, our suggestion is..."
"Don't panic!"
Enrique interrupted the assistant's words, continuing to instruct Busquets on the upcoming tactical details.
The game restarted from midfield.
Suarez kicked off, passing back to little Dennis.
Arsenal's frontline players immediately pressed high.
Whether one can hold onto the ball is one of the standards for measuring a midfield core.
Little Dennis's technique is certainly above passing grade, even when facing Morata in explosive form and Sanchez brimming with killing intent.
He can also calmly pass the ball toward... his own defensive side.
"This ball was handled very safely."
"See how Pique organizes."
"Or we still need to give it to Alba's side to push forward."
"At this moment we can feel the beauty of both teams' formations overlapping on the pitch."
Alba dribbled forward, glancing at Gomes' gesture for the ball.
He hesitated slightly.
Seeing Walcott about to lunge forward,
he quickly made a decision.
Pa!
The football swiftly flew past the midfield line.
"No midfield transition, go straight for Neymar!"
"Ramsey and Monreal's double-team came just in time!"
"Beautiful!"
After receiving the ball with his back to goal, Neymar made a pressing step turn.
The motion was fast.
The change of direction was large.
Accompanied by the samba star's deceptive shoulder dip of the upper body.
Ramsey and Monreal were instantly dazed by the turn!
He moves like a fleeing rabbit, fluttering as he dances.
His back-to-goal reception featured a godlike escape move, and the passing lane appeared.
Wenger had made targeted deployments, but Neymar is a player who stands out, excessively talented.
Any simple escape move he makes is full of Samba flair.
Ramsey watched helplessly as he was shaken off, instinctively raising his hand to shove Neymar.
Too bad.
Neymar in adverse circumstances doesn't play flashy feints... his physical confrontation ability also becomes very strong.
No diving.
Smack!
The ball pierced the gap between Arsenal's two centre-backs!
Suarez twisted his big butt to shove Koscielny aside... exactly, it's his big butt!
He is no longer the omnipotent Suarez of his Liverpool days; after joining Barcelona, to serve Enrique's tactics, he gained considerable weight, his explosive speed is not what it was, but his core strength is maxed out.
Suarez.
The timing of his forward run is too perfect! Oh! He touched the ball, he can take a shot himself!
Cech's positioning is also great!
Beautiful!
He played it to the right flank... Messi!
The entire attacking process took less than ten seconds, and the trio's combination threatened Arsenal's penalty area!
!
This is MSN! This is the South American trident!
The Barcelona teammates behind him can't keep up with the pace!
Three of them to solve the attacking problem!
Duan Xuan and He Wei speak extremely fast.
The commentary vocabulary about MSN has been repeated many times in past Barcelona matches.
No need to think.
Messi with a small acceleration easily shook off Bellerin.
Bellerin's speed in Europe can rank among the top five... but for these two explosive steps he truly can't match the Barcelona star.
The moment the ball hit the ground, it seemed to stick to Barcelona's number 10's foot.
At Camp Nou, a roar like a mountain collapse and tsunami burst forth.
Messi!
!
Messi!
!
Messi!
!
Not only Barcelona fans are cheering.
Even spectators who usually don't pay much attention to football, upon seeing Messi receive the ball outside the penalty area, vaguely sense that a goal-scoring scene will unfold.
Their hearts subconsciously anticipate something.
Enrique's hands were hidden in his pockets, trembling uncontrollably.
Right.
As long as they still have Messi.
Barcelona won't lose so easily!
No, Arsenal's overall defense... something's off!
And Li?
Cech isn't panicking at all.
Nine years have passed, they've faced each other eight times in the Champions League... Barcelona's superstar has never breached the goal he guards, not even from a penalty!
This is the source of Arsenal's goalkeeper's confidence.
He saw Cazorla closing in on Messi.
Can he defend it?
He can't defend it.
But it can give teammates a bit of preparation time.
Cazorla is the strongest two-footed balance monster on earth; his step frequency is far inferior to Messi's, but his center-of-gravity adjustment speed can barely keep up, so he won't be easily knocked over like Boateng.
At the far post, Mertens stubbornly defended Neymar.
Koscielny also blocked Suarez's flank.
Messi!
He can shoot!
Enjoying the cheers of tens of thousands at Camp Nou.
Messi with a small change of direction shook off Cazorla.
No passing space.
Cech's positioning is also very good.
Arsenal's overall defense was tight.
Can't you stop him?
He can't be stopped!
Since the 91 Messi era, his shooting technique has reached a realm unattainable by humans.
Cech stared intently at Messi's foot shape.
Gathering strength, waiting to strike.
Focused and concentrated.
When preparing to unleash a big move... suddenly.
A figure blocked his path.
Perhaps this moment is eternity.
He once again felt what De Gea felt.
Peng!
Ah!
"Messi's shot was blocked by Li Kang, sending it out over the goal line!"
"Unbelievable!"
"The timing of the block was perfect!"
"Wenger on the sidelines was again urging the team doctor to come on... Li Kang rubbed his butt, looking like it wasn't a big issue."
"Messi glumly rolled a tumble on the grass."
End of Chapter
