Chapter 74: Arrival at Camp Nou

Northeast of Barcelona.

In front of a tombstone in the suburbs of Pei La La Da.

Many staff members wearing Barcelona badges had gathered.

A string of numbers was clearly visible on the tombstone.

1968-2014.

Two blue magpies kept hopping on the dry branches.

The autumn wind was bleak.

Sophia Aunt unwrapped the candle packaging and asked doubtfully, 'En Li Ke and Wen Su Ai haven't come?'

Youth training supervisor Lu La shook his head: 'They need to prepare for the Champions League in two days.'

'Guadiola?'

'He will only come alone secretly!'

'Muliniao?'

'That guy doesn't dare to come.'

'What about the big stars of the first team? Hawei can't make it back from the Middle East, and why haven't Pike and Busicits come?'

'They will only come around the middle of this month.'

Lu La swept away the fallen leaves around the tombstone.

Lit the candles.

Sophia Aunt placed fresh flowers.

An elder held a heavy book, chanting poems in Catalan.

Everyone began to observe a moment of silence.

After a long while.

Everyone began to pack up, preparing to leave.

Sophia Aunt suddenly stopped: 'Bilanowa said before his death... How many number four positions has our Li been in La Maxiya's history?'

Lu La's expression tightened a bit, and he said: 'Don't worry about this; back then he hadn't been diagnosed, he just wanted to trick some drinks... He also said the same thing to Xiao Danisi's parents!'

Sophia Aunt smiled, seeming not to mind.

La Maxiya's number four position.

It does not refer to the jersey number.

Originating in the late 1960s, Miexiesi proposed the 'All-out attack-defense' system.

1974, World Cup final.

The showdown between Keluyinfu and Beikenbaoer.

Promoted the change of modern football.

All-out attack-defense and the libero tactic spawned dozens of variations, gradually becoming the tears of the era.

In 1987, Miexiesi led the Dutch team with an unstoppable record to win the European Cup.

The first perfect 'number four position' appeared before the world, Lijiekaerde.

He was Wo Le Er's lifelong enemy as a player.

In 1988, Keluyinfu took over Basa, he promoted a youth from La Maxiya's youth academy, transforming La Maxiya's first 'number four position', Guadiola.

In 1997, Fanjiaer coached Basa, granting the 'number four position' greater freedom.

On the basis of attacking football, Old Fan swept aside, discarding Keluyinfu's years-long reworked 4-4-2 double-chain formation, ushering in the 4-3-3 era.

Sacrificed defensive strength in positional play, enhancing pressure in the front line.

En Li Ke was kicked by him into the position of full-back.

Muliniao was promoted by him from translator to first assistant coach.

In the youth academy, he unearthed La Maxiya's second 'number four position', Hawei.

However, this 'number four position' is somewhat different from his predecessors...

The story afterwards.

Well-known.

In 2001, youth team coach Bilanova found a perfect candidate very close to the 'number four position', Fabulejiasi.

Two years later, Wenge brought this La Maxiya talent who liked the number four jersey to Wenbuli.

From then on, Asenna's bond with the number four could not be broken.

In 2003, the first-generation number four Lijiekaerde coached Basa, he discovered that the 'number four position' Hawei was too soft, not as tough as he himself had been back then!

No, Hawei must not be made to tire so much! He must be released!

A big move to dismantle!

Split the duties of the 'number four position' into three!

Deke + Yinniesita + Hawei!

Basa's first midfield iron triangle was born!

In 2007, Lijiekaerde discovered Yayatulei, as if obtaining a treasure!

This big black guy is tough enough!

Basa's second midfield iron triangle was born!

In 2008, Guadiola defeated Muliniao, becoming the head coach of Basa's first team.

Yayatulei was shelved.

Busicits rose to prominence.

In 2009, Barcelona's peak Dream Three era kicked off!

"Ha Bai Bu" overwhelmed Liverpool's three top midfielders, and was dubbed the "First Midfield Trio".

Gan Bo training base.

Barcelona's star players were conducting a scrimmage on the training field.

Assistant coach Wensue hesitated for a moment, then complained: "Barcelona is becoming more and more like Atletico Madrid."

He is a legendary goalkeeper in Barcelona's history, and behind the scenes he completely disregards the head coach's dignity.

Enrique couldn't help but laugh: "If Xavi is gone, do I have to treat Messi as Xavi? Sacrificing part of the midfield's ball progression to give the forwards more attacking space — that's the tactic that best suits Barcelona!"

Wensue shook his head: "Leverkusen's midfield toughness..."

Enrique interrupted: "Then we'll use what Bilanova left behind to deal with them! Don't overthink it; Leverkusen can't leave Camp Nou unscathed!"

"Nice!"

"Do you see how perfectly Rakitic has integrated with Barcelona? His protection of the right flank is too strong!"

"The number 4 spot at La Masia? I've been dreaming... Barcelona might magically produce a template‑fitting genius player, but that's unrealistic!"

The training match ended.

Mascherano tossed Messi a dry towel, saying: "Leverkusen's Li Kang is strong in physical confrontations and quick off the mark!"

Pique nodded seriously: "His only weakness is ball control and feel... I mean his touch rhythm, his ability to combine with the ball, his ball‑carrying progression poses no threat to Barcelona's midfield and defense."

Yinniesita furrowed his brow: "I've watched Leverkusen's recent match videos; their youth academy is indeed impressive! I didn't expect Li Kang's progress to be so astonishing."

Suarez muttered: "I've seen it too, his shoulders..."

Messi wiped his sweat and said nothing.

At the goal.

Barcelona's two goalkeepers, Ter Stegen and Bravo, were gesturing and discussing something.

Lewokusen training base.

Tuopu Laotou and the coaching staff members launched into a heated discussion.

"Why are you putting up the video of this season's Champions League final? Juventus' approach won't work!"

"Right! Watch Atletico's video! That guy Simeone has a way to beat Barcelona!"

"Boss! Should we copy Atletico's deep defensive structure?"

"Right! Block Rakitic's touch on the right flank and push Yinniesita out to the wide, narrow‑vision area!"

"Boss! But Barcelona has Messi..."

"Use a dense, interlocking defensive line to limit Barcelona's short‑pass combination points in the front!"

"Squeeze their space!"

"Boss! But Barcelona has Messi..."

Dino weakly repeated a sentence.

Tuopu Laotou was about to go crazy.

Messi...

Can Lewokusen's defense contain Messi?

If Barcelona didn't have Messi, it wouldn't be this hard at all.

In 2015, the dominance of the two titans continued to be terrifying.

Cristiano Ronaldo suffered a serious injury two years ago, and European football no longer has a golden‑edged Ronaldo.

But not long after, another type of super‑striker burst onto the scene!

Two days later.

The Champions League group stage is upon us!

Li Kang and his Lewokusen teammates boarded a plane bound for Barcelona.

The atmosphere was somewhat solemn.

The opponent is not only the defending champions, but also the author of Leverkusen's tragedy.

If they were to suffer another massacre at Camp Nou...

The consequences would be unimaginable.

Kramer's expression was relaxed: "Why aren't you talking? Barcelona isn't hard to handle! In last year's World Cup final, I went up against Messi!"

Havertz retorted: "But you've been completely shut down by Messi all the time! The German national team has Neuer, Lahm..."

Lai Nuo's face instantly darkened.

Jonathan Tah and Papadopoulos wore embarrassed expressions.

Everybody burst out laughing.

The gloom hanging over their hearts was swept away.

Li Kang wore earphones, held a tablet, and watched Barcelona's recent match footage.

Outside the Camp Nou stadium.

A sea of red and blue.

Media reporters from all over Europe were walking the streets and alleys.

"Li Kang has been superb in the Bundesliga, and Camp Nou welcomes him home! The winter transfer window is not far off!"

"7‑1! 7‑! 7‑1!"

"Rakitic's style consumes a lot of stamina; he's often subbed off around the 70‑minute mark, making Li Kang a perfect substitute for him!"

"Li Kang's physical appearance is more eye‑catching than his ability, too bad he's been linked with a skinny Asian girl..."

A group of Barcelona female fans said seriously.

They had fiery figures, and with every gesture they exuded youthful vigor.

Dragon Kingdom livestream room.

-【This on‑scene reporter is sensible, knows how to pick interview targets—let the director give him an extra drumstick!】

-【I also can't figure out what Lewokusen has to beat Barcelona with.】

-【The hope of advancing as second place is still great; I hope a player of Chinese descent can go further in this year's Champions League.】

-【Enrique's Barcelona may have weak midfield control, but the attack is fierce! Juventus went all the way to the Champions League final last season without conceding a goal—yet they let in three against Barcelona.】

The streets and alleys around Nou Camp.

It seemed as if the sky had turned red and blue.

Barcelona's anthem floated in the air.

After searching for a long time, the media reporters finally found a group of Lewokusen fans.

"Disaster? It won't happen again!"

"Don't ask about the few people! Most Lewokusen fans have gathered at the arrival gate to welcome our heroes!"

"Is Li Kang returning to Barcelona in the winter transfer window?"

"What the hell are these stupid questions?"

Amid the furious outburst of Lewokusen fans,

the media reporters began to flee in disarray!

Anpulati Airport.

Lewokusen players walked out of the arrival gate.

Outside the cordon.

Fans held high slogan banners.

Camera lights flickered.

Reporters vied to hand the microphone to Tuopu Laotou.

The microphone bore the logos of different Bundesliga media outlets.

They asked in unison: "Mr. Tuop, will you break through Nou Camp?"

The afro‑haired old man gave no answer, but swung his arm!

Lewokusen fans erupted instantly!

In a blur.

Bundesliga reporters instinctively thrust the microphone toward Lewokusen's number 10.

Li Kang smiled.

He followed the procession away.

Night fell silently.

The Lewokusen club bus drove through the old town.

Li Kang gazed at the scenery outside the window.

He held a piece of Green Tangerine Fizzy Candy in his mouth.

His phone buzzed with a series of notification tones.

He pressed the power button and put his phone into his backpack.