Chapter 63: Overcoming Adversity with Kaká

"Indeed, Kaká is going onto the football field. We cannot say for sure that Kaká's ability is definitely better than anyone else's. But the truth is, the Brazil team with Kaká and the Brazil team without Kaká are like two completely different teams. He is becoming a qualified leader and leaving his mark on this young team. He is the kind of captain we need - someone who leads by example and has the skill and charisma to inspire others..."

Maicon took off the captain's armband and handed it to Kaká. Instead of letting Kaká take it, Maicon stepped forward and personally helped him put the armband on his arm. Then Maicon solemnly patted it. 

Kaká gave Maicon a puzzled look. He seemed to sense a feeling of relief from Maicon.

It turns out that even the future world's best defender was just a nervous young player under immense pressure.

Kaká did not replace Costa, who was playing as a forward. Instead, he replaced Leo, the wing forward. As a result, Brazil's formation changed to two forwards and one defensive midfielder. This meant abandoning attacks on the wings.

This also gave the Egyptian coach some ideas he should not have had.

A coach's job involves player management, tactical planning, and in-game instructions. The most crucial part of in-game instructions is to take advantage of strengths and avoid weaknesses.

Capitalize on your advantages and relentlessly exploit the opponent's weaknesses.

What was Egypt's advantage? They had more players on the field.

And what was Brazil's weakness? From the looks of it, their wings were relatively weak now.

Although the saying goes, "He who controls the midfield controls the game," in this era where 4-4-2 formation is still common, attacking from both wings is an essential lesson for every coach.

The Egyptian coach quickly called over his captain and instructed him accordingly. Afterward, they intentionally intensified their attacks on the wings. Maicon could no longer make his signature runs, as he was pinned back in his own defensive zone. 

Initially, Brazil's attacking duo of Kaká and Costa had some issues working together. But with Costa intentionally playing a supporting role, the problem was quickly resolved.

In fact, all problems were resolved. The root cause was Kaká's presence on the field. His mere presence inspired all his teammates on a spiritual level. It elevated the team's fighting spirit and cohesion to a new level, both tactically and in terms of effectiveness. 

And Kaká accomplished all this in just five matches.

If this youth World Cup was a trial by fire for Saviola, allowing him to transform like a carp leaping over the dragon gate, then for Kaká, this national team experience was no less significant than progressing from the Qi Condensation stage to the Foundation Establishment stage.

Not only did his individual skills and playing style mature, but he also underwent a profound evolution in his mental state and determination. Responsibility, mission, glory, and dreams – everything became fuel for his rise.

Although Kaká's entry drew everyone's attention, it did not produce immediate results. He was only doing simple ball control and distribution with his teammates, stabilizing the rhythm of the game. 

For some, this may have seemed natural for a central midfielder. But for those who had witnessed Kaká's entire youth World Cup journey, like Costonio and Miguel Ángel, they saw a tangible transformation.

Previously, Kaká was more like a second striker than a true midfield playmaker. But he had been consciously training his overall vision and organizational abilities. Of course, Kaká's attacking instincts were deeply ingrained, and being an organizing midfielder was only a part-time role for him. Compared to quietly marshaling the midfield and orchestrating the game, he still preferred to take matters into his own hands and secure victory.

This was probably the difference between "follow me" and "give me the ball."

So, after untangling Brazil's slightly rushed and disorganized attacks, Kaká consciously started increasing his individual dribbling. His signature move was the stepover.

"We finally see Kaká's familiar dribbling again. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed that such a seemingly crude dribbling technique could have such a high rate of success in breaking through..."

After dribbling past two players, Adriano came to support him. Kaká and Adriano performed a simple one-two, sending Kaká and the ball into the penalty area. This was a very common individual central dribbling attack, with someone attempting it in almost every match. But very few could successfully penetrate the opponent's defense from the middle. It required exceptional individual technique and a certain amount of luck.

Kaká's luck this time was quite good. The two center-backs who should have come to intercept him had a slight lapse in coordination. They failed to position themselves on the same line when attempting to sandwich him, allowing Kaká to slip through them with a risky nutmeg.

Now, the only obstacle in front of Kaká was the goalkeeper. But he didn't easily gain a one-on-one opportunity. The reason lay in the nutmeg, or rather, in his ball control. 

The same move can be done in a delicate, precise way like Iniesta or in a domineering, forceful style like Kaká's. This domineering and forceful style was a bit over the top.

The left foot flick was perfect, but the right foot follow-through was excessive. Actually, his power was well-judged, but the ball didn't roll along the intended trajectory. And at an almost absurd speed.

Kaká was already used to this. He had practiced it hundreds and thousands of times. But when executing it in an actual match, some inexplicable little problems would always crop up. Practice makes perfect, but this "perfect" was never quite satisfactory. That damn ball control.

The Egyptian goalkeeper was clearly caught off guard by Kaká's amateur mistake and hesitated for a split second. By the time he rushed out to confront Kaká in the tight space, he was just a little too late. Kaká's foot still made contact with the ball first. 

The goalkeeper remained composed, bending down and stretching out his legs, trying to block as many of Kaká's shooting angles as possible. But then, a voice that made his heart sink reached his ears. "Kaká!"

It was Oliveira's voice. He had simply shouted instinctively. But by the time the sound left his throat, Kaká's pass had already been made. Left foot planted, right foot swinging, a delicate chip shot, and the ball found the back of the net.

81st minute, 2:1 for Brazil.

The Egyptian players on the field were crestfallen, while the substitutes and coaching staff were equally dejected. Their head coach covered his face, feeling a sense of helplessness, as if he had been toyed with by fate.

Naturally, the Brazil team erupted in celebration. 

"Kaká! Kaká! Kaká! What else can I say? We all knew that he would be brought on when the team was trailing. And that he was very likely to become the deciding factor in the entire match. But even when everything unfolded as expected, I still can't help but applaud him."

Fortunately, Oliveira didn't hear the commentator's voice, or else his expression would have alternated endlessly between confusion and a slowly disappearing smile. What the hell? I'm the one who scored, and you're praising Kaká?

(End of chapter)