Catalonia, City of Barcelona
In a luxurious mansion nestled in an affluent area of Barcelona, several people sat quietly in the spacious living room, their eyes fixed on the large screen. No one said a word, and the only sound in the room came from the lively and energetic commentary blaring through the speakers, filling the otherwise silent space.
"Real Madrid on the attack!" the commentator exclaimed.
"Casemiro passes to Modric! Modric has the ball, and the Croatian is shielding it beautifully!"
"Kante closes in! He's the Premier League's best defensive midfielder! Modric isn't known for breaking through on his own—he turns and passes to Kroos!"
"Kroos immediately sends it left!"
"Ronaldo!!"
The commentator's voice suddenly intensified, unleashing rapid-fire Spanish commentary, as if an AK-47 had turned into a Gatling gun.
"Ronaldo with the ball on the left! He's stepping over it, slowly moving forward! Getting closer to Chelsea's defensive line!"
"Willian and Matic move in to double-team!"
"Ronaldo cuts inside! His acceleration leaves Matic behind!"
"Ohhh, he's going for a direct shot! Blocked by the defender!"
"He adjusts and shoots again!"
"Courtois with a world-class save! Real Madrid wins a corner!"
In the mansion, silence reigned once more. Finally, someone broke the calm.
"Do you think Madrid can win this?" Piqué asked curiously.
"It looks like they have a good chance. The team seems in great form," Busquets replied, taking a sip of his beer, though he appeared a little absent-minded.
"He's put in a lot of work. Madrid could pull it off." Messi, however, was watching the field with a complex expression, his gaze shifting between Ronaldo and Su Luo.
As one of the world's top three superstars, Messi couldn't help but feel frustrated. Both Ronaldo and Su Luo were out there, playing in the Champions League final, while he was stuck at home, merely watching the game unfold.
It's maddening!
"Next season... I won't lose to them next season!" Messi muttered under his breath. Even after years of success and countless trophies, his hunger for championships was still insatiable.
Sitting there, watching the game as a spectator, was something he couldn't tolerate. I will do everything in my power to lead Barcelona back to the top! he vowed internally, unless Barcelona chooses to move on without him.
Meanwhile, back on the pitch, the tense exchanges between Chelsea and Real Madrid had every fan holding their breath. Ronaldo's powerful long-range shot had nearly given Chelsea supporters a heart attack. His flashy step-overs might not fool defenders in a one-on-one situation anymore, but his physical prowess remained elite. Once Ronaldo got going, there was no stopping him. And his long shots? Deadly accurate. It was only Courtois' sharp focus that saved the day.
Earlier, Su Luo's lightning-fast strike had terrified the Real Madrid players, shaking them to the core. It was a close call that jolted them into action. Since then, they'd been fighting hard to regain control.
Real Madrid started utilizing their superior ball possession, opting to control the pace with strategic positional play. Chelsea's high pressing wasn't as effective against Real Madrid's midfield trio, who were masters of quick, accurate passing.
Even if Chelsea did well pressing up front, Real Madrid's defense could always find a way out. And with Ronaldo, Benzema, and Bale, their aerial threat was undeniable. Their previous matchup against Juventus had proven that they could dismantle a high press with ease.
Realizing this, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte switched to Plan B: park the bus.
Chelsea pulled back into a tight defensive formation, relying on rapid counterattacks—something they'd perfected over the years. Real Madrid, in response, remained cautious, holding onto possession while patiently waiting for an opening. They didn't risk too much, aware of the danger Chelsea posed on the break.
It was a tactical chess match—both sides had shown their best moves early on, but neither could land the finishing blow. Now, the pace slowed down, as each team searched for the perfect opportunity.
"After a high-tempo first 10 minutes, both teams have dialed it back a little," Zhan Jun commented, his initial nerves settling as he observed the game.
"Even though the pace has slowed, the game is still incredibly exciting! We're watching a tactical battle between two of the world's best teams."
Zhan Jun's anxiety was understandable. This was the first time a Chinese player had appeared in the Champions League final. No longer was it just about watching 22 foreign players competing on the pitch—Su Luo was representing his nation on the biggest stage.
From what he could see, Chelsea were holding their own. Real Madrid's possession play wasn't enough to break through their well-organized defense. The "Galácticos" were forced to pass the ball around midfield, unable to find a way through.
And as long as Su Luo was involved, no team could relax. When he stepped onto the field, Chelsea transformed from a defensive juggernaut into an offensive powerhouse, ready to strike at any moment.
"Su Luo isn't just the heart of Chelsea's attack—he's vital to both their offensive and defensive strategies," Director Zhang observed. "At this level, Matic and Kante alone can't stop Real Madrid from penetrating. Matic's positioning has already been bypassed several times... just like right now!"
As Zhang spoke, Real Madrid executed a swift short pass sequence, with the ball ending up at Toni Kroos' feet. Kroos slipped through Chelsea's defensive line, passing Matic easily.
Ronaldo collected the ball, poised to strike—until Su Luo, tracking back, teamed up with Azpilicueta to make a crucial tackle. Real Madrid was denied once again.
"Real Madrid are targeting Matic's zone, exploiting his slower turns and speed. Su Luo, however, has dropped back to form a midfield trio with Kante, covering the space and preventing Real Madrid from advancing."
Conte's tactical adjustments had plugged the gaps in Chelsea's defense. Unless something unexpected happened, Real Madrid wouldn't be able to find a way through.
"And look at Chelsea's attack!" Zhang continued excitedly. "They're moving the ball quickly and efficiently!"
Azpilicueta intercepted a Real Madrid pass and immediately fed the ball to Su Luo, who was positioned just behind. Modric rushed in to intercept, anticipating the danger.
But sorry, Luka!
Su Luo had already anticipated Modric's movements. In the eyes of the crowd, it looked like Chelsea's counterattack would be slowed down by Modric's intervention. As long as he could stall them, Real Madrid's defenders could recover in time, and the threat would pass.
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