Football: Starting from the 05 World Youth Championship

"Real Madrid truly deserves its reputation as the world's top club. Not only is their attacking firepower formidable, but their defense in the midfield and backline is also extremely solid!"

"Although CSKA Moscow seemed to have the upper hand on the field, they couldn't convert their dominance into goals and struggled to create any threatening attacks. On the other hand, Real Madrid launched several dangerous counter-attacks, but unfortunately, their forwards were out of form and failed to capitalize on their chances. Otherwise, Real Madrid would be leading right now!"

After the home team launched a relentless attack for thirty minutes but failed to break through Real Madrid's goal, the commentators began to praise Real Madrid.

Despite Real Madrid being at a disadvantage in possession and passing numbers, they still managed to win.

This was not due to their lack of strength, but rather the result of their tactical choices.

In other words, the opportunity that their opponents were facing was actually a false impression created by Real Madrid.

Neither side scored in the first 45 minutes.

Long-range shots, headers, set pieces...

CSKA Moscow tried everything, but couldn't break through Real Madrid's defense.

Keisuke Honda tried his best, but he found that his efforts had no effect in the face of a huge gap in strength.

Real Madrid didn't specifically target him, but he had already suffered greatly under the defense of Lin Feng and Xiao Ma Ge.

The sharp passes and assists that were usually ineffective in the Russian Premier League failed in this match.

Facing the pressure from Real Madrid's two world-class defensive midfielders, he struggled to even keep the ball at his feet, making frequent mistakes. In the first half, almost all of Real Madrid's counter-attack opportunities came from him dispossessing the ball.

The Japanese team's poor performance prompted the head coach of CSKA Moscow to shake his head.

Ultimately, they chose to substitute Dzegeev in the 60th minute of the second half.

When he left the field, Keisuke Honda was very frustrated and looked back at the person he had always wanted to surpass with some resentment.

He felt as if there was an insurmountable chasm between him and the other person, and that he might never catch up in this lifetime.

Despite CSKA Moscow making three substitutions in the second half in an attempt to create some opportunities with the fresh energy of these new players, the team still managed to make some changes.

But faced with Real Madrid's rock-solid defense, they ultimately had to retreat in defeat.

The match ended with the score unchanged.

The 0-0 draw left the home fans extremely frustrated, feeling that all their enthusiastic shouts and cheers throughout the match had been in vain.

The team's fate is uncertain as they face an away game in the next round.

Because of the inability to travel by plane, apart from a very few die-hard fans, those who usually travel with the team to other places did not attend this match.

However, it is precisely at times like these that these fans who make a special trip to the stadium to support the team become all the more precious.

After the match, led by captain Raul, the entire Real Madrid team circled the field to thank the fans.

In the past, even when the team was traveling to other places, there would always be at least one or two thousand people in the away fans' stands.

But today, there were only six or seven people in the away fans' section.

This is the first time that there have been more players than fans.

Facing these die-hard fans, Real Madrid players offered their autographs and took photos with them. Lin Feng even gave his jersey, which he was wearing that day, to one of the 8-year-old fans.

The young fan was quite polite, thanking Lin Feng repeatedly after receiving the jersey.
"Thank you, Uncle!"

But these words made Lin Feng a little dazed:

"Uh, I'm not that old, you can just call me brother!"

This is the first time in my life I've heard someone call me "uncle," and it feels pretty strange.

In fact, Lin Feng himself didn't realize that he was already 22 years old this year, having been born in 1988.

Time really flies. It feels like just yesterday that I led the national youth team to victory in the World Youth Championship. Unfortunately, yesterday is already a long time ago!

"Uncle...brother, could you sign my autograph? Just here!"

"Ok!"

"By the way, what's your name?"

"Pedro González López, they all call me Pedri!"

Lin Feng, who was about to sign an autograph, paused upon hearing this and couldn't help but glance at the young man again:
So you're Pedri, kid?

A mischievous thought suddenly occurred to him, and he picked up his pen and wrote down a sentence:

Dedicated to the future world's best midfielder, Pedri – Lin Feng!
……

After the away game, the entire Real Madrid team began packing up to go home.

As predicted by experts, Iceland's volcano erupted again in early April.

This eruption was even more massive than before, causing almost all flights across Europe to be grounded. Real Madrid had no choice but to continue their journey back by train.

"The bad news is, we'll have to spend another two days on the road!"

"The good news is that the other side is going to be delayed for just as long as we are!"

"Hehe, I heard that CSKA Moscow has decided to give up and send a reserve team for the second round!"

"The wise choice is to let them come with us now. Otherwise, even if we send our strongest team, they'll be too tired to play due to the fatigue of the journey!"

Compared to the tragic atmosphere on their way there, the team's morale was much higher on their return journey.

The team members even had time to gossip a bit.

"By the way, what's the name of that volcano in Iceland again?"

"Eyjafjalla? I think that's what she's called!"

"Hopefully she can pull it together and erupt a few more times. Those guys in the Premier League haven't experienced our script yet, we need to let them taste this flavor too!"
"But if we are drawn against them, wouldn't that mean we would have to endure the ordeal of this long journey all over again?"

"Hey, what's so special about that? We've already covered 4000 kilometers, what's a mere one or two thousand kilometers?"

Lin Feng was speechless. What kind of people were these teammates?

It's purely harmful to others and doesn't benefit anyone!

If he had to choose, he thinks it would be great to face either Barcelona or Bordeaux in the semi-finals.

Neither of these teams is far from Madrid; it's easy to get there by bus.

……

On April 5th, before the second round of the Champions League quarter-finals even began, the 30th round of La Liga kicked off first.

In this match, Real Madrid's opponent is Racing Santander.

Normally, Real Madrid should have no problem defeating this opponent. But unfortunately, Real Madrid's key players only arrived home yesterday and haven't recovered from the fatigue of their journey, so they can't travel with the team at all.

As a result, Real Madrid, fielding a completely reserve team once again, lost 0-2 to Racing Santander away from home, suffering their first consecutive defeats of the season.

In the same round of the league, Barcelona defeated Athletic Bilbao 4-1 at home, achieving their fifth consecutive victory.

目前30轮战罢，皇马26胜2平2负积80分，巴萨23胜6平1负积75分。

Taking advantage of Real Madrid's losing streak, Barcelona narrowed the gap between the two sides to 5 points after winning this round, bringing the championship suspense back into the spotlight.

Considering that the next round is the Spanish El Clásico, if Barcelona can defeat Real Madrid at the Bernabéu, the gap between the two sides will be further narrowed to 2 points!
With seven rounds remaining in the league, a two-point gap is not secure for the league leaders.

If they make even the slightest mistake, their lead could be wiped out by their opponents!
This situation is very similar to Real Madrid's situation last season, where they fell far behind but then rallied to catch up.

However, Real Madrid failed to create a miracle and make a comeback last season due to Lin Feng's injury.

It remains to be seen whether Barcelona will be able to accomplish this feat this season.

……

"So what if we lost? Don't take this game to heart. Focus on the Champions League now. After we beat CSKA Moscow, we'll have plenty of time to consolidate our lead in the league!"

Compared to the previous two seasons, Mourinho has become much more composed this season.

His temper is no longer so fiery, and he has reduced his PUA tactics on the players.

Perhaps it was the strategy of instilling in the players for two consecutive years the idea that "the whole world is against you, and you have to prove your strength to them" that made the players immune to it!

We've rarely heard his cynical pep talks in the locker room this season!

For Mourinho, three Champions League trophies have already proven his ability.

He doesn't need to argue with media reporters and legends like he did when he first arrived at Real Madrid or joined Chelsea to prove himself.

His extremism and stubbornness can be attributed to his personality, or they can be explained as his constant desire to prove something to the outside world.

But now, he doesn't need any further proof.

With the head coach relaxed, the players naturally felt more at ease.

The so-called "foundation of a powerful family" is simply the result of winning many times and having absolute confidence in one's own strength.

Even when they fall behind, they remain calm and the entire team, from top to bottom, firmly believes that as long as they take things seriously, they will be able to turn the tide.

This composure is something many emerging teams lack.

If you want to become a wealthy family, you must first learn to win!
If they can keep winning, they will naturally become a powerhouse!
April 7, 19:45, Bernabéu Stadium.

The second leg of the Champions League quarter-final between Real Madrid and CSKA Moscow took place here.

Real Madrid's performance was completely different from the match a week ago. Back at home, Real Madrid seemed to have rediscovered their kingly style and dominated the game from the very first minute.

Although CSKA Moscow did not give up on the match as rumored and field a completely reserve team, but instead chose to field their strongest lineup in an attempt to seize that one in ten thousand chance.

But they had no chance against a Real Madrid team in full form.

In just 20 minutes of the first half, Real Madrid tore apart the opponent's defense with their brilliant teamwork and fluid, attacking style.

In the 18th minute, Lin Feng intercepted the ball in the middle and launched a counterattack.

After spotting Ronaldo's run, Lin Feng delivered a through ball.

After working together for more than half a year, the two have developed a better understanding of each other. Often, they don't need to communicate; a single gesture or even a glance from one of them is enough for the other to understand.

For example, right now, when Lin Feng passed the ball, Ronaldo didn't even look back.

He didn't even bother to observe where the ball would land, and ran straight ahead as if he was certain the ball would appear right in front of him.

Cristiano Ronaldo didn't look at the ball; he just accelerated. The defenders marking him had to predict where the ball would land, and naturally, they were left behind by Ronaldo.

Luo Ge charged all the way to the penalty area, and the ball came right in front of him.

Everything seemed to be calculated perfectly; the speed and angle were just right, allowing him to shoot directly without any adjustments.

As a top striker, how could Ronaldo possibly waste such a crucial assist!
He swung his leg and unleashed a powerful shot, slamming the ball into the opponent's goal.

After scoring, Cristiano Ronaldo ran to the sidelines, leaped high, spun 180 degrees in the air, opened his arms, and roared: "Siu!"

This guy actually used Lin Feng's signature celebration move to pay tribute to him!

Lin Feng paused for a moment, then laughed and gave Ronaldo a thumbs up:
Well done, Hakiro!
But it feels a little strange to pay tribute to me by having me steal your celebration moves.

Although Lin Feng wasn't the one who performed this celebration, the fans in the stadium were very cooperative, shouting along the moment Ronaldo landed.
Siu!

Lin Feng has scored so many goals this season that shouting "siu" at the Bernabéu Stadium has become a part of the fans' daily play!

Who cares who scored the goal, let's just die first!
CSKA Moscow's only hope today is to secure a draw away from home, try to force a penalty shootout, and then rely on luck to defeat their opponents.

But once Ronaldo broke the deadlock, their hopes were dashed.

After conceding a goal, the away team attempted to launch a counter-attack against Real Madrid in an effort to secure an away goal.

Perhaps Real Madrid's weak performance in the previous match gave them the illusion that they would not be punished for launching an attack on Real Madrid.

However, things are different now. Real Madrid's form today is not comparable to what it was a week ago.

In the 25th minute, Lin Feng intercepted the ball in midfield and dribbled all the way to the penalty area.

The away team pushed all their forces forward to attack, leaving their defense very weak. Surprisingly, no one rushed up to stop Lin Feng's advance, giving him room to accelerate.

How terrifying is Lin Feng when he's at full speed?
Even top clubs like Barcelona, ​​Manchester United, and Bayern Munich couldn't stop him in this rampage, let alone a Russian Premier League team like CSKA Moscow?

Without any suspense, Lin Feng dribbled past all the opposing defenders, and after breaking into the penalty area, he even beat the goalkeeper.

The score became 2-0, and another 'siu' sound rang out at the Bernabéu Stadium.

This time, however, it was Lin Feng himself who used this gesture to celebrate on the sidelines.

Lin Feng's goal completely killed the suspense of the game, and the away team's morale collapsed. In the second half, their physical strength hit a bottleneck, and they suffered cramps one after another.

It seems that they felt sorry for their opponents, and it was also in preparation for the El Clásico four days later.

Real Madrid didn't go all out against the away team, scoring two goals casually in the second half before calling it quits.

Just 60 minutes in, Real Madrid made two substitutions.

Lin Feng, wearing the number 8 jersey, and Cristiano Ronaldo, wearing the number 9 jersey, both appeared on the substitution board.

When the two players were substituted, the Bernabéu fans stood up and gave them a standing ovation.

With such a powerful duo, how can Barcelona not be defeated? (End of Chapter)