Awakening the Messi template, Florentino Pérez begs me to join Real Madrid

After winning the first leg of the AFC Champions League quarterfinals 2-1 away against Al Ain, Guangzhou Evergrande returned to Guangzhou.

In the 26th round of the league, the opponent is Changchun Yatai, and the game is played at home. However, Wu Shi is not in Lippi's pre-match starting lineup.

"Go watch the water cooler." "Silver" floated in the corner of the locker room, his tone gloating. "You're on the roster, but they won't let you play. Is the old man showing you any pity, or is he keeping an eye on you?"

Wu Shi paused for a moment while tying his shoelaces: "Rest. AFC Champions League in three days."

"Nonsense, of course I know about the shift system." "Silver" crossed his legs, seemingly sitting in mid-air. "I was just seeing how you would react. Not bad, you didn't give me a hard time."

Last year in Chanba, if you weren't a starter at this time, your face would be drawn longer than anyone else's.

Wu Shi ignored her and got up to walk out.

Tianhe Stadium, 3:30 PM.

Wu Shi sat on the bench for the entire 90 minutes, watching a group of substitutes and young players compete against Changchun on the field.

The kicks weren't pretty, but they were good enough.

In the 34th minute, Rong Hao crossed from the left wing, the opposing center-back misjudged the header, and Wu Pingfeng slotted the ball into the net. 1-0.

Changchun launched a counterattack in the second half, equalizing in the 71st minute. In the 83rd minute, Huang Bowen unleashed a stunning volley from outside the penalty area, sending the ball flying into the top corner. 2-1.

The final buzzer sounded, and three points were secured.

"Rong Hao's cross was perfectly placed, remember it." "Yin" whispered in my ear, "And Huang Bowen's shot, his footwork was very clean, you can try that kind of volley outside the penalty area in the future."

"Understood." Wu Shi draped his jacket over his shoulder and walked towards the training ground.

"Extra training?" Silver asked.

"Um."

"Save your energy for later."

Wu Shi didn't say anything and picked up a soccer ball from the basket.

The setting sun stretched his shadow long.

He had forty shots, thirty-one of which were on target. He kept track of the numbers himself; he didn't need the system to report them.

In the locker room after the match, Lippi called him aside.

"Do you have any ideas about not letting you go?"

It is not a question.

Wu Shi shook his head: "No. The coach has his own arrangements."

Lippi looked at him for a few seconds and nodded.

He didn't say anything more, but Wu Shi knew what that look meant: You understand.

The old man turned to leave, but stopped abruptly at the door: "Al Ain will fight tooth and nail in this game. They've only scored one goal; they need at least two to advance. Pressing forward and attacking will be our chance."

"Understood," Wu Shi said.

"Muriqui and Elkeson are both in good form, as is Gao Lin." Lippi didn't turn around. "You know what to do."

"I know," Wu Shi said. "Break through the defense and give them the ball."

Lippi didn't say anything more, and went out the door.

"Silver" emerged from the void, arms crossed, looking at the doorway: "The old man doesn't talk much, but he really cares about you."

Wu Shi didn't reply and lowered his head to pack his things.

"Did you teach Piero and Totti this way before?" "Silver" said to himself, "I won't finish my sentence, I'll let you think about it yourself. Once you understand it, it's yours to keep, and no one can take it away from you."

"You've been talking a lot today." Wu Shi zipped up his backpack.

"I was afraid you'd be nervous." "Silver" was unusually honest. "The second leg of the AFC Champions League quarterfinals is at home. If we win, we'll be in the semifinals. Anyone would be nervous."

Wu Shi paused for a moment: "You know I'm nervous?"

"Nonsense. You tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep, and your heart rate was 12% higher than usual."

"..."

"But being nervous isn't a bad thing." "Silver" stood up, his tone unusually serious. "Anyone who isn't nervous at all is either a machine or doesn't know what they're facing. You know the significance of this match, so it's normal to be nervous.

Wu Shi didn't say anything.

"Alright, go back to sleep. Tomorrow in training, the old man will definitely have to practice set-piece defense extra—you've seen Omar's free kick before."

Wu Shi picked up his bag and walked out, but suddenly stopped at the door.

"silver."

"Um?"

"Thanks."

"...It's so sour. I'm leaving."

She shrank to a small silver badge and disappeared at the edge of sight.

The second leg of the AFC Champions League will be held at Guangzhou Tianhe Stadium.

7:30 p.m.

The stands, which held tens of thousands of people, were packed to capacity, and the red wave never stopped from the very first minute of the match.

总比分恆大2比1领先，且手握2个客场进球。这意味着：如果恆大主场输0比1，那艾因依旧被淘汰。

On Lippi's tactics board, the word "defend" was not written.

In the locker room before the game, the old man looked around at everyone.

"They have to break through."

"We're fast, and that's what they're afraid of."

"The battle will be ended in the second half."

Zheng Zhi shouted first, and the locker room erupted in cheers.

Wu Shi tightened his shoelaces and stood up.

The starting eleven players filed out of the tunnel. Wu Shi walked in the middle of the group, and the moment he stepped onto the grass, Tianhe erupted in cheers.

He could see Omar, number 10, on the other side, stretching, with a calm expression.

"Silver's" voice echoed in my mind: "His running hotspot will be more on the left flank today. Pay attention to supporting Sun Xiang's defense in the first half."

"Um."

"Also, his stamina will drop after 75 minutes. The latter part of the second half will be an opportunity."

"I've got it."

The referee whistle blows.

Al Ain pressed forward as expected. In the first twenty minutes, they had nearly 65% ​​possession, passing the ball around Evergrande's half. Omar was in his element in the middle, and in the 12th minute, a through ball tore apart the entire defense, setting up a one-on-one opportunity for the opposing striker—but Li Shuai made a brilliant save!

In the 18th minute, Omar took a free kick in the attacking third, curling a shot with the inside of his right foot over the wall—

boom!

Crossbeam!

A gasp rippled through the crowd; Evergrande had narrowly escaped disaster. Omar clutched his head, his face etched with regret.

"That was too close..." Wu Shi felt a chill run down his neck.

"Don't panic," Silver's voice was calm. "They're pressed so high up, there's nothing behind them. Be patient."

Wu Shi took a deep breath and glanced at Lippi.

The old man stood motionless on the sidelines, his hands in his trouser pockets.

In the 27rd minute, the opportunity came.

Zheng Zhi intercepted the ball in the backfield, glanced up, and immediately launched a long pass! The ball crossed the midfield and landed at the top of the center circle.

Muriqui held off the opposing defender and headed the ball across!

Wu Shi received the ball at the landing point, without stopping it—out of the corner of his eye, he caught a figure starting on the right wing.

Gao Lin!

With a flick of the outside of his right foot, the ball flew out along the grass, traversing the entire Al Ain defense!

Gao Lin has a one-on-one opportunity! He slots the ball into the far corner!

1 is better than 0!

Tianhe exploded. Gao Lin rushed towards the corner flag area, pointed at Wu Shi, and forcefully tapped his chest.

The aggregate score is 3-1. Al Ain needs to score three goals to turn the tide.

"That pass was Messi-level." Silver's voice carried a hint of satisfaction. "The timing, power, and concealment were all perfect. The training wasn't in vain."

Wu Shi ran back, feeling both happy and somewhat disappointed.

He thought to himself, "Even when praising someone, Yin has to make himself feel uncomfortable."

Al Ain started to panic. Their movements became more aggressive, and their formation became disjointed.

In the 39th minute, Omar dropped back to receive the ball, and Wu Shi pressed him into position. Omar attempted to turn, but Wu Shi blocked his path and delivered a precise poker!

The ball is lost!

Zheng Zhi intercepted the ball and immediately passed it to Elkeson on the left wing. Elkeson cut inside, feigned a shot, then cut inside to create space before unleashing a powerful right-footed shot!

The goalkeeper made the save, but Muriqui arrived on the rebound and scored!

2 is better than 0!

The overall score is 4-1. The outcome of the match is no longer in doubt.

As the halftime whistle blew, Wu Shi walked back to the locker room. "Silver" floated beside him: "That steal from Omar deserves a spot in your career's top ten."

"It was just luck."

"Oh? Getting modest now? You've been watching him for three games. When he receives the ball with his left foot, he habitually feints to the right before turning to the left. You've been targeting that left turn."

Wu Shi didn't say anything.

"That's called research, not luck."

In the locker room, Lippi, unusually, didn't give any tactical instructions. He simply looked around at everyone and said:

"Don't let up in the second half."

Then he walked over to Wu Shi and patted him on the shoulder.

They didn't say anything.

But Wu Shi knew what that meant: Well done.

In the second half, Al Ain completely abandoned defense and pushed forward with all its players.

In the 58th minute, Omar delivered a through ball amidst a scramble, and the opposing striker unleashed a powerful shot from a tight angle to score. 2-1.

Al Ain pulled one back, boosting their morale. But they need two more goals.

Just three minutes later, Evergrande retaliated.

Zhang Linpeng made a long pass from the backfield, and Wu Shi, with his back to the defender, gently flicked the ball with his heel.

The ball passed between the defender's legs, and Muriqui, understanding perfectly, made a diagonal run into the penalty area!

One-on-one! Cross the ball!

Elkeson taps into an empty net! 3-1!

The final score was 5 to 2.

After scoring, Elkeson was the first to hug Wu Shi. Muriqui ran over and vigorously ruffled his hair. Gao Lin gave him a thumbs-up from a distance.

In the 71st minute, Wu Shi was substituted.

As he walked to the sidelines, tens of thousands of people at Tianhe Stadium stood up and applauded.

The applause was continuous and rhythmic. It was a tribute to his goal and assist in this match, and also to the growth of this seventeen-year-old over the past year.

Wu Shi lowered his head and pursed his lips tightly.

"Cry if you want to," Yin said softly. "It's not shameful."

He didn't cry.

But when he sat back on the bench, he covered his face with a towel and took three deep breaths.

The final whistle blew, 3-1, 5-2 on aggregate. Evergrande advanced to the AFC Champions League semi-finals.

Omar walked over, his expression calm.

He had flashes of brilliance in both legs, but couldn't lead his team to victory. Football is a team sport.

The two shook hands and exchanged jerseys. Omar patted Wu Shi on the shoulder and said in English:

"You've made a lot of progress."

Wu Shi nodded: "You too."

Omar didn't say anything more, and turned to leave.

"Silver" hovered at the edge of Wu Shi's field of vision: "He was telling the truth."

"I know."

"You'll encounter many more opponents like this in the future. Strong, respectable, and the kind of opponents you have to fight tooth and nail to win against."

Wu Shi held the number 10 jersey and stood there for a while.

"Then fight with all your might."