Emerson: "I've never faced such an arrogant forward. He actually tried to eat me alive! And then he really did…"
Tacchinardi: "Su is unbelievably fast. I'd even say he's faster than Zambrotta. He didn't give me a single chance to defend."
Ibrahimovic: "Strength, speed, patience, and the ability to seize the moment. I have a feeling Su will become the biggest rival of my career!"
And Su returned the favor.
As the best player of the match, Su Hang praised everyone in his post-match interview:
"I've never faced a team as strong as Juventus."
"Whether it's Barcelona in La Liga or Roma, whom we faced earlier, they're both excellent, but they're still a good distance from Juventus."
"In this game, at one point, we couldn't see any opportunities."
"Buffon's saves left us in despair."
"Cannavaro and Thuram's defense was airtight."
"Emerson is one of the best defensive midfielders I've ever seen—solid both in attack and defense."
"Zambrotta and Camoranesi are like world-class wingbacks."
"Del Piero, Trezeguet, Ibrahimovic… they're all deadly attackers."
Su Hang practically praised Juventus to the skies.
But on the flip side…
That Juventus, praised to the heavens, was still defeated by Real Madrid, wasn't it?
See the trick?
It looks like he's praising them, but in fact, he's praising himself.
The art of flattery—deep and unfathomable!
As captain, Su Hang naturally couldn't let his own teammates feel neglected:
"Fortunately, Casillas, guarding our goal, is no worse than Buffon."
"His crucial saves gave us the chance to come back."
"Helguera, for me, was absolutely the best player on the pitch today! Together with Samuel, they built an iron wall. They're the real unsung heroes!"
Seriously? An "iron wall" that still let in two goals?
"Raúl Bravo's performance far exceeded expectations. For a player his age in that position, he did really well."
"Roberto Carlos created plenty of problems for Juventus' defense and took a lot of pressure off us at the back. Gravesen also did an excellent job fulfilling his role—no easy task."
"Beckham played like two men today. It felt like we had an extra player out there. Without him, we could never have held off Trezeguet, Ibrahimovic, and Del Piero."
"Guti's passing was flawless!"
"Raúl wore down the opposition with his relentless effort."
"Figo played like the best attacking midfielder in the world today! Was he really once just a right winger?"
"Ronaldo will always be our most reliable weapon up front!"
"As for Zidane… I have to say, he will forever be the GOAT in my heart!"
"He told me how I should play before I stepped onto the pitch."
"He's my football mentor!"
Even on the plane, the Real Madrid players were still buzzing about Su Hang's interview.
One thing was clear—Su Hang knew how to win people over.
He praised anyone he could.
And even when he couldn't, he still found a way.
In the end, everyone felt satisfied.
Even the South American players were happy.
But some noticed… Su Hang didn't mention Luxemburgo.
That's the boss! The big leader!
And yet…
Su Hang had his reasons.
He was not a player who needed favors from the coach.
Others might have to give Luxemburgo face, but he didn't.
Actually, showing a bit of dissatisfaction with Luxemburgo helped the team.
At least Zidane wouldn't need to clash with the coach anymore.
That kept the squad harmonious.
And the discontent from Luxemburgo's supporters?
Su Hang would take that heat onto himself, shielding Zidane and the others.
A brilliant move—like turning the enemy's strength to his advantage, or slipping past under the cover of night.
Not only did it help Su Hang stay out of the starting XI spotlight,
it also preserved peace within Real Madrid.
A masterstroke!
...
"Decisive strike and counterstrike! Real Madrid's extra-time comeback knocks out Juventus and sends them to the Champions League quarterfinals!"
"Who's the brightest new star in European football? Su Hang, Su Hang, and Su Hang!"
"Ronaldo and Thuram brawl, both see straight reds! Karate black belt Ibrahimovic bullies the weak but doesn't dare challenge Su Hang!"
"Real Madrid and Juventus clash! Su Hang takes down three Juve players alone, recreating the legendary Chinese move 'Empty Stomach Strike!'"
"You can argue about footballing ability, but in a fight, Su Hang is unbeatable!"
"This conflict ended surprisingly fast! Juventus pulled back just in time and avoided Barcelona's fate!"
"Head referee: Su Hang helped me calm the clash and prevented further violence. I had to give him a yellow because of the rules, but I'll thank him personally afterward! He was outstanding!"
"Born captain! With the armband, Su Hang's Real Madrid boasts a 100% win record!"
"Real Madrid is witnessing the rise of a true leader! When the team was down, he reignited everyone's will to win!"
Once again, Real Madrid had defeated Serie A.
All of La Liga rejoiced—except Barcelona.
Barça had just been knocked out by Premier League giants Chelsea.
This year, they'd only be "Round of 16 regulars."
What a reversal of fate.
Because without Su Hang, Real Madrid themselves would have entered their own Round of 16 era starting this year.
But Su Hang's arrival changed everything.
"Ding! Your outstanding performance intimidated Cannavaro. Even his trademark flying tackle couldn't stop your goal. You've acquired 'Cannavaro's Flying Tackle' and 'Power Throw-in.'"
"Cannavaro's Flying Tackle: Superstar-level skill. As the only defender in history to win the Ballon d'Or, Cannavaro built his own legend. Despite his lack of height, his determined tackles made up for it."
"You will now master tackling. Your tackles are less likely to cause self-injury. Your tackles are less likely to earn a card. Your tackles have a higher chance of retaining possession—creating a tackle-and-keep."
"Power Throw-in: Player-level skill. Your throw-ins will travel farther and more accurately."
Su Hang never expected that after this game, the most generous player would be Cannavaro—the one he'd bullied the most.
No wonder he became the only defender to win the Ballon d'Or.
Look at that emotional intelligence—off the charts!
Unfortunately, these weren't exactly skills Su Hang could use.
At least, not in the conventional sense.
But Su Hang, knowing the future of football tactics, understood that even forwards would one day need tackling ability.
And nothing was deadlier than… a forward's tackle!
Because when a forward wins the ball, it often leads directly to a shot on goal.
Thanks to Cannavaro's "Flying Tackle," Su Hang's tackling stat was now unlocked—rising to 75.
...
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