"Real Madrid and Barcelona are now separated by just two goals in goal difference!"
"Oh! Zaragoza's goalkeeper and Zidane have clashed! Zidane tried to grab the ball from the net, but the keeper shoved him away!"
"A scuffle breaks out—referee steps in quickly to calm things down. He warns both Zidane and the Zaragoza keeper, ruling both at fault."
"Real Madrid's players are frantic—they're racing against the clock."
"Meanwhile, Zaragoza's players are red-faced with anger. They feel humiliated!"
The broadcast then cut to the key figure behind this goal… Su Hang.
He had stopped Villa's crucial shot.
If Villa had gotten that shot off, it almost certainly would have been a goal.
And if that goal had gone in, Zidane's equalizer never would have followed.
One denied, one scored—that's a two-goal swing!
Somewhere, a math teacher was losing his mind.
Su Hang's contribution was enormous.
"Could Su Hang really be a Defensive Midfielder?"
"Well… based on the data so far, Su Hang's performance has been outstanding since coming on!"
"He's been involved in twelve passes, with one tackle, two interceptions, one block, and one clearance… exactly matching Gravesen's numbers from the previous sixty minutes!"
"If Su Hang keeps this up, I'd say it's worth it even if Madrid don't win La Liga this season! Remember, they've been searching for a reliable Defensive Midfielder, and right now… Su Hang looks the part!"
"Incredible—is this what genius looks like? Su Hang not only shines as a Forward, but he's excelling as a Defensive Midfielder too!"
"The pity is, between striker Su and midfielder Su, everyone would choose to play him as a striker. That's what's best for the player."
"And let's not forget—Real Madrid badly need a forward with Su Hang's qualities to win games."
Fans were left stunned by Su Hang's performance.
But Villa's fighting spirit only burned brighter in response.
One year ago, it was Su Hang's sudden rise—and a decisive goal—that knocked Villa out of the Copa del Rey.
Since then, Su Hang's star had soared, overshadowing even established strikers like Villa this season.
Villa could not accept that.
He believed he was better than Su Hang in every way, yet Su's path had been far smoother.
This wasn't jealousy.
Villa simply wanted fairness.
And now, Su Hang was proving he could even play as a Defensive Midfielder.
Villa's belief in his superiority wavered.
Because he knew—he himself couldn't do that.
In all of La Liga, only Baptista—the Beast—could excel both in defense and attack.
...
81st minute.
Refusing to back down, Villa charged directly at Su Hang.
He wanted to beat him one-on-one, prove himself.
And besides, if he got past Su Hang, he'd have a clear shot at goal.
The space behind a Defensive Midfielder is often the prime scoring zone.
"Villa's charging in! He's taking Su Hang head-on!"
"Can Su Hang hold the line for Real Madrid?"
"Villa with a flurry of stepovers!"
"Su Hang drops back steadily, lowering his center of gravity, staying composed."
"No good! Villa's too close—he can't shake Su Hang."
"Shift and burst! Villa tries to accelerate past on the right!"
"Su Hang reads it perfectly—he turns early and blocks the lane!"
"He bodies Villa aside, reaching the ball first!"
"Villa refuses to give up, pulling desperately at him!"
"Su Hang shields the ball, spins a full 360, and locks Villa behind him!"
"Villa goes down! Zaragoza players scream for a foul!"
Thud!
Su Hang flicked the ball forward and accelerated from the top of the penalty arc, ignoring the protests.
The referee crossed his arms and waved play on.
He'd seen it clearly—it was fair contact.
Su Hang's constant turning never gave Villa a chance to recover his balance, and the final nudge was enough to send him down.
It was a masterclass in controlled strength.
Plenty of strong players only know how to crash through, fouling as they bulldoze opponents.
But Su Hang used subtle leverage—force with precision.
Zaragoza's players were too busy complaining, and before they realized, Su Hang had dribbled the ball all the way into midfield.
Thud!
He slowed slightly, clashing shoulders with another Zaragoza player, then burst forward again—untouched.
The defender was sent sprawling.
"Physical dominance!"
Su Hang's power was undeniable.
After all, he carried both "Baptista's Beastly Physique" and "Drogba's Relentless Charge"!
Only now did Zaragoza grasp the danger.
This guy…
He was going for a solo run!
Defenders expect strikers to try it—never a Defensive Midfielder.
Who dribbles from the back all the way forward?
If he lost the ball, the entire midfield would be wide open!
"Somehow, everyone's forgotten Su Hang is actually a striker!"
"No wonder—he's been outstanding as a Defensive Midfielder."
"Isn't this the very super midfielder Real Madrid have been searching for all along?"
"He's been their defensive anchor tonight—and unbelievably, this anchor comes with a blade!"
Up ahead, Real Madrid's attack was set: Raúl, Owen, Zidane, Guti, Soldado—five attackers unleashed at once.
Each of them called for the ball, offering Su Hang passing lanes.
No one doubted the attacking brilliance of Madrid's stars.
Their runs were layered perfectly:
Left, center, right.
Front, midfield, back.
Well-spaced.
Perfectly timed.
Even if Su Hang wasn't a great passer, the structure alone could create clear chances.
Zaragoza's defenders panicked, chasing desperately after the Madrid forwards.
Their shape was ripped apart.
Gaps opened everywhere.
And still, Su Hang didn't pass.
"Oh no! Passing has never been Su Hang's strength."
"With all this chaotic movement, he might not find a target."
"Right now, a master passer would see countless options—but Su Hang may just see chaos."
The commentators weren't wrong.
They had it half-right.
Su Hang had excellent vision. He saw plenty of opportunities.
But with everyone in constant motion, his passing ability wasn't sharp enough to seize them.
One overhit or underhit ball—embarrassment would be the least of it.
The real danger would be a deadly Zaragoza counterattack.
...
(35 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser