The ball flew to the flank.
Roberto Carlos received it and immediately launched a long ball into Barcelona's half.
Real Madrid didn't need to win anymore—a draw would already feel like victory.
On paper, both sides would leave with one point.
But considering this was Barcelona's home ground—and that Real Madrid had fought back to equalize—they could return to Madrid as if they had triumphed.
The headlines would all say the same: "Real Madrid Triumphant," "Su Hang Descends Like a God," "Ronaldinho Fails to Save Barça," "Barcelona Helpless."
That's the lesson of expectation versus reality.
And when expectations are too high, they can be painful.
Bang!
Puyol gained control for Barcelona. With Ronaldo charging at him, he opted for a long clearance into Real Madrid's half.
It was both a chance to restart Barça's attack—
and to prevent a third "Motta incident."
If Puyol lost the ball to Ronaldo here, it would be disastrous.
Once, twice—but never three times!
But Baptista overpowered his Brazilian compatriot Ronaldinho, heading the ball toward midfield.
Zidane, already moving into position, shielded the ball with his back against Van Bommel and flicked it over his head.
Just as he prepared to turn, Van Bommel grabbed his jersey, stalling him.
The next instant—
Su Hang sprinted past.
Van Bommel let go of Zidane and tried to drag Su Hang down instead.
But Su Hang, already at full speed, only had part of his jersey torn away—his stride never broke.
He surged forward with the ball.
Real Madrid's counterattack was on!
Ronaldo first darted ahead, but he was offside, and Su Hang didn't pass.
There was no opening.
Ronaldo then drifted wide, signaling again.
Su Hang glanced at him.
Then, after two sharp stepovers, he accelerated—not passing, but taking on Puyol directly!
Youth's Chain Stepover!
When performed three times or fewer, it gave an extra burst of explosiveness!
Su Hang shot forward, leaving Puyol completely beaten.
Puyol had expected a pass to Ronaldo and had already shifted his balance.
Even without that, keeping pace with Su Hang's boosted acceleration was nearly impossible.
His base explosiveness was already a strong 83.
Su Hang drove straight toward the penalty area.
Only Van Bronckhorst had managed to retreat in time.
Ronaldo cut inside, demanding the ball again.
But Su Hang's feet danced wildly once more, chaining together more stepovers.
At that moment, Ronaldo's frustration boiled over.
Stepovers? Really?
Don't you know how to pass?
Don't you have a pass button?
Robinho: "Uh… bro, Su's the one dribbling."
Ronaldo: "And where the hell do you think he learned it?"
Once, twice, three times, four.
Su Hang felt Puyol's breath closing in behind him. His time was almost gone.
He had to act now!
Bang!
Su Hang pushed the ball to his right, away from Ronaldo.
Van Bronckhorst assumed the pass was coming.
Two-on-one—if Su Hang gave it to Ronaldo, the striker would have a clean shot.
Given Su Hang's target-man role, his uneven dribbling reputation, and his fearless passing, Van Bronckhorst was sure of it.
Yet Su Hang still drove forward himself.
No way!
Van Bronckhorst knew Valdés was the last man—he couldn't let Su Hang past.
He twisted desperately, then—
his own left foot tangled his right.
Thud!
He collapsed to the ground.
Su Hang had unleashed the rare special effect triggered only after more than three stepovers: the "Ankle-Breaker Dribble"!
He glanced toward Ronaldo cutting inside.
Bang!
Su Hang's right foot swung.
Puyol, beaten once, spun around and chased again.
When Su Hang toyed with Van Bronckhorst, he had slowed, and Puyol nearly caught him.
But when Su Hang suddenly shifted right and dropped Van Bronckhorst, the gap opened again.
To reach Su Hang now, Puyol would have to hurdle his fallen teammate. Too late.
Unless… he cut left to cover Ronaldo.
A thought flashed in his mind.
He launched into a desperate slide!
He had seen Su Hang's gaze.
Su Hang was looking at Ronaldo.
Together, they were a deadly double threat.
Su Hang central.
Ronaldo to the left.
Draw Valdés in, then square across—Ronaldo would score into an empty net.
It was foolproof.
The most classic two-striker play.
What? Could Su Hang be bluffing, pretending to pass but taking the shot himself?
Impossible.
Ronaldo's status far eclipsed Su Hang's.
And from a probability standpoint, the pass was the only logical choice.
If Su Hang shot, Valdés still had a chance.
If he passed, Ronaldo's tap-in was guaranteed.
Call Su Hang arrogant, a ball hog, even a petty upstart—but he always put Real Madrid first.
For the team, he'd give up goals, give up assists, even his spot on the bench.
He always chose what was best for Madrid.
Puyol had been Barça's captain a year longer than Su Hang had worn the armband.
In that sense, they were alike.
So he knew what Su Hang would do.
If Su Hang was truly the selfless captain, he would pass.
That's why Puyol slid early.
He was about to pull off an interception for the ages—
rescuing Barcelona, stopping Real Madrid's certain goal, one defender shutting down two world-class strikers.
Puyol, the hero!
Bang!
The ball ripped into the far corner.
Su Hang had blasted it himself!
Valdés, focused on closing the near post, had left space at the far side.
The angle was tight—most wouldn't take it.
Better to pass, right?
And if Su Hang had passed, Valdés would have had time to react.
Both Valdés and Puyol had made world-class decisions.
But Su Hang defied them both.
"You!"
Puyol glared at Su Hang from the turf, his face frozen in disbelief.
"You… you don't really love Real Madrid! You're no selfless captain!"
...
(35 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser