The live stream back in China had already become lively.
As the first major tournament after the World Cup, Chinese fans unanimously turned their close attention to it.
Bullet comments drifted down like snowflakes.
[Atletico's squad isn't weak at all. If Torres hadn't left, they might have even won a championship.]
[Is this Lucas Hernandez? Theo's older brother?]
[Yes.]
[Honestly, watching Atletico play is a bit intimidating. Last season against Real Madrid, they made Ramos bleed from the nose—and that's Ramos we're talking about!]
[Just hope Ling doesn't get injured. Atletico Madrid's Savić, Saúl, Filipe, and Koke are all dirty players—their tackles and challenges are genuinely intended to injure!]
[They've all learned it from Simeone!]
[Watching Atletico Madrid play feels like watching UFC—even Tottenham aren't as dirty as Atletico!]
[Ibrahimović has left Man United, and the Man United squad is relatively young. They'd definitely be at a disadvantage in a physical battle. Not sure if David Luiz can step up!]
The camera pans to the pitch, where the cheers inside the stadium grow increasingly louder.
Beeeeep!!!
Finally, the referee blows his whistle, and the match officially begins!
Man United kick off first, but before they can advance forward, Atletico Madrid deploys their pack-pressing tactic to swarm and press.
They start by testing the referee's tolerance level before deciding on the intensity of their subsequent actions.
The four defenders—Lucas Hernandez, Diego Godín, José Giménez, and Juanfran—show exceptional collective defensive coordination, instantly closing down Man United's midfield.
One of the two forwards presses the defenders on the ball, while the other marks Man United's defensive midfielder.
Moreover, they apply pressure relentlessly during the opponents' passing sequences.
Although Atletico's style is rugged, their defensive prowess is undeniable.
Matic avoids taking risks in his own half and decisively launches a long ball toward the edge of the penalty area.
Ling and Godín engage in a fierce aerial duel.
The 32-year-old veteran is the true embodiment of Atletico's fighting spirit—no sneaky fouls from behind, just pure physical confrontation.
Ling undoubtedly has the upper hand, but Godín had already instructed his teammates to provide cover.
After Ling heads the ball to the right flank, Lucas quickly positions himself in front of Mahrez and cleanly wins possession.
Atletico's 4-4-2 mid-block defensive structure allows them to transition seamlessly between attack and defense, particularly favoring counterattacks.
Lucas swiftly passes to Ángel Correa.
Having grown up safely and happily in an environment filled with violence and drugs, Atletico fans call him the "Little Angel Protected by God."
But his playing style is anything but angelic—fully embodying Simeone's philosophy.
Due to his relatively short stature, he is extremely agile, dropping his shoulder to shake off Matic before sprinting down the byline!
Wan-Bissaka, having been tested by Ling's challenges in training, has visibly matured and become more composed.
He doesn't recklessly dive into a tackle but instead uses his arm to contain Correa's speed, gradually forcing him wider.
As Correa attempts to burst past with pure pace, Wan-Bissaka executes a clean slide tackle, sending the ball out of play.
Drury: "Neither team has created any real threats in the opening stages. Since the European Super Cup format changed to a single-match decider, it's understandable to approach it cautiously."
Beglin: "Why didn't Simeone start Lemar? He's one of the few strong ball-carriers in Atletico's attack, offering more options in possession."
Drury: "Atletico needs to maintain their pressing intensity, so Correa is a better fit right now—he contributes well in both attack and defense."
From then on, Atletico began frequently testing the referee's tolerance.
This was also a form of experience, and with Man United's squad being relatively young overall, they would undoubtedly be at a disadvantage in this regard, possibly even losing control of their emotions.
Looking back at the La Liga clash between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, if not for Ramos and Pepe, the Real Madrid players might have struggled to leave the pitch unscathed.
In the 13th minute, Rashford was discreetly pushed off the ball by Juanfran during a dribble, and the ball rolled out of play.
Polish referee Marciniak signaled it as a normal challenge.
The Man United players didn't protest excessively—as long as the officiating remained consistent, a more lenient approach for the sake of flow was acceptable.
The match continued.
Lucas launched a powerful throw-in, Correa redirected it with a first-time pass, and the ball landed at Koke's feet.
He was Atlético Madrid's versatile midfielder, molded by Simeone into a workmanlike player.
Truth be told, Simeone somewhat stifled players' creativity, essentially forcing them into rigid templates.
As Atlético's formation pushed aggressively forward, Koke quickly passed to the advancing Rodri.
Hailed as the "new Busquets," this comparison referred not to acting skills but to similar technical styles.
Before Pogba could press him, Rodri immediately launched a diagonal pass.
The ball spun fiercely toward the left flank, where Griezmann's back appeared on screen.
He had deceived Wan-Bissaka with a series of directional feints and dummy runs.
One could say he was among football's most cerebral players.
Controlling the ball while changing direction, Griezmann cut inside centrally, neatly evading the recovering Wan-Bissaka, then swiftly delivered a through pass into the penalty area!
The ball precisely bypassed Matic as Diego Costa held off Maguire, subtly raising an elbow to exert force.
Having spent years in lower leagues and street football during his youth, Diego Costa grew up among rough characters and played a violence-infused style.
Some argued he was merely protecting himself, while others accused him of violating sporting integrity.
Of course, perspectives varied.
Maguire felt a sharp pain in his abdomen and instinctively eased his physical challenge.
Diego Costa keenly seized the opportunity, forcefully barged past Maguire to turn, then swept a low shot toward the right side of the goal!
Facing his national teammate, De Gea reacted instantly with a diving save, barely tipping the ball out for a corner.
Atlético supporters in the stands erupted in frustrated groans. So close.
Maguire was no pushover either.
He confronted Diego Costa, but the latter abruptly retorted in English.
"Go back to England, kid."
Nearby, David Luiz immediately pulled Maguire away while warning him, "He's deliberately provoking you to react—don't fall for it!"
After all, this was the same Diego Costa who once got all four of Real Madrid's defenders booked through antics.
A testament to his mastery in the dark arts.
Beglin: "Pinching, clawing, spitting, striking—they call him Costa the Enforcer. In a previous poll, Diego Costa was voted the dirtiest player in the Premier League. Maguire must keep his composure and avoid the traps Costa sets."
Drury: "That said, defensive firmness is still essential. The pitch is a battlefield—whoever flinches, loses! Now let's see Atlético's corner opportunity. Most of their players have entered the box."
Griezmann delivered the corner toward the penalty spot.
Maguire, dominant in aerial duels, used his height to secure positioning, winning the first header without needing to jump excessively.
He nodded the ball toward the edge of the box.
Ander Herrera, with his back to goal, headed it onward, sending the ball behind him.
Pogba easily shielded Correa, using his long limbs to elegantly turn and shake off the marker!
Atlético immediately launched a frantic high press, with Rodri and Koke closing in to suffocate Man United's counterattack at its source.
Though Pogba wanted to showcase his skills, he recognized the urgency and abruptly accelerated the tempo.
Leaning into a diagonal through pass!
Drury: "Pogba with the vision! And United are away! A crimson tide erupting forward!"
Rashford, Ling, and Mahrez, like a sharp Trident, pierced straight into the opponent's defense.
Atletico Madrid's backline closed in, blocking all passing lanes.
But Ling abruptly slowed his sudden burst of speed, shaking off the Uruguayan defensive stalwart Giménez.
At the same moment, Rashford received the ball and played a square pass into the center.
Ling controlled the ball half a meter in front of him, quickly adjusting his stance for the shot!
The world's most expensive goalkeeper, Jan Oblak, stood ready, knowing full well the power behind Ling's shots—any lapse could lead to a fumble.
Giménez scrambled to turn and block.
Under the gaze of fans in the stadium, Ling executed a deceptively simple cut inside, mastering the feint with sublime skill.
As he brushed past Giménez, the defender gritted his teeth and tugged at Ling's jersey, sending both tumbling to the ground.
The referee immediately blew the whistle, signaling a foul by Giménez.
But then something unexpected happened, enraging every Man United fan.
Lucas Hernandez, not far from Ling, suddenly swung his right foot for a powerful clearance—but aimed straight into the penalty area, directly at the grounded player.
The ball struck Ling squarely on the head!
Ling felt as if his skull had been violently hit, a ringing in his ears surging like tidal waves, crashing against his eardrums again and again.
Even his vision and thoughts grew hazy.
The Man United players, like provoked beasts, furiously surrounded Lucas.
Atletico players rushed in, escalating into the familiar shoving match.
Lucas tried explaining to the referee that his clearance had gone awry.
But anyone could see it was intentional.
After all, no one clears the ball into their own penalty area.
Marciniak hesitated briefly but decided on only a verbal warning.
When this unfolded, the entire stadium erupted in loud boos from Man United fans, who undoubtedly cursed Marciniak's ancestors for generations.
Mourinho exploded, storming over to the fourth official, roaring demands for an explanation.
"Is that not a red card offense, warranting a suspension?!"
"Is this how UEFA runs matches?!"
"He's blind, and so are you, you fuck!"
The fourth official, feeling Mourinho's fury and aware of the controversial call, sternly replied.
"Please lodge an appeal through proper channels. If you continue disrupting my work—"
Before he could finish, Mourinho cut him off.
"Send me to the stands? I don't care! If this isn't resolved, I'll take it to UEFA! And if UEFA fails, then FIFA! None of you will get away with this!"
Simeone, meanwhile, sat calmly on the opposing bench, even applauding the field.
He believed football was a thug's gentleman's game—victory justified any means, as triumph was the only true shield.
As long as Atletico clinched the European Super Cup, he couldn't care less about the process.
He even hoped Ling would lose his temper and throw a punch at Lucas, neatly eliminating Man United's strongest attacker with a red card.
Lying on the turf, Ling shook his head to clear the ringing, signaling to the referee that he was fine, then pulled his teammates back.
He never said a word throughout.
Lucas suddenly felt an inexplicable chill—he'd only meant to avenge his brother Theo (for the Champions League final), but in hindsight, it had been reckless.
But what's done is done.
He glanced at Correa, Rodri, Saúl and others beside him, feeling a renewed sense of security.
He even said to Ling with feigned concern: "Sorry about that! If there are any issues, you can come to me. I'll cover your medical expenses."
Ling's figure paused slightly, but ultimately he didn't turn around.
The Atletico Madrid fans in the stands continued to mock and taunt in broken English.
"Last season's Champions League champion? No one cares here, don't embarrass yourself!"
"Damn bastard, go sleep on your Champions League trophy!"
"Hahaha, don't tell me you're going to cry?"
"Do you need some tissues?"
Ling finally stopped walking, took a deep look at the arrogant Atletico fans in the stands, then signaled to Pogba to take the free kick.
On the sidelines, McTominay swallowed hard.
He knew this version of Ling was the most terrifying—just like when he single-handedly beat up Mitchell and six others in the academy.
To put it bluntly, barking dogs don't bite, and biting dogs don't bark.