Capítulo 186: Chapter 186 Atletico Madrid Has A Strong Defense, How Should I, Ronaldinho Possession, Deal With It?
Let's travel back to the 2013-2014 season.
If we had to select the best coach in Europe for that season, it wouldn't be Ancelotti, who won the Champions League, nor Guardiola, who led Bayern to victory. Instead, it would be Diego Simeone, the coach who led Atletico Madrid to a La Liga championship and a Champions League runner-up finish.
Under Simeone's leadership, Atletico Madrid, fighting on three fronts, exploded with powerful combat capabilities and swept across Europe. Despite often having lower ball possession rates, fewer shots, and fewer scoring opportunities compared to their opponents, Atletico Madrid still emerged victorious.
Simeone played a crucial role in transforming a mid-range La Liga team into a European powerhouse. His defensive counterattack strategy didn't just involve sitting back and defending deep. Instead, Atletico Madrid's counterattacks started with a comprehensive press, beginning from the opponent's penalty area. Through intense high pressing, they aimed to win the ball back in the most dangerous areas of the pitch.
If the opponent managed to break through the press, Atletico Madrid could quickly regroup and defend, often turning the game into a battle of attrition. This strategy, characterized by disciplined consistency, allowed them to form numerical advantages in specific areas, disrupting the flow of the game and preventing large-scale transitions.
Atletico Madrid's ability to transition quickly from defense to offense was unparalleled in Europe. They weren't afraid of making mistakes or taking risks; their only fear was missing opportunities. This rapid transition, often achieved through a few simple passes, was Atletico Madrid's most terrifying weapon.
If we were to compare them to Marvel heroes, Atletico Madrid would be like Captain America—no matter how strong the opponent, the result was always a 50/50 battle. Atletico Madrid's games were usually dull and physical, characterized by frequent transitions between offense and defense, and were not particularly enjoyable for neutral fans.
After 20 minutes of play, the score was still 0-0. Union Berlin had a total of five shots on goal, with Su Luo contributing two. Only one of Su Luo's shots was on target, a close-range effort in the penalty area.
At that moment, Union Berlin was pinned on the left side by Atletico Madrid. Sane couldn't break through and had his passing routes blocked, making it difficult to get the ball to Forsberg. Ake's support allowed Sane to pass back, and Ake sent a long ball to Su Luo. Su Luo, showcasing Ronaldinho's skill, evaded Koke's interception and made a long pass to Pavard on the right, thus breaking Atletico Madrid's press.
Koke even clipped Su Luo's ankle during the defense, but Su Luo endured the pain, got up, and rushed to the penalty area. Pavard's cross was met by Weghorst, who headed it to Su Luo. Su Luo took a high-quality shot, but it was saved by Atletico Madrid's goalkeeper Oblak.
This was Union Berlin's most threatening attack of the game. At other times, the fans' heart rates remained steady.
In the 18th minute, Union Berlin tried to find a gap in Atletico Madrid's defense. Su Luo dropped back to help in midfield, but Kimmich's pass was too predictable and was intercepted by Koke. Koke's immediate pass to Griezmann bypassed Keita's defense and found Torres, who was in peak form. Torres successfully beat the offside trap, surged past Lima, and unleashed a powerful shot in the penalty area. Union Berlin fans held their breath, but Pickford made a crucial save, blocking the shot.
Atletico Madrid had only one shot on target, but it tested Pickford significantly.
The game resembled a duel between two martial arts masters, each testing the other's strength through feints and probes. Union Berlin controlled possession and kept their passes simple to avoid risks. They had studied Atletico Madrid's aggressive pressing style and adjusted their tactics accordingly, forming tight triangles to keep the ball moving and avoid getting trapped.
Atletico Madrid's pressing was fierce, but their players moved like a well-oiled machine. Each player was a crucial cog, making it difficult for Union Berlin's key attackers—Su Luo, Forsberg, and Sane—to break through.
Su Luo hadn't felt this level of challenge against Bayern, Manchester City, or Real Madrid, and only slightly against Juventus. Against Atletico Madrid, it felt like punching a non-Newtonian fluid—seemingly full of gaps but ultimately unbreakable.
In the 24th minute, Su Luo combined with Forsberg on the left. Despite being tightly marked by Gabi, Su Luo activated his Ronaldinho-like ball control. He turned, evading Gabi with a deft touch, and quickly assessed his options. Koke and Augusto closed in, blocking his passing lanes and ready to double-team him.
With no time to lose, Su Luo executed a skillful move, using the outside of his right foot to flick the ball around Gabi. He turned swiftly, leaving Gabi bewildered and unable to see the ball. The audience watched in awe as Su Luo performed this acrobatic maneuver.
"Su Luo received the ball with his back to goal, Forsberg passed it to him. The position isn't great... but what a move! Beautiful! Great shot!"
"Su Luo cleverly flicked the ball past Gabi and dribbled towards the penalty area... he bypasses Koke's tackle!"
"Atletico Madrid players are quick to cover, but there's no clear shooting angle!"
"Su Luo! The fake shot fooled Godin, and he unleashes a ground strike! Oblak dives and saves it!"
"That was entirely Su Luo's individual brilliance, creating a rare chance against Atletico Madrid's solid defense!"
Su Luo's effort showcased Atletico Madrid's defensive prowess. Their swift and organized defense left little space for Su Luo to exploit. Even when there were gaps, it was hard to capitalize on them. Moreover, Atletico Madrid's goalkeeper Oblak was in top form, blocking Su Luo's ground shot.
The stands of Calderón Stadium erupted in cheers and sighs of relief as Su Luo's attack almost gave over 50,000 fans a heart attack. The Berlin fans could only lament the missed opportunity.
"Come on, brothers! Let's make sure the team hears our voices!"
In the stands reserved for the visiting team, Bard waved the Union Berlin flag energetically, shouting to rally the fans.
It used to be Uncle Hans' job to do this. Unfortunately, today was Anya's surgery day, and Uncle Hans had to be at the hospital, waiting outside the operating room.
The Berlin Charité Hospital is one of the best in Germany and even in Europe. The red light above the operating room had been on since Anya was wheeled in. Hans' heart was in his throat.
"Here, watch the game for a while. Don't worry too much. Our daughter will be fine," Mrs. Hans said, handing her husband her mobile phone with the live broadcast of the Atletico Madrid vs. Union Berlin match.
With at least two more hours to go in the operation, Hans had little to do but watch the game. On one side was his daughter's life-and-death struggle, and on the other, the crucial match for Union Berlin. The tension was almost too much to bear.
"Come on! Keep pushing!"
He muttered to himself, hoping for a breakthrough. In the 29th minute, Su Luo made a decisive move. This time, he deliberately switched positions with Sane, pulling out wide.
Surrounded near the corner flag by Atletico Madrid players—Juanfran, Gabi, Savage, and Koke—Su Luo seemed cornered. Yet, he advanced along the baseline, appearing to trap himself.
But Su Luo had Ronaldinho's skill on his side. He feinted to the right, drawing Juanfran off balance, then quickly hooked the ball back to the baseline with his left foot and burst forward with Ronaldo-like speed.
"Su Luo... approaching the penalty area from the corner flag..."
"Beautiful! He gets past them! Gabby with a flying tackle!"
"WHAT A SHOT! Su Luo maneuvers around Gabby!"
"Su Luo attempts a goal from a tight angle—"
"Koke's timely tackle! Atletico Madrid escapes the danger!"
He Wei's emotions were on a roller coaster. What had initially seemed like a dull game was now electrified by Su Luo's dazzling skills.
"Perhaps Su Luo's creativity is the key to breaking down Atletico Madrid's impenetrable defense!"
"He's evolving right before our eyes—no, it's more like iterative growth!"
"Facing strong opponents only makes him stronger!"
"For us Chinese fans, it's a joy to watch!"
He Wei's eyes were misty with emotion. Every commentary on Su Luo filled him with pride because Su Luo was a Chinese player—descendant of the Dragon!
Unfortunately, Su Luo's attempt to break through was thwarted by Koke's precise tackles, which were not afraid of risking a penalty.
For nearly 10 minutes, Atletico Madrid continued to dominate, expertly controlling the game's pace and disrupting Union Berlin's efforts.
As the first half neared its end, Su Luo was determined to make an impact.
When conventional tactics failed, Su Luo decided to try something unconventional—black technology, a strike so powerful that no defense could resist!
In the 43rd minute, Su Luo, now positioned outside the penalty area and in the middle of the field, took advantage of Atletico Madrid's relaxed defense. With a sudden, powerful kick, he aimed for a long-range shot.
Using Haaland's striking power combined with the unpredictability of Modric and Nedved's styles, Su Luo unleashed a thunderous shot from midfield!
The football soared halfway across the pitch, hit the crossbar, and bounced off the baseline.
The Calderón Stadium erupted in gasps!
How could this Asian player be so threatening?
Goalkeeper Oblak was left helpless. Even the commentator, Howe, was at a loss for words.
"Su Luo attempted a super-long-distance shot and struck the crossbar!"
"This is Su Luo—fearless in any situation!"
"Reminds me of NBA's Curry, who isn't afraid to shoot from half-court!"
"Great players share a common trait: an extraordinary confidence in their abilities!"
In the camera, Su Luo had a subtle smile. While everyone thought he was reveling in his long-range shot hitting the crossbar, Su Luo was focused on one thing.
"That feeling just now... the buff seems to be fully stacked!"
"That means the next ball..."
Su Luo looked sharply at Oblak, who suddenly felt a sense of dread.
"God help us, why do I feel a sense of foreboding?"
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