The All-Around Center Forward

Suker and Messi were locked in a fierce competition!

If Suker got past someone once, Messi had to do it too.

This kind of rivalry permeated every corner of the field.

When Suker successfully defended once, Messi, with his short legs, would desperately scramble, even if it meant fouling the opponent, he would complete the defense.

While these two were competing, it was everyone else who suffered.

They relied on their superb ball control, attacking and advancing again and again.

And as defensive players, not only were they passively on the back foot, but they also had to contend with these two guys who dribbled past people like it was nothing!

It was simply unreasonable!

Bang!

"Stop f*cking around!"

Srna kicked the ball away, jumped up from the ground, and angrily shouted at Suker: "Can't you shoot anymore? Do you have to dribble past everyone? If you don't f*cking shoot, I'll go up and shoot!"

Hearing this, Suker awkwardly turned his head.

He was indeed caught up in the competition and had lost some sense of proportion.

But they were all young men in their twenties, who could endure such provocation?

"Stop dribbling! Pay attention to teamwork!"

Messi was also reprimanded.

Xavi's tone wasn't harsh, but the frustration in his words was palpable.

Messi also knew his own problem just now, so he remained silent.

Barcelona's throw-in.

With no good throwing points ahead, Alba could only throw the ball to Iniesta, who came to support him.

Iniesta jumped slightly, and as he landed, he back-heeled the ball.

After completing the pass, he sharply twisted his foot and sprinted horizontally.

Seeing Iniesta's running direction, Srna was slightly startled.

"Casemiro! Mark him!"

Casemiro immediately rushed over, but he was still a step slow. Iniesta received Xavi's pass and abruptly stopped.

Just as Casemiro stopped and steadied his feet, Iniesta executed a reverse oil fry, dribbling past Casemiro from the other side and directly penetrating into the penalty area.

Seeing Iniesta charge into the penalty area, Real Madrid's defense immediately went on high alert.

Ramos immediately rushed up; he couldn't let Iniesta make any further moves.

But just as he moved, Iniesta threaded a pass forward.

The pass was exquisite.

It was aimed precisely at Ramos's standing foot. The ball was only half a meter from Ramos's standing foot, but due to his body's inertia, Ramos couldn't make any move and could only watch the ball glide past him.

At the same time, Messi immediately surged forward between Ramos and Carvalho.

With a slight flick of his ankle as he met the ball, the shot wasn't fast, but the angle was extremely tricky.

This was Messi's most favored far-post shot, and it was a reverse far-post shot.

This was remarkably similar to Suker's incredible reverse-angle shot against Belgium earlier.

The only difference was that Messi scored.

Whereas Suker's shot angle was slightly off.

Swish!

The ball hit the net.

Immediately, the entire Camp Nou erupted.

One hundred thousand fans cheered and roared, and the whole stadium felt like an earthquake.

Messi also rushed to the corner flag, celebrating with all his might.

"Messi! A brilliant shot! In the 20th minute, Barcelona takes the lead with Messi's goal."

"Of course, Iniesta's performance in this attack was even more outstanding!"

"His series of runs and passes after receiving the ball seamlessly connected this attack, and ultimately Messi completed the goal!"

"A brilliant offensive combination!"

González exhaled and then said: "Real Madrid put too much attention on Messi, which made them overlook Iniesta, but in this Barcelona team, while Messi is certainly a powerful player, many of their attacks and advancements originate from Xavi and Iniesta's feet, just like this attack!"

"Moreover, Real Madrid's midfield defense also has some issues. Casemiro failed to follow up immediately; he isn't that sensitive to changes in the situation. It seems he only reacted after Srna reminded him, but it was already too late!"

"In the 20th minute, Barcelona scored."

On the sidelines, Mourinho shook his head slightly.

Faria said: "Casemiro didn't keep up; he's still a bit unfamiliar with this kind of rhythm."

Mourinho: "Let's take it slow. After all, he just entered the first team, and he still needs some time to adapt. The entire first half of the season will be his adaptation period."

Mourinho still insisted on developing Casemiro.

Even though he was close to leaving, his goal had not changed.

Moreover, even if he left, if he developed Casemiro, it would be easier to bring Casemiro over after he left.

It was not impossible to use Real Madrid to train his future core players.

"It's okay! It's okay!" Ramos got up from the ground, comforting his teammates repeatedly; "We will equalize the score, first, let's get our form back!"

In the past, when they conceded a goal, Ramos was always the first to jump up and down. His fiery temper made it hard for him to endure such humiliation.

Because of this, he was more likely to get a card after conceding a goal.

But after becoming captain, he had clearly changed.

At the very least, he could now suppress his anger and comfort people.

After all, he was the captain. If he lost his cool, the whole team would fall into disarray. Ramos was well aware of this, so even when he felt angry again, he had to hold it in.

Suker also retreated, actively approaching Kroos.

"Attack their flanks!"

Suker said to Kroos.

Kroos blinked: "Attack the flanks?"

Suker nodded: "From what I've observed just now, their defensive line movement is a bit rigid. Once I launch an attack on the flank, based on their apprehension of me, they will immediately adjust their defensive line to shift, and that's when it's easiest to disrupt their defense!"

"An overly rigid defensive line, once it's opened up on the flank, it becomes easy to deal with!"

Suker said this, but in fact, he planned to switch to [Busquets's Awareness].

After Kaka's injury, Suker had been wearing [Inzaghi's Awareness], but in this match, it was difficult to execute offside traps in positional play.

Moreover, Suker had tried a few times, but they were all disallowed by the biased referee.

Suker was somewhat eager for VAR to be introduced.

At that time, he would report one after another with certainty!

Many people said that VAR would seal Inzaghi.

But what they didn't know was that if there were video referees, Inzaghi would have had even more disallowed offside goals and even more goals scored.

However, the current VAR is not mature enough, and football has no intention of introducing it yet, so they can only wait.

As for other Diamond Cards, Suker had many in his hand, having acquired quite a few each season and in the European Cup, but only a few were useful.

Previously, Suker wanted to collect sets, but now, Suker wanted to get Maradona or Pelé, these historical Diamond Cards.

So far, none had appeared!

Suker even suspected that the card-drawing mechanism was based on his surrounding influence.

For example, the more he interacted with someone, the greater the chance of drawing their Diamond Card.

The previous Ronaldo was like this.

Ronaldo Tinho was also like this.

Kaka even more so!

Suker shook his head; he shifted his gaze to the field, deciding to win the match first.

Busquets was retreating, a goal lead making them high-spirited.

He was also very excited, feeling that this time they could defeat Real Madrid.

After all, unlike before, this Real Madrid team now really seemed not that stable.

Just as he was happy, he couldn't help but shiver.

Feeling a chill in his heart, he turned his head and immediately spotted Suker.

Suker was also staring intently at him.

Busquets's heart suddenly jumped; he remembered all the past instances!

'Damn it! Is he targeting me again?'

"After the match restarted, Real Madrid's push became more aggressive, especially in the flank areas, Suker frequently launched threats."

On the field, Real Madrid's counter-attack after falling behind became even more intense.

Suker's repeated breakthroughs made Barcelona appear extremely passive.

Among them, Busquets was the most uncomfortable.

It was that feeling again!

The feeling of being completely figured out by Suker!

Suker just kept targeting him!

Busquets himself was not a player known for speed and agility.

As a lone defensive midfielder, his physique was relatively slender; he became a world-class midfielder purely through high football IQ.

But in front of Suker, it was useless; Suker's breakthroughs, he couldn't stop them.

Suker could always anticipate his escapes and passing lanes!

This feeling was terrible!

Bang!

Busquets passed back again; he couldn't turn, let alone face the attacking side.

Seeing Busquets in trouble, Xavi could only drop back to help with the build-up.

But in doing so, Barcelona's overall formation would be compressed.

Watching Barcelona's defensive line rapidly retract based on Busquets's position, Mourinho truly couldn't understand.

Was Busquets playing poorly?

No!

He was playing very well!

Excluding Suker, his performance against other teams was always excellent.

His passing, breaking free, and switching play were all very reasonable.

But once he faced Suker, Busquets seemed to turn into an idiot, completely unable to play football.

"It's like this again!" Faria grinned.

Busquets was truly miserable!

Because of Suker, many of his honors and treatments were reduced.

During the peak of the universe team, they would beat anyone they caught.

And as a single defensive midfielder, Busquets's reputation was also growing.

At that time, Barcelona decided to raise Busquets's salary and give him better treatment.

But as soon as this plan appeared, Busquets was blown out by Suker.

The salary increase was thus delayed.

After all, Barcelona won so many games, but losing to Real Madrid was simply not allowed.

Thereafter, Busquets performed even harder.

Transfermarkt updated, and Busquets's market value increased significantly.

But a week later, he was blown out by Suker again.

Busquets's high market value only lasted for a week before rapidly shrinking.

At his worst, Busquets was even benched by Guardiola, as constantly being blown out by Suker was not allowed for a single defensive midfielder.

This also led to Busquets, despite having sufficient strength, being unable to advance further.

On YouTube, among Suker's execution material, the most frequently appearing person was not those fullbacks, but Busquets!

It can be said that Suker directly nailed Busquets to the pillar of shame.

If it were anyone else, their mentality would have collapsed long ago.

But Busquets could still persevere; his psychological adjustment ability was also very strong, but no matter how strong, facing Suker's repeated pressure, he couldn't hold on.

Bang!

Busquets had just received a pass from Xavi; he wanted to drag the ball and turn to the other side for a switch.

But the next second, he felt a squeezing force; his body was suppressed, and Busquets could only try his best to poke the ball with his toe.

He couldn't care about the direction and angle of the pass, but it was still better than being intercepted by Suker!

The ball was poked out by Busquets with his toe.

But the problem was, the ball was poked to the forward-running Kroos.

Kroos received the ball, his face full of bewilderment.

Logically, a player like Busquets wouldn't make a passing error, but in this pass, he could also feel the despair coming from Busquets.

Kroos calmed his mind and immediately looked at Suker.

Suker made a forward-running movement, but he was surrounded by dense defensive players.

Benzema's position was also not good.

"Right side!"

Kroos immediately raised his right hand, vigorously shaking his index finger.

Those familiar with it knew this meant for the winger to start his run.

Bale pushed off hard.

Just as Bale started his run, Kroos timed it precisely and threaded a diagonal pass.

"Oh~~ Kroos! A wonderful through ball!"

The ball, like a knife, diagonally pierced Barcelona's defense and rolled in front of Bale.

Bale had already burst into the penalty area and swept the ball fiercely towards the goal.

Benzema immediately rushed up, ready for a sliding shot.

But the ball was too fast and too urgent; he couldn't catch up at all.

Even when Benzema desperately tried a sliding shot, he still couldn't reach it.

In the chaos, at the far post, Suker suddenly sprinted, made a sliding shot while falling, all in one smooth motion.

Bang!

His sole struck the ball, and the ball flew towards the goal.

Suker also slid forward; at this moment, Suker couldn't care about the goal because he was straddling his legs and heading towards the goalpost.

Suker desperately rubbed his hands on the turf to slow down, his fingers scooping up a handful of mud, but the turf was too slippery.

He could only use his studs to slow down again.

Watching the goalpost get closer and closer, Suker pushed his hands forward, grabbed the goalpost, and used his last bit of strength to stop his body.

At this moment, his crotch was only a palm's distance from the goalpost, and Suker was horrified.

Almost shattered!

Before Suker could recover, a howling sound came from beside him.

The next second, Suker was tackled by Benzema.

"Awesome!"

Benzema roared.

Only then did Suker realize that the ball had entered the net, and he had helped Real Madrid equalize the score.

"Goal!!!!!!!!!!"

González roared!

"At the moment the team is in danger, at the moment the fans need him, he is always able to step up!"

"A goal from Suker, a thrilling sliding shot! Even risking colliding with the post, Suker still didn't give up hope of scoring. In the 31st minute, eleven minutes after Barcelona's goal, Real Madrid equalized the score!"

"Guys, for Real Madrid fans, they are happy! Because they have a superstar."

In the camera, Suker had already arrived below the Real Madrid fan stand, vigorously waving his fist.

His celebratory action made the Real Madrid fans unable to contain their excitement, cheering loudly. They shouted Suker's name, shouting freely in Camp Nou.

Of course, Suker also made a 'shut up' gesture towards the other stands.

However, Barcelona fans not only did not stop booing but became even more intense.

They wished they could rush down, grab Suker, and beat him up in the stands.

But the fully armed special police officers glared at them, preventing them from making any moves, so they could only express their dissatisfaction with boos.

Suker ignored all this; he retreated all the way, and after equalizing, his heart was also incredibly refreshed.

During the retreat, Kroos ran over, and the two embraced tightly.

"We really should play in the ribs!"

Kroos was very excited.

Although Suker's pressing played a role.

But the previous attacks in the rib area caused Xavi to retreat, forcing Barcelona to compress their defense—all these were preludes to the goal.

And just as Suker said, Barcelona's rigid defense, under their pressure, finally couldn't withstand the pressure and collapsed.

"Don't relax your guard! The next part is our test!"

Ramos reminded them repeatedly.

Matches between Real Madrid and Barcelona were never decided by one goal or two goals.

Each time there was a more intense confrontation, especially as time passed, the intensity of the game would gradually increase.

This was especially true for players like Casemiro and Kroos, who were experiencing a League derby for the first time.

"The intensity is so high!"

Casemiro watched Barcelona's fluid passing; if he lost even a tiny bit of focus, his mind couldn't keep up.

"The tempo is so fast!"

Kroos was also fully alert.

Barcelona's fluid and swift passing sometimes didn't allow them to think or observe; they could only rely on their usual training for mechanical positioning.

Active thinking, of course, was better.

But there was no time for thinking or observing; those swift passes meant that by the time they observed, summarized, and implemented their three-step plan, Barcelona would have already put the ball into the net.

Therefore, Kroos and Casemiro could only follow the main group, relying on their positioning from previous training, instinctively keeping pace, and making constant blocks and restrictions.

Bang!

The ball hit Srna's foot and flew out of bounds.

"Well done!"

Srna gave Casemiro a thumbs up.

Casemiro continuously followed Fabregas's movements; although he couldn't make an interception, he also helped Srna complete the co-defense.

Casemiro grinned; "I feel like my brain just can't keep up!"

Srna smiled faintly.

"You'll get used to it!"

For Barcelona's throw-in, to prevent Iniesta from replicating his previous attack, Real Madrid put in more effort in their confrontation.

They finally forced Iniesta out.

"Their pressing is too intense!"

Iniesta gasped for breath.

It wasn't just Real Madrid who were uncomfortable.

Barcelona was also uncomfortable!

After repeated attacks, they wanted to find opportunities for through balls, but they couldn't find the right moment.

Mourinho narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Possession without a soul!"

These words had meaning.

In Mourinho's view, the reason why tiki-taka was threatening was not in controlling the ball, but in advancing forward while controlling it.

But Barcelona was now constantly switching to the sides; although they had a lot of possession, they lacked forward progression.

The former Barcelona.

Xavi's through balls.

Messi and Iniesta's breakthroughs—these were all excellent weapons for forward progression.

But now, this progression has decreased instead.

It's not about tiki-taka for progression!

It's about tiki-taka for control!

The soul of tiki-taka is progression; without progression, the threat would obviously be greatly reduced!