Chapter 1 The Beginning

November 23, 2002, the Spanish El Clásico.

Camp Nou.

The former Barça captain, Portuguese superstar Luís Figo, stood at the corner flag.

Coins, underwear, soda cans, and lighters rained down.

When a pig's head hit the ground.

One of the most classic shots in La Liga history was born.

Pig's head.

In Iberian culture, it signifies: traitor.

....

The illusion dissipated.

Lee Kang shook his head, not understanding why he was seeing a pig's head being thrown.

The TV suddenly replayed highlights from Ligue 1.

《The New Henry? Monaco's 17-year-old Super Prodigy!》

On the screen.

A little guy who looked like a Ninja Turtle, with a buzz cut, crossed his arms over his chest, striking a unique celebratory pose.

His innocent face wore a pure smile.

....

The next day.

The club bus slowly entered the Leverkusen training base.

A large number of enthusiastic fans gathered on both sides of the road.

They couldn't afford tickets to the Bernabéu, but they could afford mini-flares.

So, one by one, flares were lit, falling near the bus with thick smoke and red flames.

Posters of Lee Kang and banners of support were held high.

The fans roared hysterically.

"Lee!!!"

Having reached this point.

Who still cares about winning or losing?

...

Old man Toppmöller gave all the players a day off.

The intensity of the battle at the Bernabéu was too high, and they had a Bundesliga match to deal with in three days.

He noticed signs of the team collapsing at any moment, worried that something unexpected would happen... which would cause Leverkusen to lose the right to compete for the championship.

"Boss, nothing unexpected will happen. Our opponent on Saturday is Schalke 04!"

"Damn it, they're a tough nut to crack."

After the dismissal whistle, the players did not disperse, but stayed behind to practice.

Although it was useless, at least they had to show a positive attitude.

They couldn't be worn down again in the second leg by Zidane's passing and moving tactics.

Two hours later.

Lee Kang was actually the first to leave.

He had to go to Gelsenkirchen.

To recharge.

....

Veltins headquarters building.

Claudia held a "Bear and Wild Strawberry Tree" sculpture.

After examining it carefully, she asked, "Is it a male bear or a female bear?"

Lee Kang smiled and shook his head.

He didn't know either.

The totem of the Madrid region is the bear.

The mainstream view is that it's a female bear, but some historians believe it's a male bear.

So, is the symbol of Madrid male or female?

Experts have been arguing for decades without a winner.

He continued to take out several handicrafts he had bought in Paris from the box.

They were very cheap.

Due to her health, Claudia had hardly ever left North Rhine-Westphalia.

Seeing the dazzling array of small crafts symbolizing various regional cultures, a blush gradually rose on her pale cheeks.

"Is this a scented candle?"

"An obelisk crystal?"

"Baccarat craftsmanship from documentaries!"

"I like it very much..."

Lee Kang watched her quietly, the shadow in his brain sometimes contracting, sometimes spreading.

Claudia's cheeks were even redder.

In the huge room, although there were only two people, neither of them made any excessive remarks or actions.

"You will definitely meet other girls in the future..."

Lee Kang was stunned.

Why did this sentence sound so familiar?

"If you do this to other girls, I will shoot you."

"..."

After a long time.

Lee Kang left Gelsenkirchen.

Recharging complete, he was confident in defending against C-Luo (a nickname for Ronaldo) within 90 minutes in the second leg.

As for dating, it was too far away for him.

He still had homework to do.

He still had exams to take.

He still had to train.

He still had to...

.....

Allianz Stadium in Turin.

Pogba was interviewed by reporters.

"I watched the Champions League semi-final yesterday. To be honest, there wasn't much tactical content!"

"If Lee Kang had met me, he wouldn't have been able to score those two goals at all."

"You can't judge a player's strength based on highlights. A true genius midfielder should nip the opponent's attack in the bud."

"He has no chance to play against me!"

"Atletico will taste bitterness tonight!"

"Who is Saúl?"

....

That night.

Lee Kang returned to the first team dormitory and joined Brandt and Havertz in front of the TV.

The screen was broadcasting another Champions League semi-final live.

Juventus vs. Atletico Madrid.

Buffon vs. Oblak.

The clash between the Bianconeri and the Mattress Makers, a dialogue between two extreme defenses.

《Whoever Attacks Fiercely is a Grandson.》

Simione roared angrily.

Allegri's face twisted into a "囧" shape.

Judging from the scene alone, Atletico's mid-range defensive sequence... firmly suppressed Juventus's frontcourt.

Super genius midfielder Pogba was suppressed by Saul into a "transparent man." He was dispossessed as soon as he touched the ball, let alone organizing, connecting, or accelerating forward!

Marchisio had to focus his offensive resources on the flanks.

Unfortunately, Atletico was prepared. Gabi and Koke could always provide safe cover for Juanfran and Luis, and block Juventus's forward passes.

Allegri gestured wildly.

Juventus tried to form a local numerical advantage in the middle of the thirty-meter area...

It was useless.

As long as they didn't encounter Messi, a peak-form Godín could stifle all offensive coordination in the dangerous area.

Of course.

Atletico's counterattacks after winning the ball also couldn't cross Juventus's "defensive wall"!

The combination of Bonucci, Chiellini, and Buffon was like a steel fortress.

Plus an old Barzagli, still full of ambition.

The aging Torres and his teammates could only sigh.

....

Havertz couldn't help but sigh: "Fortunately, we drew Real Madrid, at least we can fight back."

Brandt nodded desperately like a chicken pecking at rice: "The defensive sequences of these two teams are too coordinated and too beautiful!"

"Pressure and counter-pressure... flawless defensive spacing, overall movement."

"If we met them, we would only be slaughtered."

Lee Kang agreed with his two teammates' views.

Leverkusen would get the same result no matter which team they drew.

The difference in tactics and overall player level was too great.

Not to mention the famous veterans.

Atletico's Gemini stars, Saúl and Koke, could suppress Leverkusen's mid-front court.

Under Simeone's training, even the cleaning ladies of the Mattress Makers were very good at pressing.

....

At the last moment.

Morata missed an open goal.

The Allianz Stadium in Turin fell silent.

The referee blew the whistle to end the game.

Juventus 0:0 Atletico Madrid!

At the same time.

In distant Madrid.

Del Bosque's beard twitched. He was annoyed.

"Everyone is playing so well, but the European Cup squad can only take so few people!"

"I wish Koke and Saúl were the same person!"

Míníano said seriously: "We have Lee, so we don't need to bring so many midfielders. Torres is in good shape, he is still a Champions League-level striker! Villa is also playing very well in the United States. My suggestion is..."

"The Brazilian team still recruits Chinese Super League players, why can't we recruit super strikers from the American Major League Soccer?"

The Spanish assistant coach's eyes... glowed with fanaticism.

T9V7, the most terrifying front-line Gemini stars of the Iberian Peninsula in the past!

This suggestion sounded a bit like a sports teacher teaching you math problems...

Del Bosque patted his big belly, not immediately denying it.

"Let's talk about it later."