The God of Football Starts With Passive Skills

As the classic Champions League anthem echoed through Bernabéu Stadium, the head referee from the United Kingdom, Howard Weber, led the two teams out of the players’ tunnel.

At this moment, the entire Bernabéu was a surging wave of sound created by the Real Madrid fans.

Wang Shuo took a deep breath, following his teammates, holding a player mascot’s hand as he stepped into this temple of football that countless people dreamed of.

This was his first time setting foot in Bernabéu Stadium!

As Wang Shuo walked into the vortex of the Bernabéu, he looked up to see nothing but steep, three-tiered stands.

At this very moment, every corner of the stands was filled with people, all cheering and shouting themselves hoarse.

The wave of their voices continuously assaulted Wang Shuo’s eardrums.

Wang Shuo followed in the formation, and after entering the pitch, they all lined up in a single file.

The official pre-match ceremony followed the usual procedure.

The only thing different was during the handshakes.

Wang Shuo couldn’t shake the feeling that the Real Madrid players had some ill intent.

When he shook hands with Ronaldo, the Portuguese star smiled, patted Wang Shuo’s left arm, and gave him a brief hug.

"So? First time playing at the Bernabéu. Nervous?"

Of course, Wang Shuo wasn’t going to admit it. He smiled and replied, "Deep breaths, deep breaths."

Ronaldo laughed and patted Wang Shuo again.

This moment was also captured by the live television cameras.

"We can see that the two teams’ star players seem to be having a pleasant chat."

"Ronaldo from Portugal and Wang Shuo from China."

"In a pre-match interview with reporters, Ronaldo said he hoped to give Wang Shuo an unforgettable memory of the Champions League semifinals."

"Additionally, Ronaldo also mentioned a previous clash between the two, back in 2009 at Westfalen Stadium, where Real Madrid crushed Dortmund 5-0, spoiling Dortmund’s centenary celebration."

"Now, two years later, the two teams meet at their peak, and I’m sure they will bring us a spectacular, top-tier showdown."

"Next, I’ll introduce the starting lineups for both teams."

"Playing at home and wearing their white kits, Real Madrid are once again using their preferred 4-2-3-1 formation."

Goalkeeper: Casillas;

Defense: Marcelo, Ramos, Pepe, and Alvaro Arbeloa;

Midfield: Lass Diarra and Harvey Alonso forming the double pivot, with Ronaldo, Mesut, and Di María in front of them;

Forward: Higuain.

"Mourinho has not opted to start Khedira, instead pairing Lass Diarra with Harvey Alonso."

"This should also be seen as a highly tactical decision."

"As for Dortmund, they’re sticking with their trademark 4-2-3-1 formation."

Goalkeeper: Weidenfeller;

Defense: Schmelzer, Hummels, Subotic, and Piszczek;

Midfield: Gundogan and Sven Bender paired as the double pivot, with Reus, Götze, and Kuba ahead of them;

Forward: Wang Shuo.

"Aside from the injured Shahin, Klopp has fielded Dortmund’s strongest possible starting lineup for this match."

"Judging from both sides’ formations, both teams are going all out and are determined to win!"

"Based on our pre-match analysis, Klopp’s Dortmund is skilled at high-pressure pressing, while Mourinho’s Real Madrid is more adept at defending deep and hitting on the counter-attack."

"But we can’t rule out the possibility that these two world-class managers might make some surprising changes during this match."

"Of course, the biggest highlight of this match is the epic showdown between Real Madrid’s Ronaldo and Dortmund’s Wang Shuo, a clash of two superstars."

"Both superstars are renowned for their attacking firepower and are prolific goalscorers."

"Therefore, this match isn’t just a test of each team’s overall formation and strength. More importantly, it’s about how each side will contain and neutralize the other’s key player—namely, Ronaldo and Wang Shuo."

"That will be the key to the match!"

...

The moment the whistle blew, Wang Shuo charged forward.

Real Madrid, who kicked off, had no intention of controlling possession. After a back pass, Ramos beat Wang Shuo to it and launched a long ball upfield.

Dortmund quickly won the ball back.

Real Madrid didn’t contest it, instead retreating to their own half to organize into a tight defensive formation.

Once his side gained possession, Wang Shuo began to actively drop back, preparing to receive a pass from the backfield.

And at that moment, Lass Diarra, like a hound that had locked onto its prey, started relentlessly chasing him.

’Man-marking?’

’That’s the kind of treatment only Messi gets!’

Dortmund excelled at fast-paced attacks.

Quick, short-range passing was one of Dortmund’s greatest strengths.

But if Dortmund were allowed to control possession and the tempo slowed, the Bumblebees were actually not as effective.

Take this opening play, for instance.

After losing possession, Real Madrid proactively dropped back to defend.

Dortmund strung together a series of passes but couldn’t find a forward passing lane.

Gundogan received the ball in the center circle but, unable to find an outlet and pressured by Mesut, immediately passed it back.

Even after regrouping, they still couldn’t find a suitable passing lane.

As a world-class defensive mastermind, and after being honed by his time in Serie A, Mourinho’s ability to craft a defensive formation was truly masterful.

Real Madrid’s mobile zonal defense was executed to perfection.

Just think, if even Barcelona’s passing and possession game struggled to penetrate it, Dortmund would have an even harder time.

Wang Shuo’s first touch of the ball came at 1 minute and 23 seconds.

He dropped back to the right of the center circle at the halfway line to receive a pass from Piszczek. He trapped the ball and turned in one smooth motion, starting his run before Ronaldo could close in to defend.