On May 4th, the second leg of the Champions League semifinal.
Manchester United defeated Schalke 04 2-0 away, advancing to the Champions League final.
Manchester United became the first team to reach the Champions League final.
In this match, Ronaldo and Rooney each scored a goal.
Rooney had just managed to return before the final, proving his fitness to start in the Champions League final.
Manchester United advanced to the final.
The remaining spot would be decided between Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Amid this fervor, May 5th arrived.
The second leg of the 2010/2011 Champions League semifinal: Real Madrid hosting Barcelona.
Since the first leg ended in a draw, this match would be decisive.
The winner would advance to the Champions League final, earning a ticket to Wembley Stadium in London.
Barcelona arrived in Madrid. From the cameras, it was clear the players looked grim.
Over the past two seasons, Real Madrid had put immense pressure on them.
No matter how well they performed in other matches, facing Real Madrid always proved difficult.
In the first leg, they played at home, fought tooth and nail, but still ended up with a draw.
Moreover, they were missing key players Xavi and Puyol, which greatly impacted Barcelona.
Before this match, Guardiola didn't mention the players' absences at all.
This was his way of reducing pressure on the team.
But unfortunately, Real Madrid had a pressure master—Mourinho!
Before the match, Mourinho applied intense pressure.
"Without Xavi, can Barcelona still play beautiful football?"
"Puyol is the defensive core. Without Puyol, who will anchor Barcelona's defense? Piqué? Are you trying to make me laugh?"
"Messi? Okay, he's a guy who likes dribbling and passing... and don't compare him to Suker. Please respect Suker!"
"La Masia's talents? How interesting. Let me ask one question... where is Bojan?"
Mourinho's sharp remarks made Guardiola's blood pressure soar. He wished he could tear apart this Portuguese man, let alone the players.
So, Guardiola first confiscated the players' phones and computers to prevent them from seeing external news and being affected by Mourinho's words.
It was at this moment Guardiola finally understood why Wenger and Ferguson found Mourinho so annoying.
The next day, the Bernabéu was packed!
Recently, Real Madrid fans had been getting one thrill after another!
34 consecutive league wins, breaking 100 points, and though they didn't achieve six wins against Barcelona, they managed a draw at Camp Nou.
Now, playing at home, they were about to face Barcelona.
They were confident!
They believed Real Madrid's players could defeat Barcelona and snatch the Champions League final ticket from their league rivals.
Forward!! Real Madrid!!
Forward!! Real Madrid!!
Forward!! Real Madrid!!
The entire Bernabéu was filled with the fans' passionate cheers. True to their promise with Suker, they started shouting even before the match began.
Not just now—they would cheer throughout the match, bringing courage and confidence to their warriors!
At this moment, Real Madrid's players were also high on morale.
Despite two grueling matches!
Their morale hadn't dropped; instead, after continuous battles, they had become even more tougher.
In contrast, Barcelona seemed restless.
Six consecutive winless matches!
Five losses among them, and one draw at home.
Moreover, they were missing their captain Puyol and midfield maestro Xavi due to injury.
So, this match would be very difficult for them.
Many players looked to Messi!
After all, Messi was Barcelona's most famous player. They hoped he would lead by example, like Suker—more dominant, more confident, guiding them to victory.
But Messi remained silent, warming up quietly. This made the team's atmosphere even more gloomy.
"Barcelona seems off today!"
Suker and Kaká warmed up together, running side by side and chatting.
Suker glanced over: "Puyol and Xavi are this team's spiritual pillars. With both absent, naturally no one is boosting morale."
"But they have Messi, right?"
Suker rolled his eyes.
That quiet guy couldn't give a speech!
"Never mind that. Barcelona's poor form is good for us. After winning this match, there's still one big battle left!"
Suker exhaled, sighing emotionally; "The Champions League final! It's been three years. Three years since I last played a Champions League final. This time, we must win it!"
Kaká: "Reaching the final is one thing, but Manchester United won't be easy to beat!"
Suker turned: "Have you ever seen me reach a final and not win the title?"
Hearing this, Kaká was stunned.
Now that he thought about it, no!
Either they fell before the final.
Once in the final, Suker almost always secured the title.
Kaká's eyes lit up.
Suker slapped Kaká's back firmly; "Get me to the final! Once there, I'll crush everyone!"
After warm-ups, in Real Madrid's locker room, Mourinho gave his pre-match talk:
"We've reached this point. I'm very grateful for your support this season. Only through our joint efforts have we achieved such outstanding results!"
"However, it's not time to stop yet!"
"The final is just one step away. We won't fall here!"
"Focus! Focus! Focus!"
"Focus during the match will let you see more. If you lack confidence in yourselves, then have confidence in me. I chose you because you are excellent enough. You deserve to be champions!"
"You are Mourinho's championship squad!"
"Go! Secure your ticket to the championship!"
Under Mourinho's motivation, Real Madrid's players stood up resolutely.
"Prepare for battle!"
Casillas slammed his gloves together.
Others also wore determined expressions, marching out of the locker room with great momentum.
The final stage was within reach!
They had to seize this ticket to the final.
"This is the second leg of the 2010/2011 Champions League semifinal. Real Madrid hosts Barcelona at home. The winner will go to Wembley Stadium in London to face Manchester United in the Champions League final!"
"Will it be Real Madrid or Barcelona? Let's wait and see!"
The starting lineups are as follows:
Real Madrid (4-3-3):
Goalkeeper: Casillas
Defenders: Srna, Carvalho, Pepe, Marcelo
Midfielders: Khedira, Kaká, Diarra
Forwards: Di María, Benzema, Suker
Barcelona (3-4-3):
Goalkeeper: Valdés
Defenders: Alves, Piqué, Abidal
Midfielders: Keita, Mascherano, Busquets, Iniesta
Forwards: Messi, Villa, Pedro
Looking at Barcelona's lineup, Suker narrowed his eyes.
Guardiola is experimenting again!
A three-back formation!
Very few in football can make this work.
Guardiola could barely manage it.
But Guardiola would rather sacrifice the defense to strengthen the midfield and attack. This meant he abandoned defense, betting on offense to suppress Real Madrid.
But reality was often harsh!
Three defenders!
Suker licked his lips, feeling a thrill of excitement.
You couldn't stop me with four defenders, and now you're playing three? Watch me shatter your defense.
Peep!
The whistle blew.
The match began!
Real Madrid kicked off first!
Suker passed the ball and immediately sprinted forward.
He and Benzema positioned themselves on the frontline.
Seeing this, Guardiola frowned slightly.
As expected, these guys were not to be underestimated—they instantly spotted the vulnerability in his formation.
After reinforcing the midfield and attack, this three-back formation severely tested the defenders' overall ability.
Guardiola had no choice but to use this setup. Against other teams, it might work, but against Real Madrid with Suker, if he could use four defenders, he wouldn't opt for three.
But the problem was—Xavi and Puyol were both absent!
He could only gamble with this formation.
Guardiola was a coach who loved tactical changes. Last season, he had suddenly switched formations, nearly causing a defensive collapse—precisely against Real Madrid.
Now, his bad habit was acting up again.
You want to gamble? Fine!
But be prepared to face the consequences if you fail!
"Hold on!" Guardiola urged inwardly; "Just hold until our midfield takes control!"
Thump!
Kaká launched a long ball immediately!
Damn it!
Guardiola couldn't help but curse.
He had strengthened the midfield to disrupt Real Madrid's ground passing, but Real Madrid bypassed their midfield with long balls, pressuring the defense directly.
Kaká's instinct here was sharp— hitting the Achilles' heel, exploiting the weakness.
"Hold the line!"
Suker firmly held off Alves, while Benzema marked Piqué. Abidal had to watch Di María and didn't dare move recklessly.
As the ball descended, Benzema forcefully backed into Piqué, using his shoulder to cushion the ball toward Suker.
"Suker!!——"
Benzema was pulled down by Piqué. After falling, Benzema landed on Piqué, grabbing his jersey tightly.
"Don't even think about escaping!"
Meanwhile, Suker met the ball and burst forward, one arm holding off Alves.
As Suker shot, Alves shoved him hard.
"Stay steady!"
Suker's body tilted slightly but he managed to keep the shot down.
Thump!
The ball flew toward the near post. Barcelona goalkeeper Valdés dove desperately, getting a glove to the ball and tipping it over the bar.
"Valdés makes the save! Actually, this save wasn't necessary—the shot was slightly off target. But Valdés' cautious play is understandable."
Commentator Gonzalez's words were essentially armchair analysis.
After all, he had a third-person view.
For Valdés, or any goalkeeper, who would dare not attempt a save against Suker's shot?
Even if it's off target, unless it's wildly off, you try to save it.
"Again! Again!"
Suker ran to the edge of the box. Barcelona players retreated.
Previously, Barcelona had Piqué and Puyol for aerial duels.
Despite Puyol's lack of height, his positioning was excellent.
Now, only Piqué remained.
If someone could tie up Piqué, Suker would have a great chance to win headers.
Just then, Benzema said something shocking.
"Suker, help me mark Piqué!"
Suker: ???
Benzema, have you lost it?
Role reversal?
This was like saying, "Suker, be my decoy."
"I'm confident!" Benzema said seriously, shaking his bandaged finger.
"Consider it compensation for me!"
Suker was speechless.
"Fine, I got it!"
With that, Suker and Benzema adjusted their positions. Suker moved closer to the physical battle inside, and sure enough, Piqué immediately picked up Suker.
Di María signaled for the corner.
Suker pushed inward aggressively.
At that moment, Di María suddenly passed toward the肋部地区 (half-space), where Marcelo charged up from behind.
This threw Barcelona's defense into disarray.
Alves reacted first, rushing toward Marcelo.
Suker's eyes lit up. With Alves drawn away, he sprinted toward the space at the near post.
As Suker moved, Piqué followed him.
Meanwhile, Marcelo crossed.
The ball didn't go toward the near post but instead swung toward the center.
There, Benzema arrived, reaching the ball before Valdés and heading it toward the top right corner.
Swish!
The ball nestled into the net!
Just 9 minutes in, Benzema scored.
"Goal!!! Karim Benzema!!"
"Real Madrid's clever corner routine worked! They scored within 9 minutes. Barcelona is in trouble now!"
After scoring, Benzema excitedly ran toward the corner flag.
Benzema, Di María, and Marcelo happily linked arms, jumping and spinning in celebration.
"You three practiced corner routines behind my back?"
Suker's sinister voice sounded.
Benzema turned to explain, but Suker slapped his head firmly.
"Well done!!——"
Suker joined them, all four celebrating together.
"Real Madrid's corner tactic succeeded. They scored first—bad news for Barcelona. Moreover, Barcelona is playing three at the back. With Suker not even involved yet, Benzema scored. Now, how will Barcelona adjust their defensive focus?"
"Keep marking Suker, or also cover Benzema? But doing so would inevitably reduce attention on Suker!"
As the commentator said, Guardiola was already having a headache.
They didn't hold out!
9 minutes, goal conceded—a nightmare start!
The key was that Suker didn't score; Benzema did.
This would make Barcelona's defense even more disoriented.
34 minutes in, just as Guardiola worried about Suker activating, disaster struck.
Suker received the ball centrally, pushed it forward, and with just a burst of acceleration, blew past the midfield.
"Oh~~~ Kaká's penetrating pass found Suker perfectly! Suker bypasses the midfield line and charges at Barcelona's defense!"
On screen, Suker surged forward relentlessly.
On his flanks, Iniesta and Busquets sprinted toward Suker.
Just as Busquets was about to reach Suker, Suker changed pace, slowing down and slipping the ball through Busquets' legs while circling around him.
Busquets failed to stop Suker and instead collided with Iniesta. Both fell.
"I've got this!"
Alves rushed at Suker, but Suker shifted the ball sideways, creating space.
"Me too!"
Piqué charged straight at Suker.
Suker pushed the ball forward and accelerated again, squeezing between the two.
Thump!
Alves and Piqué collided again, falling over each other.
Suker was already near the six-yard box. Valdés' pupils dilated in shock.
Suker struck the ball fiercely with his left foot.
The ball skimmed along the ground into the near corner.
Valdés remained kneeling, unable to stop the close-range shot.
"Goal!! Suker!!! He scores again for Real Madrid, extending the lead!!"
Suker ran toward the corner flag.
Reporters behind the advertising boards frantically snapped photos of Suker.
One reporter from Marca instinctively pressed the shutter.
Without proper focus, he accidentally captured an iconic shot.
In the photo, Suker's back was on the left, his large number 9 and "Suker" clearly visible.
In the background, Alves was on the ground, Piqué sitting on the turf shaking his head wryly, Iniesta hands on hips sighing upward, Busquets hanging his head, and Valdés looking utterly helpless.
This distant backdrop highlighted the "9" and the name Suker.
"Shot brilliantly!"
The Marca reporter couldn't help but praise.
The evening headline was set!
"Making Barcelona Bow Their Proud Heads!"
"Suker scores again, helping Real Madrid widen the lead!"
"After two grueling matches, Real Madrid's morale is higher than ever. In contrast, Barcelona has been heavily affected by the continuous battles. This match, their overall performance has been sluggish. They haven't produced threatening attacks to shake Real Madrid's defense. Instead, their three-back line has been repeatedly breached by Suker and Benzema, conceding two goals!"
"35 minutes into the first half, Real Madrid leads by two goals. They already have one foot in the Champions League final!"