"Casillas makes a desperate save, but the ball is still in a dangerous area."
Pepe charged fiercely toward the dropping ball.
"Clear it!"
Casillas was on the ground, struggling to get up.
At that moment, he saw both Pepe and Ronaldo rushing toward the ball, but Pepe was slightly ahead. He forcefully bumped into Ronaldo and then kicked the ball out of bounds.
"Beautiful! Well done!"
Seeing the ball cleared, Casillas let out a long sigh of relief.
Ronaldo shook his head regretfully.
However, his expression wasn't particularly frustrated because this attack had truly been effective.
Modrić's plan had worked.
It meant their left-wing offense could be activated.
Modrić ran toward the corner flag. Meanwhile, Manchester United players surged into Real Madrid's penalty area.
As before, Real Madrid dared not underestimate Manchester United's aerial ability.
Boom!
Modrić took the corner, aiming directly for Ronaldo.
Just as Ronaldo was about to jump, a figure dashed past him from the side.
Ronaldo was startled but still leaped with all his might.
Thud! Thud!
The ball once again bounced off Suker and Ronaldo's shoulders and heads, flying out of bounds.
"Goal kick!"
"Corner kick!"
Suker and Ronaldo both raised their hands, claiming the ball.
The referee signaled for a goal kick.
Suker slowly exhaled, finally resolving the danger in front of the goal.
At that moment, Ronaldo imitated Suker, continuously rallying the Manchester United fans while shouting toward his own half.
"Show some spirit! We can win this game!"
Watching Ronaldo's actions, Suker couldn't help but curl his lip.
Why copy me?
"Manchester United's attack was really sudden. They shifted from the left wing to the right wing. Just when everyone thought they would attack from the flank, Valencia passed back. At that moment, a gap opened up between Pepe and Marcelo. Modrić slipped the ball through, Ronaldo delivered a cutback pass, and Rooney took the shot!"
"The entire attack was extremely fluid. This was definitely a pre-planned move by Manchester United!"
"Previously, Manchester United's attempts on the left wing didn't work, so they switched to the right. But that was also a trap because their real target was the space between the defenders!"
Real Madrid took the goal kick.
The ball was smoothly passed to Suker, who made a horizontal pass to Benzema. Benzema then transferred it to Di María.
But at that moment, Evra suddenly sprang into action, intercepting the ball.
After winning the ball, the French defender looked up toward the far side and immediately launched a long pass.
A diagonal cross spanning the entire field, aiming for the space behind Marcelo.
"Dammit!! Why is everyone targeting me?"
Marcelo sprinted back desperately, but beside him, Ronaldo accelerated even faster, reaching the ball first.
At the landing point, Ronaldo controlled the ball calmly, performed a step-over, and then slipped the ball diagonally backward toward the center.
"Follow up!"
Marcelo immediately turned and shouted.
At that moment, Modrić had already appeared near the penalty area, feigning a shot as he met the ball.
Seeing this, Pepe rushed forward, leaping into the air to block.
"It's chaos! Complete chaos!"
Spanish commentator González shouted anxiously.
As Pepe jumped, Modrić calmly pulled the ball back with his foot.
Pepe, having landed, was about to charge again, but Modrić gently pushed the ball forward.
Swish!
In the space between Pepe and Marcelo, Ronaldo once again made a diagonal run.
"Ronaldo!!!"
The English commentator slammed the table and stood up, his eyes wide: "One-on-one!!!"
Ronaldo charged toward the ball, adjusting his steps with tiny strides as he approached.
Casillas rushed out desperately, but he wasn't fast enough. Ronaldo had already pushed the ball with his foot.
The ball flew toward the far post, dinged against the goalpost, and rebounded into the net.
Whoooooooooooooooooosh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!—
Wembley Stadium erupted once again.
"Goal!!! Goal!!!!"
"Cristiano Ronaldo!!"
"Manchester United's great number 7!!"
"Oh my god!! That was an excellent finish, and Modrić's pass was crucial!"
"In the 31st minute, Manchester United finally equalized."
"Manchester United 1-1 Real Madrid! What an impressive offensive display, what brilliant teamwork. This is the importance of a playmaker—Luka Modrić accurately detected the weakness in Real Madrid's defense and exploited it!"
"After Real Madrid took the lead, Manchester United immediately responded in kind!"
On the field, Manchester United fans were in a frenzy.
Like a red tide, they surged across the stands.
They waved their arms and shouted, exhilarated.
On the sidelines, Mourinho looked grim.
"Marcelo! Hold your position!"
Marcelo felt dizzy.
The past ten minutes had been a nightmare for him. He was disoriented, unsure of even his own position.
Seeing Marcelo's state, Mourinho clenched his fists and gritted his teeth:
"Dammit!"
He hadn't underestimated Manchester United, but these guys still performed beyond expectations.
Ronaldo's goal was outstanding.
But that Croatian midfielder who expose the vulnerable spot in Real's defense and exploited it was the most annoying.
"Hey! Luka!!"
Ronaldo and Modrić embraced tightly.
Other Manchester United players also rushed over to celebrate.
"It worked! It really worked!" Valencia excitedly rubbed Modrić's head; "What a clever brain!"
The other Manchester United players were also all smiles.
This goal meant that their right-wing attacks were effective. If Real Madrid couldn't adjust, their left wing would continue to be threatened.
Moreover, under this pressure, even Suker would be disturbed, unable to mount effective attacks.
Therefore, Modrić's decision-making and choices amazed the Manchester United players.
"They're targeting our left wing!"
Suker walked over to Kaká.
Kaká pursed his lips, frowning, his mind racing.
"Let me think! Let me think!"
Suker didn't press further.
After a while, Kaká ruffled his hair.
"So annoying! Fine, I'm not as smart as Modrić. I can't find a clever way to limit them, but—" Kaká exhaled: "There's a cheeky method"
With that, Kaká ran toward Diarra, and after a brief exchange, they reached an agreement.
Suker nodded.
He didn't even need to ask, but he knew what that was.
During Kaká's transition period at AC Milan, when he encountered problems without a smart solution, he would resort to this.
Although clumsy, it was effective!
That was to run!
Utilize the running of Kaká, Diarra, and Khedira to increase the midfield's defensive coverage, forming a barrier in front of the defense.
This could effectively mitigate Manchester United's attacks through the middle.
"Should we make a substitution?"
Assistant coach Faria asked nervously.
If Marcelo continued to be harassed like this, the problem would only worsen.
"No need!"
Mourinho looked at the field and shook his head: "They've already found a way."
Mourinho didn't want to make a substitution, especially not in the first half, wasting a substitution slot.
That would put him in a very passive position.
Ferguson held three substitution; the old man could play him to death.
After all, Manchester United's bench still had a substitute stalwart, 'Chicharito' Hernández.
In his early days coaching Chelsea, Mourinho's overly aggressive substitutions were exploited by Ferguson several times, leading to issues.
But this match also reminded Mourinho.
It was time to make some adjustments for Pepe and Marcelo. These two guys had good ability, but one was more reckless than the other.
Coupled with the fact that Real Madrid's left wing was the main attacking route.
When Suker and Diarra pushed forward, Marcelo inevitably had to advance to cover.
But once that happened, the space behind Marcelo would be exploited.
The match resumed.
After Manchester United equalized, the game became even more intense.
Moreover, Manchester United's morale was soaring.
They aimed to continue exploiting the right-wing attacks to expand their lead, or at least limit Suker to some extent.
After the kick-off, Carrick sharply noticed that Suker's positioning was closer to the center circle.
Clearly, their right-wing attacks were working.
"Increase the pressure!"
Carrick shouted.
At that moment, Modrić directly passed the ball to Ronaldo.
As soon as Ronaldo received the ball, he faced intense pressure from Kaká, along with Diarra's challenge.
Under pressure, Ronaldo could only pass back.
Modrić received the ball, then chipped it, attempting to loft it behind Srna, allowing Rooney to attack down the right wing.
Srna, who was initially moving forward, paused the moment Modrić received the ball, then quickly retreated.
He reached the landing point before Rooney, headed the ball away, and nodded it to Carvalho.
Carvalho passed it back to Kaká, who then distributed it to Suker.
Real Madrid completed the possession switch!
"Srna! He's very focused. Modrić clearly saw Srna moving toward Rooney and wanted to exploit the space behind Srna."
"But Srna detected this and completed an excellent interception!"
The commentator lavished praise, but only Srna knew it was purely a reflex.
After all, during training with the Croatian national team, in similar situations, Modrić would most likely make such a choice.
Therefore, Srna almost reflexively stopped and retreated.
It was based on his understanding of Modrić that Srna managed this interception.
Now, under the camera, Suker received the ball with his back to the goal.
In the positions where he could pass back, both Kaká and Diarra were marked.
A horizontal pass couldn't find a teammate either, and Valencia was pressing Suker tightly, preventing him from turning.
Suker was forced toward the flank. With no passing options or dribbling opportunities, he suddenly leaned back forcefully, turned sharply, and poked the ball with his toe.
The ball hit Valencia's calf and flew out of bounds.
"Suker is very calm. With no passing options, he chose to retain possession. That's big-game experience!"
Real Madrid's throw-in. Suker moved higher up the field.
He simultaneously glanced at his teammates' positions: Benzema was behind Suker, and Di María had tucked inside slightly to provide an option.
Marcelo threw the ball to Suker.
Suker, with his back to the goal, passed it back to Marcelo with one touch.
Marcelo met the ball and powerfully swung his foot.
A long, cross-field switch found Carrick on the other side.
At that moment, on the right side, Di María was in the half-space.
Carrick slipped the ball through while darting toward the center, pulling Park Ji-sung and Modrić into the middle.
Di María moved to receive the ball. He looked toward Carrick but pushed the ball outward with his foot, toward the touchline.
Evra's attention was slightly diverted by this glance. Just then, a figure sped down the flank.
Srna overlapped at high speed along the touchline.
He collected the ball and continued his surge forward!
"Srna overlapping! Real Madrid's full-back is charging up!!"
Srna pushed the ball to the byline and crossed before Evra could close him down. After delivering the cross, Srna immediately turned back without even looking toward the center.
Only after retreating to a safe position did he glance back.
By then, chaos had erupted in Manchester United's penalty area.
"Benzema didn't win the first header, but Vidić didn't clear it either. The ball was headed high by Vidić, and everyone was competing for the second ball..."
At that moment, veteran Van der Sar rushed out. He jumped before anyone else and punched the ball away with both fists.
The ball flew toward the center, very close to Modrić.
Modrić quickly adjusted his position, cushioned the dropping ball with his chest, then turned and unleashed a powerful volley.
The ball slipped between Pepe and Marcelo.
"Dammit!!"
Marcelo once again sprinted back desperately.
Beside him, Ronaldo raced along the touchline toward the ball at incredible speed.
Seeing that he might not make it in time, Marcelo shoved Ronaldo, successfully disrupting him but also losing his own balance and falling awkwardly.
Ronaldo staggered two steps, adjusted his balance, and charged toward the ball again. He glanced toward the center and swung his right foot for a pass.
Boom!
Just as he passed, a figure slid in front of him.
Kaká had slid in to block, successfully kicking the ball out for a corner.
"Kaká!!! Kaká's tracking back worked! Real Madrid once again thwarted Manchester United's counterattack!"
Kaká gasped for breath. Fortunately, he had tracked back relentlessly. Otherwise, with Marcelo down and Ronaldo crossing, given Rooney's position, it would have been truly dangerous.
Ronaldo also looked very disappointed.
Manchester United's third corner kick of the match.
Real Madrid players retreated once again. Suker also came back to mark Ronaldo.
As the two wrestled, Modrić observed for a moment and then quickly took the corner.
The ball soared high. Suker looked up and immediately judged.
"Back post!"
Suker turned to look.
Srna had already tangled with Rooney, but during the physical contest, Srna slipped.
Rooney, faced with this golden opportunity, didn't even need to jump. The ball was already heading toward his head.
Rooney simply nodded it forward.
Swish!
The ball found the net!
41st minute, Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester United!
"Goal!! Goal! Wayne Rooney! Since returning from injury, Rooney has scored in every league and Champions League match. This crucial goal helped Manchester United take the lead, successfully overturning Real Madrid!"
"After falling behind, Manchester United scored twice in a row. This is the resilience of Manchester United! This is Ferguson's team—they always deliver such performances!"
The entire stadium of Manchester United fans erupted once more.
Real Madrid players stood with hands on hips, breathing heavily. It had to be said, after the first goal, the subsequent situation had become somewhat passive for them.
On the sidelines, Mourinho was also shouting instructions.
"Stay calm! Wait for halftime!"
This meant Real Madrid would focus on defense for the remainder of the half.
As for Manchester United, after taking the lead, they didn't intensify their attacks further. As long as they entered halftime with a lead, they would hold a certain initiative and advantage.
Thus, the pace of the game slowed.
However, fans from both sides were still shouting loudly.
Especially Real Madrid fans, who, trailing behind, cheered even more fiercely.
They wanted to convey their voices to the players, giving them more courage and confidence.
They believed in these young men.
They believed the players could overcome the difficulties.
They also believed Mourinho would find a way!
They believed even more in Suker!
That's right!
Suker stood on the field; he could still run, so Real Madrid still had a chance!
Soon, the halftime whistle blew.
It was time for the break.
The first half had been a rollercoaster.
Real Madrid took the lead thanks to Suker's goal.
But Manchester United quickly identified the weakness in Real's defense and applied pressure, equalizing.
The second goal involved some luck—Srna slipping during the challenge was something no one could have predicted.
Manchester United successfully turned the game around, making the situation even more unpredictable.
Now, the first half was over.
Both sides needed to make adjustments!
In the Real Madrid locker room, Mourinho didn't scold Marcelo or bring up the conceded goals.
Now wasn't the time for criticism or assigning blame.
Facing problems and solving them was the key!
"Manchester United's counterattacks put us in a very passive position, especially on the left flank..."
As Mourinho spoke, Marcelo hung his head, looking very dejected.
Mourinho glanced at Marcelo and continued, "But now is not the time to lose heart. In the first 10 minutes of the second half, I need you to stabilize the situation. We'll make a substitution in the 55th minute. Arbeloa, warm up."
Mourinho was explaining tactics, but Kaká was stroking his chin, seemingly deep in thought.
He was considering the first-half situation and how to leverage his own strengths.
In terms of controlling the rhythm, Kaká, having switched roles mid-career, was certainly not as adept as Modrić.
But he had his own strengths.
Thinking of this, Kaká turned to Di María and said, "Ángel, I have an idea. In the second half, we—"
Suker sneakily leaned in to eavesdrop.
After hearing half of it, Suker said irritably, "Making me the decoy again?"
Kaká turned around: "It's mainly because you're such a cost-effective decoy. When you make runs, Manchester United's defense gets stretched. And it's not just you—Karim needs to be a decoy too."
Benzema: "Two decoys?"
Kaká nodded: "When the time comes, both of you charge toward the goal, trying to pin down their defense. Then leave the rest to me and Ángel."
Di María was eager to try.
Benzema wanted to score; he didn't want to be a decoy.
In the last league match, he had scored a hat-trick!
"Kaká wants you to be a decoy! If it were me, I wouldn't do it!" Benzema, not wanting to object directly, tried to provoke Suker.
But Suker just stroked his chin and said, "Seems doable."
If it were anyone else, Suker would probably have refused outright.
But if it was Di María, that was another story.
Big-game player!
Angel's arrival!
A goal and an assist in the final!
These achievements—the guy hadn't accomplished them yet, so Di María still had plenty of room to perform.
"Let's try it then!"
Suker made the decision.
Benzema was dumbfounded.
He didn't want to be a decoy!
Being a decoy for Suker was one thing, but now he had to be a decoy for Di María too?
I'm still the second striker for Real Madrid, for heaven's sake!
Do I have no status?
As it turned out, once Suker made the decision, whatever Benzema said was irrelevant.