"Looks like Su Hang has been working on his long-range shots this summer!"
"Congratulations to Su Hang!"
"Congratulations to Real Madrid! They've finally broken through Real Betis' defense with a 1-0 lead."
Su Hang smiled.
This was thanks to Gerrard's Heavy Cannon.
He sprinted toward the corner flag and embraced Zidane, who had provided the assist.
Of course, he also owed gratitude to Zizou's support.
The first half ended with Real Madrid ahead 1-0.
Throughout the half, Real Madrid played with joy, pressing forward with attacking football.
They worked to build chemistry and find their rhythm.
Eventually, they connected and produced the goal.
The Galácticos, refreshed after the summer, were finally in motion.
Their interstellar journey this season had just begun.
...
"What?"
Inside the visitors' locker room, Zidane, Figo, and Beckham were stunned.
"No, no, no, Coach, this lineup…" Su Hang stepped forward, fixing his eyes on Luxemburgo.
Just moments earlier, Luxemburgo had announced that Zidane, Figo, and Beckham would all be benched.
Halftime substitutions.
This was highly unusual.
Yes, many treated the Supercopa de España as a warm-up to test new players, but you still had to consider how the stars would take it.
At the very least, they deserved advance notice.
Who benches three of the team's biggest names all at once?
"I don't mean anything by it," Luxemburgo explained. "We already have the advantage, and everyone's playing well."
"Now we can use this opportunity to see how others perform."
"Of course, we could try this in the league, but every point matters there, doesn't it? We all want to retain the La Liga title, right?"
Su Hang frowned.
As captain, he had a duty to stand up for his teammates—especially the veterans.
It wasn't just about friendship. He also had to protect every title the team was chasing.
The Supercopa was only two legs. If you won big here, the second leg barely mattered.
And yet it was only 1-0. What was there to celebrate?
"Alright then," Zidane was the first to speak.
He didn't want Su Hang clashing with Luxemburgo over them.
At least not now, not over something this trivial.
If the captain clashed with the coach in his very first game, the media wouldn't blame Luxemburgo for poor management—they'd slam Su Hang as arrogant and reckless.
When Su Hang noticed the flicker of regret in Luxemburgo's eyes after Zidane accepted the decision, he understood.
So that's what this was.
He had been waiting for it.
Su Hang had fully stepped into the captain's role, thinking of the team as a whole.
For a moment, he even forgot that Luxemburgo was still his rival for control within the squad.
Su Hang was focused on striving for glory together.
But Luxemburgo seemed intent on securing the home front before facing external threats.
Su Hang made a note of it.
...
When the second half began, Real Madrid's substitutions drew immediate attention.
"Oh! Real Madrid has made three midfield changes."
"Looks like they're confident about this match."
"Baptista comes on for Figo, taking the attacking midfielder role."
"García replaces Beckham, partnering Gravesen as the double pivot."
"Robinho replaces Zidane, moving to the left wing. So now it's Robinho, Ronaldo, and Su Hang up front."
"That makes it a 4-3-3."
"But as everyone knows, Su Hang's best roles are as a striker or in a two-forward setup—not as a winger."
"Even last season, when Real briefly tried a three-forward system, Su Hang played on the left—because he's right-footed."
"And now he's on the right… this is…"
On the bench, Zidane and Figo flushed red with anger.
They had already backed down once.
But Luxemburgo had pushed further, shoving Su Hang into an unfamiliar role.
This effectively placed Robinho above the captain in the pecking order.
Once can be overlooked. Twice raises questions. Soon, it becomes the norm.
Su Hang couldn't possibly thrive on the right wing. As a right-footer, his role there was limited to crossing—and his crosses were serviceable at best, far from world-class.
And with Beckham already in the squad, did Real really need another right-sided crosser?
Over time, Luxemburgo might appear to be giving Su Hang opportunities, but without stats, his performances would look flat. Criticism would pile up.
Eventually, dropping him would be effortless.
If Luxemburgo had no hidden agenda, he would have placed Su Hang on the left and Robinho on the right.
Robinho was a natural winger who could play both flanks. He might be stronger on the left, but he could still deliver at least 80% on the right.
Out of respect for the captain—or simply for the team's balance—there was no reason to put Su Hang on the right.
...
In the second half, Robinho repeatedly drove at the Betis defense, causing real problems.
It was dazzling and exciting.
That's the difference between wingers and central players.
Wingers don't pose an immediate threat to goal, so opponents often allow them space.
Even if you reach the byline, your cross might not matter.
But central players? One chance can change everything.
That's why so many players who shine on the wings fade when moved into the middle.
61st minute.
Robinho was dispossessed on the wing, but García intercepted the counter and sent the ball forward.
Su Hang, struggling on the right, had been drifting inside whenever possible.
This time, he contested the aerial duel.
After a tough battle for position, Su Hang leapt high and flicked the ball on with his head.
Ronaldo picked it up and laid it off smoothly.
Robinho, cutting in from the left, burst into the box and finished from a tight angle.
2-0!
Real Madrid doubled their lead.
Of course, during the play, Ronaldo had made a run toward the six-yard box, while Su Hang stood unmarked at the penalty spot.
Passing to him would have been the better option.
But Robinho scored.
And in football, a goal justifies everything.
So no one complained.
Even Su Hang applauded Robinho's sharp finish.
But the Brazilian clique celebrated far more passionately.
67th minute.
Another dazzling Robinho run earned a dangerous free kick.
With the main set-piece takers already subbed off,
and the position too close for Roberto Carlos,
Baptista stepped up to take it.
...
(35 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser