Boom!
Zidane's right leg whipped through, smashing the ball with force.
It rocketed into the net.
"GOAL!"
"One-nil! Beckham links up perfectly with Zidane!"
"Su Hang fooled everyone—the Olympiacos center-back leapt with him but completely missed the header."
"Exactly! This is Real Madrid's rhythm!"
"Real Madrid are in fantastic form right now!"
"Some say Luxemburgo knows less than the fans—and at the moment, that looks true."
"This is the real Galácticos. Luxemburgo's so-called 'South American Warship' was nothing but a joke."
This is what it means to win over the fans!
The 10th minute.
Figo carried the ball from the center and cut out to the right.
That kind of inside-to-outside move usually meets less resistance.
Bang!
Figo slid a through ball forward.
Su Hang also cut across, sprinting diagonally left.
He received it and tried a cross, but the delivery lacked quality—too close to the keeper, who rushed out and smothered it.
Raúl gave Su Hang a thumbs-up.
He understood Su Hang's intent to set him up.
The 15th minute.
Figo again—taking the ball centrally, feinting, and then unleashing a long-range strike.
But his shooting boots weren't on yet. The ball flew high into the stands.
The 23rd minute.
Olympiacos carved out a rare attacking chance.
Rivaldo orchestrated the move, pushing them past midfield.
Then, holding the ball in the channel, Rivaldo was met by Sergio Ramos.
But the Brazilian magician weaved left and right, playing Ramos with ease.
In the end, Ramos had no choice but to tug him back, or Rivaldo would've been in on goal.
The referee blew immediately and booked Ramos.
The yellow wasn't too costly, but Su Hang still went up to have a word with the ref—arguing it was harsh, that Ramos hadn't been intentional, asking for some leniency.
The referee made a show of reaching for his pocket.
The message was clear: say one more word and it'll be another card.
Su Hang wisely shut his mouth.
Rivaldo then stepped up for the free kick—curling it over the wall and blasting into the Real Madrid net.
The Olympiacos players erupted in wild celebration.
They had scored at the Bernabéu!
What a feeling!
"Rivaldo's technique is still dazzling," Zidane thought, watching the Brazilian surrounded by his teammates, memories of their prime flashing back.
Beside him, Figo felt an even deeper wave of nostalgia.
Back at Barcelona, he and Rivaldo had been the team's twin pillars.
But at the same time, they were fierce rivals for top honors.
The world largely saw Zidane and Ronaldo as the top two players.
Just below them, it was always Figo versus Rivaldo.
Coincidentally, all three—Zidane, Figo, and Rivaldo—were born in 1972.
The 32nd minute.
Zidane threaded a pass into the box.
Raúl, receiving it on the right, took two touches and fired from a tight angle.
But the shot was too narrow and was blocked.
The 44th minute.
Beckham delivered another curling cross from the right.
This time, Su Hang rose to meet it, but under pressure from the defender, couldn't generate power. The header drifted wide.
Overall, Olympiacos weren't containing Su Hang well.
His physical strength gave him the edge.
By halftime, it was 1-1.
At the break.
Real Madrid emphasized shutting down Rivaldo.
Olympiacos discussed their struggles containing Su Hang.
Both sides made tactical adjustments.
The second half kicked off.
Real Madrid continued pressing forward.
Olympiacos kept waiting for countering chances.
The 56th minute.
Beckham switched play with a long diagonal, finding Zidane on the left.
Zidane controlled it, faced his marker, and laid it back to Raúl, who had dropped deep.
Raúl quickly shifted it to Figo in the center.
Figo shaped to pass to Su Hang ahead—but it was a feint.
He suddenly accelerated, bursting straight through the middle, blowing past the center-back, and charging into the penalty area.
Ever since Su Hang had taught him the Vertical Burst—stealing steps to explode past defenders—Figo had rediscovered his prime form.
This dazzling run even reminded Rivaldo, trailing behind, of their days together at Barça.
Boom!
Figo powered into the box and unleashed a rocket!
The ball smashed into the net.
But Olympiacos players immediately raised their hands—Su Hang had been in an offside position.
"No goal!" they argued.
The referee consulted with the linesman, then pointed to the center circle. Goal stood.
Su Hang had been offside, but he never touched the ball.
He stayed well out of the play—neither blocking the keeper's vision nor interfering with the defenders.
Real Madrid had gained no advantage from his position.
The goal was valid.
2-1!
Real Madrid took the lead!
The Bernabéu roared, applauding Figo.
Now, all three Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year winners on the pitch had scored.
This was football at its finest.
Figo hugged Su Hang and whispered, "Thank you."
Had Su Hang not shared his scientific breakthrough method, Figo wouldn't have had last season's resurgence.
And Real Madrid wouldn't have renewed his contract.
By now, he'd probably be at Inter in Milan.
The 66th minute.
Rivaldo drove forward, but Zidane pulled him down while tracking back and was booked.
Immediately, Luxemburgo replaced Zidane with Thomas Gravesen.
After all, he was the coach.
Tactics and substitutions were his responsibility.
Simon couldn't keep filling in.
And defensively, bringing Gravesen on was the safer call.
Still... it killed the mood.
Three World Player of the Year winners were putting on a show, and Luxemburgo had just flipped the table.
Fortunately, Zidane had already scored—otherwise, he might not even have shaken Luxemburgo's hand.
Gravesen slotted in alongside García as a double pivot.
Figo shifted left into the wide midfield role.
The 71st minute.
Figo was hacked down mid-dribble.
His stamina was gone.
Luxemburgo replaced him with the versatile Guti.
If Robinho had been available, he would've been the choice.
The 79th minute.
With two of their creative engines taken off, Real Madrid lost their rhythm.
Olympiacos seized the momentum.
Rivaldo broke down the left edge of the box and swung in a cross.
Immediately after, he threw his hand up.
The ball had struck Cicinho's arm.
Handball!
Beep!
The referee blew, booked Cicinho, and pointed to the spot.
Penalty!
...
(35 Chapters Ahead)
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