Chapter 208
All Arsenal fans worried that Real Madrid would take advantage of their numerical superiority and score first.
In fact, Real Madrid was thinking the same.
When play resumed, it was obvious Real Madrid intensified their attack.
But…
Xia Qi dropped very deep.
Arsène Wenger had told Xia Qi to drop back to play the attacking midfield role Kevin De Bruyne usually occupied, but Xia Qi retreated so far that he pushed Santi Cazorla forward.
Cazorla can organize play too — in another timeline without Xia Qi, Cazorla was the one organizing Arsenal's attacks; he's the engine of the top-four push and affectionately called "Mama Cazorla" or "Cazorla the Thigh" by fans.
"Xia Qi is sharp — seeing his team is a man down, he immediately falls back to the edge of the box to help defend."
After the restart, Real Madrid players surged crazily into Arsenal's half, trying to pile on pressure immediately.
Xia Qi, who had been lurking behind, suddenly accelerated like a tiger descending the mountain and charged toward Gareth Bale.
At that moment Luka Modrić played a pass to Bale — a pass that should have been routine and safe —
but Xia Qi made a sudden quick forward dash and slid in with a tackle.
He kept the ball, hooked it on the top of his foot.
An absolutely brilliant interception!
Instantly, a deafening roar exploded through the Bernabéu: "Xia! Xia!"
The significance of that tackle was greater than its immediate value; it was a shot of adrenaline for Arsenal fans who had been on edge.
"Beautiful interception! Perfect anticipation — Xia Qi is a world-class midfielder held back as a forward!"
After winning the ball, Bale rushed to counter-press.
Xia Qi dragged the ball back, pirouetted past Bale, and sprinted toward Real Madrid's goal.
"Counterattack!"
"Arsenal, despite being a man down, are launching an assault! That's the spirit of defiance!"
Arsenal fans screamed their lungs out to spur the players on.
Bale, who had been beaten by Xia Qi, turned and chased back, but Xia Qi had already laid the ball off to Santi Cazorla.
Cazorla didn't hesitate — he knew that when outnumbered you had to move fast!
Seeing Theo Walcott sprinting up on the right, he gave a timed pass.
Walcott controlled on the move, took a touch, and drove into the box.
Arsenal's counter moved fast and direct — in just three passes they were at the edge of Real Madrid's penalty area.
Fábio Coentrão charged over to close down Walcott.
But Walcott never gave Coentrão a chance to get tight.
As Coentrão lunged forward, Walcott swept the ball into Real Madrid's box.
There, Mario Balotelli — who received the ball — didn't hesitate. He raised his left foot high and, without even glancing at Iker Casillas, hammered the ball with the outside of his foot.
"Boom!"
A shocking crack rang through the sound system; the lightning-fast white streak pulled at countless hearts.
Casillas had been watching Balotelli: with Xia Qi retreating, Balotelli was Arsenal's biggest threat up front.
Casillas positioned himself confidently before Balotelli's strike.
After the boom, Casillas dove quickly, but the ball was even quicker — he could not get to it.
Just as he turned in despair, he saw the ball shave the post and smash into the advertising hoarding.
Even so, Real Madrid broke out in a cold sweat.
Arsenal, by contrast, groaned with regret and held their heads.
Play continued; Serge Gnabry still needed warming up, and Arsenal remained a man down.
Real Madrid took a goal kick. Their midfield trio didn't rush to siege; instead they used dazzling passing.
On the left, Coentrão overlapped, reached the byline and crossed. Karim Benzema, with his back to goal in Arsenal's box, played the ball out to Cristiano Ronaldo.
Cristiano Ronaldo met the ball with a furious strike.
The ball screamed like a cannonball toward Arsenal's goal.
Martínez sprang but, like Casillas earlier, the shot was faster than his reaction.
The ball slammed into the net.
"Goal!"
"Cristiano Ronaldo with a long-range strike!"
"Real take the lead!" Zhan Jun said with regret: "Arsenal were a bit unlucky tonight — just minutes into the match Kevin De Bruyne went off injured. Xia Qi's perfect interception led to Balotelli's effort that hit the post, then with the same pattern Real Madrid actually scored first."
After his goal, Cristiano Ronaldo was ecstatic. He ran toward the North Stand where the bulk of Arsenal fans sat.
He sprinted, leapt high, twisted 180 degrees in the air and shouted his trademark "siu!"
On landing he slammed his arms wide, putting his name and number on full display to Arsenal fans.
That celebration is Cristiano's own creation; to Real Madrid fans it brings applause and cheers.
Here, in front of Arsenal fans, it earned boos and insults.
Some players draw strength from the opponents' anger.
Cristiano Ronaldo is undoubtedly that kind of player.
When he saw nearly all Arsenal fans standing and giving him the middle finger, he smiled happily.
Seeing Ronaldo's provocation, every Arsenal player burned with anger.
On close-up, Xia Qi's eyes flashed with a devouring glare; Real Madrid fans watching the broadcast felt their chests tighten as if struck — for a moment a sense of death crept in.
Indeed, a look can be lethal.
Serge Gnabry came on.
After the restart, Arsenal didn't become more assertive by Gnabry's entry.
Instead, Real Madrid, leading the score, played with more positivity and initiative.
In the 21st minute, Martínez saved a shot from Gareth Bale, then sent a long clearance.
Cazorla received and didn't play forward but clipped back to Xia Qi.
As Arsenal's most dangerous player, Xia Qi was immediately double-teamed.
The moment Xia Qi got the ball, Toni Kroos lunged forward.
Xia Qi pulled the ball back, turned and used his body to shield possession.
But that turned him from facing Real Madrid's goal into his back to the attack.
That was exactly Kroos's plan; he didn't expect to steal the ball with his initial lunge.
Forcing Xia Qi to turn and hold play would buy time for Casemiro's support — exactly what Kroos wanted.
Casemiro closed in from the side and rear, ready to pounce.
But Casemiro dared not commit a leg — he feared being dribbled past.
Gustavo moved up to provide cover for Xia Qi; as he sprinted toward him, the Bernabéu erupted.
Xia Qi had already slipped free of Casemiro and Kroos; they were left behind.
Xia Qi had transformed from back to goal into facing the goal!
What had just happened?
Rewind two seconds:
Casemiro harried from the side-rear, Kroos pushed in tight behind Xia Qi — it looked like Xia Qi had no way out.
Xia Qi drove the ball forward toward his own goal line briefly.
Casemiro and Kroos, unwilling to let him escape, followed and continued their double-team to prevent Xia Qi's getaway.
Unexpectedly, Xia Qi suddenly clipped the ball sharply behind him and turned.
Like a revolving door, he spun through, and Casemiro — who had pushed forward — found his center of gravity insufficient to resist the centrifugal force and was caught off-balance by Xia Qi's maneuver.
Casemiro felt a massive force in his chest and was involuntarily pushed back.
As he retreated, Kroos was worse off — he was clipped and sent flying.
Advantage Arsenal!
The referee didn't blow the whistle!
In an instant Xia Qi broke free from the two and charged toward Real Madrid's goal…
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Bankai10