From Arsenal to the Ball God

After the restart, there wasn’t much time left for the starting players on both sides, and the rhythm subtly hinted at picking up speed once again.

”Boom!”

In the 63rd minute of the match, a clearance kick from Alexander Song deflected off Robben’s shoulder, sending the ball spinning to the left flank of the front field.

Ma’el once again had the opportunity to go head-to-head with Alaba on the wing. He took the ball and turned around, gazing at this player humorously nicknamed ’Bayern Liu Xing,’ and sensed a sudden change in him.

The rebellious and confident demeanor was gone, replaced by a more subdued presence.

He didn’t know why, nor did he care; his calves were constantly circling over the ball, performing a bicycle kick motion.

”Boom... Boom!”

After nudging the ball toward the center, he sent it sprinting down the flank again. There was no sign of weariness in his moves; he was sprinting, relying on speed to beat you!

Alaba gritted his teeth and chased back reluctantly, feeling his heart bleeding with a mindset on the verge of collapse.

This time, he failed to keep up with even Ma’el’s first five steps, immediately getting distanced!

”Boom!” Subsequently, Ma’el swept a grounded cross toward the center, but Badstuber anticipated it and cleared it out to the sideline.

Alaba ran dazily to retrieve the ball at the flank, his mind was a blank slate... Even the ball boy next to him kept handing him the ball without a response, still looking for the ball Badstuber kicked away.

Not far from him, Heynckes noticed his young player’s unusual reaction and quickly deduced that he was feeling dejected.

Should I substitute him?

He suppressed this impulse; taking Alaba off right after putting him on would mean adding the final straw on the camel’s back.

”He’s practically committing a crime!”

Heynckes lamented Ma’el’s ferocity on the field, aching for Alaba, hoping it wouldn’t leave a lasting scar.

He thought of other methods... If substitution doesn’t work, he could only relocate him to another position.

Heynckes came up with an idea, taking a deep breath and preparing to have the team captain, Lam, from the far side come over and switch positions with Alaba,

Lam is an all-around player capable of playing either full-back.

Moreover, except for power and confrontation, which are weaker than Alaba, all his other attributes might be superior to both Alaba and Raphinha.

Perhaps he could alleviate the pressure Ma’el is bringing to the team?

”Lam!”

He shouted toward the far side, but saw Lam already advancing for a new wave of attack, unable to hear him.

Without rushing, Heynckes decided to wait till the next dead ball to communicate with him, standing by the touchline.

Soon, in the forward position, Robben created a corner kick opportunity with his shot, and Bayern’s players gathered in the penalty area.

Robben and Lam, the two players who aren’t strong with headers but are fast, stayed at the backfield to guard against opponents’ quick counterattacks after the clearance.

”Lam!”

Heynckes shouted again toward the field, trying to convey his intentions during this gap; this time Lam heard him, yet it was just unfortunate timing, as Toni Kroos at the wing was taking the corner kick.

Seeing Lam turning his focus back to the field, he swallowed his words again, waiting for the next dead ball.

”Boom!”

In the penalty area, Koscielny leaped high and headed the ball out of the area, the second ball landing at Ramsey’s feet.

Ma’el, who had just run back to assess the situation, was standing not far from Ramsey.

Ramsey pushed the ball to Ma’el, and the latter, upon receiving it, pushed it forward instantly and started accelerating from the backfield toward the front.

Since it was a corner attack with heavy pressing and Koscielny cleared the ball decisively, most of Bayern’s players were still near the penalty area.

In the backfield, only Lam and Robben were left, with one being merely a right winger, offering little defensive capability beyond speed.

”What a great counterattack opportunity!”

In the broadcast booth, Shen Fangjian excitedly said, ”Might we witness a classic showdown?”

”It’s the 18-year-old Arsenal young star Ma’el, facing off against the 29-year-old world-famous Bayern captain Lam!

”Robben is also nearby, likely to join in this defense effort! It’s anticipated that everyone would like to see Ma’el perform a speed race against Robben after showcasing such a performance!

”Ma’el... dribbling! No one can keep up with him, even his teammates are left trailing behind, it appears he’s planning to go this alone!”

On the pitch, Ma’el, having charged multiple times today, was near physical exhaustion, seeking to unleash his potential for one final sprint.

With a single push from his right foot, the ball traveled four or five meters, almost immediately reaching the midfield line.

Bayern’s captain Lam and Robben lowered their center of gravity as they retreated, striving to buy time for their teammates’ recovery; neither of them underestimated or was careless.

Having progressed through this match, Ma’el had left a profound impression on them; both players took note of this young talent, aware of his capabilities.

”You push out, I’ll cover!”

Realizing they could retreat no more, Lam shouted toward Robben, assigning the defensive duties as there were only two of them.

Robben, by action, responded to captain Lam, slowing his retreat and quickly positioning himself against Ma’el.

”Boom...” Not a defensive player, Robben handed over his center of gravity after just two feints from Ma’el.