From Arsenal to the Ball God

Chapter 264: Chapter 81: Fiery Champions League! The Golden Boy Award Battle! The Century’s Iconic Ball Control!

”Ah.....!” Dortmund’s players stood regretfully on the spot, some holding their heads, others with mouths agape looking skyward.

The broadcast cameras focused on them, capturing the moments of top players showing traces of frustration on the field.

”Clap, clap, clap....” Klopp didn’t notice anything amiss at first, clapping to encourage the players on the attacking line.

Throughout the first half, Arsenal had been using a short pass strategy... but let’s not talk about earlier; in the last ten minutes, these short passes struggled to penetrate Dortmund’s midfield and front line defense.

Unable to penetrate, they naturally couldn’t find their three forwards, failing to pose any threat.

This prolonged comfort made many at Dortmund forget the pressure at the back.

”Boom!!”

Suddenly, Szczeny twisted to the side and unleashed a diagonal long pass, sending the ball towards the front left side, waking the Dortmund players from their daydreams as they turned their heads.

The backline was in complete disarray, the three centre-backs left behind had pushed past the center line to avoid disconnecting from the midfielders.

Walcott and Van Persie created certain chaos in the gaps between the three centre-backs, preventing them from quickly allocating defensive duties.

The only right-back trailing behind, Piszczek, was not having an easy time either, as Ma’el was directly in front of him, creating a one-on-one situation.

”Chase back!!”

Fear rapidly surfaced on Klopp’s face as he quickly stopped clapping, leaned forward, and waved his arms widely: ”Chase back!! Bring down Van Persie and Walcott!”

Van Persie and Walcott were not being defended by the last man, so taking them down, provided it’s not too serious, would likely only result in a yellow card.

At this moment, using a yellow card to stop the two potential counterattack points was very much worth it.

As for Ma’el, who was right in front of the last defender, they’d have to rely on Piszczek..... His heading prowess wasn’t strong, so Piszczek might be able to jump up and clear the ball.

If he clears it, then everything’s fine... If not, and Ma’el manages to control it, it’s definitely a dangerous opportunity.

Given Ma’el’s ball protection skills, he’d likely shield Piszczek and pass the ball to a teammate joining the attack.

”Oh.....!” After more than ten minutes of silence, Arsenal fans began to burst into cheers as they saw a good opportunity emerge on the pitch.

”Ma’el!”

”Bring it down!”

In the box, Gilbert and Isabella leaned their heads over the railing, their faces filled with excitement.

At this critical moment, the football slowly descended in front of Piszczek and Ma’el!

It was a very precise, fast ball, showcasing everything Szczeny could do as a goalkeeper in attack!

”Watch the second ball!

”Mine!!”

Piszczek lowered his center of gravity, determined the landing spot, and shouted to his teammates as he prepared to jump up and compete for the header.

Ma’el noticed his intention, exerting force backwards to press against him with his back.

If Piszczek moved back even half a meter, the ball would fall steadily at Ma’el’s feet!

No more chance for a jump contest for the header.

Piszczek suddenly felt a strong force coming his way and gritted his teeth, anchoring his studs into the turf, even embedding them into the soil, exerting force forward.

”Zzz....” Nevertheless, this did not change his continuous retreat; ultimately, he abandoned the header contest and shifted to intercepting Ma’el from the left side.

Ma’el suddenly felt an emptiness behind, as force came from the left.

He glanced at the descending ball, his eyes flickered, swiftly stepping with his left foot sideways, shielding the ball zone while turning to the opposite side!

He turned his entire body to the right, extending his right leg to the back, just in time to capture the first landing point of the ball!

”Snap!”

In the moment of turning, the football landed perfectly on the instep of his right foot, within his control!

He steadied the ball and faced the direction of attack!

While Piszczek, from exerting force in the opposite direction, stumbled towards the opposite position.

It was a seamless combo of stopping and bypassing!

”Boom!” Ma’el turned and adeptly knocked the ball forward, completing the action in one go; as he lifted his head again, there were no defenders ahead, only Weidenfeller standing all alone in front of the goal.

It was an incredibly smooth turn!

A clean break!

”Oh my god.....” Dortmund fans stood up in shock, gazing at Weidenfeller, hoping he could make a crucial save.

”Yeah.....!!” Arsenal fans began early celebrations, standing up in a frenzy, as chaotic revelry erupted in an instant.

”Ma’el!”

From the box, a brilliant gleam appeared in Isabella’s eyes as she raised her right hand, anticipating the final moment of eruption.

”Oh my God!”

Gilbert’s face was full of shock; as a player himself, he knew the difficulty of such a seamless combined move, requiring various qualities, not merely the skill of stopping the ball, but also physicality, coordination, and reaction, among others.

It also required the player to maintain extraordinary calmness and reaction when the moment arrived!

What a monster he is!

Yet, such thoughts only flickered briefly in his mind, a slight exclamation.

Now, gazing at that elegant figure on the field, watching the Dortmund defense frantically chasing back.... Gilbert understood his good brother was very likely about to score his first Champions League goal!