Starting as a Defensive Midfielder at Real Madrid

To be honest, the players of Athletic Bilbao couldn’t wrap their heads around it—why was Li Ang going so hard on them today?

If it was just a sudden burst of form, that wouldn’t make sense either. This version of Li Ang wasn’t the same old defensive midfielder who only knew how to break up play. It wouldn’t make sense for him to only exert himself defensively while slacking off in attack.

Bielsa couldn’t understand it either. But more than being surprised, he had to figure out how to respond to this situation.

Having already conceded a goal, Bielsa didn’t see much point in reinforcing the defense.

But if he wanted to make adjustments on the attacking end, the only card he had left to play was Llorente, sitting on the bench.

At that thought, Bielsa shook his head silently.

The club brought in Aduriz during the summer transfer window to compensate for the offensive power lost from freezing out Llorente.

But he wasn’t a like-for-like replacement.

At least up until now, Aduriz’s performances hadn’t matched what Llorente had shown the previous season.

His goal tally was far lower, and his role as a tactical pivot wasn’t as effective.

This wasn’t to say Aduriz was bad—it’s just that Llorente’s physical presence was a rare asset in La Liga.

No matter how good Aduriz was at attacking second balls or how great his leaping ability, once he moved out of the penalty area, his 1.82-meter frame simply couldn’t compare to Llorente’s 1.94-meter build.

Last season, when Llorente stood in front of Real Madrid’s penalty area, it took both Pepe and Alonso to mark him.

Otherwise, there was no way to compete for space with him.

Now, Alonso could hold off Aduriz one-on-one.

Li Ang didn’t even need to help Alonso with the coverage. He could focus entirely on pushing back Gómez and Susaeta on the flanks of the defensive third.

It had to be said—Athletic Bilbao’s upper management had paid a steep price for their hardline stance in freezing out Llorente to make a statement.

They could’ve parted on good terms, earned at least €30 million in transfer fees, and then used that to bolster the squad for a renewed European campaign.

But now? Bielsa felt that if he could simply keep Bilbao within the top ten of La Liga this season, that would already be a success.

”Have Fernando [Llorente] start warming up.”

Bielsa suddenly turned and gave the instruction to his assistant, who was momentarily stunned.

”But didn’t the chairman say—”

”I’m still the head coach of this team! On the pitch, what I say goes. Don’t worry about it—go get Fernando warming up.”

Bielsa’s tone was resolute. Seeing this, the assistant didn’t say another word. He stood up and went to call on Llorente, who was equally stunned.

As Llorente began to warm up on the sidelines, the chairman of Athletic Bilbao, sitting in his private box, visibly soured.

Florentino Pérez, who was also at the stadium, had personally heard the Bilbao chairman declare during a previous private meeting: ”Llorente won’t get another chance with us!”

So now, Pérez didn’t say a word—he just silently scoffed, ”What a fool—completely lacks business sense!”

Meanwhile, Mourinho’s attention was locked onto Bielsa.

He had a gut feeling—after next summer, this ”Chilean Madman” might no longer be seen on La Liga sidelines.

”Are we making adjustments?”

Five minutes later, with Llorente ready to come on and partner Aduriz up front in a two-striker system, Karanka asked the routine question.

Mourinho glanced again at Bielsa, a flicker of regret flashing in his eyes.

”We are.”

In the 38th minute of the first half, shortly after Athletic completed their substitution, Real Madrid responded with a tactical change.

However, instead of reinforcing the defense to resist the impact of Bilbao’s twin towers as most fans expected, Mourinho made a bold move—he switched to a 4-3-3!

Cristiano Ronaldo and Di María were pushed up to the forward line, and Li Ang was repositioned as a left-sided central midfielder.

”Mourinho is showing Bielsa the highest form of respect—he’s going head-to-head with him in a full-on attacking duel! It’s spear versus spear! This game’s about to get exciting!”

Commentator He Wei’s voice had grown hoarse.

At this moment, he felt just like any ordinary football fan—excited and full of anticipation.

With Bielsa and Mourinho both choosing attack at the same time, what more could fans possibly ask for?

The rest of the match turned into a visual and emotional feast for football lovers.

For the first time this season, Athletic Bilbao’s double striker system showed its true power.

With Real Madrid pushing high and leaving space at the back, they became vulnerable. By the 74th minute, Bilbao had already scored two goals in the second half.

But the scoreline had reached 4-2!

In just thirty minutes of the second half, both sides had scored two goals each. The game was thrilling and electric.

Though Llorente didn’t score initially, his presence disrupted Real Madrid’s backline, allowing Aduriz to find space and finish clinically.

Susaeta’s second goal came from Llorente’s clever back-to-goal layoff assist.

Then, in the 87th minute, Llorente finally broke his scoring drought with a header from Bilbao’s final corner of the game.

The final score settled at 5-3.

Bilbao’s home fans were left with mixed feelings.

But for Real Madrid supporters and neutral fans, there was only one sentiment:

What a game!

Cristiano Ronaldo bagged a brace, Benzema had a goal and an assist, Di María dazzled with a long-distance solo run, and Llorente’s impact was undeniable.

It was a footballing spectacle of the highest order.

Unfortunately, Li Ang’s two long-range bombs from over 30 meters out both narrowly missed—one flew just over the bar, and the other struck the post.

Had either gone in, fans would’ve witnessed another long-range stunner.

Still, despite not registering a goal or assist, Li Ang’s performance was outstanding.

Defensively, there was little to fault. And offensively, his progressive carries and calm ball distribution ensured Real Madrid’s attacking rhythm remained fluid.

Considering his strong defensive displays from the first half as well, many fans were ready to rank Li Ang in the top three for Real Madrid’s player ratings today.

After the match, Mourinho and Bielsa embraced at the touchline and exchanged warm words for an extended moment.

On the pitch, Li Ang sought out Llorente and personally asked to swap jerseys.

”You played really well today, Fernando. Keep it up!”

Li Ang didn’t really know what else to say in encouragement—so he simply offered a heartfelt cheer.

This was an era where traditional big center-forwards were becoming increasingly rare. Li Ang genuinely hoped Llorente would continue to get opportunities and a bigger stage to perform on.

After all, when all the opponents are just small, nimble forwards, even Li Ang would start to feel bored.

”Thank you, Li Ang! You really are a good guy!”

Llorente accepted the oversized jersey swap and gave Li Ang a symbolic ”good guy card.”

Li Ang chuckled, patted his arm, and turned to join his teammates.

After such a resounding league victory, most of Real Madrid’s starting players were in high spirits.

And when Mourinho gave them a two-day break, the players were practically chanting, ”Long live the boss!”

Once they returned to the training ground, it would be just light recovery sessions.

They had no immediate domestic fixtures—next league match was a full week away.

In between was a Champions League group stage match, and Mourinho had already decided to use it to rotate the squad.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Li Ang, naturally, remained the most-watched figures even within this rotated lineup.

Returning to Manchester, Ronaldo was fully immersed in nostalgia.

This industrial city held many memories, and Real Madrid’s players were greeted by a warm crowd of fans.

But the love wasn’t for them—it was for the Red Devils’ beloved former hero, little Ronaldo.

They weren’t returning to Old Trafford, but instead to the Etihad. And in this different setting, Ronaldo’s eyes held less sentimentality and more goal-hungry intensity.

Mourinho made no hesitation—he built the midfield around Li Ang and gave Ronaldo complete freedom in attack.

With Li Ang, Matuidi, and Essien providing the engine room, the offense had no shortage of supply.

The only real concern was the defense—Real Madrid started with Varane and Nacho at center-back.

Not exactly the steadiest pair.

But there was no choice—just two days ago, Albiol sprained his ankle in training and would be sidelined for at least two weeks.

That left Mourinho with only Varane, Nacho, and the makeshift option of Essien as usable center-backs.

Maybe Li Ang could fill in too?

But unless absolutely necessary, Mourinho wouldn’t waste Li Ang or Essien in central defense.

It would be a waste of their talent.

Looking at the starting lineup, Manchester City fans weren’t exactly at ease, but they did give Mourinho a thumbs-up for his boldness.

That backline was full of kids! Sure, the midfield was tough, but if Aguero got a chance to run at that defense, wouldn’t he just go nuts?

A lot of City fans were already thanking Mourinho in advance.

But when the match began, the flow of play was nothing like what the City fans had imagined.

Sure, Real Madrid’s defense was mostly made up of youth players.

Even Coentrão had only just returned from injury and was starting at left-back.

But their coordination and individual performance didn’t look like a makeshift lineup at all.

And why were Real Madrid getting more shots off than City, even though it was supposed to be City pressing?

Mancini couldn’t make sense of it either.

Then again, it wasn’t entirely his fault.

At the time, the names Coentrão, Varane, Nacho, and Carvajal weren’t exactly star-studded.

City kept pushing forward, desperate to break through—and inevitably, they overcommitted.

In the 23rd minute, Li Ang and Matuidi pounced on Aguero when he tried to shift wide with the ball—they tackled aggressively and won it cleanly.

Li Ang instantly found Essien making a run forward.

Essien, wasting no time, played it wide to the right.

Callejón hit full sprint down the wing. City’s starting left-back, Kolarov, already slow on the turn, couldn’t keep up.

He fell behind quickly and could only chase desperately.

City’s backline retreated in unison.

But nearing the right edge of the City penalty box, Callejón didn’t cut inside or head to the byline.

He whipped in a low cross toward the center!

Li Ang, sprinting into the arc of the penalty area, met it first time with a through ball.

Mancini’s heart skipped a beat.

The low pass sliced across Maicon’s desperate lunge—

And Ronaldo, brushing off Zabaleta’s challenge, smashed it toward goal inside the box!

Their one-touch link-up was impossibly smooth.

Joe Hart dove toward the far post, but the shot was too fast—he never had a chance.

That counterattack goal from Real Madrid completely stunned City’s home crowd!

Meanwhile, United fans watching from their living rooms burst out laughing—

Oh City, you were handed the chance—and you blew it!

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