Starting as a Defensive Midfielder at Real Madrid

Warming up smoothly with his teammates at the Emirates, Li Ang could never have imagined that a simple wave and a peace sign would be turned into headlines—and end up trending across English football.

Luckily, he hadn’t raised his fingers with the back of his hand facing outward, or the English press might’ve accused him of ”insulting Arsenal.”

In some ways, the English media really did outclass the Spanish when it came to stirring things up.

The match hadn’t even kicked off, but in terms of hype and promotion, the British press were once again leading the pack in Europe.

UEFA officials were loving it.

Last night’s Juventus vs. Celtic and PSG vs. Valencia matches combined didn’t generate nearly as much discussion as tonight’s Arsenal vs. Real Madrid showdown.

The British media really knew how to turn up the heat.

Never mind whether Milan and Barcelona agreed—this clash was now being billed as the most exciting Round of 16 matchup.

And the masses? They followed hype.

Countless casual viewers, whether football fans or not, were tuning in just for the spectacle.

Even before the match began, UEFA’s live viewership data was already skyrocketing.

In China, fans were once again painfully yet eagerly switching on TVs and computers at 3 a.m.

But tonight, not everyone was glued to the familiar CCTV-5 broadcast.

A good number of veteran Premier League fans opted to stream the match via Sina Sports, specifically for one reason:

Zhan Jun.

Since returning to China in September to join Sina Sports, Zhan Jun had steadily built a new following thanks to his rich knowledge and superb commentary.

Previously, most Chinese fans had no choice—CCTV-5 was the only free and accessible channel.

But now, with more people owning computers, better viewing options were naturally in demand.

This wasn’t a knock on He Wei or Duan Xuan, who were both excellent.

But CCTV often paired them with others—some pairings worked, others didn’t.

Tonight, seeing Duan Xuan paired with Xu Yang, many fans who had the option chose instead to listen to Zhan Jun and Xie Hui.

The difference in football insight?

You could hear it immediately.

In Sina’s late-night studio, as the live feed began, Zhan Jun and Xie Hui energetically welcomed viewers and set the stage.

As players walked out with the referees, Zhan Jun seamlessly rattled off both teams’ recent form.

”Arsenal have drawn only once in their last three Premier League matches—against Liverpool. They beat Stoke and Sunderland fairly comfortably, and their overall form is clearly on the rise.

Before the match, Arsène Wenger said he was satisfied with preparations and confident they could deliver a strong performance at home.”

Xie Hui nodded. ”Yes, in the second half of the Premier League season, Arsenal have indeed shown steady improvement. But tonight, facing Madrid, the psychological pressure will be heavy. Hopefully, they can stick to their tactical identity and play with composure.”

The two chatted about Arsenal’s current form, but soon shifted the topic to Real Madrid—and, of course, Li Ang.

At the beginning of January, when Li Ang was named in the Ballon d’Or Top 20, the entire Chinese football community erupted with pride.

Sure, one player’s success didn’t mean Asian football had collectively improved overnight.

But a milestone like this gave hope and motivation to countless aspiring players across Asia.

With Li Ang now firmly established as Asia’s new standard-bearer after Park Ji-sung, his rise inspired everyone involved in the sport.

And Xie Hui?

He was one of those looking to dedicate himself to building up Chinese football.

He was currently enrolled in a coaching course in Germany.

Back in China for a short break, he hadn’t planned to work during his two-month stay.

But when Sina Sports invited him to commentate on Real Madrid vs. Arsenal, he didn’t hesitate.

He’d recently become interested in analyzing Li Ang’s youth career and development.

So sitting next to a top-level commentator like Zhan Jun, and discussing one of Li Ang’s biggest games to date?

He gladly accepted.

They didn’t dig too deep into Madrid’s tactical system—this wasn’t a coaching clinic, and fans didn’t want to be overwhelmed.

But when it came to praising Li Ang and discussing Madrid’s form, both men were in their element, and the audience loved it.

As the opening ceremony wrapped up and captains prepared for the coin toss, Zhan Jun introduced both starting elevens.

”For Arsenal tonight, they’re going with this starting XI:

In goal, Polish international Szczęsny.

The center-back pairing: Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny.

Left-back: Vermaelen. Right-back: Sagna.

In midfield, we have Arteta, Ramsey, Cazorla, Rosický, and Podolski.

Up top: Olivier Giroud.

Arsenal have made a significant change to their setup tonight. Theo Walcott starts on the bench—perhaps Wenger is saving him as a supersub.”

”And for Madrid,” Zhan Jun continued, ”Casillas remains in goal.

Center-backs Ramos and Pepe—a rock-solid pairing.

Coentrão starts at left-back, Arbeloa on the right.

In midfield, Xabi Alonso and Li Ang will sit deep, with Modrić as the central attacking midfielder.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Di María take the flanks, and Benzema leads the line up front.

No surprises from Mourinho tonight—it’s a very balanced starting XI.”

Xie Hui followed up:

”Both teams have lined up in a 4-2-3-1, but Madrid’s wingers—Cristiano and Di María—can push up and become forwards at any time.

By contrast, Arsenal’s five-man midfield is clearly aimed at maintaining possession.”

”Exactly,” Zhan Jun agreed. ”Madrid will focus on fast transitions and spatial pressure. That’s the style they excel at—relentless counterattack football.”

On the pitch, Li Ang glanced across and spotted Cazorla.

He smiled instinctively.

Cazorla returned the grin—there was familiarity in his look, and a bit of resignation.

They’d faced each other four times in the last two seasons—three in La Liga, one in the Copa del Rey.

Cazorla had first encountered Li Ang at Villarreal, then again at Málaga.

Even though they hadn’t been directly matched up often—Cazorla played wide, Li Ang central—Li Ang’s lateral pressure had left a lasting impression.

Now, even in England, he couldn’t escape.

”Damn this fate,” Cazorla muttered inwardly.

The referee blew the whistle.

The first leg of the 2012–13 Champions League Round of 16—Real Madrid vs. Arsenal—was underway.

Zhan Jun’s voice rose with excitement.

”The Champions League Round of 16 begins! Live from the Emirates—Real Madrid versus Arsenal!

You’re watching the match on Sina Sports with commentators Zhan Jun and Xie Hui!

Madrid in deep blue away kits, Arsenal in their classic red and white home colors!”

Arsenal kicked off, but Madrid quickly took control.

Li Ang received the ball and drove forward. Cazorla rushed in to apply pressure.

Zhan Jun’s voice spiked.

”Li Ang now pushing forward with possession—Cazorla tries to slow him down—but Li Ang holds him off and switches it right!”

No long ball this time.

Madrid started their attack with a slow, methodical buildup.

Cazorla failed to stop Li Ang. Arteta stepped up—but just as he moved in, Li Ang released the ball.

Arbeloa, overlapping on the right, burst past Arsenal’s midfield.

The home fans jumped out of their seats in alarm.

As Arbeloa met Vermaelen at the edge of the box, he squared it.

Modrić, arriving in support, tapped it across to the center, slipping through Arsenal’s narrowest defensive gap.

Li Ang had already sprinted into the space—

And with one deft flick, he chipped the ball over Arsenal’s back line… and into their penalty area.

As Cristiano Ronaldo charged into Arsenal’s penalty area to try and meet the ball, he collided with a ”wall.”

That wall was 1.98-meter-tall Per Mertesacker.

The German center-back’s front-facing interception ability was absurd. No matter how high Ronaldo could jump, this time he couldn’t outmatch a defender who had already planted himself in perfect position.

Mertesacker rose first and cleared the ball back toward midfield.

But his face didn’t show much satisfaction.

Instead, he turned and shouted loudly at his teammates, urging them to snap into the match.

Arsenal’s midfield and defense, rattled by Madrid’s furious opening press, finally shook off their shock.

It’s true what they say—until you actually face this Real Madrid side, you can’t fully understand how terrifying they are.

Watching film of their high-speed, high-tactic clashes with Dortmund had left an impression, yes.

But watching tape and being on the pitch were two very different things.

Now, Arsenal were feeling it.

And the cold sweat dripping down their backs? Very real.

Madrid’s blitz attack didn’t end in a goal, and the players were slightly frustrated.

But there was no drop-off in their retreat speed.

As they fell back, Li Ang waited briefly for Ronaldo to catch up.

There wasn’t much verbal exchange between them.

Li Ang looked at Mertesacker, then at Ronaldo. Ronaldo shook his head.

Li Ang held up three fingers.

Ronaldo nodded.

That was all Li Ang needed—he turned and jogged back to position, exchanging a few words with Modrić along the way.

The cameras caught it all, and fans and commentators took notice.

Such clean, precise communication—it looked like a set play.

If Ronaldo had gotten to that ball first, would they have switched to ”Plan 1” or ”Plan 2” instead?

On the Sina Sports commentary desk, Xie Hui was watching Mourinho standing straight and calm on the touchline.

”Mourinho looks very prepared tonight,” Xie said with interest. ”From what we’re seeing, they’ve got at least three attacking variations ready to go.”

Before he could say more, Arsenal tried to build a counterattack—but Madrid’s midfield line was already in place.

Ronaldo and Di María dropped to block the flanks. Modrić and Benzema pressed the ball handlers from front and back.

Li Ang and Alonso pulled apart slightly to cover more width in the second line.

Madrid’s defensive shape was solid.

The way they covered and shifted as a unit was clinical.

Arsenal tried to hold possession, but Madrid didn’t press immediately.

So Arsenal were forced to commit more bodies forward just to try and build up.

Then—just when Arsenal managed to break into Madrid’s half after four or five minutes of cautious buildup—Li Ang struck.

As Modrić tracked Cazorla, Li Ang stepped up to help trap him.

Cazorla passed quickly to Rosický on the right.

Li Ang immediately turned and sprinted to intercept.

Ramsey, who was still behind the halfway line, saw it all clearly.

His first thought: ”Fast.”

Not Li Ang’s top speed—his acceleration.

Sure, Podolski was faster in a sprint.

But in terms of burst speed, Ramsey didn’t think even Podolski could match Li Ang.

Rosický was scanning the field, trying to time a pass to Podolski or Giroud.

He never saw Li Ang coming.

First, the ball was gone.

Then, his whole frame was shouldered aside.

Rosický stumbled and hit the turf, stunned.

And as he looked up, all he could see was a deep-blue No. 10 jersey sprinting away with the ball.

”Li Ang—what a play! Beautiful tackle and interception! Rosický lingered too long. You can’t pause like that when Li Ang is closing down!

He’s passed! It’s Modrić!”

Zhan Jun’s voice rose with excitement.

Modrić received the diagonal pass and instantly recognized the opportunity.

Arsenal’s back line wasn’t set.

He surged forward.

He loved moments like this.

Against Arsenal, even more so.

Bale might not be on his left anymore, but Madrid’s counterattack was smoother than anything he ever had at Tottenham.

Within seconds, Madrid players were surging all around him.

More options, more passing lanes.

But Modrić didn’t immediately play the killer pass.

Instead, he drifted right, drawing Arteta with him.

Up ahead, Ronaldo looked neutralized—Sagna and Mertesacker both had him covered.

The Arsenal crowd collectively exhaled, believing the danger had passed.

Then Modrić passed—perfectly timed.

Li Ang had burst into the gap down the middle, just ahead of Arteta.

Cazorla and Ramsey were chasing him, but they were a full meter behind.

Now Arsenal had a decision to make.

Should they step out to meet Li Ang?

Or gamble that he couldn’t finish on his own?

Mertesacker stayed with Ronaldo, unwilling to abandon his post.

Koscielny, however, hesitated.

He saw Li Ang setting up for a shot outside the box—

Then at the last second, Li Ang faked the shot and slipped a pass right into the right side of the box.

Vermaelen had been pulled out of position by Benzema’s run.

Di María ran onto the pass.

One touch.

Left foot.

Curled shot.

Szczęsny dove—but it was too close.

Too sharp.

Too late.

The Polish keeper didn’t even graze it.

His first thought wasn’t the goal—

It was the clock.

”Wait... has it even been six minutes?”

Answering his unspoken question, the Sky Sports commentator screamed:

”SIXTH MINUTE—OH MY GOODNESS!

Madrid score after just six minutes!

That’s only their second attacking move of the match!”

Frustration laced the commentator’s voice.

But in the Sina Sports studio, Zhan Jun and Xie Hui were overjoyed.

”Li Ang assists Di María! Beautifully done! Ronaldo and Benzema were decoys!

Modrić’s timing was perfect, and Li Ang’s pass carved Arsenal open!

They lured the defense out and then struck!

Look at Ronaldo grinning—he loved that!”

They were practically celebrating on set.

And down on the pitch, Li Ang was already celebrating with his teammates—grinning wide, arms around everyone.

Even they hadn’t expected to strike so soon.

Arsenal had set up to play through the middle—control possession, probe centrally.

Against technical teams like City or Barcelona, that often worked.

Arsenal’s midfield had serious quality.

They could hold the ball. They could pass.

But they had a glaring flaw.

Maybe last season’s results had dulled Wenger’s urgency—because in the summer and winter transfer windows, he didn’t strengthen the midfield’s steel.

Arteta could dictate tempo.

He could shift gears.

But he wasn’t a destroyer.

Even if he defended well today, he wasn’t built to anchor a midfield under siege.

And Madrid?

Madrid loved tearing apart technical teams with fragile spines.

At first, Madrid had expected to play cautiously.

But after testing Arsenal’s midfield, they threw caution aside.

Attack the middle. Smash it open.

On the touchline, Mourinho was grinning, clapping proudly.

As he clapped, he mumbled under his breath—

”That’s it. Hit the middle.

We break Arsenal through the middle—today, it’s all about the middle.”

Get 30% off on my Patreon and enjoy early access to new chapters.

You can also purchase the next 100 chapters of the novel directly from my Patreon page.

Hurry up! The promotion ends on January 2, 2026.

Read 40 Chapters In Advance: /johanssen10

Happy New Year, friends! I hope you have a great time.