Starting as a Defensive Midfielder at Real Madrid

“The match is over! The match is over! Congratulations to Chelsea! They’ve reached the Champions League final for the second consecutive year! Whether or not they lift the trophy again, they’ve already set a new club record! And we hope Atlético’s players won’t lose heart — they may have lost today’s battle and missed out on the final, but their future is still incredibly bright! In recent seasons, we’ve seen Atlético embody resilience and tenacity. Maybe all they lacked today was a little luck. Thankfully, most of their core players are still young, and in football, youth is the greatest asset! No need to be discouraged — believe in yourselves. Collect yourselves and come back stronger next year!”

In the LeSports broadcast studio, commentator Jian Jun barely contained his excitement as he read his carefully prepared closing remarks.

First congratulating Chelsea, then encouraging Atlético — keeping his personal emotions private and maintaining a balanced public demeanor — this was classic Jian Jun professionalism.

Meanwhile, sitting beside him, Coach Zhang was beaming as he watched Li Ang hugging and laughing with his teammates on camera.

They had already praised Li Ang countless times during broadcasts,

but now Zhang just chuckled softly, and millions of Chinese fans could immediately imagine his usual gushing over Li Ang.

However, at this moment, Zhang was thinking more about Li Ang’s future status:

If Li Ang could lead Chelsea to another Champions League crown this summer, where would his place in football history be?

After leading Chelsea to last year’s Champions League title,

Li Ang had joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as players with the most Champions League wins among active stars.

But unlike Messi — whose first Champions League title has been endlessly debated by fans —

Li Ang, like Cristiano, had won all his trophies as a full-time starter and key player.

Whenever fans discussed Champions League legends,

the conversation inevitably centered on Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, and Li Ang.

If Li Ang won a fourth Champions League title this summer as Chelsea’s core leader,

he would become the only active player to hold four Champions League crowns!

This achievement might not instantly crown Li Ang as the undisputed best in the world over Messi and Cristiano,

but it would undeniably solidify his standing among football’s elite.

The narrative of football’s “Big Three” would be more widely accepted.

Coach Zhang eagerly looked forward to that moment.

And just like him, countless Chinese fans were buzzing with excitement that night,

discussing the potential grandeur if Li Ang captured another Champions League title.

After this victory, Li Ang once again became football’s hottest topic.

Whether Cristiano Ronaldo could reclaim the spotlight depended on whether he and Real Madrid could overturn Juventus the next night.

If the Portuguese superstar could perform another miraculous comeback,

then his showdown with Li Ang would fuel a media frenzy worldwide.

And that wasn’t an exaggeration —

even last season, when Real Madrid and Chelsea only met in the group stage, their clash smashed viewership records for group matches.

If they truly met in this year’s final,

the attention and media buzz would be off the charts!

Mourinho versus Real Madrid.

Li Ang versus Real Madrid.

Mourinho versus Ancelotti.

Li Ang versus Cristiano Ronaldo…

Any of these narratives would be enough to keep European media fed for weeks.

If all of them combined,

sports journalists would have endless headlines until long after the final whistle.

Thus, after Chelsea booked their ticket to the final,

European media collectively shifted their hopes onto Real Madrid.

This pressure was a double-edged sword for Madrid.

The overwhelming support would boost confidence

but also exponentially increase the mental burden on the players.

Some stars thrive under pressure —

Cristiano Ronaldo being the prime example —

but players like him were rare.

Most players would inevitably be affected.

Ramos and Cristiano were Madrid’s great leaders,

but at the season’s tail end,

even they were physically and mentally drained.

Could they still perform miracles like earlier in the season?

Many passionate Madridistas hadn’t realized it yet,

but Li Ang — watching calmly from afar — was already concerned.

Even Chelsea, after surviving their brutal April schedule,

had been forced to prioritize player recovery immediately.

Mourinho had no choice but to give his main players rest,

even if it meant sacrificing their unbeaten record in the Premier League’s final rounds.

Chelsea’s medical team had issued red alerts for seven starting players —

total physical exhaustion.

And Chelsea had far superior depth compared to Real Madrid,

who stubbornly relied on the same starting XI throughout the season.

Meanwhile, Juventus — though tired — had already clinched Serie A,

allowing Allegri to rest his main squad extensively.

Plus, with a first-leg win over Madrid,

Juventus approached the second leg with far more psychological calm.

From a neutral standpoint,

Li Ang honestly favored Juventus’ chances of advancing.

But emotions clouded objectivity.

Having secured some days off,

Li Ang, who stayed in Madrid, publicly announced on social media:

He would attend the match at the Bernabéu to cheer for Real Madrid.

His overt support won him even more affection from Madrid fans.

On the night of May 4th,

Li Ang, accompanied by his agent Mendes, arrived at the Bernabéu’s VIP box.

Before that, he had already embraced and chatted with a group of Real Madrid legends:

Raúl, Figo, Roberto Carlos, Guti, Morientes…

So many superstars gathered to witness Real Madrid’s desperate attempt at a comeback.

Even celebrities and political figures filled the stands.

The hype and anticipation for this match were through the roof.

Ancelotti finally revealed his tactical trump card:

dropping James Rodríguez to the bench and starting Isco instead.

This surprised many pundits and fans.

Li Ang was intrigued by Ancelotti’s choice.

Though Madrid still lined up in a 4-3-3,

it smelled a lot like Mourinho’s old hybrid 4-2-2-2.

Isco’s inclusion added more ball control and dribbling skill in midfield,

similar to how Mourinho once redeployed Di María.

Players like Isco could sap the opposing defense’s energy by constantly carrying the ball and pulling defenders out of position.

Perhaps Ancelotti planned to use Isco to grind down Juventus early,

then unleash James for the kill?

Li Ang wasn’t certain,

but it sounded similar to the way Zidane later used Isco heavily during his own Champions League campaigns.

With patience, Li Ang closely observed both teams’ starting setups.

At exactly 7:45 PM local time in Madrid,

the referee blew the whistle —

the battle at the Bernabéu had begun!

Like Atlético, Real Madrid — having lost the first leg away and failed to score an away goal — launched aggressive probing attacks from the start at home.

Today, Madrid’s BBC trio was intact, and both Cristiano Ronaldo and Bale began ferociously assaulting Juventus’ defensive lines from the wings.

But against Juventus’ rigid 4-5-1 setup, which heavily guarded the flanks, even players as great as Cristiano and Bale found little space to operate.

Juventus laid out double defensive lines on the wings and placed three physically dominant players in the midfield to destroy attacks.

This kind of “brawny midfield” setup carried Allegri’s unmistakable tactical scent.

Watching for only a few minutes, Li Ang couldn’t help recalling his old days at AC Milan,

clogging midfield alongside Gattuso and Kevin-Prince Boateng…

Despite criticism during his years in Serie A, Allegri had become a master at “cooking with available ingredients.”

Give him star players, and he could find a system to maximize them.

Give him blue-collar workers, and he would devise a plan that highlighted their strengths.

Today, Juventus midfielder Sturaro epitomized that spirit —

with endless running and defensive coverage that disrupted Madrid’s attacks.

Meanwhile, Pogba and Khedira shielded the backline well.

When they won the ball, they didn’t have to dribble forward;

a long ball could immediately launch a counterattack.

Allegri’s game plan squeezed every advantage out of Juventus’ defensive shape and wing play.

Madrid’s attack, with Cristiano and Bale neutralized, slowed to a crawl.

Watching the BBC struggle, Real Madrid fans started grumbling about Ancelotti’s stubborn tactics.

Sure, Allegri’s setup was clever,

but limiting peak-form Cristiano and Bale should have been impossible if Madrid’s stars were fully fit.

In truth, Allegri’s success partly stemmed from Real Madrid’s visible physical fatigue.

But seeing his two star wingers struggling, Ancelotti adapted quickly —

giving Isco more control of the attack.

It was the right move.

Unlike the exhausted starters,

Isco — mostly a bench player this season — was fresh,

and he had no doubts about his technical ability.

Given enough freedom,

Isco’s dribbling quickly began prying open Juventus’ midfield.

After all, Barcelona had almost bought him as “the next Iniesta.”

Despite his occasional over-dribbling,

Isco had already become one of Europe’s top attacking midfielders.

Activating the front line with short passes and movement,

Isco and Modrić began dragging Juventus’ defense apart.

In the 33rd minute, Cristiano finally broke free from his former teammate Evra on the wing,

slipping into the box diagonally.

Receiving a beautiful cross from Modrić,

Cristiano powered past Barzagli and smashed a header into the net!

Madrid had leveled the aggregate score!

Cristiano’s celebration was explosive —

red-faced, roaring into the cameras!

Under immense pressure and expectations,

he had once again become Madrid’s superhero.

The Bernabéu exploded in ecstasy!

Li Ang, watching from a VIP box, leapt to his feet and raised his fists —

the TV cameras quickly caught his reaction,

and Madridistas erupted even louder.

With Juventus’ defense breached, Madrid pressed even harder.

But Allegri’s calm adjustments kept Juventus composed.

They sat deep, soaking up pressure,

waiting for their chance.

And Real Madrid’s aggressive pushing up the field gave them that opportunity.

In the 41st minute, Bale raced down the wing,

beating Lichtsteiner and delivering a cross.

This time, Benzema — using Cristiano’s run as a decoy —

found space in the middle, but his header went straight into Buffon’s arms.

Within seconds, Buffon launched a quick counterattack with a powerful throw.

Pogba received the ball, took a glance, and sent a booming long pass straight over Madrid’s midfield.

Morata, cleverly positioned, flicked the ball wide.

Cuadrado burst down the touchline —

with Marcelo caught too high upfield to recover.

When Li Ang had played for Madrid,

he would have instantly covered that gap,

cutting off Cuadrado before he could advance.

But Casemiro lacked Li Ang’s speed and defensive instinct.

Though he rushed back, Cuadrado was already free.

Cuadrado didn’t cross into the packed box —

instead, he cut the ball back to the edge of the penalty area.

Sturaro, attracting Modrić and Casemiro’s attention,

then smartly laid the ball sideways.

And there was Pogba.

Calm under pressure,

he took one touch, loaded up,

and unleashed a thunderous shot into the top left corner!

Navas, his view obscured by teammates, had no chance.

2-1!

Juventus had retaken the aggregate lead —

and they had an all-important away goal!

Moments earlier, the Bernabéu had been a roaring cauldron.

Now, it fell into stunned silence.

Li Ang covered his head with both hands in disbelief.

He had warned Modrić and Casemiro about Pogba’s explosiveness —

but still…

With their advantage secured,

Juventus bunkered deep.

Real Madrid, drained, could not break them down.

Though Bale pulled one back in the 82nd minute after Cristiano’s assist,

Madrid ultimately fell short.

The match ended 2–2 —

Juventus advancing on away goals!

Allegri and his players celebrated wildly at the Bernabéu.

Meanwhile, Madrid’s players collapsed in bitter frustration.

The TV cameras focused on Florentino Pérez and CEO Sánchez in the stands —

both with grim, expressionless faces.

After this elimination,

another transfer storm would surely hit the Bernabéu.

And Florentino had never been more determined:

He had to bring Li Ang back to Madrid —

along with the rightful glory that should belong to Real Madrid.