Chapter 61: An Invincible Foe

Barcelona's strength is beyond question; their dominance as the "Galactic Team" is known to every football fan. Though they had just suffered a disappointing draw against Deportivo La Coruña in the league, encountering a minor setback, it remains exceedingly difficult for Evergrande to emerge unscathed from this match.

In 2013, Evergrande faced Bayern Munich, then Champions League winners, in the Club World Cup semifinals. Evergrande held firm for forty minutes before conceding, ultimately losing 0-3 to Bayern. Looking back, that match can only be described as dismal. FIFA's post-match statistics showed Evergrande managed just two shots, neither of which were on target, while Bayern recorded twenty-seven shots, thirteen on target. If not for Bayern’s misfortune—four shots striking the woodwork—Evergrande might have lost even more embarrassingly. Evergrande's possession rate was a mere twenty-eight percent. Notably, they registered zero shots in the first half.

That encounter exposed the gulf between Evergrande and Europe's elite teams, yet it was precisely such matches that spurred the club’s rapid growth. Today, Evergrande is clearly stronger than before. With Bayern replaced by Barcelona, and facing their formidable attacking prowess, it's clear that Evergrande’s only viable strategy is defensive counterattack.

Evergrande’s semifinal challenge against Barcelona drew attention from foreign media. Though perspectives varied, all were astonished by Evergrande’s progress and eager to imagine the spectacle of the two teams meeting in earnest.

On the eve of the match, Evergrande officially released their battle poster: "Dreams are necessary—what if they come true?" The day Evergrande arrived in Yokohama, Barcelona also reached the city, granting their squad a day off.

Barcelona’s twenty-three-man roster included Messi and Neymar, though both were sidelined by injury. As the only member of Barcelona’s attacking trident able to play, Suarez remarked that the club had anticipated their semifinal opponent would be Evergrande, not the American team. Having gone two matches without a win, Barcelona was in a "slump."

"I know some of their players—Neymar told me they're impressive," said Suarez, which may have been his sole knowledge of Evergrande. "Regardless, we’ll stick to the Barcelona style, the same whether facing the American team or Evergrande."

Barcelona’s manager, Enrique, felt the Club World Cup was a much-needed opportunity to break out of their funk. "We need to rebound," Enrique said. "Let’s forget about the final for now—the important thing is to win the semifinal."

...

"Even without Messi and Neymar, Barcelona is still tough to handle!" Dai Zhiwei sighed after watching the news of Barcelona’s training session in Yokohama.

Many domestic fans were thrilled at Messi and Neymar’s absence, believing it might increase Evergrande’s chances. But does a one percent chance of victory versus a ten percent chance truly make a qualitative difference?

Among Evergrande’s current squad, only Paulinho could make the Barcelona roster. Goulart wouldn't, Elkeson wouldn't, and Dai Zhiwei knew he wouldn’t either. It’s not self-deprecation. Take Munir, Barcelona’s absolute substitute: born in 1995, a Spanish U21 international, top scorer in Barcelona’s preseason at eighteen, scoring on his La Liga debut. He’s as good as Goulart or Elkeson, and not yet at his career peak. Yet such a talented player is only a reserve at Barcelona, mostly appearing in the Copa del Rey.

Consider Barcelona’s defenders: Piqué, Mascherano, Alves, Bartra, Alba, Douglas, Adriano, Vermaelen, and Mathieu—which of them could Evergrande’s attacking trident easily face?

Cannavaro set the team's objective clearly: lose by fewer than three goals, and if they could score one, it would be perfect.

Dai Zhiwei agreed with Cannavaro’s goal. Many La Liga teams don’t lose to Barcelona by only three goals. But he was dissatisfied. He admitted Chinese football is weak, Asian football is third-rate globally, but to enter a match already expecting to lose, as if preparing for a beating and hoping the enemy uses fists instead of blades, felt wrong.

"What’s wrong? You look so dejected," Tsubasa Ozora asked as soon as Dai Zhiwei entered the system.

"Sigh, don’t ask. Next match is against Barcelona..." Dai Zhiwei stopped mid-sentence and slumped to the floor.

"Are you scared?" Tsubasa sat cross-legged beside him.

"Of course not." Dai Zhiwei shook his head. "And don’t give me that 'the ball is round, anything can happen' or 'the match hasn't been played, how do you know you can’t win?' nonsense. As professionals, we both know that's for outsiders."

"I know Evergrande doesn’t have the foundation for an upset," Tsubasa nodded. "But I believe, even if your team can’t win, at least you mustn't lose."

"Hmm?" Dai Zhiwei glanced at Tsubasa.

"Remember Costa Rica versus Brazil at the 2002 World Cup?" Tsubasa asked.

"Of course. 5-2. A classic goal fest." The 2002 World Cup was Dai Zhiwei’s first glimpse of world-class football; it left a deep impression.

"In my eyes, Costa Rica in that match is like Evergrande now, and Barcelona is Brazil," Tsubasa continued. "Costa Rica lost by three, their frail defense couldn’t stop Brazil’s three R’s—just like Evergrande’s defense now."

"But, though they lost by three, no one ridiculed Costa Rica, because they scored twice against mighty Brazil, pushed Brazil to their limit, and won respect from their opponents and the world."

"I prefer Costa Rica’s 'way of losing'," Tsubasa said, locking eyes with Dai Zhiwei. "With China’s football strength, you’ll face this situation more and more. In the World Cup, China may not win a championship for fifty years, and losing by only one goal might even be a luxury. But you must not lose!"

"Even if teams from Captain Tsubasa come, you must score, so the opponent can't leave unscathed!"

"I understand," Dai Zhiwei finally nodded thoughtfully.

"Alright, don’t be so serious," Tsubasa laughed, patting Dai Zhiwei. "You’ve got enough points to redeem a fifteen-point skill. Why not strengthen yourself before facing Barcelona?"

"Yes, thanks for reminding me!" Dai Zhiwei smiled. "Any recommendations?"

"Hehe, among fifteen-point skills, none will instantly skyrocket your ability, but I have an idea," Tsubasa displayed the skill page. "Barcelona has plenty of dribbling masters. Even without Messi or Neymar, Iniesta and Suarez are excellent dribblers. So, imagine if their opponent had someone even better at dribbling—wouldn't that be interesting?"

"That’s intriguing!" Dai Zhiwei stroked his slightly stubbly chin.

"The Right-Angle Feint is one of the most practical fifteen-point skills, the highest-rated among dribbling skills, and..." Tsubasa paused, teasing, "as long as a defender’s defensive ability is below ninety, and agility below eighty, they can’t stop the Right-Angle Feint one-on-one without fouling."

"That’s a cheat!" Dai Zhiwei’s eyes lit up. "What are we waiting for? Bring it on!"

...

Dai Zhiwei’s latest stats after skill enhancement—

Offensive Ability: 92 (Excellent)
Defensive Ability: 34 (Very Poor)
Physical Balance: 83 (Good)

Left Foot: 75 (Average)
Right Foot: 85 (Good)
Stamina: 82 (Good)
Top Speed: 96 (Elite)
Acceleration: 94 (Excellent)
Reaction: 97 (Elite)
Agility: 90 (Excellent)
Dribbling Accuracy: 95 (Elite)
Dribbling Speed: 90 (Excellent)
Short Pass Accuracy: 73 (Average)
Long Pass Accuracy: 65 (Average)
Shot Accuracy: 88 (Good)
Shot Power: 93 (Excellent)
Shot Technique: 82 (Good)
Free Kick: 56 (Amateur)
Turning: 87 (Good)
Heading Accuracy: 91 (Excellent)
Jumping: 92 (Excellent)
Skill: 88 (Good)
Goalkeeping: 40 (Amateur)
Team Coordination: 85 (Good)
Health: 7 (Excellent)

Skills: Millerga’s Mindful Dribbling, Raizou Shouhei’s Off-the-Ball Runs, Flying High Header, Kojiro Hyuga’s Tiger Shot, Roberto Hongo’s Overhead Kick, Shin Goto’s Right-Angle Feint

Overall Rating: 86.5 (Star Player Level)