Chapter 100

In the first half of the year, during the Rio-São Paulo Championship, São Paulo played as the away team. This time, they were back on their home turf.

Even though they were at home, the fans were still worried about the team's future.

The topic they discussed the most was whether Rong Guang and Kaká could coexist on the field.

To be honest, Rong Guang was still very popular among the fans. Although he was a rookie, he was very talented and had many impressive performances in matches. Most importantly, he was the team's key player, saving the team several times.

With these performances, Rong Guang won the affection of many São Paulo fans. Everyone felt that such an excellent player should not always be a substitute, as it would be a waste.

Kaká, of course, had long been a favorite of São Paulo fans.

It was heartbreaking and regretful for either of them to be a substitute.

If they could coexist, that would be the best outcome.

However, the harsh reality seemed to indicate that it was not easy for the two to coexist.

They had played together for five matches, but only occasionally showed some coordination. Most of the time, as Grayson said, they wouldn't pass the ball to each other at all.

This sentiment in the media had already influenced the fans.

The current inconsistent performance of São Paulo was related to the inability of Rong Guang and Kaká to work together. To improve the team's performance, it was simple: just take one of them off the field.

Which one?

Although they liked Rong Guang, compared to Kaká, they would have to sacrifice him...

Unexpectedly, Osvaldo started both Rong Guang and Kaká again.

Was he not thinking clearly?

Many São Paulo fans entered the Morumbi Stadium with the heavy hearts and expressions of those attending a funeral...

The sky was heavy with dark clouds, and the air was humid, making it hard to breathe, as if one might suffocate at any moment.

***

Two minutes into the match, some late-arriving fans were still looking for their seats.

São Paulo had already launched an attack.

Those still searching for their seats glanced at the field and then continued their search.

The first attack was usually just a probe, and no one thought it could pose any threat. So they didn't pay much attention to it.

In the media stands, the journalists had arrived early, set up their laptops, and focused on the small monitors in front of them, which were connected to the live broadcast signal.

Occasionally, they would look at the field.

But to see the game clearly, they still needed to watch the broadcast.

Grayson stared at Rong Guang. In the previous match, Grayson had described Rong Guang's goal as a lucky shot, and everyone agreed.

He had a small notebook in front of him and a pen in his hand.

He wanted to record the number of passes between Rong Guang and Kaká.

He had been doing this for several matches, but so far, the pages in his notebook were still blank.

Grayson thought this match probably wouldn't change anything.

If Rong Guang and Kaká could work together, that would be a miracle!

If they lost this match, the impatient São Paulo club management might take action—these days, he had been closely watching the club's management.

He wanted to find any clues that could determine Osvaldo's fate.

Unfortunately, he hadn't found anything yet...

But if they lost this match... there might be no need to look for clues.

On the field, São Paulo was launching an attack.

This was their first attack of the match.

Earlier, Fluminense had launched an attack during the kickoff, but it didn't threaten São Paulo's goal at all.

The first attack in the early stages of the match was usually a probe.

After Fluminense's probe, it was São Paulo's turn.

Such an attack didn't require much attention.

He idly twirled the pen in his hand, staring at the TV screen, lost in thought—If Osvaldo were to be fired, the double-striker tactic would be terminated. Kaká's position as a starter wouldn't be affected, but the unlucky one would probably be the Chinese rookie...

Coelho Alexandre Costa looked up at the sky.

"The weather is bad, it's going to rain..." he muttered.

***

Ricardinho had the ball in the front field. He was the core of São Paulo's offensive organization. During attacks, the ball was always passed to him for organization.

He knew that the first attack was just a probe, so there was no need to be too concerned about the outcome. The important thing was to use this attack to gauge the strength and reaction of the opponent's defense.

To prepare for the rest of the match.

He passed the ball to Kaká.

He wanted to see how Fluminense would defend against São Paulo's double-strikers—facing two strikers, they couldn't possibly focus on both. Whether in terms of tactical deployment or the mindset of the defenders, there would be a focus.

In his understanding, Kaká would be the focus of the defense. Especially after São Paulo's loss to São Caetano, where São Caetano's defense against Kaká was very successful, other teams would naturally follow suit.

Fluminense, playing against São Paulo, would certainly study the match video.

Sure enough, as soon as Kaká got the ball, he was closely marked by Fluminense players, making it difficult for him to even turn around.

If he couldn't turn around, he certainly couldn't pass the ball forward.

As for passing the ball to Rong Guang... Rong Guang wouldn't do that, and neither would Kaká.

Seeing the heavy defensive pressure, he passed the ball back to Ricardinho.

Ricardinho received the ball and faced the defense of Fluminense players.

However, his ball control was excellent, and under the pressure, continuing to control the ball was not a big problem for him.

His guess about Kaká was confirmed, but what about Rong?

He thought about the Chinese rookie.

São Caetano's defense against Rong Guang was not very proactive, and as a result, Rong Guang scored a goal.

Would Fluminense learn from this mistake?

With this in mind, he flicked his wrist and passed the ball to Rong Guang, who had raised his arm.

As soon as he passed the ball, he saw Fluminense player Fernando Diniz coming from behind to pressure Rong Guang... No! Not to pressure Rong Guang! He was trying to intercept the ball from the front!

Ricardinho's eyes widened—he hadn't expected Fluminense to be so tight on Rong Guang's defense! Although Diniz was an attacking player, his defensive attitude was very proactive, indicating that Fluminense took Rong Guang very seriously...

This was bad. Rong Guang was inexperienced, and if he continued to wait in place, the ball would definitely be intercepted!

There was no time to warn Rong Guang. Ricardinho immediately prepared to defend and rushed forward to interfere with Diniz, hoping to buy time for his teammates to get back in position.

He didn't expect to intercept the ball himself; just delaying the play would give his teammates a chance to get back.

But at that moment, he was surprised to see Rong Guang moving toward the ball!

Did he also notice the problem?

***

Diniz indeed intended to intercept the ball from the front. For a rookie, the most common mistake in a match was to wait for the ball in place, unaware of what was happening behind him.

He planned to sneak up, go around Rong Guang, and intercept the ball, then launch an attack!

Diniz was an attacking player, and defense was not his strength. He was more focused on attacking.

His mind was set on one goal—intercept the pass from Ricardinho to the Chinese rookie, then launch an attack!

Seeing Rong Guang move toward the ball, he didn't give up. Instead, he accelerated, trying to overtake Rong Guang and get to the ball first.

Although the ball was blocked by Rong Guang's body, he couldn't see it, but this didn't hinder his plan.

Accelerate! Overtake!

***

Ricardinho saw Rong Guang suddenly slow down, while Diniz behind him was speeding up, quickly closing the gap. It looked like Rong Guang was about to be overtaken.

If he let Diniz get in front, the ball would be lost...

Why did this rookie suddenly slow down?

As he had this thought, his attention suddenly shifted to the ball.

He saw the ball on Rong Guang's left side, while Diniz was on his right...

At the same time, he saw Rong Guang start to turn.

When Diniz was about to overtake, in his peripheral vision, he saw Rong Guang turn... What was happening?

Was he giving up the ball? Abandoning the attack?

But no matter what, this was his chance!

Diniz charged forward, completely overtaking Rong Guang. Then he opened his eyes wide and stared ahead...

Where's the ball?!

The ball was gone.

He suddenly realized and turned around, only to see the scene he had feared—Rong Guang was dribbling forward!

***

"Rong—!" Bueno suddenly shouted, startling the viewers who were just getting into the match.

Not just them, but Bueno himself was startled.

When he saw Diniz charge toward the ball, he knew what the Fluminense player intended. It was a good strategy against the inexperienced Rong Guang.

But the next move by Rong Guang left him speechless. The shout was not a result of emotional buildup but a spontaneous reaction... After shouting, he was startled by his own voice.

In his eyes, Rong Guang used an incredible move to escape from Diniz's pressure!

He didn't touch the ball, letting it roll forward, while using his body to block Diniz's view. Then he turned and escaped, using the speed difference to quickly create space!

Such a move... truly brilliant!

How did a rookie come up with this?

***

Kaká also noticed Diniz's attempt to intercept the ball from the front. Seeing this, he ran toward Rong Guang, intending to disrupt Diniz's plan in the front field. Even if he couldn't stop it, he wanted to interfere.

He had the same idea as Ricardinho.

He didn't think the rookie Rong Guang had a way out.

But before he could reach halfway, he saw Rong Guang turn!

And after turning, the ball was still in front of him!

Diniz completely missed!

How did he do that?!

At the moment they crossed paths, Kaká's view was blocked, and he didn't see what Rong Guang did.