Football: The strongest post-2000s Chapter 171

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The 2016- 2017 FA Cup was the last match of the English professional league season, and the Champions League final, Europe’s top competition, was held a week later at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

According to Li Qing’s memory, this was a match that made Real Madrid the first team to defend the Champions League title since its reform. Welsh international Bale contributed two goals in front of his home crowd, making him the biggest contributor to Real Madrid’s victory over Juventus.

An hour before the match, the starting lineups for Liverpool vs. Arsenal appeared on major sports media headlines.

Liverpool’s official formation was 4- 3- 3, with Karius as goalkeeper, Milner, Matip, Lovren, and Clyne as defenders, Wijnaldum, Emre Can, and Coutinho as midfielders, and Mané, Firmino, and Li Qing as forwards.

Arsenal’s official formation was 3- 4- 2- 1, with Ospina as goalkeeper, Monreal, Mertesacker, and Holding as defenders, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Xhaka, Ramsey, and Bellerín as the four midfielders, Alexis Sánchez and Özil as the two attacking midfielders, and Welbeck at the very front.

Because Arsenal drew the home team lot, Liverpool had to wear their third away kit, a design of fluorescent green paired with dark gray.

When both teams entered the stadium from the player tunnel, the new Wembley Stadium was practically packed, with only necessary seating buffer zones left.

Because both teams’ home kits were red, the new Wembley Stadium was rendered into a vast red ocean.

The broadcast screen happened to show Li Qing, and Le Sports commentator Zhan Jun said excitedly, “Both teams’ players have arrived at the new Wembley Stadium. The 2016- 2017 FA Cup final is getting closer and closer to us. Li Qing, who appears on the screen, is still confident. Will he perform as brilliantly as ever in the upcoming match?”

Liverpool fans and Li Qing fans sitting in front of their computer screens were full of anticipation, hoping that Li Qing would show great power in this FA Cup match and help Liverpool win the league double again after thirty-one years!

Liverpool fans in the stands were surging with emotion and full of confidence in their supported team. “You’ll Never Walk Alone” echoed throughout the new Wembley Stadium.

Feeling the surging fervor, Li Qing, as the focal point, naturally clenched his fists to encourage himself for the upcoming match.

“Beep~”

With a whistle from the referee Michael Oliver, the 2016- 2017 FA Cup final officially began.

Arsenal, who had the kickoff advantage, did not rush to attack. They organized their offense through circuitous methods. Mané, Firmino, and Li Qing, who were at the very front, immediately rushed forward, adopting the high-press tactical approach set by coach Klopp before the match.

Arsenal’s attacking and midfield players had decent footwork, but the problem was that their defensive and midfield players had rougher footwork. Faced with the aggressive Liverpool players, they instinctively chose to clear the ball with a big kick.

Wenger, standing on the sidelines, shook his head helplessly. He had made relevant tactical adjustments before the match, but the players’ confidence couldn’t overcome the hurdle, so even the most brilliant tactics couldn’t be implemented.

The player at the very front was Welbeck, whose aerial ability couldn’t compare to Matip and Lovren, meaning that possession of the ball instantly changed hands.

After multiple continuous passes, the ball reached Li Qing’s feet on the right wing. Three defending players instantly appeared in front of him: Xhaka and Oxlade-Chamberlain directly in front, and Monreal providing cover on the flank.

Facing such a large defensive setup, Li Qing had the desire to break through, but the match had just begun, the defending players were focused, and their physical strength was abundant. Forcing a breakthrough would be asking for trouble.

In the fourth minute of the match, Li Qing was surprised by a defensive error. Alexis Sánchez’s chipped pass was headed back by Matip, and the ball landed precisely near the forward-moving Alexis Sánchez. By a stroke of luck, he nudged the ball forward with his forehead and then used the instep of his right foot to guide the falling ball into the left side of the penalty area.

Ramsey, who was in an offside position, remained motionless. At a crucial moment, Lovren lost focus. He didn’t defend immediately but instead raised his hand to signal Ramsey was offside. However, Ramsey had no intention of receiving the ball. According to FIFA rules, it was not offside!

Karius’s charge was too late, and Alexis Sánchez poked the ball into the net, helping Arsenal break the deadlock first.

“aoaooaoaoo——”

A huge roar from Arsenal fans echoed in the stands.

Le Sports commentator Zhan Jun, after praising the goal, changed the subject: “Lovren lost focus again at a crucial moment! Liverpool’s ability to win the league title this season is largely due to Li Qing’s 31 goals in 15 matches. Next season, Liverpool will participate in the Champions League, and relying solely on Matip is not enough. I wonder if Liverpool can sign Van Dijk from Southampton this summer.”

Klopp, in front of the away team’s bench, was speechless. This goal was actually easy to defend; Lovren just needed to keep up with Alexis Sánchez and block the shooting angle. The key was that Lovren didn’t pay attention…

His gaze then turned to Liverpool’s star striker Li Qing, and he thought, “Did Liverpool save the galaxy in their previous life? Otherwise, how could such an excellent genius be born at the Kirkby Academy?”

The match restarted, and Liverpool, with the kickoff advantage, attacked directly without any probing.

Although Li Qing was tightly marked, he did not flinch in the face of Arsenal’s defenders, challenging the entire defensive line with his exquisite footwork.

He did break through, but at the most crucial moment, he was fouled.

Because the foul was not particularly severe, referee Michael Oliver did not issue a card, only a verbal warning.

Wenger breathed a sigh of relief, but Klopp was very dissatisfied. In his opinion, Li Qing had already completed the breakthrough, and Monreal, who committed the foul, should have received a yellow card!

As a winger who frequently breaks through, being fouled is commonplace. Li Qing was unfazed. He pulled up his socks, stood up again, and ran towards the penalty area.

Superstar Moment, 100% shot conversion, active skill.

A header is also a type of shot, but his heading ability is not yet up to par. He just doesn’t know if using the unique active skill Superstar Moment will convert a header into a goal.

Coutinho took a direct free-kick from 45 degrees on the right side of the attack. Li Qing, jostling for position, silently chanted, “[Superstar Moment] activated!”

The ball rose from the ground, flying towards the penalty spot with a clear inward curve.

At the same time, Li Qing felt as if he had an intimate connection with the ball, able to feel each other’s presence, and even the strength in his feet was stronger than before.

Perhaps because Li Qing had no record of scoring with a header, only Ramsey was marking him.

Li Qing bent his knees and stood on his toes to the left of the penalty spot, leaping high into the air. His arms naturally rose to maintain balance, and his eagle-sharp eyes fixed on the ball’s landing spot. He twisted his head and swung his body, heading the ball flying through the air towards the goal. _

Feilu reminds you: three things to do when reading – collect, recommend