Chapter 254 Competing with Ronaldo
"We still underestimated Su Dong!"
When seeing Su Dong rushing out of the field to celebrate the goal again, Barcelona coach Rijkaard shook his head helplessly in front of the visiting team's coaching bench. It was obvious that he had no good solution to the current situation on the field.
Less than half an hour into the first half, Valencia was leading by two goals.
Not to mention that Rijkaard was not good at on-the-spot command and adjusting tactics according to the opponent. Even if he was proficient in it, he couldn't come up with an effective method at this moment, unless he replaced two players at once like Aragones and burned his boats.
Rijkaard asked himself if he had the courage to do so.
"He has improved a lot in strength compared to the last match. More importantly, no one in our team can stop him. Even if Davis didn't get a red card, we would still be helpless on the court." Assistant coach Ten Cate smiled bitterly.
"Benitez, this cunning fox, calculated Su Dong's point accurately and fully utilized his ability and tactical role to the extreme that he can achieve at present. This guy is an absolute tactical master."
Hearing Ten Cate's praise for Benítez, Rijkaard looked at his Dutch compatriot in surprise.
In his impression, Ten Cate has always been very ambitious. Even though he is his assistant, he still insists on his own set of principles in his heart. In some areas, he even goes against Rijkaard.
Sometimes, even Rijkaard was annoyed by him.
But the Black Swan also has to admit that Ten Cate is a very capable coach.
I just didn't expect that this assistant coach, who has always been arrogant, would have such a high opinion of Benítez and Su Dong.
"Benitez's strategy is actually very simple. He shrinks the defense in the midfield and backcourt, and quickly finds the two wings and the center forward after stealing the ball, giving full play to Su Dong's tactical role. Vicente, Rufete and Aimar all revolve around Su Dong. Therefore, anyone can be absent, but if Su Dong is absent, Valencia's strategy will not work!"
This is also why Valencia still won despite the absence of Vicente and Aimar in many games this season.
But in January, Su Dong was absent for two weeks, and Valencia had two draws and two losses in these two weeks, without winning a single game, and even scored no goals in the last three games, which was very similar to the poor performance of last season.
"Valencia's explosion this season is due to Su Dong, and now they are eight points ahead of Real Madrid."
It is now the end of February, and with an eight-point lead, we have basically grasped the La Liga championship trophy with one hand.
As long as Valencia doesn't make any big mistakes or encounter any major problems, the championship is basically in its pocket.
"We still have to try our best to get Su Dong, he is more useful than Eto'o and Saviola," Ten Cate suggested.
Rijkaard glanced at Barcelona's number seven player on the field, Saviola the Rabbit.
Just at this time, Barcelona had an attack. Ronaldinho took the ball and tried to break through, but was clamped by Valencia's double defensive midfielders. He wanted to pass forward, but Saviola was disturbed by Ayala and could not run out of the open space. The Brazilian superstar was forced to pass back.
Barcelona's offensive organization ended in vain.
"This is the limitation of Saviola," Ten Cate said, pointing to the court.
"Throughout the ages, no matter what time it is or what tactics are used, a strong center forward is always the most needed role on the football field. It's just that different types of center forwards are selected according to different tactics."
"Ronaldinho is a fantastic midfielder. Once the ball is at his feet, it is basically impossible to be intercepted. But you see, he couldn't pass it just now because no one in front could withstand Valencia's defense."
"If Ronaldinho can't hold up in front, he will face too much defensive pressure. He can handle one-on-one situations and one-on-two situations, at least he won't lose the ball, but he is not Superman after all."
"At this time, the midfielder needs someone to share Ronaldinho's tasks, and the front also needs someone to score goals and suppress the opponent's defense. It is best to be able to hold the ball. There are not many such center forwards."
Ten Cate said a lot, all good things about Su Dong.
Rijkaard also heard these words from another person, that is, Barcelona godfather Cruyff.
Cruyff told Rijkaard that Sudon is the most suitable center forward for Barcelona in today's world football.
"He has all the qualities of a perfect center forward!" These are Cruyff's original words.
Speed, explosiveness, flexibility, height, jumping, strength confrontation, game commitment...
Su Dong possesses almost all the abilities and characteristics that a center should have!
Someone once said that Kluivert is the most perfect center forward, but compared with Su Dong, his speed and explosiveness are not good enough, his scoring ability is not good enough, and his tactical discipline and professionalism are also far behind Su Dong.
"You're right, Genk." Rijkaard nodded. He believed in Cruyff and Ten Cate's vision.
Of course, he has played professional football for so many years, and he also believes that he has the ability to judge people, and Su Dong is indeed quite good.
"But you overlooked one point. Valencia will not let him go so easily. They need to pay at least 40 million euros for the transfer fee. Do you know that?"
Ten Cate was slightly moved. 40 million euros is definitely a sky-high price.
You know, how much did Ronaldo cost when he transferred to Real Madrid? He came to Real Madrid with the aura of the World Cup top scorer and the third World Footballer of the Year.
Su Dong has only played one season in La Liga. Can he maintain this high level in the future? Will he be just a flash in the pan like countless predecessors? "The management is also very controversial about this. Cruyff strongly recommended Laporta to sign Su Dong, but Rosell strongly opposed it. He wanted to bring in a player who can play immediately, such as Vieri or Trezeguet."
Having said this, Rijkaard sighed helplessly.
There is one thing he didn't say, which is that Barcelona's finances are not abundant.
Forty million euros can be taken out, but the question is, is it worth taking the risk?
"Su Dong is only 19 years old. Valencia will definitely not sell him cheaply. Su Dong himself probably won't reject staying in Valencia because he is already the undisputed core of Valencia's frontcourt. In this case, if you want to dig Su Dong, you can only pay a high price. I think it's worth it!" Ten Cate said firmly.
Rijkaard looked deeply at his assistant and couldn't help laughing.
Damn it, the money is not yours, and you are not the head coach either. You just move your lips and don’t have to bear any risks and pressure. Of course you think it’s worth it!
If it were me, I would also say it’s worth it!
The problem is, I have to take the risk!
If I spend 40 million euros or even more to buy him, and I fail to use him properly, then wouldn't I, as the head coach, be to blame?
This is also the reason why Rijkaard is reluctant to express his position!
He wanted to get Sudong, but Sudong was too expensive!
Sometimes when I think about it, it’s really shocking.
Last summer, Rijkaard was considering signing Su Dong. At that time, his market value was only 10 million euros, which was already a sky-high price in the Portuguese Super League. But who would have thought that in less than a year, his market value had soared three or four times.
This is professional football! …………
…………
While Rijkaard was sighing, Valencia once again had a chance to counterattack.
After Su Dong got the ball on the right side of the penalty area, he forced his way through Marcos and rushed into the penalty area with the ball.
Marcos tried his best to chase, but he collided with Valdes in the penalty area. Su Dong got between the two and passed the ball to the middle.
What is unbelievable is that when Mista faced the empty goal, he actually stopped the ball, but was trapped by Puyol and Oleg who arrived in time.
A great opportunity to expand the score was missed in vain!
Rijkaard could no longer sit still on the sidelines and immediately shouted at the players to pay proper attention to defense, especially Cocu who was lagging behind in the midfield, and he must pay attention to protecting the defense line.
What was even more unfortunate was that Marcos collided with Valdes and fell to the ground, and both were carried off the court.
Valdés soon returned, but Marcos left the game.
…
Valencia's continuous attacks at the beginning of the first half made Barcelona more cautious.
Benítez also knew when to quit and adopted a cautious strategy after taking a two-goal lead.
In the second half, both sides became more cautious and even reluctant to launch an attack.
Everyone can see that Valencia is saving its strength for the Champions League match away to Bayern Munich in midweek.
In the 64th minute, seeing that the situation was almost over, Benítez immediately replaced Su Dong.
Mohamed Sissoko came on as a substitute and Valencia returned to a three-man midfield with three defensive midfielders to strengthen the defense.
Rijkaard made a substitution in the 70th minute, replacing Motta, who was performing mediocrely, with former Valencia midfielder Gerard.
It was Gerard who came from behind and headed the ball past Ayala, pulling one back for Barcelona.
Then Barcelona even launched a fierce attack at one point, trying to equalize the score.
Valencia retreated on all fronts, and Carbone even received two yellow cards in just ten minutes and was sent off with a red card.
This also made the Valencia fans at the Mestalla Stadium very dissatisfied, because the referee in Madrid always made things difficult for Valencia. It was like this at the Bernabeu, and it was still like this at the Mestalla Stadium!
But the game ended with Valencia beating Barcelona 2-1 at home.
Su Dong scored twice again!
This is his 27th La Liga goal this season!
In 25 rounds, 27 goals were scored, and this goal efficiency is enough to shock people.
And everyone's expectation for him is not just to score 30 goals, but to surpass his idol Ronaldo!
…
While Sudon scored twice to help Valencia beat Barcelona, Real Madrid beat Espanyol 4-2 away, with Ronaldo also scoring twice.
The two of them seem to be competing with each other!
(End of this chapter)
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