Chapter 1244: Barça Can't Hold On and Lu Yang Returns!

September 11, the third round of La Liga commenced.

Barça played away against Real Sociedad and narrowly won 1-0, taking home three points.

However, this match revealed significant issues for Barça.

Because the goal wasn’t scored by Mateo, but by midfielder Ortiz!

Even the assist didn’t come from Mateo, but from the team’s forward Mancini.

The goal didn’t come in Barça’s traditional style; it was Mancini’s speed that tore apart the opponent’s defense before making a cutback pass.

Then Ortiz advanced and scored from a long shot outside the penalty area.

This is a style of goal that is very uncharacteristic of Barça.

Barça used to rely on passing, then spectacular breakthroughs and dazzling coordination within the penalty area to score goals.

Throughout, Mateo is absolutely a soul-like presence.

But in this match, Real Sociedad imposed insane restrictions on Mateo.

While Mateo didn’t lose possession often, his forward breakthroughs and passing decreased significantly from usual.

Most of the time, he could only dribble laterally, pivot, or pass back.

This is not a positive sign.

Considering the previous match, Gudiola has reason to believe that future La Liga teams will treat Mateo this way.

Everyone can see that Mateo hasn’t yet reached the level where he can win the battle alone.

Only when he’s in top form can he do it.

This weakness was actually exposed in last season’s Champions League by Real Madrid. After two or three months of tactical analysis, most La Liga teams have grasped its essence.

After all, Barça is a traditional powerhouse in La Liga, and everyone needs to study them.

This is just like how everyone studied Real Madrid previously, discovering their flaw of having too many star players, strong offense, and weak defense.

But for Barça, this is discovered at a very inopportune time.

Because in less than three days, Barça’s first Champions League group match of the season will begin.

Barça vs Dortmund, AC Milan vs Ajax.

After 90 minutes, the famous devilish home stadium of Dortmund resonated with the frenzied laughter of the Dortmund fans.

The smiling face of their striker Hanlanda, who scored the winning goal, was truly like a demon’s lair.

The people of Barça left utterly dejected.

0-1, Barça’s stunning defeat in the Champions League!

Elsewhere, AC Milan was also temporarily suppressed by Ajax’s youthful storm.

Robin Fan scored a spectacular goal just eight minutes into the game.

Unfortunately, although AC Milan lost Izalelt, their team spirit remained, and they are very adept at turning the tide.

Just before the end of the first half, Sogel received a pass from Andrés and scored a powerful shot to equalize.

In the 65th minute of the second half, Praxedes won a penalty in Ajax’s penalty area.

Andrés converted the penalty, leading AC Milan to a comeback victory and securing their Champions League opener win.

After the match, Gudiola was surrounded by the media.

Reporter: “Barça’s defeat in the Champions League, with the team currently bottom of the group. Did you anticipate this situation.”

Gudiola speechless: “The matches have just started. It’s meaningless to talk about points and rankings now. Football is round, and any result is possible.”

Reporter: “Experts suggest that Barça’s firepower has greatly reduced this season. Moreira is an indispensable member of Barça, and Barça is paying for their summer arrogance. Do you agree?”

Gudiola: “Mateo has three goals in two league matches; I don’t see where it’s reduced.”

Reporter: “But he didn’t score in this match!”

Gudiola: “These issues are solvable. Don’t forget we have a highly capable scorer on the bench.”

Reporter: “So has Lu Yang confirmed his return date?”

Gudiola: “Soon!”

Gudiola refused to delve deeper into Mateo and the team’s scoring issues with the media, as what they said was true and hit the mark.

Such issues don’t need more exposure.

At this time, only Lu Yang can temporarily draw everyone’s attention away.

You could say, Lu Yang redirected much of the focus from Barça’s loss.

Even if he is not playing, he is helping the team in a passive way.

But unexpectedly, some people do not appreciate this.

They consider it very irrational to pin hopes on an injured player.

Some even think Lu Yang is not only not playing but also seeking the limelight!

Different positions and perspectives reveal different things.

On September 18, Mebarak, who scored the only goal of the match, said in a post-match interview: “I’ll say it again, Barça has never relied on just one player.”

“Even if we have to rely on someone, it should be Mateo, not anyone else!”

When Gudiola heard this interview, he almost had a brain hemorrhage.

This bastard!

Isn’t saying this just to stir up the conflict between Mateo and Lu Yang?

You insist on pushing Lu Yang aside for Mateo to get a high salary, and then you also get a high salary?

Even if you have this thought, can’t you wait two years?

Haven’t you seen Ortiz and Hernandez starting to extend the hand of friendship to Lu Yang?

The current Barça is really not as strong as you think.

If the team’s performance is poor, who will have anything good to eat?

Mebarak is truly a mediocre player because only mediocre players will place their pay rise hopes on others. Because they know, with their ability, they can never earn a high salary.