Chapter 55

When Kaká turned to shake off Mapei and then took a long shot, threatening the goal guarded by Dida, Leonardo shouted excitedly from the box, "Brilliant!"

After shouting, he smiled apologetically at Galliani.

Galliani showed no reaction.

How could he not know that Leonardo was doing this for his benefit?

Just a moment ago, he had been questioning Kaká's level, and Kaká responded with a beautiful turn and a shot.

He admitted that Kaká's move was very impressive.

But it was just one move.

If this was the only highlight, it wouldn't prove anything.

Even an amateur player might score a world-class goal.

If you only watched a player's highlight reel, everyone would be a king of football.

You have to watch the entire game to see how they perform throughout.

This young Brazilian player's performance in the first sixty minutes was a failure. If he couldn't show something impressive in the last thirty minutes, it wouldn't move AC Milan.

Leonardo was well aware of this. A single moment of brilliance wouldn't fool a battle-hardened fox like Galliani.

He sat down and silently prayed that Kaká would continue to perform outstandingly in the remaining time, just as he usually did.

He firmly believed that if Kaká played normally, it would be enough to impress AC Milan.

※※※

Rongguang, who had been provoked by Kaká, couldn't swallow this.

"Damn!" He spat forcefully behind Kaká.

How dare you look down on me?

In the first sixty minutes, someone was playing like an idiot, but it wasn't me!

He was going to show his colors with his performance!

I'm not any worse than Kaká!

But he didn't have the chance...

Corinthians' defense against him was very strict, not much different from how they defended Kaká.

If there was one team that left the deepest impression on Rongguang, it was Corinthians.

Because Rongguang, as a rookie, scored a goal that made him famous, and his opponent was Corinthians.

It was in the match against Corinthians that Rongguang scored a stunning goal, helping São Paulo defeat Corinthians.

Later, everyone knew that Corinthians had been defeated by a beginner who had only been learning football for a little over a month, making Corinthians a laughingstock.

This defeat was so memorable for Corinthians that their coach was fired by the furious Corinthians club president, Doria.

So when they met again, Pereira learned from his predecessor Júnior's mistake.

He arranged a very tight defense against Rongguang.

As long as Rongguang didn't enter the 30-meter area, it was fine. Once he tried to break into Corinthians' defensive third, he would face intense close marking, making it impossible for him to run.

Experienced defenders had a simple strategy against Rongguang.

Since Rongguang wasn't good at dribbling—before the match against Santos, the evaluation was "can't dribble," and Rongguang's special training had indeed brought significant improvement—just close marking and pushing him to the sidelines was enough.

Pereira had studied São Paulo's previous matches, especially the match against Santos.

Actually, Santos' defense had been very successful, but when Rongguang made a mistake and lost the ball, they were eager to counterattack and forgot this. This led to a stretched formation with too many gaps for Rongguang to exploit.

In the end, Rongguang didn't disappoint them. He went from defense to counterattack in one go.

The strategy against Rongguang was simple: compress the space, especially behind you, and don't give Rongguang room to sprint. His speed wouldn't matter because he wasn't good at controlling the ball.

The current situation was perfect for Corinthians to adopt a defensive counterattacking strategy.

Since they were leading in the aggregate score, they didn't need to take risks by attacking São Paulo. If they were caught off guard, it would be a disaster...

They didn't want to be penetrated by Rongguang again.

So they could focus on defensive counterattacks, letting São Paulo play the possession game. In such a game, Rongguang was useless.

From this perspective, the 3-2 away win against São Paulo in the first leg was particularly important.

If Corinthians had to attack at home, the match would be much harder.

※※※

Rongguang was anxious. He remembered what the coach, Oswaldo, had said.

If you perform poorly, you'll be substituted!

He didn't want to be substituted.

If that happened, he would become a laughingstock...

Moreover, he saw that Kaká's performance was improving, which made him even more anxious.

Corinthians' defense was deep, mainly to prevent São Paulo from using Rongguang's speed to attack behind them.

But this created an opportunity for someone else.

Kaká was now very adept at shaking off Mapei in midfield.

After shaking off Mapei, he didn't rush into the penalty area. Whenever he had the chance, he would take a shot without hesitation!

All long shots!

Because Corinthians' defense was pushed back by Rongguang, they couldn't block Kaká's shots in time, allowing him to take several long shots without pressure.

One shot even forced Dida to make a spectacular save, barely keeping the ball out and earning São Paulo a corner kick.

"Kaká's form is getting better and better. These shots are up to his usual standards!"

Although he didn't score, after each shot, Kaká gave himself a fist pump, encouraging himself.

He was calibrating his aim!

He felt he was very close to scoring!

He had a strong feeling that he was about to score!

※※※

The moment came in the 72nd minute, ten minutes after Rongguang came on. Kaká again shook off Mapei in midfield and, facing the goal from 33 meters away, took a long shot!

"Kaká is at it again—"

In the commentator's elongated scream, the ball drew a clear arc in the air, bypassing the defenders in the penalty area and the goalkeeper Dida's fingertips...

Then it dove into the net!

"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!! Kaká! Kaká! Kaká! Kaká! Kaká has scored for São Paulo! 1-0! The aggregate score is 3-3 between São Paulo and Corinthians!"

The São Paulo fans in the stands erupted in a huge cheer, like a volcanic eruption.

They had finally waited for it!

São Paulo had finally scored!

Kaká had finally scored!

He was back to his normal self!

After scoring, Kaká pointed his hands to the sky, looked up, and murmured a prayer, thanking God.

He believed that the issue with the Brazil national team roster was a test from the Lord.

If he couldn't pass this test, he might have sunk completely.

But now, he had finally overcome his inner demons and passed the test!

This goal was proof!

Of course, in his euphoria, Kaká wouldn't remember how he overcame his inner demons...

※※※

Seeing Kaká score, the other São Paulo players rushed to celebrate with him.

Only one person was an exception.

Rongguang, when Kaká took the shot, rushed into the penalty area, hoping to get a chance for a follow-up shot.

Because Kaká's previous shots hadn't scored, he had even scolded Kaká for wasting opportunities and suggested he pass the ball to him. Of course, Kaká wouldn't pass the ball to him, just as he wouldn't pass to Kaká...

But this time, like before, Rongguang didn't get a chance for a follow-up shot.

This time, the ball didn't go out of bounds, nor was it saved by Dida.

This time, the ball flew directly into the goal!

He had scored!

Rongguang was stunned for a moment.

But he quickly continued to run forward, all the way to the goal.

With his speed, the goalkeeper Dida hadn't even reacted when he picked up the ball and turned to return.

Kaká had scored, and he wouldn't celebrate. He also didn't have time to celebrate.

Ten minutes had passed, and he still hadn't shown anything impressive... He was very anxious.

He was afraid that he would be substituted by Oswaldo next.

To avoid being substituted, he had to be more active before scoring.

※※※

Kaká, while celebrating his goal, turned his head and saw Rongguang through the crowd, running with the ball towards the center circle.

He realized that even if he scored a goal, the aggregate score was 3-3, but Corinthians had three away goals, and São Paulo only had one.

If this score held until the end, Corinthians would win the title based on the away goal rule!

What am I celebrating here for?

We haven't won yet!

This rookie, on the other hand, seemed more clear-headed, which made Kaká's face flush.

What's wrong with me...

Why am I not as composed as a rookie?

If Kaká knew that Rongguang was being so active just to avoid being substituted early, he might have been mortified—using the mindset of a mature player to judge a rookie was a waste of emotion!

※※※

"It seems only Rong has remained calm in this situation. That's not easy," the assistant coach Mauro was also very satisfied with Rongguang's performance.

"This rookie always brings us some unexpected surprises," the head coach Oswaldo also praised Rongguang.

Kaká's goal slightly eased the tense situation, so he had the leisure to comment on Rongguang with Mauro.

As the head coach of the first team, Oswaldo had seen Rongguang's progress with his own eyes, and each improvement made him more determined to keep Rongguang in the first team.

At first, he didn't think Rongguang could help the first team in any way.

He just felt that this kid was improving rapidly and wanted to keep him close to see his progress firsthand... Watching someone grow from zero to a competent footballer was a wonderful feeling.

But unexpectedly, Rongguang, staying in the first team, had saved the team more than once... becoming São Paulo's "key man."

When Kaká, Ricardinho, and others were injured one after another, and São Paulo's first team couldn't even field a full 18-man squad, Rongguang's breakout performance against Corinthians, followed by three consecutive outstanding performances, helped São Paulo overcome the most difficult period.

In the crucial match against Santos for a place in the top four, it was Rongguang's outstanding performance as a substitute that secured São Paulo's third place and a spot in the semi-finals.

Without Rongguang, São Paulo probably wouldn't even have a chance to compete with Santos for a top-four spot, let alone reach the final...

And now, Kaká's goal, in a sense, was also due to Rongguang.

Because Corinthians were so wary of Rongguang's speed, they tightened their defense, giving Kaká multiple opportunities to take long shots from outside the penalty area. His goal was also a result of this.

If Rongguang hadn't played, Kaká wouldn't have had so many opportunities to take long shots in front of Corinthians' penalty area.

It might seem that Kaká was in the spotlight, while Rongguang had no chance to shine.

But it was precisely because Corinthians focused their defense on Rongguang, who had brought them great shame, that Kaká found opportunities.

Of course, Kaká's poor performance in the first 60 minutes also helped, as Corinthians didn't defend him as tightly as before.