Messi’s eyes were sparkling brightly.

As Chen Zhong left his side, the free air entered his lungs through his nose.

In that moment, Messi felt his whole being heat up, and on the sidelines, Guardiola’s previously troubled face finally showed a smile.

Mourinho seemed to sense the emotions of the two and couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

Even though Chen Zhong was no longer providing one-on-one service for Messi, aren’t there still Khedira and Alonso?

And he had already talked to Di Maria.

Coaching Real Madrid and coaching Inter Milan are two different experiences; at Real Madrid, having Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka track back is tough, but having Di Maria do it is easier.

"Alright!"

"It seems like this really is Mourinho’s intention."

"To have Chen Zhong focus more on the offensive end."

"It’s a risky choice."

"But in a certain sense, it has a subtle balance."

"Although Barcelona’s Messi has more room to play."

"Likewise, Chen Zhong will put immense pressure on Barcelona’s defense."

"Mourinho has adopted completely different strategies at Real Madrid compared to his time at Inter Milan."

Mourinho, while coaching Inter Milan or Chelsea, often secured victory through solid defense, but he used a completely different strategy at Real Madrid.

How did that turn out?

"Barcelona has ball control."

"Pedro is trying to break through on the flank."

"Marcelo."

"This is definitely a foul."

"But the referee didn’t call it."

"Barcelona’s attack is very fluid."

After unleashing Messi, Barcelona became agile in offense almost instantly.

Marcelo tried to stop Pedro’s advance on the wing. He recklessly put out a leg but didn’t touch the ball, yet Pedro didn’t fall to the ground, he staggered and stumbled forward.

The referee had the whistle in his mouth but after briefly hesitating, did not call a foul.

Pedro passed the ball to Messi, who cut inside right after receiving it, leaving the pursuing Khedira sprawled.

This move directly ignited Camp Nou, with Barcelona fans in the stands raising their arms and chanting Messi’s name.

And amid these cheers, Messi skillfully threaded a through ball while under Real Madrid’s defense, the ball weaving between Pepe and Ramos, finding Villa directly.

"Messi cuts inside."

"Left Khedira sprawling."

"Through ball."

"Beautiful!"

"Villa succeeds in breaking the offside trap!"

"One-on-one!"

Huluwa Villa, famously known as the "Real Madrid Assassin," successfully beat the offside trap, receiving the one-on-one ball from Messi and directly striking fiercely facing the goalkeeper.

Casillas made a save attempt.

However, Villa’s shot was determined and decisive, leaving Casillas watching the ball slip past his fingertips helplessly.

"Goal!"

"Villa!"

"4:3"

"Barcelona takes the lead."

"Messi’s assist, Villa’s goal."

"Villa received Messi’s inside cut through ball, calmly and composedly struck a one-on-one shot facing Casillas."

"This is the third team Villa has represented that broke Real Madrid’s goal."

"Casillas seems to have something to say."

"He’s complaining to the referee, claiming Villa was offside."

Camp Nou turned into a sea of joy with Villa waving his arms, looking exceedingly exhilarated as he broke Real Madrid’s goal once more, further proving his "Real Madrid Assassin" moniker.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid fans in the stands had mixed feelings, with some thinking that if Chen Zhong were still by Messi’s side, such things wouldn’t have happened.

Of course, some consoled themselves believing Chen Zhong would soon score a goal.

Casillas relentlessly argued with the referee, stating loudly: "That was offside, offside."

"I saw it very clearly."

"Didn’t you see it? Damn it!"

Casillas spoke with a red face, likely rattled by conceding four goals.

After repeated explanations resulted in nothing, the referee expressionlessly took out a yellow card from his pocket, which drove Casillas even more "crazy."

Chen Zhong rushed over, pulled Casillas into an embrace, and quietly chastised: "Shut up, damn it."

"Do you want to be sent off?"

Casillas glanced at Chen Zhong and gradually closed his mouth!

Chen Zhong apologized to the referee: "He’s just a bit overly excited."

"Let’s continue the match!"

The referee glanced at Chen Zhong without further comment. Villa’s run was impeccable, and fans watching on TV saw it too.

It was a perfect combination of passing and running.

When Messi released the ball, Villa just coincidentally crossed the defensive line, leaving no issue here.

Guardiola grinned ear to ear on the sidelines, simultaneously glancing at Mourinho as if to say, are you sure letting Chen Zhong leave is a wise move?

If a poem were to describe Guardiola’s mood, it’s probably the one about breaking the iron shoes in vain, only to achieve effortlessness.

Mourinho didn’t look at Guardiola; his expression was somewhat grim, clearly misjudging Messi’s skill while overestimating Khedira’s capabilities.