This shot from midfield, apart from being high, was just a waste of time.

Casillas easily cradled the ball in his arms.

"Real Madrid seems to have stabilized their defense during this period."

"With Alvaro on the field, the team’s defense line has become more stable."

"Now Mourinho needs to think about how to make the team score."

"After all, they’ve already conceded two goals."

"Guardiola seems to have made some adjustments on the sidelines."

With less than 70 minutes into the game, Villa already seemed to be running out of steam. The hero who scored two consecutive goals to help the team take the lead missed a rare opportunity because his legs felt weak.

Seeing that Real Madrid had gradually gained control of the game, Guardiola also thought about using this substitution to disrupt Real Madrid’s rhythm.

Villa understood, first bending over to catch his breath, then raising his hand towards the fans, and leisurely walked towards the sideline.

Ramos saw this scene and hurriedly urged him, even pushing Villa directly with his hands.

And this played right into Villa’s intentions; he immediately straightened his chest and confronted Ramos, while the Barcelona fans in the stands vented their emotions with boos.

"This is not very calm!"

"Ramos, calm down!"

"Don’t get into a quarrel."

Ramos was clearly getting steamed; the team was two goals behind, and the opponent was dragging their feet. As they argued more, Ramos pushed Villa again, and Villa fell to the ground.

Players from both teams gathered around, Xavi and Iniesta, who were Ramos’s teammates on the Spain National Team, tried to mediate, but Ramos just "smiled."

One hand shaped like a claw aimed at Xavi’s neck, while the other hand shaped like a bow pushed towards Iniesta’s face.

However, Ramos’s "attempt" was thwarted, as Chen Zhong hugged Ramos around the waist and turned him to face away from anyone, while raising his right arm towards the referee to indicate that there was no issue here.

The referee frowned and looked towards the Barcelona side. Villa, though somewhat regretful, knew that temperamental Ramos didn’t fall for it, yet with the team leading by two goals, he decided to let it go at this point.

"There was a minor confrontation between the two teams."

"Ramos’s temper is as fiery as ever."

"Villa intentionally picked a fight with Ramos."

"The two have collided quite a few times in this match."

"Let’s look at the replay."

"Wow, Ramos wanted to choke and slap him!"

"They’re all national teammates."

"It’s a good thing Chen Zhong picked him up."

"Otherwise, a yellow card wouldn’t resolve it."

Villa reached the sideline and high-fived Bojan.

In 2007, Bojan’s start was more impressive than Chen Zhong’s. Bojan had already made it to the first team, and the club was preparing to support Bojan, with a bright future ahead, whereas Chen Zhong had only joined Castilla for less than half a year and was worried about securing a spot on the first team alongside his friends.

Bojan made his first-team debut for Barcelona on September 16, 2007, and just three days later, he appeared in the Champions League, becoming the youngest player in Champions League history—though this record was soon broken by Chen Zhong.

Back then, in the rivalry between Bojan and Chen Zhong, Bojan was still the one in the lead.

Moreover, in the year Bojan entered the first team, Ronaldinho’s form declined significantly, and Messi’s relationship with the club was tense. Being three years younger than Messi and a Catalan, Bojan naturally became Messi’s best potential replacement and a "threat" to Messi.

Bojan had a much better situation than Chen Zhong, being the "new star" promoted by Barcelona, while Chen Zhong was considered by Schuster for potential loan deals.

Additionally, in terms of positioning within the team, Real Madrid brought in the skilled player Schmelzer, while the situation at Barcelona was that, on one hand, Ronaldinho was benched, and Messi openly stood by Ronaldinho, directly opposing the management.

On the other hand, Barcelona did not want to let Messi go to the Olympics, yet Messi insisted on going, directly plummeting their relationship to its lowest point.

Of course, now the circumstances for both have flipped completely.

Chen Zhong went from being a "nobody" at Real Madrid to becoming the team’s flagship, leader, and captain, wearing the number 10 jersey, holding the team’s highest salary, and being a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or.

As for Bojan?

He has "fallen from grace," and although he continues to work hard under immense pressure, he frequently suffers from "despondency." Although he wasn’t marginalized under Guardiola, he also didn’t become a crucial figure, merely playing a part in the regular rotation.

After stepping onto the field, Bojan looked at Chen Zhong with a complex expression.

In fact, Bojan had considered giving up many times, but because of Chen Zhong, because of that guy who repeatedly appeared in his nightmares, crushing his pride to bits.

This resulted in Bojan intermittently pushing himself hard.

The power of love may be limited, but the capacity of "hatred" is boundless.

At times, Bojan would have somewhat "twisted" thoughts.

For instance, right here, right now.

He looked at Chen Zhong, and as he stepped in for Villa, he felt a touch of gratitude towards Chen Zhong...

Because he knew very well, that if it weren’t for the significant loss he suffered at Chen Zhong’s hands before entering the first team, which spurred him to work harder, he might have already...

Become the little "nobody" under Guardiola, and he would have left Barcelona.

After Bojan came on, Chen Zhong looked somewhat wistfully at this old acquaintance. The two met in 2007, but after that year, they hardly ever faced each other in official matches.

Bojan’s appearance made Chen Zhong feel a sense of remorse, while Messi, noticing Chen Zhong’s gaze linger on Bojan, slightly furrowed his brow.

Messi: "In what way am I inferior to Bojan? No, can Bojan even compare to me?"

"Bojan is on the field."

"The two have faced each other before entering the first team."

"According to rumors, Bojan seems to be somewhat afraid of Chen Zhong."

"It’s unclear what Chen Zhong did to Bojan back then."

"This seems to be their first encounter in such a match!"

As the game proceeded, the infighting within Barcelona’s management was evidently "traditional." On the sidelines, Guardiola frowned at Bojan. After coming on, the team became more active, and he wasn’t sure if this was a good thing.

"Barcelona’s attack."

"The ball is passed to Messi."

"Alvaro directly knocks Messi to the ground."

"He raised both hands, indicating no foul, and the referee did not blow the whistle."

"The game continues, and the ball is at Iniesta’s feet."

"Khedira!"

"What?"

"Chen?"

Real Madrid’s defense had become much tougher. Before Messi fell, he passed the ball to Iniesta, who managed to touch the ball just before being knocked over by Khedira.

Bojan, just on the field and full of energy, sprinted towards the ball with all his might.

Chen Zhong had already made a name for himself at Real Madrid, but Bojan still needed to prove himself!

After all, he is three to four years older than Chen Zhong!

Just as Bojan was about to reach the ball, the referee’s whistle blew, penalizing Khedira for the foul on Iniesta.

Bojan frowned slightly, thinking, wasn’t I about to reach the ball? Shouldn’t there be an advantage in the attack?

The next second, a familiar sensation caused his hairs to stand on end. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

It’s him!