"Hey! Gentlemen, you need to stay focused! When Real Madrid counterattacks, you must disrupt them immediately!"
Guardiola spoke to the Barcelona players in a calm tone.
Under the current circumstances, too much pressure would only cause these players to become even more demoralized.
"Iniesta!"
Guardiola suddenly called out: "Go warm up!"
Upon hearing this, Iniesta stood up and left the locker room.
The others exchanged glances.
Iniesta was injured!
Although it wasn't too serious, Guardiola had kept him on the bench to rest in preparation for the Champions League.
They originally believed they could easily defeat Real Madrid at home, but judging by how things were going, they were already halfway off the cliff.
In this situation, they couldn't afford to be careless.
The Champions League carried enormous pressure.
But that didn't mean they could give up on the league!
Guardiola was internally frustrated.
The Champions League alone was already giving him a headache.
Now Real Madrid was causing trouble in the league too.
The pressure of competing on both fronts was suffocating his players.
Still, they had no choice but to push forward.
"Leo!" Guardiola finally turned to Messi.
He gently wrapped an arm around Messi's shoulders and said softly, "Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Pass when you should pass, dribble when you should dribble. Play your own game. Be clear about your thoughts—don't let their rhythm dictate you!"
Ever since Suker joined Real Madrid this season, Messi had been under increasing pressure.
The media hype was one reason.
The pressure of fighting on multiple fronts was another.
It could be said that Suker was constantly applying pressure on Messi.
League top scorer race
Champions League scoring table
Points table
In all these areas, Messi was falling behind, and it was taking a toll on his mental state.
Under the barrage of media criticism, his mental decline only accelerated.
In this match, Messi's performance was still flat.
Almost no dribbling—just passing.
Even though Guardiola had told him before the match to focus more on team play and passing…
There are moments when he still needs to break through!
But now, Messi was playing like he was on autopilot.
Coach says pass? He passes.
Coach says dribble? He dribbles.
No initiative or judgment of his own.
A coach can only provide an overall strategy—on the ever-changing pitch, players are the real protagonists.
Adapt to the situation.
Different scenarios call for different methods of breaking the deadlock.
That's how you win.
But Messi seemed lost now, to the point that Guardiola was forced to bring on Iniesta.
Guardiola gave Messi one last deep look and sighed internally.
An assistant coach leaned over and whispered, "If Messi doesn't take that step forward, he'll be crushed by Suker."
Guardiola shook his head. "That's just his personality—stubborn. If he can't figure it out himself, there's nothing we can say that'll help."
Both men sighed.
This match was supposed to be a decisive clash between Suker and Messi, but now their trump card had a mindset issue.
Barcelona and Guardiola could only place their hopes on Iniesta.
Meanwhile, in the Real Madrid locker room...
Suker was eating a banana while his teammates were all in high spirits.
After all, they were two goals up away from home.
The tactics laid out before the match were executed to perfection—even beyond expectations.
"We're two goals ahead, but we can't relax. I know you've burned a lot of energy with all the running in the first half, but the second half is the key—hang in there!" said Leidepu (the coach), looking at everyone. "I'll make substitutions around the 55th minute. Marcelo ran a lot in the first half—"
Before he finished, Marcelo raised his hand: "Coach, I can keep going!"
Marcelo didn't want to be subbed off.
He was tired but felt he could still contribute.
Leidepu nodded slightly. "Alright. But if you can't hold on, let me know immediately so we can get ready."
"Okay, gentlemen! The second half is crucial. Focus on defending. Remember—counterattacks are not the goal. Defense is the key."
Soon, halftime ended and both teams returned to the pitch.
Suker approached Alonso before the restart.
"If there's a chance to counterattack, just boot the ball forward into space. I'll chase it down myself!"
Just because others were tired didn't mean Suker couldn't run.
At the right moment, he'd use a stamina recovery card to go full throttle at Barcelona's back line.
He knew the second half would be tough—Barcelona would go all out!
"We've received word: Barcelona made two changes at halftime. Keita and Pedro off, Henry and Iniesta on!"
Commentator Gonzalez remarked, "Real Madrid has forced Iniesta to play. I don't know how serious his injury is, but this change tells us—Barcelona is going all in!"
With Iniesta on the field, he could shoulder some of Messi's responsibilities.
This would ease the pressure on Messi. Both of them could tear through Madrid's defense.
No more of the first half's "where's Messi" problems.
Plus, Henry had entered the front line.
Barcelona now had more firepower up front.
In the second half, teams switched sides.
Suker took deep breaths, adjusting his state.
He kept his eyes on Barcelona's half.
Messi's expression remained blank—his eyes a bit dazed.
But Iniesta's presence would massively aid Barcelona's attack.
Iniesta and Xavi together? That combo could dominate Madrid's midfield.
Last time, Xavi was absent—Madrid won.
This time, Iniesta missed the first half—Madrid led.
Now both were on—Madrid's defense was in danger.
One excelled at dribbling and solo play.
The other was a field general—great at reading the game, and threading defense-piercing passes.
Barcelona excelled at stretching the field side to side.
But they also had the killer straight pass.
Soon, the second half resumed.
64th minute — Barcelona used rapid ball circulation to stretch Madrid's back line.
Iniesta and Xavi's intricate passing was aided by Messi dropping deep to join them.
Madrid's defense was compressed.
Then—Xavi chipped the ball over Ramos.
Henry surged forward and volleyed to the far post.
Casillas came out fast—and saved it with his left foot.
The rebound fell to Messi—who shot again.
Boom! It hit Ramos's ankle and deflected out.
Ramos collapsed inside the goal, gasping for breath.
Barcelona's offense was now razor sharp.
And it was only the 60th minute!
Still 30 minutes left.
Hang on!
Ramos gritted his teeth.
Suker looked back from the front line—helpless.
As a striker, he was the counterattack outlet. He had to stay upfield and wait for passes.
Frustrated but bound to his role.
Boom! Ramos cleared the ball.
"Beautiful! Ramos heads it out—Real Madrid counterattack coming?"
Alonso picked it up and looked up.
Suker moved forward.
But—Xavi pressed suddenly, with Iniesta flanking him.
They stole the ball.
"Ohhh—Alonso rushed it. He didn't see Iniesta on the side."
Iniesta took the ball and did a silky elastico past Diarra, then poked the ball through the defense into open space.
Messi chased it, feinted, and wrong-footed Marcelo.
He cut across and swept the ball into the box with his left.
Henry held off Ramos and nudged it into the far post.
Goal!
71st minute — Barcelona pulled one back.
Henry grabbed the ball and rushed back to midfield.
The Camp Nou erupted with thunderous applause and cheers.
"Henry!! Comes through at the key moment!"
"A delicate finish at the near post—Casillas tried, but couldn't stop it."
"Barcelona gets one back—Guardiola's substitutions are working!"
Henry waved his arms, firing up the crowd.
Real Madrid made substitutions.
Marcelo, Diarra off.
Albiol, Gago on.
They were going full defensive mode.
But then—Barcelona got even bolder.
This time, the danger came from the full-backs.
Alves and Maxwell bombed forward on both flanks.
With Iniesta and Messi working in the half-spaces, Barcelona's shape fully expanded.
Suker cursed.
Guardiola was waiting for this.
Once Madrid's counterattack weakened, Barcelona attacked without fear.
Real Madrid's coach Leidepu had been outplayed.
He lacked the top-level experience to go toe-to-toe with Guardiola tactically.
81st minute — Barcelona got a set-piece near the box.
They didn't shoot.
It was a set play.
As Xavi took the kick, players scattered like flower petals.
Henry crashed into the box.
Madrid's defense got torn apart.
Ball reached Iniesta.
He dribbled past Diarra, then cut inside the box.
Henry blocked Ramos.
Iniesta shot to the far corner.
Goal!!!
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAL!!!"
"Iniesta!! My god! Barcelona equalized!"
"Guardiola's halftime subs were spot on! There's still over 10 minutes—can Barcelona complete the comeback?"
The stadium was in a frenzy.
Victory belonged to Barcelona!Victory belonged to Barcelona!Victory belonged to Barcelona!
Barça fans were ecstatic.
They were about to turn the game around—and nothing was more thrilling.
Look closely!
You bastards from Madrid!
The Barça fans got cocky again.
Suker heard the booing and jeering again.
It had quieted after he showed off his jersey.
Now it was back.
He retreated into his own half, anxious.
"Just boot the damn ball forward! Forget accuracy! Just launch it into space!"
Better than not being able to pass at all.
Guardiola pumped his fists—he was right.
Madrid focused too much on Messi, leaving Iniesta unmarked.
One more goal—and they could win!
"Barcelona equalized in the second half. Madrid's advantage is gone, and their stamina is fading. With only one sub left, their options are limited!"
Gonzalez pursed his lips. "Are we going to rely on Suker again?"
Real Madrid fans watching at home were a mix of anxious, regretful, and disheartened.
Such a strong first half—blown away in the second.
Leidepu clenched his teeth.
He wasn't a top coach, but he had one dumb method from his B-team days.
He took a deep breath and waved his arm hard from right to left.
"Everyone! If you get the chance—boot it long!!"
He shouted with all his strength.
"Long balls forward!"
They had no other choice.
Trust Suker!
"Metzelder, get in and help Alonso with defense!"
Their final sub was another defensive one.
For Madrid, now it was hold the draw, chase the win.
They couldn't afford to concede again.
"Madrid makes its final change—another defensive reinforcement. With Di Maria off, the only man left for counters is Suker."
Gonzalez grinned.
Tactically, maybe this Madrid coach wasn't so bad.
Full defense—only Suker left to counter.
The match resumed. Barça immediately pressed high.
After scoring twice, they were full of momentum.
Boom!! Ramos launched the ball forward—straight toward Barça's goal.
Suker cursed.
He sprinted—but the pass was too far.
Under Puyol's pressure, he couldn't accelerate.
Barça regained possession.
They wouldn't settle for a draw—they attacked harder.
Suker retreated, staying near Puyol.
Puyol shadowed him, not even watching Madrid's half.
Then it happened.
Suker suddenly widened his eyes in shock.
"No way…"
Puyol turned instinctively to look.
At that instant, Suker burst forward.
"Alonso!!!"
Suker roared as he accelerated.
Alonso, by the sideline, immediately launched a long ball.
Puyol realized too late—he'd been tricked.
He lunged, trying to drag Suker back—but missed.
Suker surged forward, caught up with the ball, and controlled it perfectly.
Gonzalez slammed the table and shouted:
"Suker!! One-on-one!!"