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Chapter 229 - Chapter 229: A Masterclass in Positioning!

Mané sprinted into the net, grabbed the ball, and rushed it back to midfield.

Leo Lin pumped his fist toward the Liverpool fans and roared.

Klopp clenched his fists, jaw tight.

Beside him, Krawietz applauded frantically, urging the team to keep pushing forward.

"They've pulled one back!"

"Ten minutes into the second half, Liverpool get one back!"

"It's now 2-3!"

"Sadio Mané is tough as steel. He fully deserves his place as Liverpool's starting force on the left!"

"A brilliant assist from Arnold. A perfect delivery for Mané's goal!"

"I wonder how many still remember the second leg against Bayern Munich, when Arnold's corner created that decisive goal for Leo Lin."

"And now it's Arnold again. As a full-back, his attacking instincts and technical ability are outstanding!"

"Klopp's new attacking setup is extremely deceptive. Firmino, Leo Lin, and Robertson form overlapping movements, while Salah stays wide to pin Marcelo and prevent him from dropping into the box."

"This draws Real Madrid's entire defensive focus toward those three inside the area."

"Meanwhile, Mané makes a textbook run in behind, slipping past the entire back line. A perfectly timed movement, and he converts Arnold's pass."

"Klopp has come prepared with new ideas. He's been to a Champions League final before. He knows exactly what it takes to win it."

"At least so far, everyone at Liverpool has performed steadily. That alone is crucial."

"They're playing well, and with time still left, they're just one goal away from leveling the score!"

In the Sky Sports booth, Gerrard and Carragher slapped hands in celebration.

Most of the pundits still favored Real Madrid, but Gerrard and Carragher remained firmly behind Liverpool.

"There's still a chance. There has to be," Gerrard said, his voice trembling. At that moment, he wished he could be out there helping the team.

Mané quickly carried the ball back to midfield, and play resumed.

Turpin kept a close eye on the clock, making sure every second of stoppage would be accounted for. This was a Champions League final. There was no room for mistakes.

As the game restarted, Liverpool gradually regained control of the tempo with their new attacking approach, while Real Madrid began to fall into a more passive position.

On the sidelines, Zidane and his staff repeatedly reviewed the goal. Only by identifying the core of Klopp's system could they find a solution.

"The key is Lin, but also not Lin," David Bettoni said suddenly.

As Zidane's most trusted assistant, Bettoni had been by his side throughout his coaching career.

"Just now, our entire defense was drawn toward Lin. All our defensive plans were built around him."

"So once our defensive structure shifted, all attention naturally focused on him. And because of that, we lost track of Mané."

A bold idea formed in Bettoni's mind.

"Klopp anticipated that we would build our defensive system around Lin. So his new attacking tactic uses that very focus to create space for others."

"Once we commit to marking Leo Lin, the players operating outside that structure can use him as a screen to find opportunities. That's exactly why we lost Mané just now."

Zidane understood immediately.

That cunning Klopp had turned their defensive plan against them.

"Tell the players to return to our standard defensive shape. Casemiro stays tight on Lin."

"He marks him one-on-one. Modrić stays ready to support on the flanks."

Zidane made another defensive adjustment, and it proved effective. Real Madrid quickly stabilized the rhythm of the match.

Klopp also realized his new approach had been figured out. He adjusted again, keeping the team in a fluid triangular structure combining central and wide attacks, while Leo Lin was left in a direct duel with Casemiro.

Casemiro, a Brazilian defensive midfielder widely praised for his abilities, stood like a wall behind Modrić and Toni Kroos.

Watching him closely mark Leo Lin, Gerrard couldn't help but admire him.

"Casemiro combines strong tackling and interception with incredible anticipation and positioning."

"In that role, he reads the game early, cutting off passing lanes and tracking runs."

"He doesn't just anticipate one move. He can anticipate two, shutting down forward options before they even develop, giving maximum protection to the defense behind him."

Time ticked away, and the match settled into a tense stalemate.

65th minute.

"Real Madrid break forward again!"

"Cristiano cuts inside, gets past Robertson!"

"Henderson tracks back and makes the interception! Ronaldo goes down, but no foul is given. He's furious!"

76th minute.

"Leo Lin drives forward through the middle and shoots!"

"Over the bar, just slightly too high!"

...

"Liverpool win a corner."

"Arnold swings it into the middle. Firmino gets his head to it!"

"No miracle this time. It goes over."

"The camera cuts to the stands. Liverpool fans are anxious. Time is running out, and they are still behind."

Liverpool pushed forward with everything they had, but chances continued to slip away.

Time flowed like water. For the first time, Leo Lin wished it would slow down.

82nd minute.

"Real Madrid make a substitution. Isco comes on for Gareth Bale."

"Zidane looks to gain more control of the tempo."

After the substitution, Real Madrid shifted into a 4-4-2, focusing on defense. Zidane intended to see out the remaining minutes through counterattacks.

Klopp made no changes. Liverpool's best attacking players were already on the pitch.

They needed just one goal.

Just one.

88th minute.

"Firmino turns and shoots from the edge of the box. Over the bar!"

"He looks rushed. Time is almost gone!"

90th minute.

"The fourth official indicates four minutes of added time."

"Real Madrid are just four minutes away from the Champions League title!"

Leo Lin kept running, tirelessly.

All he wanted was one chance.

Just one.

93 minutes and 20 seconds.

"A fierce battle in midfield. Casemiro steps up to confront Leo Lin."

Firmino suddenly drops deep. He's seen Leo Lin's signal.

Sergio Ramos does not follow him, instead organizing the defensive line to push up and set an offside trap.

Real Madrid's back line steps forward, trying to push Liverpool as far away from goal as possible.

Firmino receives the ball with his back to goal.

At the same moment, Leo Lin bursts forward.

Casemiro reacts instantly, reading the movement. He anticipates Firmino is looking for Leo Lin.

Firmino takes Wijnaldum's pass, shields it, holding off Modrić.

He waits.

Waiting for Leo Lin's signal.

Leo Lin first moves left. Casemiro shifts with him, anticipating the run.

Then suddenly, Leo Lin stops and cuts sharply to the right.

He curves around Varane in a half-arc, then glides laterally along the entire defensive line, slipping past Varane again and moving toward Ramos.

By the time he reaches Varane, Casemiro has already made his second read.

But Leo Lin moves again.

This time, he explodes straight behind Sergio Ramos.

A third movement.

One step beyond Casemiro's anticipation.

From his initial movement to breaking behind Ramos, Leo Lin executes a continuous sequence of three sharp directional changes, folding his run across the line.

"Now!" Leo Lin shouts.

Firmino instantly swings his left foot, striking the middle of the ball with his heel.

A no-look backheel pass.

Pure instinct.

Paired with a once-in-a-generation run.

Leo Lin breaks the offside trap.

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