"Luckily, Bravo started tonight."
After seeing Real Madrid win a free kick in the attacking third, Enrique thought, somewhat relieved.
Ever since the Champions League Final against Real Madrid, Barcelona Assistant Coach Juan Nsue and goalkeeper coach José Fuente had adjusted their goalkeeper training. During preseason camp, they had focused heavily on defending direct free kicks. Yang Yang was Barcelona's number-one hypothetical opponent for free-kick defense.
Juan Nsue had once been Barcelona's goalkeeper. Later, as a coach, he had served as Barcelona's goalkeeper coach three times, remaining in that position until he followed Louis Enrique to Celta Vigo. As for José Fuente, he had first been the Second Team's goalkeeper coach before later becoming the goalkeeper coach under Vilanova and Martino.
It could be said that both coaches were extremely experienced. The targeted training they had designed had been very helpful to Barcelona's goalkeepers. During free-kick training, they had even specifically invited free-kick experts such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi to imitate Yang Yang and put the goalkeepers through special training.
Ter Stegen's save rate against direct free kicks was lower than Bravo's. The coaching staff assessed that this was related to the blow he had suffered, because Yang Yang's long-range shot in the Champions League Final, along with his direct free kick near the end, had dealt him a tremendous psychological blow—one that might even affect his entire career.
Put simply, it had left a shadow.
Bravo, on the other hand, seemed to have a slightly higher save rate.
But no matter how well one trained, it was still inferior to facing the real thing in an actual match.
When he truly faced Yang Yang, would Bravo be able to succeed?
The Chilean goalkeeper stood in front of the goal line and first adjusted his gloves. Looking up,