An Absurd Ballon d'Or, a Don Balón Who Knows How to Go Easy (10,000-Word Update)

Guardiola also offered his own explanation: "Football is war in peacetime. Deploying troops and assigning generals is a tactic in itself."

"Most of the time, we aren't fighting for a single match, but for the entire season."

"Besides, even Barcelona's substitutes and youth players are not to be underestimated. In our internal training matches, the substitute team has beaten the starting team before!"

"We absolutely regard AC Milan as an opponent worthy of serious caution. We won't go easy on them, nor are we qualified to go easy on the Champions League winners from two years ago!"

When the media heard that Barcelona's substitute team had actually beaten the starters, they could not help but marvel inwardly.

A powerhouse was truly a powerhouse. Who would have thought Barcelona's substitutes and youth players were so capable?

Guardiola grinned foolishly from the side.

He would never tell them that Lu Yang had been on the substitute team that time.

On December 7, the final round of the Champions League group stage kicked off.

For Ajax, Robin Van scored twice in the first half, leading Ajax to play with flair and confidence.

He gained the upper hand in his contest with Haaland.

After that, Dortmund's wide midfielder pulled one back with a low drive.

But in terms of the overall run of play, Ajax held an absolute advantage.

That was because their finisher, Haaland, had been almost completely frozen out by Pidek throughout the first half.

But the turning point came in the final minute of the first half.

Dortmund launched a high-quality counterattack.

Haaland and Pidek were both determined to win the aerial ball.

The two engaged in an intense clash.

As a result, due to his positional disadvantage and other factors, Pidek suffered a serious ankle sprain during his battle with