The Player and the Ball Arrive Together, a Brilliant Through Ball (Bonus Chapter for 1,000 Favorites)

The whistle blew, and the second half began.

Valencia launched the first attack.

Barcelona's players pressed high up the pitch, leaving Valencia's players no time to relax. They sent the ball flying upfield with a long clearance.

Possession changed hands.

De Jong collected the ball in the middle and passed it to Messi, who had dropped back to receive it. Messi played a sideways pass to Griezmann in the center.

Griezmann held off the defender behind him and passed the ball back to De Jong, who had moved closer.

The opposing defense was packed tightly together, leaving almost no room for a through ball or a pass over the top.

De Jong had few options. He could only keep passing and hope Valencia's players would come out to meet them.

But many La Liga teams had long since grown used to playing this way against Barcelona.

The tiger wouldn't leave its den.

Go on, pass the ball around outside if you like. As long as you don't come forward, we won't come out either. Besides, no one can accuse us of passive play when we're the ones defending.

Besides, earning a point against Barca would be like a windfall for Valencia.

Li Mingyu roamed along the flank, with the opposing fullback, Gaya, shadowing him almost every step.

These days, no team dared underestimate Li Mingyu.

His frightening scoring rate had already made him the biggest headache for the La Liga coaches who would have to face him.

They already had the maddening Messi to deal with. Add a terrifying goal machine like Li Mingyu, and this two-pronged attack was enough to leave every team scratching its head.

Li Mingyu had dropped back toward the halfway line to receive the ball, and Gaya couldn't afford to follow him out.

Li Mingyu was no longer the same player he'd been in the previous few matches. The boosts from Lizarazu and Mendieta's attributes had made him more than a pure attacker who only knew how to charge forward.

The talents of these stars had given Li Mingyu more than just attribute boosts. They had also taught him new ways of thinking about the game, given him greater resolve, and broadened his vision.

Before, Li Mingyu had only roamed through the middle and along the wings. He'd never known what a different world the midfield could be.

With the ball in midfield, Li Mingyu quickly glanced from side to side, assessing the situation on the pitch. Then he played a short pass to De Jong, who was coming to meet him.

As for Li Mingyu, he quickly ran into a small pocket of space.

De Jong's eyes lit up. He immediately sent a low pass toward Li Mingyu.

Aside from De Jong, no one saw anything unusual in Li Mingyu's pass and run.

But in that pocket of space, Li Mingyu played a through ball that cut straight through Valencia's back line and found Griezmann.

Griezmann had only spotted a gap and made a tentative run into it.

He was stunned to see the ball come through just as he set off.

The player and the ball arrived together.

It was what every forward dreamed of.

When I see a gap, I run. And once I do, the ball comes straight to me.

The pass was so perfectly placed that Griezmann didn't even need to adjust. After one touch, he unleashed a powerful left-footed shot that beat the goalkeeper.

Valencia's goalkeeper, who had played brilliantly in the first half, could do nothing about the shot. He smacked the turf in frustration and cursed.

Griezmann had scored, but the television camera cut straight to Li Mingyu, standing forty meters from goal.

Li Mingyu raised his arm high, a thrilled smile on his face.

That pass had truly come in a flash of inspiration. After dropping back, he'd surged forward again, drawing the opposing defensive midfielder away from his position and opening a small gap in the back line.

And Griezmann's timing had been perfect. If Li Mingyu had passed earlier, the opposing goalkeeper would have claimed the ball. If he'd passed later, Griezmann would have been offside.

After scoring, Griezmann turned and pointed at Li Mingyu. He ran over excitedly and embraced him tightly.

"Li, what a pass!"

The others crowded around to embrace them too. Li Mingyu sensed a hint of malice. Damn it, I wasn't the one who scored!

Ruffling his hair, slapping his back, kicking his butt—the whole series of celebration moves played out on Li Mingyu again, smooth as ever.

Damn it!

One day, I'll figure out who's doing this. I'll kick his ass black and blue!

With Barca taking the lead, Valencia's parking-the-bus tactics no longer made sense.

Their once resolute defensive setup began to show signs of disagreement.

Valencia coach Gracia watched Li Mingyu fix his hair with envy. This young man was incredible.

And his development was downright frightening. In just a few games, he'd become such a superb attacker, and his passing had grown so incisive. Terrifying.

On the sidelines, Koeman felt incredibly fortunate. He'd nearly given up hope, only to discover such a gem in the reserves. Li Mingyu had not only saved his career, but could make it more glorious than ever!

The game resumed.

Li Mingyu dropped back to receive the ball again, but this time Valencia wouldn't let him have it so easily.

Their South Korean attacking midfielder, Lee Kang-in, pressed him.

It was the first time Li Mingyu had encountered a player with an Asian face.

Seeing his opponent charge at him like a wolf, Li Mingyu had no interest in exchanging pleasantries. He spun 180 degrees on the spot, putting Lee Kang-in behind him.

Lee Kang-in had the relentless, tenacious pressing style of a South Korean player. He kept tugging at Li Mingyu's shirt and making little fouls behind his back.

But he was very savvy. Each time he tugged, he let go as soon as he felt Li Mingyu's movement had been disrupted.

He wasn't just using his hands, either. He kept trying to poke the ball away from Li Mingyu's feet.

With a defender not far in front of him, Li Mingyu couldn't build up any speed. Lee Kang-in kept harrying him, and he grew increasingly frustrated.

With a subtle movement, Li Mingyu flicked the ball back to De Jong with his heel, then strolled toward the wing.

Seeing Li Mingyu pass the ball, Lee Kang-in was delighted. He thought his defense had succeeded.

But he stayed right beside Li Mingyu, never letting him out of reach.

De Jong sent the ball to the other side, finding Messi.

At that moment, everyone's attention shifted to Messi's side of the pitch. Even Lee Kang-in couldn't help glancing toward Messi.