The perfect midfield: It starts with never passing the ball to Ronaldo.

[Congratulations, host, for unlocking Harvey's organization template.]

[Organization: 6-10]

[Gain new passive ability]

[Rhythm Center]

Once the host receives the ball, the entire stadium will automatically generate a real-time reorganized spatial star map in their consciousness, with teammates' next runs, defenders' shifts in center of gravity, and chain reactions after each pass all highlighted as fine lines.

The host can break through the defense without using speed, but rather by using passing and rhythm to make the defense break apart on its own.

I. Stadium Scan

The position, orientation, speed, and defensive tendencies of all the surrounding players enter the brain like constantly transmitted radar waves.

Even when receiving the ball with his back to goal, he can calculate how far away the pressing player is, which diagonal cutting lane is open, and how big the gap is for long-range passing.

II. Passing Tree Calculation

The moment you receive the ball, your mind automatically generates a passing decision tree: lateral pass, back pass, through ball, over the top, switch play, or safe pass. You will generate the optimal solution in the first instant.

III. Beat Collapse

When the opponent speeds up the pace of the game or when the player is pressured from the high post, the player should lower their racket the moment they touch the ball.

The host can use a stop, a pull, or a seemingly unnecessary lateral flick to force the rhythm back to their feet, allowing the hidden through ball route to slowly emerge during the pause.

As Mario exited the system interface, his smile grew increasingly crooked.

A perfect passing ability combined with top-notch playmaking, all from a club like Manchester City with an unparalleled bench depth.

So what if they're competing on four fronts? In his remaining time with Manchester City, the Ballon d'Or winner will sweep all the trophies and make the entire Premier League tremble at Mario's feet.

You're the first victim!

The Premier League's Champions League kings!!

.....

In April, Liverpool is swept by sea breezes carrying moisture from the Mersey River, blowing from Albert Dock all the way to Anfield Road.

As dusk approached, the streetlights came on one by one, illuminating Anfield Road as a river of orange-red light.

Tens of thousands of Liverpool fans, dressed in red jerseys, poured in from every corner of the city, their steps hurried and determined.

The singing had already begun in the crowd, initially scattered, but soon it blended together like the tide crashing against the rocks.

The melody of "You'll Never Walk Alone" lingered over Anfield.

Two miles away, Manchester's bus was slowly approaching.

The dark blue car body looked like a lone boat going against the current amidst the red-clad crowd.

The crowd suddenly became restless.

Suddenly a bottle flew out from the roadside, tracing a muddy parabola in the air before hitting the bus with a dull thud.

Then came canned goods, fireworks, and all sorts of miscellaneous items, as fans frantically gave the Blue Moon players the middle finger.

The bus driver did not stop.

Inside the car window, Mario calmly gazed outside.

"They were scared."

"Of course they have to be afraid!" De Bruyne whispered beside the Ballon d'Or winner. "We have the greatest player in football history!"

The Belgian glanced at Mario with a hint of envy.

Not only because José is the most expensive and strongest football player on the planet, but also because Mario's rumored supermodel girlfriend completely ignores Courtois.

She directly posted Courtois's private social media messages, criticizing him for being a slut while also showing loyalty to the Ballon d'Or winner.

For some reason, after seeing this message, De Bruyne found Mario more pleasing to the eye.

He had already come to regard Ruoze as a good brother in his heart.

Club brothers are definitely more important than national team brothers~

The bus finally made its way through the crowd and into the safe area outside the players' tunnel.

The car doors opened, and Manchester City players filed out.

Mario was the last to get off the train.

He stood at the car door and made a throat-slitting gesture at the Liverpool fans.

This is a return favor for the attack just now.

"Right here," he said. "Tonight."

.....

There are forty minutes left in the match.

Klopp stood in front of the tactics board, with dense handwritten notes behind him.

His finger was pointing at the Manchester City half of the pitch on the tactical board.

"José Mario".

"I don't need to elaborate on this person's abilities."

"Whether in the backfield, midfield, or attacking third, everyone be on high alert whenever Mario has the ball!"

"Can you hear the singing outside?"

"This is Anfield."

"We are Liverpool."

"No matter who's on the other side, we'll win this game."

In the Manchester City dressing room on the other side, Guardiola didn't say much.

The tactical arrangements were made before the match.

He looked at Mario.

Guardiola knew his future son-in-law didn't need any persuasion.

Whenever a major battle comes, he is always like this, like a killing machine in standby mode, quiet and focused, until he kills the game.

"coach."

"Don't worry, we'll return to the Etihad with a smile." Mario spoke up, sensing Guardiola's gaze, after all, he was his child's grandfather.

After Mr. Golden Ball finished speaking, he continued to review the footage from watching the game three days earlier.

Liverpool's high pressing created space for Firmino to drop back, and a large open area behind Arnold.

He can see.

It's not imagination, it's not analysis.

It is something I truly saw.

When he closed his eyes, an aerial view of the entire Anfield stadium unfolded in his mind. Every Liverpool player's running habits, every gap after a press, every passing route, were like highlighted lines, shimmering in the darkness.

This is the capability of the beat center.

......

Welcome to Anfield! Welcome to Sky Sports' coverage of the first leg of the 2017-18 Champions League quarter-final between Liverpool and Manchester City!

The narration was broadcast worldwide via television signal.

"Tonight at Anfield, the temperature is 9 degrees Celsius, it's windy, and the pitch conditions are ideal. The starting lineups for both sides have been announced."

"For Liverpool, the goalkeeper is Karius, the defense is Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson, the midfield is Henderson, Milner, Chamberlain, and the front three is Salah, Firmino, and Mane."

"For Manchester City, the goalkeeper is Ederson, the defenders are Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, and Laporte, the midfielders are Fernandinho, De Bruyne, and José Mario, and the forwards are Sterling, Jesus, and Sané."

The sound of the players stepping out of the tunnel had barely faded when the roar of the crowd at Anfield reached its peak.

"You'll Never Walk Alone!"

More than 50,000 people sang together.

The sound was like a solid wall, pressing in from all directions.

The lights on the lawn were obscured by smoke, and the air seemed to tremble.

Mario stepped onto the Anfield grass.

He looked up at the row of large red characters on the main grandstand, then looked down and rubbed the turf with his toes.

The referee blew the whistle, and the game began.

Just as Klopp had instructed, Liverpool launched a relentless high press from the very first second.

Just 30 seconds later, Salah intercepted Otamendi's pass in the attacking third, but his subsequent shot was saved by Ederson.

A huge sigh of regret erupted at Anfield.

Manchester City tried to organize play from their own half, but Liverpool's pressing was simply too aggressive.

Fernandinho received the ball but had no way to pass it out, so he could only pass it back to Ederson, who then launched a long ball.

The first ten minutes were played in Manchester City's half.

Liverpool were awarded two corner kicks.

Van Dijk's attempt to get a shot off went over the crossbar, and Milner's long-range shot was blocked.

"Liverpool have made the start they wanted."

"Manchester City were somewhat passive; their defenders seemed a bit tense."

Liverpool's relentless pressure finally allowed them to break the deadlock in the 12th minute.

Henderson intercepted De Bruyne in midfield and immediately played a diagonal pass to Salah on the right.

Salah faced Laporte, cut inside, and curled a left-footed shot into the far corner!

The ball arced through Ederson's fingertips and rolled into the net just past the far post.

1 is better than 0!

Anfield was bombed.

The red-clad fans in the stands jumped wildly, red fireworks rose into the night sky, and the singing was louder than ever.

Salah ran toward the corner flag and made a signature celebration gesture.

His teammates rushed over and overwhelmed him.

Klopp pumped his fist on the sidelines, a fervent smile on his face.

Guardiola stood at the edge of the technical area, hands in his pockets, expression calm.

He glanced back at the bench, then looked towards the center of the field.

Mario stood near the center circle watching the Liverpool players celebrate.

His expression remained confident, showing no sign of frustration.

The score is 1-0.

Time: 13 minutes.

Everything is under control.

Mr. Golden Ball gestured to De Bruyne.

The gesture was simple: give me the ball.

Starting in the 13th minute, the game was turned around by an unseen hand.

Mario began to drop deeper into midfield.

This is not a tactical adjustment.

It was his own decision.

Mr. Golden Ball received a cross from De Bruyne.

Henderson and Milner pounced on him from behind, two red figures flanking him from two directions.

Mario, with his back to Henderson, sensed Henderson's position with his back, then suddenly performed a croquet move, knocking the ball between his feet to the left, while his body swayed like a roly-poly toy using Henderson's impact to turn.

Henderson lost his footing and crashed into Milner.

The two bumped into each other and stumbled.

Mario has dribbled the ball and turned to face the goal.

A gasp rippled through Anfield.

He glanced up and the entire stadium unfolded in his mind like a star map.

Sterling is sprinting, Sané is stretching the flanks, and Jesus is providing cover for Kompany's run.

He opted for a through ball.

The ball, as if guided by a laser, passed through the gap between Arnold and Lovren, landing precisely on Sterling's path.

With just the right amount of force, the happy boy didn't need to adjust his stride frequency and dribbled directly into the penalty area.

"Chance!"

"Sterling has a one-on-one chance!"

Sterling's right-footed shot was blocked by Karius's leg.

Anfield breathed a sigh of relief.

But fans soon realized that this was just the beginning.

In the 18th minute, Mario received a cutback pass from Sané on the left flank of the attacking third.

He had already spotted De Bruyne's run down the right flank as he controlled the ball.

A long diagonal pass, the ball arced out and landed precisely in front of De Bruyne.

Unfortunately, the latter's shot went wide.

In the 23rd minute, Mario received the ball in the middle, facing a double attack from Chamberlain and Henderson.

He faked out Chamberlain with a shoulder drop and then delivered a curling pass with the outside of his foot to Walker, who had made a run down the right flank.

Walker crossed the ball, and Jesus headed it over the bar.

In the 27th minute, Mario received a cross from De Bruyne just outside the penalty area.

He received the ball with his back to goal, holding off Van Dijk behind him.

Virgil van Dijk is 193 cm tall and weighs 92 kg, making him arguably the strongest center-back in the Premier League.

The Dutchman pressed close and used all his strength to hold Mario's waist.

But Mario didn't budge.

He stood there like a mountain, his back to Van Dijk, the ball firmly under his feet.

The passive function of the giant elephant's body is at play.

The rock-solid protection makes the Golden Ball player almost unshakeable in confrontations.

Mario felt Van Dijk's weight pressing down on his back.

He was waiting, waiting for the moment Henderson left the middle lane.

Then he made the movement.

A half-turn.

Mario, taking advantage of Van Dijk's push, suddenly turned around, poked the ball between Van Dijk's legs, and then ran over him like a heavy truck on the other side.

Van Dijk was knocked off balance and stumbled, losing his center of gravity instantly.

"Mario gets past Van Dijk! He's past Van Dijk!"

Facing the onrushing Karius, Mario calmly glanced at the goal before taking a shot.

The ball skimmed the ground and rolled at high speed toward the far corner.

Karius didn't have time to get off the ground.

The ball grazed his toes and rolled into the net.

1 is better than 1!

Anfield became much quieter immediately.

Mario didn't celebrate; he simply picked up the ball, turned, and ran back to the center circle. He wasn't satisfied with just one away goal in this match!

The camera panned to the VIP boxes in the stands.

After scoring, Manchester City began to control the tempo.

But Liverpool did not collapse.

Klopp's team seemed to regain some composure after conceding the goal; their pressing became less reckless, and the three midfielders began to maintain distance.

In the 34th minute, Salah created another threat. He cut inside from the right and fired a low shot, which Ederson made a diving save.

In the 38th minute, Chamberlain had a long-range shot opportunity on the edge of the penalty area, but the ball flew just wide of the post.

"Liverpool played with great resilience."

"But the problem now is that Mario's passes seem to have become more dangerous; he always seems to find gaps in Liverpool's defense."

"This person's organizational skills are terrifying."

Just as he said that, Mario put on another passing display.

In the 41st minute, Manchester City intercepted the ball in their own half, and Otamendi passed it to Mario.

Mario receives the ball near the center circle, with Henderson in front of him and Firmino pressing back from behind.

He first gently flicked the ball past Firmino's outstretched leg, then launched a long diagonal pass.

The ball arced through the air, passing over Arnold's head and landing in front of Sané.

Sané took the opportunity to break through at high speed along the left flank.

"Perfect pass!"

"The ball was flawless in both its landing point and power. Sane didn't even adjust his pace before accelerating."

Arnold tried desperately to catch up, but the German was too fast.

Sané easily evaded Lovren's inward movement with a simple shoulder drop, then curled a cross with his right foot, the ball spinning inward.

The ball was extremely fast, and its trajectory was directly between the penalty spot and the far post.

The pass wasn't perfect; the arc was a bit flat, and the height wasn't ideal.

For most players making runs from deep, this ball was too difficult to handle; the speed was too fast, and the angle was too narrow.

But Mario is no ordinary person.

At the penalty spot, Van Dijk had already tracked back to his defensive position. The Dutchman judged the trajectory of the ball, braced his legs, and prepared to jump and clear it.

Mr. Golden Ball, who came on later, jumped a beat earlier.

In that instant, everyone at Anfield witnessed the spectacular scene: Mario seemed to spring up from the ground, his sky-blue jersey billowing in the wind, his body tilting at the perfect angle in the air.

Van Dijk was also in the air, but he was clearly a step too slow; Mario's head was already above the Dutchman's arm that was maintaining his balance.

"José Mario!"

Neville in the commentary box had already stood up.

Mr. Golden Ball's forehead struck the ball precisely.

A perfect shot to the top.

The power from the waist and abdomen is fully released at the moment of contact with the ball, and the ball flies straight into the bottom right corner of the goal like a cannonball.

Karius lunged to make a save, but it was to no avail.

The ball not only flew fast but also cut at an angle; the black and white lightning struck the inside of the goalpost and bounced into the net.

2 is better than 1!

Manchester City take the lead!

As the net bulged back sharply, the whole of Anfield was singing the last word of "You'll Never Walk Alone".

Mario got up from the ground.

He patted the team emblem on his chest forcefully, facing the Red Army's loyal supporters in the stands.