We made you the King of Prisoners, and now you've become the King of Football?

Chapter 104 The Wind Chaser

The moment the whistle blew throughout the Stade Louis II.

The Monaco fans in the stands went wild.

The substitutes rushed onto the field in a frenzy.

Fabinho punched his fist and roared at the fans.

Mbappe and Lemar hugged each other.

Head coach Jardim and assistant coach Caldera bumped shoulders hard.

Europa League semi-finals!

The team has reached the European semi-finals for the first time in twelve years!

Monaco successfully eliminated Liverpool, the biggest title favorite this season!

Jiang Ming stood on the field and let out a long breath.

Just then.

A figure walked over from a distance.

A black baseball cap and his signature beard.

Liverpool's manager.

Jürgen Klopp.

Klopp walked up to Jiang Ming and extended his right hand.

"Congratulations, you deserve to advance."

Jiang Ming was stunned for a moment, then reached out and grasped the other person's hand.

"Thank you, Mr. Klopp."

Klopp took two steps back, looked Jiang Ming up and down, and his eyes showed undisguised admiration.

"You played brilliantly in both of those rounds."

"Attack organization, free kicks, and that scorpion kick at Anfield—"

3

"A midfielder like you who can solve the game on his own is what every coach wants."

Klopp paused, then patted Jiang Ming on the shoulder.

"To be honest, I've been thinking before, what would Liverpool be like if a player like you came to Anfield?"

""

The surrounding area was noisy.

Cheers and shouts mingled together.

Only two people could hear Klopp's words clearly.

Jiang Ming was slightly taken aback.

But Klopp quickly shook his head with a self-deprecating laugh.

"But it's too early to say that now."

"We're even struggling to qualify for the Champions League this season. The team is still being developed, and nothing is fully formed yet. Liverpool has a long road ahead."

Klopp's tone made his meaning very clear.

Liverpool at this stage cannot provide a platform for a rising star of this caliber.

Such a player with overflowing talent.

The stage should be the highest-level competition, the UEFA Champions League.

"Kick well, kid."

"When we return to the Champions League, we might have a chance to meet again."

1

"We'll have a proper talk then."

After saying that, Klopp nodded to Jiang Ming, turned around and walked back to the sidelines to shake hands with the calmer Jardim.

He then walked towards the players' tunnel, leaving Jiang Ming with a dashing silhouette.

Post-match press conference.

Klopp, as the manager of the losing team, was the first to arrive.

"First of all, we must congratulate Monaco. They deserve this place in the semi-finals; they have shown amazing resilience."

"Kang is an incredible player; he changed the course of the game at crucial moments in both legs."

"We created a lot of chances today, but unfortunately we were a little short in the final shot and couldn't convert our advantage into more goals."

"Now that the team's Europa League campaign is over, we will focus entirely on the league and strive for Champions League qualification next season."

Yaldin, who appeared next, was beaming with joy.

-

"I am proud of my players for being able to eliminate a powerhouse like Liverpool and advance to the semi-finals."

"Our pre-match counter-attack strategy worked very well. We not only withstood Liverpool's fierce attack for ninety minutes, but also scored two more goals as a result."

"Whether it's Jiang, Kylian, or Bernardo, the team's young players have all proven their worth."

"I believe that, given the team's current form, reaching the Europa League semi-finals will not be the end."

"We will take it one step at a time until we win our first European title in club history!"

The applause of the audience was thunderous.

In the Monaco dressing room.

The players are singing and celebrating.

Mbappe grabbed the champagne and ran away quickly.

Jiang Ming wiped the foam off his face.

He gave Mbappe the middle finger as a gesture of friendship.

He then sat down and opened the system.

The two-legged knockout stage matches of the Europa League have concluded!

Current stage: Quarterfinals to Semifinals

Current progress: 100%

[Ding! Current stage of the task has been completed!]

[Reward: Michael Irving "Wind Chaser" module; 10 attribute points can be freely allocated]

[Michael Irving's "Speedy Boy" module: Significantly enhances his instant acceleration when receiving the ball or starting with the ball, allowing him to outpace defenders with an extremely fast first step.]

[Note: As time flies, let everything go with the wind.]

"Michael Irving's module?"

Jiang Ming's heart stirred slightly, but he hadn't had time to think about it in detail.

A flood of memories rushed into his mind.

During this time, Jiang Ming even felt some changes happening to his legs.

It took a long time for this state to gradually subside.

Jiang Ming slowly exhaled.

After a short while, he roughly understood the core of this module.

This is completely different from the usual speed boost.

Michael Irving's speed has never been the extreme speed of a long sprint.

It is not a sudden burst of energy, but the first step that starts instantly.

Just as the defender shifted his weight to prepare to block the position.

Irving had already run half a body length ahead.

The purpose of this module is to allow you to accelerate quickly and create space when you are in close combat with an opponent.

Or when receiving the ball on a counter-attack, you can directly perform a powerful dribble.

A single advantage is enough to break through the opponent's defenses.

Michael Irving.

This young speedster was nurtured by Anfield's youth academy.

He became famous at the age of eighteen when he scored a goal against Argentina in the World Cup.

In 2001, he led Liverpool to a five-trophy haul and won the Ballon d'Or in the same year.

He is the last Ballon d'Or winner in English football history.

Unfortunately, repeated injuries have dulled Irving's explosiveness.

After stints at Real Madrid and Newcastle.

Owen's decision to join arch-rivals Manchester United has sparked widespread controversy.

Glory and controversy have plagued him for half his life.

In the end, all that's left is the fleeting nature of time, and everything vanishes with the wind.

Jiang Ming tried to stand up and moved his ankles.

It definitely feels different from before.

There was a light feeling under my feet.

This explosive burst of energy can just make up for a weakness in his counterattack.

Furthermore, Michael Irving's "Speedy Boy" module can perfectly complement his previous Ronaldinho "Accelerated Escape" module.

Just imagine.

The acceleration following the dribble, coupled with Irving's unstoppable start—

Another perfect combo!

Jiang Ming looked at the remaining 10 attribute points.

After thinking about it, I decided to put all the points into the speed-up attribute.

【Accelerate 5969】

Since he has been given a module that allows him to make a breakthrough.

Then increase the base values ​​yourself.

The speed-up attribute has also been significantly enhanced.

Feeling the cool sensation coming from my legs.

Jiang Ming felt that he was about to become a breakthrough player!

The next day.

A rooster crows and the sun rises over the land of China.

Sports channels are experiencing a surge in popularity.

Monaco defeats Liverpool 2-1 at home, 5-4 on aggregate, returning to the European semi-finals after twelve years!

"The Red Army's Nightmare! China's Young Player Creates Five Goals Over Two Legs to Dominate Advancement!"

Mbappe's counter-attack and one-on-one chance seals the victory! Monaco's twin stars connect to tear apart Liverpool's defense!

Firmino's volley wasn't enough to save the day! Liverpool attacked relentlessly throughout the match, but ultimately succumbed to Monaco's counter-attacking defense!

Monaco's young team has become the biggest dark horse of the season, defeating several top clubs in a row!

"Traffic value hits a new record! Scouts from multiple top clubs spotted at the Stade Louis II! Summer transfer window battle kicks off early!"

Focusing on Off-Field Details: What Did Klopp Say to Jiang Ming After the Match?

Comment area.

"These two rounds of matches were full of twists and turns, and I really enjoyed watching them."

"It's such a pity for Liverpool. They dominated possession and shots, but every time they pushed forward, their defense was breached."

"Doesn't that just demonstrate Monaco's sharp counterattack?"

"Holy crap? Jiang Ming scored three goals and had two assists in two rounds! What kind of monstrous performance is that?"

"Twelve years! Finally, they've reached the semi-finals again! Monaco has really surprised us this season; the young players are so energetic!"

"Whatever you do next, don't face Sevilla. That team has some kind of mystical buff in the Europa League; whoever plays against them is doomed."

Latourby Training Centre.

Today's tactics lesson was led by assistant coach Caldera.

Of course, the most important thing is that head coach Jardim flew to Nyon, Switzerland, to attend the draw ceremony for the Europa League semi-finals.

UEFA originally intended to continue inviting "Traffic Code" to participate.

As a result, Yardin rejected him without hesitation.

now.

Monaco players gathered around a large screen, watching the live draw for the Europa League semi-finals.

The sound of the glass marbles colliding was exceptionally clear on the television.

"Donetsk Miners —"

"Donetsk Miners —"

Mbappe clasped his hands together and silently recited the name of the team he wanted to draw.

The current top four are: Monaco, Sevilla, Villarreal, and Shakhtar Donetsk.

Among these four teams, judging solely from their team names and the strength of their respective leagues...

The weakest team is definitely Shakhtar Donetsk from the Ukrainian Premier League.

The remaining two teams are both from La Liga.

It would be better if we drew Villarreal.

If I draw Sevilla —

Thinking of this, the people of Monaco shook their heads.

Nobody wants to touch the defending champions, Sevilla.

This team is synonymous with the Europa League.

They won the trophy for the previous two editions in a row, showing an incredibly strong resilience.

The funniest thing is that they are the Europa League champions and have a direct qualification for the Champions League this season.

But this team seemed to be controlling the score, precisely keeping their points in third place in the group.

Therefore, they will be relegated to play in the Europa League.

This team seems to have been created specifically for the Europa League.

Just then, the lottery results were successfully displayed on the television.

"Semi-final Group 1 matchup: Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Sevilla."

As soon as the host finished speaking, everyone in Monaco breathed a sigh of relief.

The worst-case scenario didn't happen; the Europa League champions ended up in the other half of the bracket.

As for the remaining teams—

Immediately afterwards, the second matchup was drawn.

Villarreal vs. Monaco!

Jiang Ming stared at the yellow submarine team emblem on the screen, lost in thought.

My luck wasn't particularly good, nor was it particularly bad.

Although the team avoided Sevilla, a Europa League "bug".

But Villarreal is by no means a pushover team.

The style of this La Liga team.

This just so happens to be the same style of play that Monaco used in the second half of the season.

The standard is based on defense and counter-attack.

They also relied on speed on the sidelines to break through the defense.

Marcelino's team was even more disciplined in positional defense.

The third-best clean sheet record in La Liga speaks for itself; it wasn't achieved through luck.

Whether or not you can break through the opponent's dense defense is one thing.

The key is how to contain the opponent's counterattack, but it's alright.

The away game followed by the home game gives Monaco more room to adjust their tactics.

the other side.

China.

In the CCV5 live stream room, the chat was flooded with comments.

"It's a pity Monaco didn't draw Shakhtar Donetsk; that Ukrainian team is so easy to beat!"

"But it's already pretty good that I didn't get Sevilla."

"As for Villarreal, they are currently fourth in La Liga, which is quite a tough nut to crack."

"Marcelino's team plays a 4-4-2 counter-attacking style, with excellent discipline. Their defense is the third best in La Liga."

"They eliminated Napoli and Leverkusen to advance to the semi-finals, and are now on an 11-game unbeaten streak in European competitions."

"Forward Bakambu is incredibly fast, and with a seasoned midfielder like Soriano, their counter-attacks are very sharp."

"Huh? Does that mean both teams play a defensive counter-attacking style? Does this group just boil down to who can survive the longest?"

The next day.

The Monaco players returned to training.

Intra-team training match.

Jiang Ming and Mbappe are matched up against each other.

Mbappe watched Jiang Ming slowly dribbling the ball in front of him.

A smug smile played on his lips as he said triumphantly, "So what if I let you go over there?"

"You can't outrun me, you believe it or not?"

Jiang Ming remained silent.

Only the footwork changes.

The cowtail dribble shook off Mbappe's center of gravity.

After completing the dribbling move, accelerate with another step.

Mbappe was smug.

Jiang Ming had used this combo many times in training matches.

Only veterans like Carvalho can't keep up with his speed.

But who is he facing now?

Kylian Mbappe!

Jiang Ming's combo moves couldn't create any space for him at all.

Mbappe shook his head inwardly: "That kid Jiang really doesn't learn his lesson."

He immediately turned around, trying to catch up and show off his gaze at the moon.

Suddenly.

Mbappe rubbed his eyes.

"Am I seeing things?"

weekend.

The 34th round of Ligue 1 kicked off as scheduled.

Monaco will host Marseille at the Stade Louis II.

This is the first round of two matches per week for both sides.

-

A league match and a French Cup semi-final.

Marseille has been a top team in the league this season and is desperately trying to close the gap and secure a European qualification spot.

Facing direct rivals Monaco, they adopted a do-or-die attitude from the very beginning.

Romao and Lucas anchored the central midfield.

With Batshuayi leading the attack and Cabella roaming behind him, the team displayed a fierce attacking and defensive style.

"Marseille played very hard today," Sun Chen said in a deep voice.

"The midfield battle is intense, making it very difficult for Jiang Ming to distribute the ball today."

The atmosphere on the field was tense as soon as the opening whistle blew.

When Jiang Ming dropped back to receive the ball for the first time, Lucas immediately closed in, elbowing him in the lower back.

The movements were concealed, yet the force was considerable.

Jiang Ming staggered half a step, but still managed to pass the ball steadily to the wing.

Jiang Ming didn't rush to confront the situation head-on.

Against this type of aggressive midfielder, a direct attack will only waste your energy.

Jiang Ming began to move laterally, leading the two defensive midfielders back and forth in the midfield.

The ball stays at his feet for only a second; he either passes it to the wing or back, never hesitating.

Marseille's attack was more intense than expected.

In just three minutes.

Marseille gave Monaco a taste of their own medicine.

Cabella delivered a long, over-the-top pass from midfield, precisely hitting the back of Monaco's defense.

Batshuayi successfully beat the offside trap.

He controlled the ball inside the penalty area and unleashed a powerful shot in one fluid motion.

The football grazed Subasic's fingertips and slipped into the net.

September 12, 1986 – September 12, 2006!

Marseille got off to a dream start away from home!

The cheers at the Stade Louis II abruptly ceased.

The away team's fans erupted in deafening cheers.

Yaldin frowned, got up and walked to the sidelines.

After scoring, Marseille immediately retreated and set up an impenetrable defensive wall.

They clearly intend to win a match and use Monaco as a stepping stone to advance.

Jiang Ming stood in the center circle, his expression calm.

He'd seen plenty of impenetrable fortresses.

Marseille's marking was just tougher than expected.

Lucas stayed close to him almost every step of the way, and as soon as he received the ball, he was immediately subjected to physical contact.

For the remainder of the first half, Monaco relentlessly attacked Marseille's half but couldn't find a way to break through.

Mbappe repeatedly ran into the crowd during his sprints, and Lemar's shot from inside was blocked by a defender.

Jiang Ming orchestrated the midfield play, constantly maneuvering and pulling the ball around, while also dealing with close-marking collisions from the opposing team.

Halftime is over.

Monaco are currently trailing 0-1.

Intermission.

In the locker room, Yardin only said two sentences.

"In the second half, strengthen the wing play and create more opportunities for Jiang to receive passes."

"No matter how closely they keep an eye on someone, there will always be times when they can't keep an eye on everything."

The two sides switched sides for the second half.

Monaco's attack has clearly come alive.

Bernardo Silva frequently dropped back to midfield to receive passes and played short passing combinations with Jiang Ming.

The two full-backs on the flanks also took turns pushing forward, widening Marseille's defensive width.

The 61th minute of the match.

Jiang Ming dribbles the ball on the edge of the penalty area.

Lucas reached out and pulled, and another defensive midfielder came to his aid.

Surrounded by the two, Jiang Ming fell to the ground.

-

The referee blew his whistle and awarded Monaco a free kick in a very good position in the attacking third.

It is about 24 meters away from the goal, directly facing the goal.

Jiang Ming stood in front of the free throw spot.

The Stade Louis II gradually quieted down.

Everyone stared at his back.

Approach run, kick.

The football flew over the wall of players and plummeted downwards.

Goalkeeper Mandanda made a diving save, but his fingertips only grazed the air.

The football slammed into the net!

September 12, 1986 – September 12, 2006!

Monaco have equalized!

"A leaf ball! Another leaf ball!"

"Jiang Ming scores directly from a free kick! He replicates his amazing skill from the match against Liverpool!"

"Mandanda had absolutely no chance! That shot was from such a tricky angle!"

"This is his third direct free-kick goal of the season!"

The stadium erupted in cheers.

Jiang Ming ran to the sidelines.

His teammates swarmed around him.

The fans in the stands chanted his name in unison.

Monaco's morale soared after equalizing the score.

The attacks came wave after wave.

Marseille's defense gradually began to falter.

76 minutes.

Jiang Ming and Mbappe executed a one-two pass on the left wing.

He feigned cutting inside, then suddenly passed the ball across the penalty area to the far post.

The defenders were all drawn to Lemar at the near post.

Mbappe moved up quietly.

With no one marking him, he simply met the ball and shot.

The football soared into the far corner!

September 12, 1986 – September 12, 2006!

Monaco have taken the lead!

"Goal! Mbappe!"

"Jiang Ming's assist! One goal and one assist in this match!"

"Monaco turned the score around in just fifteen minutes!"

Jardim, standing on the sidelines, finally smiled.

The Marseille players were all dejected.

The initial advantage vanished, and the opponent scored two goals in quick succession.

In the final ten minutes or so, Marseille launched a last-ditch counterattack.

But Monaco's defense was rock solid.

The final whistle blew.

The score remained 2-1.

Monaco came from behind to defeat Marseille at home and take three points in the league.

three days later.

The French Cup semi-final was played at a neutral venue.

It's Monaco vs. Marseille again.

Whoever wins will advance to the Stade de France.

They just lost a game in the league.

Everyone in Marseille was burning with a thirst for revenge.

In this match, they simply gave up some possession and set up their defensive wall formation to the extreme.

The two defensive midfielders pulled back even deeper.

-

The entire team huddled in their own half to defend.

Only Batshuayi was left in the attacking third to look for counter-attack opportunities.

It's clear they want to stabilize their defense first, then try to score through set pieces and surprise attacks.

"Marseille played more conservatively today," Sun Chen commented.

"After losing the league match, they played more cautiously in the cup competition."

"We're going to wear Monaco down, until it comes to penalties."

Marseille's defense was very deep, with seven or eight players clustered around the edge of the penalty area.

Mbappe attempted several sprints, but the opposing center-backs blocked him out of position, leaving him no space to connect with the ball.

Marseille's counter-attack was quite impressive.

27 minutes.

Right winger Sarr breaks through on the wing and crosses the ball.

Batshuayi headed the ball towards goal inside the penalty area.

The football grazed the post and went wide.

35 minutes.

Cabella takes a long-range shot.

Subasic leaped and tipped the ball over the crossbar with one hand.

The away team's fans were shouting deafeningly.

The Maasai seem to have seen a glimmer of hope for advancing.

Jiang Ming remained steady, like a weaver in midfield.

The passes gradually stretched the opponent's defensive formation.

The first half ended in a goalless draw.

The score remained 0-0 until halftime.

The second half began with the teams switching sides.

Marseille's defensive intensity has noticeably weakened due to a decline in physical fitness.

-

The continuous high-intensity running caused both defensive midfielders to breathe heavily.

58 minutes.

Lemar's breakthrough on the left wing drew a foul from the opponent.

Monaco wins a corner kick on the left.

Jiang Ming stood in front of the ball.

The penalty area in Marseille was packed with people.

Monaco's two center-backs, Carvalho and Ghemesson, rushed forward.

The whistle fell silent.

Jiang Ming takes a running start and kicks.

The football has strong inward spin.

Bypass the defender at the near post.

Precisely drop to the rear point.

Carvalho leaped high into the air.

He overpowered the opposing center-back and headed the ball powerfully towards the goal.

Goalkeeper Mandanda couldn't make the save, and the ball went into the net!

"Goal!!"

"Carvalho! Header into the goal!"

"Jiang Ming's corner kick assist was so precise, it just bypassed everyone and landed perfectly at the far post!"

"1-0! Monaco takes the lead!"

The Monaco fans in the stands erupted in cheers.

Carvalho roared and charged toward the sidelines, where his teammates swarmed him.

That goal was absolutely crucial.

After conceding the goal, Marseille had no choice but to push forward and attack.

With two defensive midfielders positioned ahead, the two full-backs frequently make runs forward.

The gap behind the defensive line was immediately exposed.

Jiang Ming had been waiting for this moment.

72 minutes.

Marseille's cross from the wing was headed out of the penalty area by Jemerzon.

Jiang Ming controlled the football at the top of the arc.

Roma immediately pounced on him, reaching out to pull him away.

Just as the opponent's fingertips touched the jersey.

Jiang Ming gently poked the target with his toe and started moving.

His first burst of speed put him half a body length ahead of Roma!

"Great! Jiang Ming has broken free!"

"His startup speed is so fast!"

"Roma is completely outmatched!"

He dribbled the ball across the center line.

Jiang Ming looked up and glanced at the scene before him.

Mbappe had already made a diagonal run forward behind Marseille's defense.

Without the slightest hesitation.

Jiang Ming delivered a low, straight pass with his right foot.

The football just slipped through the gap between the two center-backs.

Mbappe understood perfectly.

Offside trap successfully broken!

He faced Mandanda alone.

Mbappe calmly slotted the ball home.

The football rolled into the net!

"Goal!!"

"Mbappe! He's sealed the victory!"

"2-0! Monaco extends their lead!"

"Another assist from Jiang Ming! From getting past his marker to passing the ball, it was all done in one smooth motion!"

The cheers from the stands completely lifted the roof off the stadium.

Mbappe slid down to his knees in the corner flag area, and Jiang Ming rushed up and hugged him tightly.

Jardim, standing on the sidelines, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

With a two-goal lead, the game is basically won.

In the time that followed, Marseille launched a furious counterattack, but they were unable to break through Monaco's defense.

Subasic made numerous saves, and the defense stood united in solidarity.

The final whistle blew.

The score remained 2-0.

They defeated Marseille twice within a week.

Monaco have successfully advanced to the French Cup final!

Ligue 1, Round 35.

Monaco travels to Rennes for an away game.

-

After two consecutive tough matches, the team was somewhat fatigued.

Jardim made two changes to his defense.

However, the core framework of the midfield and forward lines remains unchanged.

This match was heavily hyped by the French media even before it started.

There is no other reason.

Rennes' right winger Ousmane Dembélé and Monaco's Kylian Mbappé are teammates on the French national youth team.

The two are also very good friends in private.

They are both rising stars in France.

One has sharp dribbling skills, the other has explosive speed.

This match was described by the media as a "preview of France's future attacking line".

The two huddled together during their pre-match warm-up.

"Kilian, I won't hold back today."

Dembele chuckled and playfully punched Mbappe in the chest.

Mbappe raised an eyebrow: "You'll have to get past our left-back first."

They were verbally arguing, but their eyes were full of smiles.

Only they themselves know.

From the Clairefontaine National Football Academy to the French Ligue 1, each serves its own master.

Just how special is this feeling of being both enemy and friend?

Once the match started, the two players indeed became the focus of attention on the field.

Dembele anchored the right flank, displaying an extremely fast pace.

His dribbling is flashy but also practical.

They frequently attacked Monaco's left flank defense.

20 minutes.

Dembele dribbled past Etxekiel with a series of stepovers before crossing from the byline.

The header from the player making a run down the middle went just wide.

-

28 minutes.

It's Dembele again!

He cut inside and unleashed a sudden long-range shot!

Unfortunately, the football grazed the crossbar and went out of bounds.

The fans at Rennes Park stadium continued to cheer for him.

Mbappe, on the other hand, is a typical counter-attacking weapon.

As soon as Monaco wins the ball, he immediately moves behind the defense.

Rennes' left-back was overwhelmed by him and could only resort to fouls to stop him.

33 minutes.

Jiang Ming delivered a long pass over the top from the backfield.

Mbappe surged forward at high speed.

He controlled the ball and then fired a shot.

-

It was saved by goalkeeper Costil.

The two exchanged blows, fighting back and forth with equal intensity.

Jiang Ming could see the game very clearly using the reading module of the Beatamel match.

Dembele's dribbling is indeed excellent.

However, Rennes' midfield coordination is mediocre.

He often had to work alone.

Mbappe's threat relies entirely on passes from behind.

As long as he can get the ball in the right place, Mbappe can create a killing opportunity.

Both sides had their chances in the first half, but neither managed to score.

The score remained 0-0.

During halftime, Jiang Ming said something to Mbappe.

"In the second half, you should push into the middle more often, and I'll play behind you."

Mbappe's eyes lit up: "No problem."

The game resumes after switching sides.

Rennes continued to create threats through Dembele's attacks down the right flank.

But Monaco's left-back gradually adapted to his rhythm.

With Fabinho providing cover in midfield.

Dembele's dribbling efficiency has clearly declined.

In contrast, Monaco's counterattacks have become increasingly sharp.

63 minutes.

Dembele's breakthrough down the wing was intercepted by Fabinho.

Fabinho passed the ball directly across to Jiang Ming in the middle.

Jiang Ming looked up to observe.

Rennes' defensive line is pushed very high up.

A large gap was left behind.

Jiang Ming swung his right foot.

Snapped!

A long, over-the-top pass precisely bypassed the entire defensive line.

Mbappe has already started.

Like a black lightning bolt, it rushed towards the restricted area.

The Rennes center-back hurriedly chased after him, but couldn't catch up at all.

Inside the restricted area.

Mbappe chests down the ball.

Before the football even hits the ground.

A direct volley shot!

The football slammed into the net like a cannonball!

"Goal!!"

"Mbappe! The only goal of the match!"

"Jiang Ming's long pass was so precise! Another textbook example of a defensive counter-attack!"

"1-0! Monaco takes the lead away from home!"

Rennes Park stadium fell mostly silent instantly.

Mbappe rushed to the sidelines and performed his signature celebration.

Jiang Ming smiled and ran over to give him a high five.

Not far away, Dembele stood with his hands on his hips, panting heavily.

Watching his friend's celebratory figure disappear into the distance, he shook his head helplessly, but a slight smile remained on his lips.

After conceding the goal, Rennes launched a furious counterattack.

Dembele gave it his all.

Breakthrough on the right wing, cut inside and shoot, take the corner kick.

He almost single-handedly carried the team's offense.

82 minutes.

-

Dembele cut inside and then played a through ball.

His teammate's shot was brilliantly saved by Subasic.

During stoppage time, his free kick hit the wall and went out of bounds.

Rennes failed to equalize the score until the final whistle.

The final score was 1-0.

Monaco took three points away from home.

After the match, Mbappe immediately went to Dembele.

The two hugged and exchanged jerseys.

"You've gotten faster again, haven't you?" Dembele punched him lightly.

Mbappe chuckled and said, "You weren't bad either; you almost completely destroyed our left flank."

"I won't lose next time."

The two said goodbye with smiles and went their separate ways to their respective teams.

Jiang Ming stood not far away watching this scene, feeling a mix of emotions.

This is football at its purest form.

On the field, they are opponents; off the field, they are friends.

But after the league ends, their stage is just beginning.

Next, the team will focus entirely on the Europa League.

They will face Villarreal in the semi-finals.

This tough La Liga team is waiting for them to conquer!

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