Chapter 77: Hitting Iron Makes Me Happy

Everyone who has watched football knows that there are two types of badass strikers on the pitch. One type is involved in almost every attack, constantly active and in the spotlight. The other type seems almost invisible throughout the game, like a dead man, but every time they come to life, they almost always create a threat.

Kaka was currently employing the second style of play.

His second offside position didn't raise an alarm for the Flamengo defenders, but it caught Zagallo's attention. The old coach planned to make defending against Kaka a crucial topic during the halftime break.

As for now, with a three-goal lead, an evenly matched game situation, a one-player advantage, and only twenty-three minutes left in the first half, there was no need for immediate adjustments. A decision he would later regret, adding a few more wrinkles to his face.

In the 28th minute, Flamengo's attack failed, and Ceni cleared the ball with a long kick.

Both teams engaged in a midfield battle, and eventually, São Paulo gained possession, with the ball finding its way to Leonardo's feet after a series of passes.

As a veteran midfielder who had played in various leagues like the Brasileirão, La Liga, Serie A, and the J-League, Leonardo had collaborated with and faced countless poacher strikers. Of course, he had noticed Kaka's outstanding off-the-ball movement, so without hesitation, he played a well-timed through ball into the Flamengo penalty area.

It was a precise, low-driven pass. Not too fast, not too slow, perfectly threading through the two defenders, allowing the striker to quickly latch onto it while also preventing an easy collection by the goalkeeper.

The Flamengo defenders, focused solely on the ball, instinctively tried to block it, failing to notice Kaka darting through like a lightning bolt, effortlessly getting onto the end of the pass with a clear sight on goal.

Everyone instinctively looked towards the assistant referee, who kept his flag down.

The noise level at the Morumbi Stadium suddenly increased, but Kaka remained unaffected, as cool as ice.

The goalkeeper charged out, lowering his center of gravity, ready to make a save.

Kaka performed a feint with his feet over the ball while rapidly swaying his upper body, deceiving the goalkeeper to his left before deftly flicking the ball to the right and slotting it into the open net with the "Pendulum Feint" skill move.

The score was now 1-1, with an aggregate of 6-4.

"No offside! Kaka's one-on-one... The 'Pendulum'! Ronaldo's 'Pendulum'! It's in! Kaka hasn't disappointed, demonstrating not only his terrifying movement and poacher's instinct but also his composure and immense self-belief!"

The 'Pendulum Feint' can be damaging to the knees, but it's not something to avoid like the plague, as long as it's not overused like Ronaldo did.

Kaka retrieved the ball from the net and swiftly returned to the center circle amidst the roar of the home crowd.

Leonardo seemed a bit dazed.

While others discussed Kaka's feint, he was reminiscing about Kaka's run to beat the offside trap. He had just transferred back from AC Milan and was all too familiar with such movement.

He had always thought of Kaka as an attacking version of Nedved – rugged yet skilled, able to run and fight. Little did he know this kid was actually a miniature Inzaghi?

Adriano also returned to the center circle to restart the game, meeting Kaka there.

Kaka tossed the ball to Adriano, who caught it and threw it back at Kaka's head.

Kaka headed the ball back, saying, "Stop messing around, kick off!"

"Hey! This is my last game in Brazil, and this is how you treat me?"

"Oh! Should I serve you a pie then?"

"Uh... That doesn't sound quite right?"

"What are you talking about? Wait for me in your penalty area; I'll make you a big, round one myself."

"...We're done!"

"Haha!"

If Oliveira could laugh himself awake from a dream, he probably would have done so at Adriano's 'breakup' with Kaka.

The game resumed, and Flamengo didn't sit back despite their two-goal lead, continuing to attack.

Inspired by the home crowd's support and Kaka's goal, São Paulo also displayed remarkable fighting spirit, with both teams completing two attacking and defensive sequences within two minutes.

Now, all the Flamengo defenders, without Zagallo's reminder, knew they had to closely mark Kaka, but they soon realized it was futile.

This kid had gone into stealth mode again.

Loitering around the penalty area, showing no intention of getting on the ball or making runs, slippery as an eel.

In contrast, Adriano was the complete opposite, hyperactive to the point of frenzy.

It was unclear whether he wanted to commemorate his youthful years with a victory or simply compete with Kaka, but the man had gone berserk.

"Adriano's shot... went wide. It wasn't an ideal shooting opportunity; he seemed a bit too eager. We can understand his emotions, but he can't solve everything himself..."

Shortly after Adriano's wayward strike, Kaka responded in kind. 

Once again, it was Leonardo orchestrating the move. Although his physical abilities had diminished, the former AC Milan midfielder's experience and technique were still top-notch, and his midfield organization and distribution undoubtedly improved São Paulo's attacking quality, something Kaka and Harrison couldn't match.

This time, Leonardo's pass wasn't intended for Kaka but rather for the overlapping defender Lugano. Inside the penalty area, Lugano struck a fierce shot, its pace and angle making it seem destined for the net, but the Flamengo goalkeeper reacted quickly, palming it away.

At that moment, Kaka, who had appeared uninvolved in the team's attacking structure, suddenly burst through and pounced on the rebound with a deft first-time effort.

Wary of the defenders blocking his shot, Kaka intentionally adjusted the angle, but while the defenders failed to intervene, the post did, with an audible "thud" deflecting the ball out.

The ball didn't travel far, landing at Leonardo's feet, but he couldn't control it, allowing a Flamengo player to regain possession and launch a counter-attack. 

Perhaps fearing another reckless attempt from Adriano, Flamengo didn't give him the ball this time. Instead, they rapidly worked the ball into São Paulo's penalty area through a series of combinations, with their attacking midfielder striking a curling effort.

The shot soared towards the top-left corner, evading Ceni's right hand before crashing into the intersection of the crossbar and post with another resounding "thud."

The second woodwork strike. 

The rebound went out for a Flamengo corner.

Apart from Kaka and Leonardo, almost everyone retreated to defend their own penalty area.

(End of Chapter)