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Starting as a Defensive Midfielder at Real Madrid

Chapter 44: You Can’t Get Past Li Ang, You Can’t Break Milan · Nov 11, 2026

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Chapter List (401)

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1 Chapter 1: The Real Madrid Youth Product Set on Being Loaned Out 2026-11-11
2 Chapter 2: What Do You Mean I’m Unlucky? 2026-11-11
3 Chapter 3: Just an Ordinary Defensive Midfielder 2026-11-11
4 Chapter 4: Valerón’s Short Passing Talent Fragment 2026-11-11
5 Chapter 5: That Kid Might Really Start for Real Madrid 2026-11-11
6 Chapter 6: Facing the Future 2026-11-11
7 Chapter 7: A Decade’s Cycle — The Budget Makélélé 2026-11-11
8 Chapter 8: Mourinho’s “Dream Midfield Anchor” 2026-11-11
9 Chapter 9: Rich Rewards from La Liga – System Upgrade 2026-11-11
10 Chapter 10: Grinding and Pay-to-Win—Not the Strongest, Just the Most Durable 2026-11-11
11 Chapter 11: The Rapidly Improving Defensive Grind King 2026-11-11
12 Chapter 12 - 12 2026-11-11
13 Chapter 13: At First, I Refused—But He Spoke So Well 2026-11-11
14 Chapter 14: Don’t Charge Forward, Be the Defensive Grind King 2026-11-11
15 Chapter 15: A Completely Different Second Half—Li Ang’s Impact 2026-11-11
16 Chapter 16: How Could He Not Be Considered a Promising Young Talent? 2026-11-11
17 Chapter 17: If He’s Not a Freak, Then He’s a Prodigy 2026-11-11
18 Chapter 18: From Foe to Friend, Little Lion – The Low-Key, Versatile Prince 2026-11-11
19 Chapter 19: A Tragedy from the Start 2026-11-11
20 Chapter 20: The Ironclad Midfield Trio 2026-11-11
21 Chapter 21: Mourinho’s Real Madrid Sets Sail 2026-11-11
22 Chapter 22: Double Rewards! The Champions League Is the True Path to Wealth 2026-11-11
23 Chapter 23: Boss, Can You Guarantee Me a Starting Spot?【Double-Length Chapter】 2026-11-11
24 Chapter 24: Make the Most of This Time—Time to Grind! 2026-11-11
25 Chapter 25: If I Give Everything in My Prime, I’ll Never Regret It 2026-11-11
26 Chapter 26: As Long As He Hasn’t Left, He’ll Start in the Champions League for Real Madrid 2026-11-11
27 Chapter 27: His Path—The Loneliest, The Most Glorious 2026-11-11
28 Chapter 28: A Breakthrough in Growth 2026-11-11
29 Chapter 29: Li Ang’s “Lucky Record” 2026-11-11
30 Chapter 30: Germany or Italy? 2026-11-11
31 Chapter 31: Alonso’s Displeasure 2026-11-11
32 Chapter 32 - 32 2026-11-11
33 Chapter 33: The Twilight of a Dynasty 2026-11-11
34 Chapter 34: Allegri, Do You Want a Defensive Midfielder or Not? 2026-11-11
35 Chapter 35: Mourinho’s Decision Before Departure 2026-11-11
36 Chapter 36: Allegri’s “Accomplice” Arrives in Milan 2026-11-11
37 Chapter 37: First Day in Milan – Reviewing the First Half of the Season 2026-11-11
38 Chapter 38: Who Says He’s Just a Defensive Midfielder? 2026-11-11
39 Chapter 39: Everybody Loves the Little Lion 2026-11-11
40 Chapter 40: The Superstitious Kid 2026-11-11
41 Chapter 41: The Final Piece of the Championship Puzzle 2026-11-11
42 Chapter 42: We Want the Winter Title 2026-11-11
43 Chapter 43: The Butcher Version of Kaká 2026-11-11
44 Chapter 44: You Can’t Get Past Li Ang, You Can’t Break Milan 2026-11-11
45 Chapter 45: Let Me Show You What “Surprise” Really Means 2026-11-11
46 Chapter 46: If You’ve Got Questions, You Can Ask Me 2026-11-11
47 Chapter 47: Longing from Spain 2026-11-11
48 Chapter 48: Mourinho Was Right 2026-11-11
49 Chapter 49: From Now On, We Won’t Lose Again—Until We Lift the Trophy 2026-11-11
50 Chapter 50: You—Start Practicing Forward Runs 2026-11-11

”That was a foul! An obvious foul! He tripped me, and you’re letting play continue?!”

As Milan quickly transitioned into a counterattack, Asamoah couldn’t stay on the ground any longer. He leapt up and looked like he was about to storm over to confront the referee.

On the sideline, Sánchez hurriedly waved at him to calm down.

Good god, stay down and maybe the ref pauses the game to check on you. But no—you jump up like nothing happened and now want to argue? Use your head, man…

While Asamoah was still fuming in Milan’s half, the Rossoneri were already deep into Udinese’s territory.

Zlatan received a pass from Boateng, backing into Benatia with his trademark hold-up play before laying the ball off to an inward-cutting Robinho.

The ”Prince of Stepovers” still had a bit of oil left in his tank. No fancy tricks—just a drop of the shoulder, a quick feint, and he cleanly beat center-back Domizzi.

He charged into the right side of the penalty area and, full of confidence, pulled the trigger.

The ball rocketed toward the top left corner—

But just before it crossed the line, a stretched figure flew into frame.

”Handanović—!!! He saves it!

Robinho’s shot looked certain to score, but the Udinese keeper pulls off an absolute miracle!

He’s denied AC Milan the perfect start!”

Sky Italia’s commentator was on fire.

A save like that—pure instinct, pure drama.

Zlatan and Robinho both clutched their heads in disbelief as Udinese’s defenders swarmed their goalkeeper in celebration.

”Damn it!”

On the sideline, Allegri angrily threw down his water bottle.

So close. A goal in the opening minute would’ve broken Udinese’s spirit instantly.

But no matter.

”Forget it! Reset! Get back to focus!”

”Stay alert!”

Gattuso had seen it all before. He clapped his hands and barked instructions, pulling his teammates back into the moment.

After that intense exchange, both sides eased up. Emotions had to settle, and formations needed reorganizing.

Li Ang, seeing the game slow down, dropped deeper.

He kept a close watch on Udinese’s attacking trio on his flank.

He couldn’t count on Boateng for much.

Sure, the guy was athletic, but like Khedira at Madrid, he was all motion and not much actual defensive efficiency.

Plus, Boateng was a natural attacking midfielder. Just getting him to track back was already a bonus.

So the bulk of the defensive responsibility—once again—fell to Li Ang.

Once the feeling-out phase passed, the pace picked up.

Udinese’s central midfield was full of brute force and aggression. Their creativity came from the wings.

On the left, Pasquale pushed forward aggressively. But with Gattuso babysitting him all match, his impact was limited.

On the right? Udinese’s best chance.

Sánchez, Isla, and Asamoah overloaded the flank, repeatedly pushing Milan back.

They reached Milan’s half easily.

But every time they got close to the 30-meter mark—

That damn kid from the East was there again.

Once. Twice. Again and again.

Li Ang, with help from Antonini, completely shut down Udinese’s right wing.

Five minutes in. Ten minutes in.

Still no clear breakthrough.

Milan hadn’t even launched a full-scale attack yet, and Udinese still couldn’t break past the midfield wall.

All it cost Milan was Li Ang’s decision not to join the offense, and he and Antonini running more than usual.

A bargain.

Milan’s attack didn’t build from the left anyway.

And Udinese’s entire strategy leaned on that flank.

By shutting it down, Milan neutralized Udinese’s biggest threat while still maintaining a solid defensive base.

It was a win-win—and the Rossoneri were loving it.

”Look at our Little Lion! Look at that defensive positioning!

Look at what kind of player we’ve picked up from Real Madrid!

He’s only played one full match for Milan so far, but I have to say: we MUST keep him!

I love this kid! With a rock-solid midfield like this, our defense holds, and our attack flows!”

Legendary commentator Tiziano Crudeli gushed with delight on the live broadcast, hiding none of his affection.

The football world keeps producing new strikers.

But truly elite defensive midfielders?

Rarer every year.

Especially ones like Li Ang—young, calm, and rock solid.

”Luca, watch the overlap!”

Li Ang was in full command mode on the pitch, shouting to Antonini as Sánchez dribbled forward again.

This time, Isla pushed up aggressively too, ready for the overlap.

Antonini got the signal and stuck to Isla like glue.

Li Ang, meanwhile, didn’t dive in.

He waited. Let Boateng catch up.

He retreated gradually, body angled, positioning himself to block Sánchez’s inside cut while keeping Asamoah within reach.

As Sánchez neared the 30-meter zone, he realized—

Li Ang wasn’t biting.

It was like trying to eat with a fork and the food kept sliding off.

Frustrated, he passed the ball back to Abdi near the halfway line.

Even Asamoah, who’d been waiting forever on the far side, didn’t complain anymore.

If Sánchez had passed to him, Li Ang would’ve pounced, and with Pirlo lurking nearby, he’d probably lose the ball.

Udinese’s right-side attacks fizzled once again.

And in the stands, thousands of Udinese fans sighed.

”We can’t get past Li Ang.

And we can’t break Milan.”

Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.

Read 20 Chapters In Advance: /johanssen10

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