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Starting as a Defensive Midfielder at Real Madrid

Chapter 50: You—Start Practicing Forward Runs · 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

After four straight wins, Milan was on fire in Serie A.

In a league full of unpredictable results and inconsistent rivals, Milan’s stability and efficiency made them look every bit the title favorite.

In Italy, if you want to win the Scudetto, you don’t necessarily need the most goals, or the most wins, or even the highest goal difference.

But you must have the most consistent defense and control.

That’s what Milan had become: a machine built to dismantle the league’s lesser sides.

Don’t worry about how long they had to defend against Cesena.

Don’t stress about the ugly grind in Lecce.

They won. That was all that mattered.

While Inter and Lazio stumbled, Milan beat teams they were supposed to beat.

Eight points clear.

That’s a three-game cushion.

No wonder Allegri was bursting with confidence.

But it was still early.

The season wasn’t over.

And Allegri saw more room for refinement—especially in their evolving tactical approach.

On January 26, newly signed veteran midfielder Mark van Bommel arrived at Milanello after completing a free transfer from Bayern Munich.

Allegri wasted no time.

With Pirlo previously operating as the deep-lying playmaker, Li Ang and Gattuso had focused their energy on protecting the middle.

But now, if van Bommel played that holding role, Li Ang and Gattuso would be freed up to support the attack.

Of course, replacing Pirlo was easier said than done.

Pirlo was still brilliant. His tactical vision was unmatched.

Allegri couldn’t just shove him aside.

But Pirlo’s stamina wasn’t what it once was.

He needed rotation.

So Allegri issued a new command for Li Ang—one that made the youngster blink in surprise.

”You want me… to practice forward runs?”

January 27. Li Ang was getting ready to stay behind and work on short passing after training when Allegri hit him with the order.

”Yeah. You. Start practicing forward runs from now on.”

”But we already have Kevin. Boateng’s runs are way better than mine…”

”That’s why I want both of you.

He’s got the long-range shot.

You’ve got the header.

You two charge forward together—double the threat.”

Li Ang stared at his coach, utterly dismayed.

It’s not like he didn’t want to attack—he just… didn’t have any experience making timed forward runs into the box.

Could he really pull it off?

He wasn’t sure.

Still, he followed Allegri’s lead and started working on off-the-ball movements and forward sprints, practicing coordination with Boateng.

On January 28, forwards like Ibrahimović, Robinho, and Pato joined in to integrate the new offensive routines.

Li Ang quickly grasped what Allegri was actually trying to do.

The system was simple.

Option one: The forwards pulled defenders away while Li Ang and Boateng made late runs into the box, attacking crosses.

Option two: Li Ang and Boateng made the first wave run, drawing attention and disrupting defensive lines. Zlatan and the others would arrive as the second wave, exploiting chaos.

”So it’s still about creating disorder and striking in the chaos…”

Li Ang felt a little more reassured.

After all, he wasn’t being asked to score goals.

He just had to be the battering ram—draw defenders, create space for others.

He could do that.

After several focused training sessions, January 30 arrived.

Milan headed south to face Catania, a team hovering just above the relegation zone.

Another relegation battler.

No real danger.

Even van Bommel looked relaxed once he read the scouting reports.

And Allegri?

Maybe he’d seen enough in training—or maybe Pirlo just needed rest—but he started van Bommel in midfield.

Which meant Gattuso would still focus on link-up play…

And Li Ang?

Would be running forward for real.

”This isn’t training anymore,” he thought nervously.

”This is a real match.”

But Allegri gave him no time to overthink.

3:00 p.m. sharp. Whistle blows. The match begins.

Van Bommel as holding mid.

Ibra and Pato as strikers.

Boateng in the hole.

Li Ang on the left. Gattuso on the right.

Nesta and Thiago Silva at center-back.

Abate and Zambrotta at fullback.

Abbiati in goal.

Catania’s lineup?

Honestly, Li Ang barely recognized anyone.

Only Maxi López and Papu Gómez rang a bell.

Maxi would later become famous for his messy love triangle involving Wanda Nara and Icardi.

Gómez would shine at Atalanta.

But right now?

They were average.

Catania, like most struggling Serie A sides, couldn’t score and leaked goals.

Which made Allegri’s decision to test his new offense today quite reasonable.

Li Ang gritted his teeth and followed Boateng’s lead, charging forward on every signal.

And you know what?

Having a defensive anchor behind you feels damn good.

For the first time in his career, Li Ang was given license to attack, and after a few awkward runs, he started to get the hang of it.

In the 14th minute, he found space and got his first header attempt.

It sailed a little wide under pressure—but Allegri was grinning.

Boateng with the long shot.

Li Ang with the header.

Midfield overload achieved.

”Who says I don’t know how to design offense?”

Allegri glanced at Li Ang jogging back to his position, already locking horns with Catania’s attackers again.

”This kid really can do everything…

I need to dig deeper.”

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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