Chapter 44: You Can’t Get Past Li Ang, You Can’t Break Milan

Chapter 44: You Can't Get Past Li Ang, You Can't Break Milan

"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."

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