But just as he thought victory was within his grasp, not even harboring the slightest worry, he felt someone behind him on his left, as if desperately pursuing.
The sound of footsteps was heavy and hurried, seemingly drawing ever closer.
Drogba furrowed his brow slightly. He didn't have time to turn and look, only catching a glimpse of a player in an Arsenal home jersey desperately chasing from his left rear.
Could it be that old fellow White? Refusing to admit defeat, daring to chase after him.
But his thoughts were thoroughly dismissed in the next second, for this person wasn't just chasing him desperately from behind, but was actually outrunning Drogba in terms of speed.
Within two seconds, he had successfully overtaken Drogba and was now in front of him. It was only then that Drogba finally saw, out of his peripheral vision, that it was Cao Baming!
If Drogba was a tank equipped with a sports car's engine, then Cao Baming was a low-flying fighter jet, looking down on everything, crushing everything.
The situation was so urgent that there was no time to think. He was about to enter the penalty area. Drogba was confident in his physical strength and actively sought contact.
As long as one foot stepped into the box, no matter if it was Cao Baming or Cao Jiuming, he wouldn't dare to make a rash move!
He subtly turned his body to the right, using his shoulder to initiate the first physical contact with Cao Baming. After all, Drogba had never lost a physical confrontation.
However, in the next second, he was astonished. Cao Baming not only wasn't pushed away but remained completely still!
In his haste, he had no time to ponder. This forced confrontation further plunged his mind into a blank. He had no choice but to go all out, aiming for the strongest level of confrontation!
Drogba instinctively wanted to use his speed and physique to shove his way in front of Cao Baming, as if the field was a narrow alley where only one person could pass!
Yet, he might have forgotten who the person beside him was. That person was Cao Baming.
All of this happened in an instant.
The spectators on the sidelines watched intently, holding their breath. This was a direct confrontation between Cao Baming and Drogba!
Everyone else had long been left behind!
Waiting for a teammate's support? That was not an option for Drogba.
Because if he slowed down even slightly, Cao Baming would completely overtake him, and then he would need to get past Cao Baming to have a shooting chance.
This would essentially waste the opportunity entirely, as even if he passed the ball to a teammate now, the defense, having already retreated into position, would be a huge obstacle.
At this moment, capitalizing on this one-on-one opportunity was the only good choice.
Fans began to predict that Drogba, like other players, would be proven wrong by Cao Baming.
He actually had such a naive thought, wanting to force his way past Cao Baming using his body strength and speed?
Even though he was Drogba, it was likely futile!
Familiar with Cao Baming's performances in the Premier League, the fans had a deeper understanding of this player. Let alone Drogba, even a real beast would find it difficult to simply shove past Cao Baming like this.
And in the next second, to the surprise of all the fans, as Drogba accelerated, Cao Baming was indeed pushed aside by him.
At this moment, Cao Baming was right beside him. With his mind-reading ability, he had already seen Drogba's body posture and movements clearly.
During his sprint, Cao Baming had used this time to understand many details. His gaze, expression, head orientation, knee direction, footwork rhythm, shoulder movements, hair swing, arm and finger positioning, toe tip, abdominal muscles, bodily fluids, fine hairs... all details were laid bare. Judging his next move from these was effortless.
Since you want to shove past me, then I'll give you this chance!
Cao Baming wasn't worried at all about his physical strength or speed being insufficient to suppress the mighty Drogba, because he knew exactly how things stood.
However, he had long anticipated his next move. It was not impossible to get past, but it would be best if he left the ball behind.
In a flash, there was only a slight friction between the two. Drogba shoved with all his might forward. To his surprise, Cao Baming didn't contest the path!
Instead, he yielded, almost causing Drogba to lose his balance!
To outsiders, it might have seemed like Cao Baming deliberately avoided physical confrontation or was slower than his opponent. But they didn't see the subtle movements Cao Baming's feet were making!
Left, right, left, right... Drogba's dribbling steps gradually showed a pattern. As his body lost balance, he had no choice in the next second but to use his right foot to flick the ball, while his left foot was needed to support his body's center of gravity!
And in this instant, the distance between his legs widened enough for the ball to pass through underneath!
Cao Baming saw his opportunity and extended his foot before Drogba's right foot made contact with the ball!
Indeed, as long as one could precisely predict every detail of the next second—the ball's position, the position of his legs, even his entire body posture—taking the ball away would be as simple as picking up a freshly brewed cup of coffee from the table next to you.
Before the fans could react, Cao Baming suddenly stopped his sprint and calmly turned around.
It was only in the next second that everyone saw Cao Baming kick a white object from under his feet, passing it to White.
As for Drogba, he continued forward for two more steps, excitedly entering the penalty area, thinking he had succeeded. But suddenly, he realized he was dribbling air.
Where was the ball? He couldn't even fathom when or how he had lost it!
In his frustration, he angrily kicked at a patch of turf, but such futile rage was merely an ineffective outburst.
No one cared how angry he was. All eyes on the field were focused on Cao Baming, even though the ball was no longer at his feet.
The opponent didn't even bother with him! Drogba discovered that Cao Baming had turned around at some point and never looked back, instead becoming busy in midfield.
It turned out that he had poured all his effort into a fight, but the opponent hadn't taken him seriously at all.
He felt utterly toyed with, or perhaps, he was the clown?
Arsenal began their favored possession-based play in midfield. As they entered this phase, everything became clear and open.