The score still sat at 1–1, but the momentum had clearly shifted in Real Madrid's favor. For fiteen minutes, the game had been filled wave after wave of pressure, yet every time they emerged, Madrid's precision and patience only grew sharper.
"What? He passed the ball back???"
The commentators and the fans couldn't believe it, Marin had simply returned the pass backwards instead of attacking their opponents goal. But Madrid players looked as though that was normal, they kept on moving forward.
Carlos spread the ball out to Xavier López, who in turn passed it to Antonio Ruiz at right center-back. Ruiz drove it forward, looking for an outlet.
His boots pounded across the turf as he gauged the positioning of Hugo Serrano and Marco Estrella. Marín dropped off into that pocket between midfield and defense, he held his breath, ready to exploit any hesitation.
