Chapter 1 Six Minutes

Six minutes into the game, Mbappé received a pass from Bernardo Silva and poked the ball into the net!

Monaco scored first at home, the Red and White Legion leading the Premier League leaders!

Mbappé circled his arms and slid on his knees to the sideline.

"Beautiful!"

"Mbappé!"

"I love you, Mbappé!"

"That's right, take down Man City, we're going to advance!"

"Super Mbappé, take down the Dragon Country kid!!"

Monaco's home stadium resounded with fierce shouts, and the red and white flags fluttered in the wind.

The stadium, which can only accommodate 18,000 fans, was filled with cheers.

Mbappé!

Since joining Monaco, he has never disappointed the team's fans!

His growth rate is astonishing, and in just one season, he has become the darling of Monaco fans.

In just six minutes of the opening, Mbappé had two shots on goal and scored one!

Falcao, Silva, Mendy and other teammates ran over to hug Mbappé and celebrate the goal.

Man City has the super-nova Zhao Gang, and Monaco also has the super-demon star, Mbappé!

From the current situation, Mbappé is even stronger, and he is also younger than Zhao Gang!

Guardiola stood on the sidelines with a gloomy face. Monaco started with a high press and won the ball. Under this series of offensives, Guardiola felt something was wrong.

What he feared came true. Many people thought that the young Mbappé only had speed, but his shooting, confrontation, and stamina were all top-notch.

He seized the fleeting opportunity just now with his nose for goal.

But there doesn't seem to be a good way, at least for now, there is no way to limit him.

Otamendi and Stones, one has experience and a fierce style, and the other has a strong body and an advantage in confrontation.

But both of them are slow and it is difficult to contain Mbappé.

"Mbappé's starting speed and timing are perfect. Man City's defense seems a bit careless.

We said before the game that Monaco's front line is fast, has an extremely strong ability to seize opportunities, and the midfielders have both impact and very good passing ability. Silva, Lemar, Mbappé, Falcao, Man City is really facing a considerable challenge."

"You can't give such opportunities in the frontcourt. A slight carelessness can cause fatal mistakes." He Shiren trembled. Mbappé's sudden appearance just now made him shiver.

The Champions League knockout stage is unfamiliar and blank to Dragon Country players.

Zhao Gang finally made up for this regret, but in six minutes, just six minutes, Man City was hit hard.

As an official commentator, He Shiren is now almost suppressing his disappointment to comment. If he were not facing the Dragon Country fans, he would have started cursing at this time.

What kind of crap defense is this?

Why is this little black Mbappé rushing so fast? Are you in a hurry to get off work or reincarnate?

However, as a public figure, he must control himself.

He has heard Brooke's commentary during the Norwich era. That kind of passionate, playful scolding is a football player's dream!

"Goooal!!! Mbappé! Goal!

Only eighteen years old Mbappé!

Facing Man City, facing Zhao, the hottest super-nova in Europe, he scored the first goal!

Tonight, here, in the Principality of Monaco, Mbappé is the most dazzling lightning!" The Monaco commentator roared passionately, driving all Monaco fans' blood to surge.

Yeah, so what about the Premier League leader? What about the European Golden Boy Award?

Today, they will be defeated and return to England in failure!

"Damn, what's all this?"

"They've been attacked three times in a row, and all of them were on target. If it weren't for Stones, they would have lost the ball long ago. Are the other defenders dancing like shamans??"

"Has Man City's defense become so loose? Like wooden stakes!"

"I have to go to work! Don't screw around!"

"Why doesn't Guardiola let Fernando play, or let Zhao Gang retreat to the defensive midfielder position? It should be able to limit this little bald head!"

Monaco coach Jardim punched the air to celebrate.

Mbappé, this kid is indeed trustworthy!

He slaughters the French League, and he is also unyielding in the Champions League.

Big heart, perfect core player!

The mainstream European media already believes that Zhao Gang will grow into another super superstar after Messi and Ronaldo.

After winning the Golden Boy Award, his reputation spread far and wide.

After this game, the media fans will know that there is a younger and more powerful young man in Ligue 1!

He can lead the team to defeat Man City and Zhao Gang head-on!

It's just that the attention of Ligue 1 is a bit small, and most people don't recognize Mbappé's previous performance.

Tomorrow, Mbappé will be the Champions League headline!

Jardim's blood is burning, Man City is not their goal.

Their goal is the Champions League semi-finals, the Champions League final!

They will accomplish what Paris Saint-Germain has not accomplished!

Make up for the Champions League regret of more than ten years ago, just today!

He looked at the young man with infinite yearning and love in his heart, as if the trophy was already close in front of him.

They will be amazing this summer and make the whole of Europe tremble!

In the next few years, the foundation he carefully built will be a strong contender for the Ligue 1 title, and they will not be afraid of any opponent in the Champions League!

Mbappé, Silva, Lemar, these three midfielders and forwards can keep Monaco in the top tier of Europe for more than ten years.

After Monaco celebrated, Man City kicked off in the center circle.

In just seven minutes, they kicked off again.

Jardim kept waving his hands, signaling to press up!

His tactic is to press high and cause big problems for Man City's defense.

Moreover, it has already taken effect, grabbing a good start.

Shrinking back to defend after taking the lead?

That doesn't exist. Man City's ball control and passing ability makes it too difficult to defend.

These players are young and full of passion. Letting them keep sprinting and pressing can not only limit Man City, but also maximize their own energy.

After a long period of research, Jardim knows Man City's weaknesses.

They are afraid of this kind of pressing style of play, which prevents them from smoothly controlling the ball comfortably and prevents them from entering their rhythm.

What Chelsea, Liverpool, and Real Madrid have not accomplished, they will accomplish today!

They want to give the Premier League teams an example of how to defeat Man City!

Jesus kicked the ball to Zhao Gang. He looked at Zhao Gang's thick eyebrows and big eyes, expressionless, and felt a little discouraged. Doesn't this guy look worried at all?

The team is behind, and the series of attacks just now show that Monaco is indeed very capable.

Aren't you worried at all?

Falcao quickly launched a press. Zhao Gang passed the ball back to Fernandinho.

Mbappé, Silva, and Lemar, the players in the frontcourt, followed Jardim's deployment and spared no effort to interfere with the ball-handling players.

Fernandinho didn't see a passing route and had to pass back again.

On the defensive line, the two central defenders quickly distanced themselves, and when Monaco players pressed forward, they cooperated with goalkeeper Bravo to pull Monaco's frontcourt formation.

Man City players, who conceded a goal first, were not too impatient.

Faced with the pressing, the passing speed became much faster. The ball was passed around the edge of the penalty area, and even inside the penalty area!

The players on the field were not too nervous, but the fans watching the game were flustered.

Damn it, if it's intercepted, won't there be big trouble?

Mbappé's speed, aren't you guys really afraid?

"Kick it out! Don't screw around!"

"Aiya..." The fan gritted his teeth and watched Stones and Mbappé entangled together. Stones kicked the ball away with his back to the goal, and Mbappé failed to intercept.

But it's really worrying!

"Guardiola likes this stuff, and rarely kicks the ball long... this will cause big trouble!"

The players in the backcourt passed the ball continuously, from the left side of the penalty area to the right, and then to the center. Monaco's frontcourt players sprinted everywhere, and the defense line was also extremely forward, waiting for opportunities.

De Bruyne, who retreated, suddenly received a pass from Fernandinho.

He had his back to the goal, and Lemar quickly approached. At the same time, the other players formed a siege, preparing to cut off De Bruyne's passing route, and even thinking about intercepting it directly!

De Bruyne didn't even raise his head and swung his long leg.

Bang!

With a high-quality pass, the ball was directly transferred from the left to the right!

Zhao Gang, near the midfield line on the right, gently lifted his leg and unloaded the ball directly.

"Good ball! De Bruyne's passing vision is like having a God's perspective! He knew that Zhao Gang would appear in that position!

Zhao Gang's right side is completely empty. The gap is very big! The opportunity is very good!"

After Zhao Gang got the ball, he saw that the Monaco players did not quickly retreat to defend, but rushed towards him directly.

Obviously, this was Jardim's tactical arrangement, constantly pressing to force Man City to make mistakes.

Zhao Gang raised a hand, and Guardiola frowned. This gesture, is he directing his teammates in front to run?

This was rare in the past. Zhao Gang would only remind his teammates how to pass and run when he was cooperating with them.

This situation seems to have never happened before.

Jesus and Sterling naturally understood Zhao Gang's gestures, and the two could only run according to Zhao Gang's instructions.

If they ran around casually and the tactics didn't work, Guardiola would kill them!

Fabinho quickly approached Zhao Gang, preparing to block Zhao Gang's breakthrough route.

However, the current Fabinho is still too young. He has speed, physique, brain, and experience.

He's good at everything, but not proficient in anything!

At least in Zhao Gang's eyes, he is still a little worse than Casemiro and even Tottenham's Wanyama.

Zhao Gang slightly changed his center of gravity, pulled the ball with his foot, and appeared on Fabinho's left side. Fabinho almost plunged out of bounds!

Faced with Bakayoko rushing towards him, Zhao Gang did not choose to break through, but directly raised his foot and passed the ball to Jesus, who had run into position.

Jesus only needs to run, as for whether the ball can reach his feet, he doesn't care.

Now it's here!

That's when he can show off!

Jesus is a little lacking when facing Premier League defenders, but when facing Jemerson and Raggi, he finally showed the advantages of his South American players.

He has many fancy footwork skills and is fast enough. After receiving the ball, he dribbled past Jemerson in one go!

"Well! Jesus's dribbling is very exciting..."

Mbappé's goal before made Jesus also have a competitive heart, and he quickly dribbled the ball towards the penalty area!

Facing Raggi, who was already prepared, he poked the ball to the left, and then accelerated, preparing to forcibly break into the penalty area!

Raggi hurriedly followed, but found that he was a little slow. He was hesitating whether to foul and let Jesus fall outside the penalty area when Jemerson rushed over and grabbed Jesus to the ground!

Beep!

The referee blew the whistle without hesitation, jogged over, and gave a yellow card directly.

Jemerson was stunned, and then quickly spread his hands to explain.

The referee shook his head. Fortunately, there was Raggi in front of Jesus, otherwise you would have gotten a yellow card.

Once Jesus rushed into the penalty area and Raggi failed to defend, it would likely be a one-on-one opportunity.

Your foul is well deserved.

Jardim's face was a little ugly, which was not good news.

Although they were leading, the main central defender received a yellow card, and he would not dare to make any big moves easily after that.

"Jemerson was a little impulsive, but there wasn't a better way. Once Jesus rushed into the penalty area, it was likely to be a one-on-one opportunity.

Monaco's tactics do have the possibility of intercepting the ball and launching a very threatening counterattack. At the same time, their positions are somewhat scattered and their defense is not solid.

Once the midfield and backcourt can pass a scalpel-like ball, it will also be a huge hidden danger for Monaco.

Fortunately, Man City has such players.

De Bruyne and Zhao Gang can both find this opportunity.

And this pass was precisely the connection between De Bruyne and Zhao Gang, which allowed Zhao Gang to find Jesus!

Moreover, Zhao Gang had a clear gesture after getting the ball, directing his teammates to run.

Today's Zhao Gang, although he doesn't have firm eyes, he is very rarely directing his teammates.

It can be seen that his attitude towards this game!"

"Zhao Gang's midfield dribbling and passing are very exciting. Don't forget, his free kicks are even more powerful.

At this position, he can shoot directly!"

The Dragon Country fans became excited.

"Quick, quick, quickly score one and tie the score!"

"This position, it's better to give a penalty kick."

"Monaco is floating. They think they're good after scoring a goal, pressing all over the field! If this ball goes in, they'll be honest!"

"Come on! Come on!"

"Score, score, score!!"

Zhao Gang stood in front of the ball, a free kick outside the penalty area, very close to the goal.

Close enough to shoot directly.

Raggi walked up to Zhao Gang, covered his mouth, and said softly.

"I really like your skills, but you can't compare to Mbappé, he has surpassed you too much.

You have to work harder."

Zhao Gang stood there with his hands on his hips, glanced at Raggi, sneered, and didn't care at all.

That's it?

Is this the trash talk of Ligue 1?

"No wonder Ligue 1 is not first-rate, is the Ligue 1 champion equipped with a central defender like you?"

"You..."

Beep beep beep!!

The referee's whistle sounded.

Raggi could only honestly return to his position.

He glared at Zhao Gang fiercely.

Zhao Gang was expressionless, looking at his fierce and menacing appearance.

Monaco's players quickly formed a wall in the penalty area.

At this time, the fans in the stands booed. They saw Raggi communicating with Zhao Gang and knew that he was interfering with him.

As home fans, they naturally had to use some means to stimulate Zhao Gang at this time.

Although Raggi looked extremely fierce, he was a little nervous in his heart.

The free kick technique of the thing in front of him is terribly strong.

Otherwise, he wouldn't need to use these methods to affect Zhao Gang.

And the most nervous one was goalkeeper Subasic.

He had watched too many highlight reels of Zhao Gang.

From Norwich to Man City.

This young man is growing too fast.

He is now almost the perfect player in Subasic's eyes.

On the field, except for goalkeeping, it seems that there is nothing he can't do.

Subasic leaned slightly and stared at Zhao Gang's position.

The two coaches on the sidelines watched intently.

Both of them knew that the free kick in this position was likely to directly rewrite the score.

If it goes in, the advantage that Monaco had at the beginning will be gone, which will be a big blow to the Monaco players.

The confidence that rises will also weaken.

And the Man City players will be in high spirits, sweeping away the haze of the unfavorable start.

Zhao Gang looked at the teammates in the penalty area, as well as the position of the wall and the goalkeeper's position.

He raised his arm and gestured a "four".

Manchester United goalkeeper De Gea, who was bored watching the game, twitched when he saw Zhao Gang's gesture.

Zhao Gang has scored directly from free kicks in the league and Europa League against Manchester United. The "three" he gestures before each free kick has already created a shadow in the mind of this Spanish international.

Now the tactics have been upgraded and changed to four?

Wasn't it three before?

"At this distance, it's difficult to kick an elevator ball with great force. If he shoots directly, Zhao Gang should choose a finesse shot to give the ball a very large rotational speed."

"Let's take a look at Zhao's free kick. Mbappé has already scored. Will he respond? I feel that it's difficult for this ball to go in directly."

"His skills are indeed very good, but he hasn't scored directly from a free kick for a long time. He no longer has the bravery of the last season and the beginning of this season, and has gradually returned to mediocrity. This ball is difficult."

Zhao Gang took a few steps back, and then took a run-up.

With a bang!

The wall jumped high, Raggi closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, tilted his head, and a gust of wind blew over his head.

He knew that the route of the ball was in the middle!

This kid was indeed influenced by him, and he wanted to prove himself and slap him in the face!

He wanted the ball to pass over his head.

Contending!

Naive!

This route is exactly the goalkeeper's position!

A free kick without an angle will not cause too much difficulty for the goalkeeper.

His words influenced Zhao Gang, and the tactics were successful!

Subasic stared with wide eyes, seeing the route of the ball, which was kicked in the middle.

Aren't you a little too confident?

Subasic didn't have the idea of being confident. For insurance, he even prepared to directly punch the ball out of the penalty area!

When he was about to attack, he was stunned!

The ball soared into the sky, and after bypassing the wall, it curved in the air!

It was rotating towards his left side!

Subasic, who had already made a save, couldn't react a second time.

Many fans encounter this situation when watching the game. The ball speed doesn't look fast, but the professional goalkeeper just stays there, motionless.

It feels like a fake ball.

In fact, the ball speed on the scene is much faster than what the broadcast camera sees.

And once the goalkeeper judges the ball's route, he will directly make a save.

When the ball suddenly changes its route, the goalkeeper has no second chance to react!

Subasic stood there with his hands outstretched, only having time to move his left leg subconsciously.

Then, the whole person slumped like a deflated ball, hanging his head and not saying a word.

The ball went directly into the lower left corner of the goal!

In the tenth minute of the game, Man City's first dangerous attack, first shot, first shot on target, scored the first goal!

Zhao Gang scored directly from a free kick!

Equalizing the score for Man City!

Zhao Gang clenched his fists, turned around, roared, and rushed to the sidelines.

Then he jumped high, with his back to the fans in the entire stand.

He showed his jersey number, as if he was worried that these fans couldn't see the number, he pointed his thumb and shook it at the number on his back.

De Gea jumped up from the sofa directly, yes, that's it!

That's the feeling!

Damn, other goalkeepers should also feel this sense of powerlessness.

I thought you were only good at playing against Manchester United!

"It's in, it's in!!"

"Awesome, awesome!!"

"66666!"

"Everyone stand up!!"

"Salute me!!"

"Stand up!! Salute!!"

"It's tied!"

"Monaco's defense is not as good as Man City's!!"

"Bullshit, even Real Madrid's defense can't stop it!"

The Dragon Country fans shouted in the live broadcast room, and the Man City fans who traveled with the team waved their jerseys and shouted wildly.

Zhao Gang, as expected.

Never disappoints!

From Norwich to Man City, he has never disappointed the fans.

He will always use various methods to satisfy the fans' expectations.

Jesus spread his legs and rushed over with a whoop.

He deserves half the credit for this goal.

De Bruyne and Sterling followed closely behind, running to the sidelines and hugging Zhao Gang.

Jardim shook his head, knowing that something bad was going to happen. At this time, his mood was exactly the same as Guardiola's at the beginning.

What he feared came true.

Jemerson also received a yellow card.

The situation is even more serious than Man City's situation when they conceded a goal at the beginning.

Jardim sighed and looked at Raggi, who was standing there in a daze with his hands on his hips.

Why did you run over to talk to him?

Jardim could tell at a glance that the route of this ball was Zhao Gang's counterattack.

Jardim must have said something unpleasant, which made Zhao Gang choose this route and fly over his head directly.

The meaning is to tell Raggi that if you, the central defender, jumped a little higher, this ball wouldn't have gone in!

Losing the game has a lot to do with you, a low-profile central defender!

Jardim lowered his head. If Raggi hadn't said some strange things, this ball might not have gone in!

"As expected, it was a shot with the outside of the foot!! A beautiful arc, as bright as a shooting star!

Man City made a mistake at the beginning, and now Monaco has also made a fatal mistake!

Don't give Man City such a close-range free kick!

It's better to let Jesus break into the penalty area directly. The probability of missing the shot is much higher than the probability of Zhao Gang scoring from a free kick!

In four minutes, Man City only took four minutes to equalize the score!

From the looks of it, this is another offensive battle.

Congratulations to Zhao Gang for scoring his sixteenth goal in the Champions League!

Only one goal away from Ronaldo's record of seventeen goals in a single season!

Tonight, we may witness this great milestone!"