Chapter 1 On the Pitch

On the field, both teams exchanged attacks.

Manchester City's defense was giving it their all.

When Real Madrid was down 0-2, Manchester City players inevitably relaxed a bit.

In the last game, Real Madrid was leading but still managed to tie the score.

This game, Real Madrid was directly behind by two goals, so it's normal for some players to underestimate them.

Real Madrid was nothing special.

However, C. Ronaldo's goal made them realize that Real Madrid is still one of the top teams in the world.

A temporary setback doesn't mean they'll stay that way.

Real Madrid's trident is fast and impactful. Besides C. Ronaldo, Benzema and Bale both possess terrifying offensive capabilities.

This goal was a collaboration between Bale and Benzema, with C. Ronaldo just finishing with a shot.

On Manchester City's side, it seems that only Zhao Gang can truly threaten Real Madrid's goal!

De Bruyne's passes are accurate, but he finds it difficult to get close to the penalty area to finish. Sterling's breakthroughs are decent, but his ability to capitalize in front of the goal is insufficient.

The offenses of both sides seem to go back and forth, but Real Madrid's overall firepower is still stronger than Manchester City's.

Manchester City's lead is not a reflection of their strength.

Manchester City players finally realized this and no longer underestimated their opponent.

Zhao Gang's position began to fall back; now they needed to stabilize the midfield.

This is a very typical Guardiola tactical system: the strikerless formation.

With Zhao Gang's withdrawal, Manchester City's midfield control became stronger.

De Bruyne, Silva, Zhao Gang, Gundogan, and even Sterling, all possess good control abilities.

This will reduce the pressure on Manchester City's defense.

Giving them a very good chance to breathe.

Even against Real Madrid's midfield maestros, Manchester City's midfield is not inferior at this moment.

As long as Real Madrid's front trident cannot utilize their speed advantage, Manchester City's tactics will be successful.

Although Zhao Gang likes fast offensive and defensive transitions, which create a lot of opportunities, Manchester City's defense simply cannot handle it.

C. Ronaldo and Bale are just too fierce?

So he had to settle for second best, cooperate with his teammates, and slow down the pace.

"Zhao has retreated from the center forward position to the midfield. This choice has advantages and disadvantages. In the advanced position, he can disrupt Real Madrid's defense very well. As a fulcrum, he can retreat to get the ball and activate the two wings of the frontcourt, posing a greater threat.

Now that he has retreated to the midfield, the threat to Real Madrid's defense has been reduced a lot, but it has increased the control of the mid and rear fields, making it difficult for Real Madrid to pick up speed.

During this time, Manchester City's possession rate has obviously increased.

This should be Guardiola's tactic. Manchester City needs to slow down Real Madrid and slow down the pace.

From the looks of it, the game may not be as exciting as before, but it's good news for Manchester City.

Zhao can not only be an explosive point, but also a metronome.

At this age... Manchester City really got a great deal." James watched the change in rhythm on the field. Although Real Madrid kept trying to speed up, Manchester City just wouldn't take the bait.

After losing the ball, Manchester City became very calm.

"Yes, this guy has the body of a nineteen-year-old, the technique of a twenty-nine-year-old, and the experience of a thirty-nine-year-old. If Mr. Wenger had been willing to spend three to five million pounds more back in Norwich, he could have brought him to the Emirates Stadium for 20 million... alas!" Henry regretted it, thinking that if he had persuaded Wenger at the time, maybe it would have worked out?

Who the hell could have imagined that a Championship striker could grow into a world-class midfielder in just one season?

Guardiola was quick and decisive, directly making a ruthless move and leaving all the competitors far behind.

"There shouldn't be any goals in the first half, or even any threatening shots. Real Madrid is playing a bit uncomfortably. Even if they intercept the ball, they can only attack in position. Manchester City's two defensive midfielders and even the forward players can calmly return to the front of the penalty area, and the position is very crowded. Bale's breakthrough and speed advantage are difficult to play..."

Modric lobbed the ball into the penalty area from the outside. Since the space was crowded, he tried to use height to create chaos.

Ramos, as a defender who often scores, once again rushed into Manchester City's penalty area to compete for a header.

This time, he ran into Zhao Gang again!

Zhao Gang's retreated position was very deep, and he had followed Ramos into the penalty area.

Now there was only Sterling left in front to contain the attack.

Bang!

Zhao Gang jumped high and headed the ball out of the penalty area.

"Hey, you have to say, Zhao Gang's heading attack is not up to par, but his positioning and heading in the penalty area are still decent. Although he doesn't even know where he's going to head the ball, it's definitely right to head it out of the penalty area!"

Zhao Gang's height and jumping ability are exactly what Manchester City lacks. In the face of aerial bombardment, the role of an extra high point is obvious.

Kroos and Silva fought for the ball on the periphery.

The two turned twice, constantly kicking the ball, and Silva poked the ball out with one foot. Manchester City's players ran out of the penalty area and started a counterattack.

The two full-backs seized the opportunity and moved forward and backward at any time.

The center backs stayed at the very back to prevent the ball from being snatched and a counterattack launched.

Silva pushed the ball to Gundogan with one foot.

At this time, Zhao Gang, as the center forward, didn't care about passing the ball. He sprinted forward from the penalty area, swinging his arms along the center!

Gundogan quickly passed the ball to Kolarov, who was moving forward on the wing.

Zhao Gang had already taken away the defender, so Kolarov's pressure was greatly reduced. He dribbled the ball forward, looking for an opportunity.

Silva, Gundogan, and De Bruyne were all moving forward, and Zabaleta and Sterling were also running at the same time.

Manchester City's formation was very spread out, forcing Real Madrid's players to spread out as well.

Kolarov knew that his dribbling ability and breakthrough ability were not good enough in front of Real Madrid's defenders, so he passed the ball to Silva before the defender approached.

Silva advanced along the center and saw Zhao Gang surrounded in front.

Ramos, who was originally in the penalty area, gritted his teeth and rushed towards Zhao Gang, not looking at anyone else. He and Casemiro wanted to lock Zhao Gang down!

Silva had no way to pass the ball to Zhao Gang and could only choose De Bruyne or Sterling.

He took a few steps forward, and Modric had already rushed over to interfere. Silva raised his leg and prepared a long pass to find De Bruyne in an open space.

Unfortunately, the power was a bit weak, and Marcelo suddenly accelerated, jumping up with all his strength and hooking the ball down with one foot.

Without stopping the ball, he pushed the ball to Varane in front.

Whoosh!

Varane made a ground pass to Kroos, who was turning to prepare for a counterattack!

Manchester City's offense was wide open, which made it easy to find teammates, but it also had its drawbacks.

That is, once the ball is intercepted, the defensive positions are also very scattered!

There wasn't a single defender in the path of Varane's pass!

From Marcelo's pass to Varane, to Kroos receiving the ball, not a single Manchester City defender had a chance to intercept!

Almost instantly, the ball went from Real Madrid's half to Manchester City's hinterland!

Manchester City's two full-backs sprinted back with all their might, but how could people run faster than the ball?

Kroos, a top midfielder, his practical ability may not be worse than Xavi and Iniesta, but his reputation is slightly worse.

How could a player of this level let go of this opportunity?

Real Madrid's BBC started a counterattack at the same time. The rhythm Real Madrid had been waiting for for a long time finally came!

Manchester City's wing-backs didn't return to their positions, and a large gap appeared in Bale's position!

He started instantly, man and ball arriving at the same time!

Starting from the right, he began to kill towards the penalty area!

Manchester City could only keep up with Bale with their two center backs!

"Watch this ball!! A huge void appeared in Manchester City's defense!! Bale's speed..."

Bale burst forward, pushing the ball into the penalty area, and then swung his arms to join the sprint.

"Got away! Otamendi's speed is still not good enough in front of Bale!"

Bale took the lead and rushed towards the football. With two more steps, it would be a one-on-one!

In desperation, Otamendi couldn't catch up, so he could only use his hands!

He put his right hand directly on Bale's shoulder. When he realized what the consequences of doing so would be, it was too late.

Thump!

Bale lost his balance, his steps became unstable, his legs tripped over each other, and his rapidly running body fell straight forward, falling into the penalty area!

The football was directly knocked out of the baseline by Bale's arm.

Otamendi widened his eyes, hurriedly looked back, and kept signaling that Bale had handled the ball.

The referee followed the returning defender all the way back, and with a whistle, he pointed cleanly to the penalty spot.

The returning Manchester City players hurriedly stood in front of the referee, and Otamendi kept arguing loudly that it was physical contact, physical contact!

It's not a foul, definitely not a foul!

The referee shook his head and pulled out a yellow card.

A yellow card and a penalty.

Real Madrid fans who had traveled from afar, although not many, also burst out with a lot of noise at this time, cheering heartily.

Penalty, penalty!!

In the final moments of the first half, Bale won a penalty!

"Bad... Otamendi... Otamendi really has no way, Bale's speed is too fast for this ball, Otamendi can't keep up, it is indeed a foul for pulling someone, and there are no defenders in front of Bale except the goalkeeper, so a yellow card is not unfair."

"At the last moment of the first half, Silva's pass was missed. It was in Real Madrid's half, and in the blink of an eye, the ball went into Manchester City's penalty area!

The speed of offensive and defensive transition is evident! Any small mistake can cause very, very serious consequences!

Real Madrid's penalty!

Manchester City finally took a two-goal lead, but they are about to ruin their perfect start!"

"This is very bad news for Manchester City! C. Ronaldo will take this penalty."

Manchester City's players stood outside the penalty area, a little helpless.

Silva covered his face and breathed a heavy sigh.

He rarely makes this kind of mistake.

Even if the pass is missed, there won't be such terrible consequences.

Real Madrid's counterattack, passing the ball, is still too fast.

Zhao Gang scratched his head, stood next to Silva, and patted him on the shoulder.

"I scored the goals, we can lead because of me, I didn't blame you, why are you blaming yourself?"

Silva looked at Zhao Gang's very serious look, a little surprised, this tone of voice really sounds like a senior comforting a rookie.

But it didn't make this big player of the team feel a bit disgusted, but instead relieved the pressure.

Maybe it's because of what Zhao Gang said and did in the last game against Real Madrid.

"Yes, sir!"

The two bumped fists and then stared closely at the penalty area.

Ready to start and rush in at any time to compete for the second spot.

Even if the probability of a penalty is very high, everyone must be prepared!

C. Ronaldo breathed a sigh of relief, standing in front of the ball with his hands on his waist.

Bravo bent over, staring at C. Ronaldo in front of him, observing his movements.

C. Ronaldo took a few steps back and ran up!

"Look at this penalty! C. Ronaldo! Can he..."

C. Ronaldo strode forward, his eyes fixed on the goal, and then he shot violently, Bravo kept tapping his feet, and then jumped up.

Bang!

The football smashed into the goal with terrifying power!

Bravo judged the direction correctly, but the ball was too fast and he didn't touch it at all!

Manchester City's fans went crazy.

The team was behind at the start, and the pressure was huge.

Then Zhao Gang scored a goal with a super god-like speed.

Real Madrid was about to fall into despair!

It's C. Ronaldo!

It was C. Ronaldo's shot that dragged Real Madrid up from the abyss.

It's C. Ronaldo again!

The penalty helped Real Madrid tie the score!

Cristiano Ronaldo, the strongest! Invincible!

Guardiola touched his forehead and remained silent.

Such a good situation, but it was pulled back.

There is a problem with the team's defense, but it's not that there is a problem with the tactics.

That's the hardest part.

It's just that the players' own abilities are insufficient, which leads to defensive disarray, and finally they have no choice but to give a penalty.

This time, Zidane clenched his fists and celebrated passionately.

BBC is still strong!

Before Zidane came, Bale had been in decline, but now he has stood up again!

This is indeed Zidane's credit. He activated Bale!

"This is Real Madrid. The lineup is strong enough, so there is a very large fault tolerance rate. Even if they are two goals behind, they can still tie the score!

Although both goals were scored by C. Ronaldo, it can be clearly seen that Bale and Benzema played a very big role.

The first goal was a connection between Bale and Benzema, and C. Ronaldo's shot, and the second goal was even more Bale directly creating the penalty!

Real Madrid's powerful frontcourt combination is almost unstoppable.

Manchester City's two goals, the first goal should be said that De Bruyne's pass was very accurate, but it was also Zhao who used his very strong personal ability to run out of a one-on-one, and the second goal was a complete reflection of Zhao's personal speed ability.

De Bruyne is a very good passer, and Sterling's impact ability is also good, but the only thing that really worries Real Madrid about Manchester City is Zhao!

Once Zhao is completely blocked in the second half, and Sterling can't stand up, Manchester City will be very, very dangerous."

"C. Ronaldo is already 31 years old. When most forwards are on the decline, he is still at his peak. How can you not love such a player?

Zhao is a very strong new generation player, but don't forget that C. Ronaldo has been at his peak for more than ten years!

Zhao still has a long way to go. If he wants to surpass C. Ronaldo, he needs to perform consistently for ten years, and when he is 31 years old, he can still be so good, and he can still score goals, two goals in one game, three goals in one game, and then compare him with C. Ronaldo!

He is not qualified now!!"