This cross-field pass landed directly in Barcelona's half.

Jesus accelerated, chasing like mad, while Mascherano went to ground with a sliding tackle.

Jesus tumbled head over heels onto the turf.

Miraculously, Mascherano managed to deflect the ball just onto the sideline!

Mascherano slid off the pitch, but the ball stayed in play!

That was a display of the Little Horse's incredible interception and control.

"Too bad, Manchester City's counter-attack was ruined!

Mascherano's getting up! He passed the ball out before Jesus could get to it!"

Jesus, who was on the ground, scrambled to his feet, wanting to control the ball, but Mascherano was quicker, returning to the pitch and sending a long pass back into Manchester City's half.

Just a moment ago, the players had been flooding into Barcelona's half for Manchester City's counter-attack, but now they were all sprinting back!

Iniesta passed to Messi, who received the ball, broke free along the middle, pumping his arms and taking short steps forward!

Fernandinho was big and strong, and defensively fierce, but he was a bit outmatched by Messi's quickness and agility. Messi surged forward, shaking off Fernandinho with a change of direction.

Fernandinho didn't hesitate, reaching out to tug at Messi from behind.

Messi flailed his arms, trying to break free.

But he couldn't.

Beeeeep!!

The referee blew his whistle as Messi lost control of the ball.

Previously, when Zhao Gang had shrugged off Umtiti's defense, the referee hadn't blown the whistle, adhering to the principle of benefiting the attack. But this time, it was definitely a foul.

Barcelona had a free kick. Messi stood before the ball, taking a deep breath.

The wall quickly formed.

As a free-kick maestro, Messi had only recently become Barcelona's primary free-kick taker in the last two years. Before, it had always been Xavi and Iniesta.

After becoming the primary free-kick taker, Messi had a streak of scoring from free kicks in consecutive games.

His free-kick skills were absolutely world-class.

Unlike Cristiano Ronaldo, who relied on power for miracles, Messi usually went for placement, aiming for angles that the goalkeeper couldn't reach.

This also led to him frequently hitting the post or crossbar.

Bravo kept directing his teammates' positioning. Given the distance and the central location, Messi would definitely shoot, and the angle would definitely be good.

Without the wall, Messi's accuracy from this distance would be over ninety percent.

Many of the Camp Nou fans had already risen to their feet, craning their necks, as this was one of the things they most looked forward to.

Messi scoring directly from a free kick.

The wall formed, Messi took a short run-up, and boom!

The Manchester City wall leaped high.

"Oh, it's a ground ball! Messi fooled the wall!"

The moment Messi kicked the ball, Bravo had already started to jump, but when he realized it was a low shot, passing through the wall, he instantly lowered his center of gravity, quickly diving from the right side of the goal to the left!

In fact, when the wall blocks the angle on the left side of the goal, the goalkeeper's positioning naturally leans towards the right.

The ball wasn't particularly fast, but the angle was too tricky.

Bravo didn't have time to quickly dive down to save it.

According to the normal trajectory, the ball would graze the post and Bravo's fingertips before rolling into the net.

Bravo's eyes widened, and his heart sank.

Damn it, he'd defended against everything else, but not this!

Messi clenched his fist, ready to celebrate.

Clang!!

Zhao Gang, standing on the left side of the penalty area, appeared like a ghost next to the post and kicked the ball away!

The ball changed direction, flying towards the sideline at an even greater speed.

It wasn't that he didn't want to show off by stepping on the ball on the goal line, but he simply didn't have the ability to pull off such a stylish move.

Being able to kick it out before it went into the net was already his limit!

Messi unclenched his fist, abandoning his celebration. He stared at Zhao Gang in disbelief.

How did he predict that?

Even the slowest ball is much faster than a person running.

Zhao Gang had to make his prediction before the ball was kicked.

And he went directly to that spot.

"Messi's direct free kick! The angle was extremely tricky! But Zhao Gang blocked it! A super clearance near the goal line!! This ball is too crucial, too crucial!!"

Bravo lay on the goal line, watching the ball go out of bounds, and breathed a sigh of relief. He got up and bumped fists with Zhao Gang.

Zhao Gang nodded at him, *Defend well!*

The Camp Nou fans clutched their heads and frowned.

How did he appear there?

Messi had seen the only loophole, and had found that route well.

Unfortunately, Zhao Gang had also noticed this loophole.

Messi shook his head. Aguero, who lived with him during national team matches, had raved about this young man.

He believed that he might grow into the best player in the world, bar none.

However, Aguero had only said that the kid's offensive talent was unparalleled. Looking at it now, he also had his own unique insights into defense and interception.

This kick had glued the hearts of Manchester City fans back together.

He's really serious!

Attacking, defending, his shadow is everywhere!

Barcelona quickly took the throw-in, and Iniesta observed the field while holding the ball.

The Manchester City players quickly took up their defensive positions.

This was the most cautious and careful game that the Manchester City players had played.

Because Barcelona had already put tremendous psychological pressure on Manchester City, and now Barcelona's attacks were pushing them to their limits.

Iniesta quickly found Neymar.

Now, Barcelona's attack largely depended on the breakthroughs and spacing created by the front-line attacking group.

Neymar's breakthrough was the simplest and most direct tactic.

Facing a double-team, Neymar was still able to carry the ball into the penalty area!

The penalty area was full of legs, and the space was too small, making it difficult for Neymar to pass the ball to Suarez's feet.

He directly chose to chip a pass, intending to send the ball over the heads of several Manchester City defenders to find Suarez, who was making a run.

The ball was extremely precise, but Stones jumped high and still didn't get to it!

The far post!

Suarez flew horizontally through the air, extending a leg, preparing to kick the ball in!

The ball didn't land on Suarez's foot, but was intercepted by Zhao Gang, who had also rushed over.

The ball was already falling. Using his head would only knock the ball out of bounds. Zhao Gang faced the baseline and leapt into the air, raising one leg.

A bicycle kick!

He hooked the ball out of the penalty area!

Suarez flew through the air and, without a target, crashed into the goalpost. But it wasn't a big deal. He quickly got up to look for a second chance.

"Zhao Gang! He's defused Barcelona's attack once again!"

Silva controlled the ball outside the penalty area. Barcelona instantly launched a counter-press. David Silva was very experienced, taking the ball with his back to the goal and passing it directly to the wing, moving the ball away from the penalty area.

Sterling had retreated to defend in front of his own penalty area and caught the ball, then powered forward with it.

In an instant, both teams moved quickly forward.

The speed of the transition from defense to offense was very fast.

This wasn't Manchester City's usual rhythm, but facing this kind of counter-attack opportunity, Sterling, the winger with blistering pace, wasn't going to give it up.

He sprinted with the ball but was quickly surrounded by Barcelona players. When he was about to be trapped, Sterling couldn't worry about anything else and turned to pass the ball back.

"This counter-attack has been delayed... Sterling doesn't yet have the ability to carry the ball from his own half directly into the opponent's danger zone."

"Ah? What??"

The commentator, watching Sterling pass the ball back, followed the camera.

This pass was actually to Zhao Gang.

"Zhao... Zhao Gang was still lying in the penalty area! What kind of reaction speed and stamina is that!"

As Barcelona once again formed a blockade around Zhao Gang, Zhao Gang sent a long ball from the right flank to the left flank.

It was Jesus again!

Jesus went wild, leaping to intercept the ball and, with his feet on fire, began to sprint.

De Bruyne and Aguero quickly supported along the middle.

Zhao Gang also followed the main group towards the front.

If the counter-attack failed and turned into a positional battle, they would need his support.

"This switch is very precise, and his vision is wide enough! Jesus! A lot of space!

Facing Mascherano once again!"

Jesus, dribbling the ball forward, was fired up this time, sprinting and creating a considerable distance between himself and Mascherano.

Mascherano had no chance to intercept with a sliding tackle.

However, Mascherano didn't give up, gritting his teeth and running, exerting every ounce of strength to stay behind.

Jesus glanced back at his teammates. Although they were following quickly, their positions weren't as good as his.

Jesus, having gained momentum, didn't want to miss the opportunity. He quickly cut inside, preparing to shoot!

As Jesus cut inside, he lost a fraction of a second, and Mascherano had already sprinted back into the penalty area.

After Mascherano blocked most of the angle, Jesus only had a chance at the near post!

Ter Stegen leapt into the air.

Jesus took a powerful shot, and Ter Stegen stretched, using his right hand to push the ball over the crossbar at the last moment!

Jesus clutched his head and knelt in the penalty area.

Mascherano quickly ran to Ter Stegen, helped him up, and the two bumped chests.

Ter Stegen roared to the sky, cheering for himself and all his Barcelona teammates.

Aguero and De Bruyne, who had rushed over, felt as if all the strength had been drained from their bodies, and their heads drooped.

This opportunity was too important!

If it had gone in, they would have taken the lead.

It would have dealt a very heavy blow to Barcelona.

And it would have eliminated the *fear-of-Barca* mentality of the Manchester City players.

Guardiola, like most Manchester City fans, had been waiting with excitement and soaring adrenaline, but after this save, he could only cover his head and sigh with regret.

The entire Camp Nou let out a huge gasp, followed by enthusiastic cheers.

Ter Stegen is really strong!

Little Lion King lives up to his name.

He blocked a certain goal!

"Jesus's shot was of very high quality, but unfortunately, he ran into Ter Stegen. There was nothing wrong with his decision. His teammates hadn't yet provided support, and Barcelona's defense was about to fall into place.

The opportunity was fleeting, but he just lacked a little luck.

Looking at it now, Manchester City also has a great chance. It's not as bad as it seemed before.

They have a very high probability of taking a victory away from Camp Nou!"

De Bruyne took the corner kick, but the ball was a bit close to the goalkeeper. Ter Stegen stretched out his arms and jumped to catch the ball directly.

No matter how high Zhao Gang jumped, he couldn't compare the height of his head to the height of a professional goalkeeper's hands.

Barcelona's attack continued.

The constant cooperation between the two wings and the center showed signs of breaking down the Manchester City defense.

However, Zhao Gang and Fernandinho's quick support gave the defense a great chance to breathe.

And Manchester City's attack, under the defense of Mascherano and Alba, also found it difficult to create any brilliant cooperation on the wing.

In the center, Busquets kept retreating, and Pique kept shouting at Umtiti, urging him to perk up.

The entire center was temporarily very stable.

Although Mascherano was in the fullback position, his coverage was very wide, and his interception ability was extremely outstanding.

A true iron-blooded man.

After Puyol, Barcelona might only have this one true iron-blooded man left.

After him, Barcelona basically had no such iron-blooded defense anymore.

It was too difficult to pry open the defense from his position.

The game entered the forty-third minute, and Barcelona's attack came once again!

This opportunity was even better than before. Manchester City's midfield pass was suddenly intercepted by Busquets.

Almost in the blink of an eye, Barcelona was at the gates!

Messi, who rarely defended, was running at the front. As he was about to go offside, Neymar passed the ball, and Messi accelerated to receive it directly.

Otamendi's expression was ferocious as he forced Messi from the center to the wing.

In this confrontation, Otamendi did gain a slight advantage and was very successful.

Messi, forced to the wing, wasn't without threat. On the contrary, he could not only shoot but also find Suarez in the center!

Messi, dribbling into the penalty area, used a feint to shake Otamendi.

By the time Otamendi realized it, Messi had already pushed the ball towards the center!

Kompany and Suarez, who had been sprinting from outside the penalty area, both used all their strength to squeeze each other's space.

Suarez still held off Kompany and went for a sliding shot!

Kompany had put enough pressure on Suarez, and Suarez was trying to score from close range, this shot had speed and power but no angle!

Bravo stood there and subconsciously raised his hand, the ball hitting his body and bouncing towards the left side of the goal.

If it had been off by even a little bit, Bravo wouldn't have had time to block the ball.

It could be said that he only blocked the ball because of luck.

Bravo quickly pounced and controlled the ball under his body, holding it tightly to ensure that Suarez wouldn't steal it.

The Barcelona players, seeing that there was no chance, prepared to retreat to defend.

At this time, according to experience, goalkeepers would fall to the ground, holding the ball tightly and not getting up, and then wait for all the opposing players to leave the penalty area, and after confirming that it was safe, the goalkeeper would get up and reorganize the attack.

But this time was different.

After Bravo fell to the ground, the Barcelona players turned around, and he jumped up.

Swinging his arm!

A powerful throw!

Since the first half was about to end, the Barcelona players experienced a brief moment of distraction.

Just that little bit of distraction, and by the time the ball was thrown out, they instantly reacted.

They're going for a quick attack!

Professional players reacted quickly.

But not as quickly as Zhao Gang, who was already prepared.

A tactic that Manchester City had practiced was for Bravo to directly find Zhao Gang.

Whenever the goalkeeper had the ball, Zhao Gang would always be ready.

And Bravo would always be watching, ready to pass the ball to him.

This tactic couldn't be used often, or it would be closely guarded by the opponent.

This time, it was used.

Zhao Gang, who had been casually strolling in the middle, slowly moving forward, had caused the surrounding Barcelona players to lower their guard.

Zhao Gang, in the center, stopped the ball in front of him with one touch.

And then sprinted with all his might.

Zhao Gang, who had broken the fastest sprinting speed at Bale's stadium, had planned this. The Barcelona players couldn't catch up to him, no matter how fast they ran.

Once he reached full speed, not to mention the players behind him, even the players on the same line as him couldn't keep up with his speed.

Once he started running, there were only two people left in Barcelona's half.

Pique and Umtiti.

Seeing Bravo's pass, only Mascherano reacted the fastest, heading towards Zhao Gang, but Zhao Gang was running in a straight line. Unless Mascherano transformed, he couldn't stop Zhao Gang.

Zhao Gang kicked the ball across the halfway line and took off.

"Hey! Hey! Hey! Here it comes again!!"

"Get up!! Get up!!!"

In an instant, the Dragon Country's live broadcast room came alive.

The barrage of comments obscured the entire screen.

"Zhao Gang! Black Flash!! Charge!!"

As Zhao Gang accelerated, he felt as if the wind blowing in his face was entering his body and blood.

Nourishing every cell, stimulating his blood and nerves.

The weight of his body seemed to disappear, and the muscles on his face trembled constantly.

Mascherano struggled to keep up behind him.

Pique and Umtiti immediately reacted, pulling apart a short distance, preparing to close the door directly.

If Zhao Gang crashed into them like a madman, they would have to stop him at all costs.

This could cause very serious injuries, but Pique and Umtiti would never back down!

Faced with the two's frontal defense, all the breakthrough routes had been locked down.

He could only move to the wing and then use his speed to break free, but that was too difficult. Even Bolt didn't have that kind of speed.

As long as these two weren't standing one in front of the other, it would be difficult for Zhao Gang to use his body to squeeze one open and then defeat them one by one.

And once the speed dropped, Mascherano, who was chasing desperately from behind, would catch up and form a sandwich.

In this situation, apart from a through ball, after first blocking the position, there was a chance of running out for a one-on-one. In a situation facing two defenders head-on, basically no one could force their way through.

He could only slow down, look for the opponent's weaknesses, or wait for his teammates.

Zhao Gang, after striding forward and shaking off Mascherano, had a certain amount of time to tangle with Umtiti and Pique.

Different breakthrough routes flashed through Zhao Gang's mind.

Both the left and right sides would eventually be delayed by the two, and the other would quickly provide cover.

The middle...

The two closed the door, and he forcibly broke through, but the ball couldn't get through.

A nutmeg?

If the ball got past, Pique would desperately block the position, and Umtiti would have to be stupid not to turn around and control the ball!

There was no chance to break through.

Mascherano was still chasing behind him!

Zhao Gang's speed could only slow down, because the two defenders in front of him had blocked the advance route.

Umtiti waited in formation. Last time, Zhao Gang had gotten past him because of his negligence.

This time, it was time to prove himself!

This time, with him and Pique, if Zhao Gang could get past, he would immediately eat shit!

Zhao Gang felt Mascherano getting closer and closer behind him. He gritted his teeth, shrugged his shoulders, and flicked the ball!

Preparing to forcibly use his speed to break through from the left, to the right of Umtiti!

Umtiti saw Zhao Gang's movement and quickly moved to the right, while Pique also moved to the right to fill the gap in the middle.

The movements of the two weren't too big, and their center of gravity wasn't completely shifted, because they were worried that Zhao Gang was feinting and could adjust his body at any time to pounce to the right.

This was the defense of two people, not one person. He couldn't just change the direction of the breakthrough and use his speed to break free!

Pique's eyes lit up. As expected, this kid was feinting!

Trying to deceive me, Pique the seer? You're still too young!

Pique saw Zhao Gang's movement and quickly moved to the left, preparing to block Zhao Gang's sudden change of direction!

Umtiti, this simple-minded, well-developed guy, was a little slower to react.

As a result, a small gap appeared in the middle.

But it was still very difficult to break through.

But that was enough!

If the person couldn't get through, the ball could!

Zhao Gang would never waste this opportunity.

Even if he failed, he had to try.

If he didn't try, he wouldn't have the only chance left.

Hesitation leads to defeat.

As Zhao Gang's center of gravity shifted, Mascherano caught up from behind, and three people were about to surround Zhao Gang.

Zhao Gang raised his hand, and the ball left his foot.

At an extremely long distance from the penalty area, the ball roared out!

Pique was dumbfounded.

Is this kid crazy?

No, wait, damn, he has a long-range shot!

Pique felt the ball create a gust of wind beside his ear, even blowing up his perfect hairstyle.

He turned around in a panic.

The ball was flying fast, heading towards the upper right corner of the goal!

Whoa...

The Camp Nou fans stared, never imagining that at this distance, under the defense of two people, Zhao Gang would find an angle and, without the possibility of breaking through, would shoot directly!

Although he had the ability to shoot from long range, it was almost always a surprise attack, only succeeding when the goalkeeper wasn't prepared.

But this ball, Zhao Gang had already accelerated, and Ter Stegen had long been waiting, ready for anything.

Ter Stegen's head grew big when he saw this ball.

It was a fast-spinning ball!

It was very likely that the trajectory of the ball would change due to the friction.

The ball was approaching, and Ter Stegen exerted force under his feet, flying up and diving towards the upper right corner!

Clang!!

The ball brushed against the crossbar and slammed into the net.

Ter Stegen hadn't blocked this tricky angle.

This ball was not only fast and powerful, but the angle was also perfect!

It required not only strength but also a great deal of luck!

The ball smashed into the net, causing the camera above to tremble!

When this angle switched to the broadcast, it looked like the ball was about to break through the screen and come out.

The fans in front of the screen shuddered involuntarily.

The ball went in again!