Chapter 1 The Most Important League Game

　　Following the FA Cup match against Chelsea, Manchester City faced what was possibly their most important league game of the season just three days later.

　　A victory in this league game would secure them the league title with six rounds to spare!

　　Even a draw or loss wouldn't likely jeopardize their league title, but their next three league games were all away matches.

　　Securing the title early away from home was definitely not as desirable as doing it at their home stadium.

　　That's why Guardiola rotated so many players in the FA Cup and immediately substituted Zhao Gang after his facial injury, all to preserve their stamina.

　　It was all for this crucial battle.

　　If they could defeat Liverpool in this game, Manchester City would face no further pressure in the league, allowing them to shift their full focus to the Champions League.

　　This season was the closest Manchester City had come to winning the Champions League in many years.

　　Manchester City would undoubtedly go all out.

　　Liverpool, as a former English top-tier champion and a long-standing powerhouse, certainly wouldn't allow themselves to be a mere backdrop.

　　They would also fight with all their might in this game, especially since they were in a critical battle for a top-four finish. This match was destined to be an all-out war.

　　On April 8th, the fans at the Etihad Stadium arrived earlier and in greater numbers than usual.

　　Many fans were already waiting there as early as seven or eight in the morning.

　　Those without tickets couldn't enter the stadium, but they remained passionate, singing team anthems and chanting Manchester City's slogans.

　　The sound of "Champions" echoed throughout the neighborhood.

　　This game was far more important to Manchester City fans than the League Cup final.

　　It was like the final of the Premier League. One victory would bring the fruition of all the efforts and expectations of the entire season!

　　Every Manchester City fan hoped to witness this glorious moment in person.

　　This was bound to ignite the passion and excitement of these supporters and fans.

　　The championship was the greatest pride and glory for those who had faith and love for football.

　　As the two teams stood in the tunnel, the entire stadium was already a roaring sea of voices.

　　Blue flags fluttered in the wind, embodying the fans' aspirations for the Sky Blues.

　　"When the blue flag flies...we gather together..."

　　"We are all witnesses...we raise our arms and shout..."

　　"Manchester City!"

　　"Champions!"

　　"Manchester City!"

　　"Champions!"

　　The fans possessed inexhaustible energy, jumping, raising their arms, and shouting loudly.

　　Meanwhile, in Dragon Country, Teacher Zhan had obtained the starting lineups of both teams and began the introductions.

　　Liverpool was still using their familiar 4-3-3 formation. Klopp hadn't made any adjustments to the lineup, as it was their most reliable starting eleven and formation this season.

　　Faced with this crucial battle, Klopp didn't risk changing the lineup.

　　And Manchester City, Guardiola...

　　"Guardiola...hmm, hasn't used the very stable 4-2-3-1 formation from this season.

　　In this extremely important game, Guardiola perfectly demonstrated his personality.

　　Any team can become his experimental subject.

　　Whether it's the universe team Barcelona or the Bundesliga giant Bayern Munich, or the current Premier League霸主 Manchester City, he can freely experiment with his new lineups and instill his football philosophy as long as he wants.

　　This really is something only Guardiola has the courage and control over the team to do.

　　Any other coach wouldn't dare to try this so easily.

　　Let's take a look at Manchester City's starting lineup, which has directly changed to a 3-4-3.

　　Goalkeeper Bravo, the three defenders are Otamendi, Kompany, and Kyle Walker.

　　The four midfielders are De Bruyne, De Bruyne, David Silva, and Stones. Sané and Fernandinho are waiting on the bench.

　　This is a very strange change. Stones, as a center-back, has been moved up to midfield, similar to a defensive midfielder position. In the last FA Cup game against Chelsea, Stones replaced Zhao Gang and appeared in this position, but the effect wasn't ideal, and the midfield and defense were a bit chaotic.

　　It only improved when De Bruyne and Silva came on as substitutes.

　　Let's see how it works today.

　　The three forwards are Zhao Gang, Agüero, and Sterling.

　　Zhao Gang is now completely in the winger position. With his speed and physical ability, there's absolutely no problem with him playing as a winger.

　　Moreover, he originally started as a forward, so we can look forward to his performance now that he's back in his preferred position.

　　This formation wasn't created by Guardiola. Conte is the coach who is best at playing the 3-4-3 formation. Guardiola may have learned some experience from it.

　　Unlike Chelsea's three center-backs, Manchester City's three defenders are more like two full-backs and one center-back. In Conte's 3-4-3 formation, the two wing-backs not only need to attack, but they can also fall back to become full-backs when defending.

　　In Guardiola's formation, it's impossible for De Bruyne and Sané to become full-backs. It's likely that Stones will fall back and form a center-back pairing with Kompany.

　　The specific changes will depend on the performance on the field."

　　"Hmm... the camera is showing... the wives of the Manchester City players... it's truly a gathering of beauties, the most beautiful scenery.

　　They are all models, singers, and fashion designers, with impeccable physical qualities."

　　It's good to be rich.

　　Zhao Gang stepped onto the Etihad Stadium and took a deep breath. He wasn't nervous, only full of anticipation.

　　Only two words were on his mind.

　　Champion.

　　The only slight regret in his career so far might be the league title.

　　He had won the Europa League title, the League Cup title, and was still striving for the Champions League and FA Cup.

　　He was only missing the league title.

　　He didn't even win the Championship title.

　　And he probably won't get it in the future.

　　It's a bit difficult for Manchester City to be relegated. Any low probability transfer would also be destined for a top team contending for titles, with no chance of entering a lower-level league.

　　As for the Dragon Super League title he had been thinking about in his previous life?

　　He probably won't have the honor of getting that in this lifetime.

　　Messi and Ronaldo are full of honors, but they also don't have the ability to win the Dragon Super League title.

　　If they beat Liverpool, it would be an exciting milestone night.

　　The two teams were on high alert.

　　Liverpool almost drew with Manchester City in the first leg, and the two teams jointly played the game with the most goals in the Premier League this season.

　　Before this game, the media almost unanimously believed that it would be another high-scoring affair.

　　The Liverpool players were certainly not convinced. Manchester City had not only become the public enemy of the Premier League teams because of their record, but they were now going to step on them to ascend the throne.

　　Outrageous!

　　They must do their best to fight and delay Manchester City's march to the title!

　　And this game naturally became the focus of attention throughout the Premier League, with huge interest throughout Europe and even the world.

　　Manchester United fans were the most conflicted.

　　They certainly hoped Manchester City would lose, but they would also be upset if their arch-rivals Liverpool won.

　　It would be best if both of these teams lost.

　　But that's impossible.

　　After thinking about it, it seems like a draw would be the best outcome.

　　That way, Leicester City would also need to win for Manchester City to fail to win the title early.

　　Beep!!

　　Referee Clattenburg blew the whistle to start the game.

　　Liverpool passed the ball back, and Lallana controlled the ball.

　　Manchester City was very proactive from the start of the game, pressing very high up the pitch.

　　Sterling, Zhao Gang, and Agüero all had good pressing and defensive abilities.

　　Agüero immediately pressed forward.

　　The midfielders behind him were also constantly running and cutting off Lallana's possible passing routes.

　　Lallana could only choose to pass back to the defensive line. Manchester City's midfield and forwards didn't care and moved up again, forcing Liverpool players to pass back to Mignolet.

　　Agüero was extremely active, rushing into the penalty area to press the goalkeeper.

　　Mignolet kept an eye on everything and saw Zhao Gang and Sterling on the routes of the two spread-out full-backs.

　　The two center-backs in the middle were too close to the goal, and if a mistake occurred during the pass and it was intercepted, the consequences would be disastrous.

　　Mignolet kicked the ball directly towards the midfield area.

　　This was the safest option.

　　Liverpool is a team that is best at playing this kind of full-field pressing. At the start of the game, Manchester City was playing in the way Liverpool is best at.

　　Firmino and Kompany competed for the header. Kompany headed the ball forward, and Stones, after receiving the ball, didn't choose to pass but glanced at his positioning and began to dribble forward.

　　He is a center-back, but today Guardiola let him act as a deep-lying playmaker, making the whole of Manchester City more aggressive.

　　So he can also be the starting point of the team's attack.

　　Manchester City began an orderly attack.

　　Zhao Gang was placed at the front in this game, and his task was much easier. He didn't need to organize the ball out of the midfield, but only needed to constantly run and stretch the defense, and finally break through to shoot or pass the ball.

　　Of course, he could also fall back to the midfield to get the ball and break through all the way, but it wasn't necessary.

　　Manchester City's four midfielders all had good ball control and passing abilities.

　　This is Manchester City's attacking ability, which is very fierce.

　　Liverpool's players retreated across the board. There were too many attacking players in Manchester City, and they all had the ability to get the ball and pass it. It was difficult for any team to win the ball from Manchester City in a set-piece battle.

　　Manchester City's midfielders began to pass the ball constantly, looking for a breakthrough.

　　Agüero would even fall back to support, while Zhao Gang seemed a little quiet. However, Liverpool's defense didn't dare to not take Zhao Gang seriously and was still constantly watching Zhao Gang's position and next move.

　　Klopp on the sidelines felt somewhat relieved that Zhao Gang had been moved to the forward position.

　　When Zhao Gang is in the midfield, he can break through, pass, and organize, and there is a good space for him to perform.

　　Now that he is at the front, and Manchester City's midfield is very crowded, Zhao Gang's role has been greatly reduced.

　　After De Bruyne got the ball, he made a light through ball. Zhao Gang got the ball and faced Clyne directly.

　　Zhao Gang dribbled the ball towards the baseline. With one acceleration, Clyne could only grab and pull to stop him. It was difficult for him to keep up with Zhao Gang's pace.

　　Before he reached the baseline, a relatively large gap appeared. Zhao Gang took advantage of the situation and squeezed in. Matip quickly came over to cooperate with Clyne to form a defensive line.

　　Zhao Gang kicked the ball out and rushed out before the two closed the door!

　　"Oh, Zhao Gang! Clyne's speed is too slow, and Matip's help defense didn't stop him!"

　　Emre Can also retreated from the middle and immediately came over. The three defended, firmly restricting Zhao Gang on the left side of the penalty area.

　　Zhao Gang dribbled the ball outwards, and suddenly flicked it with his heel, the football passing through Matip's legs.

　　Agüero, who was very familiar with Zhao Gang, had already seen the gap behind Matip.

　　He knew that Zhao Gang could pass the ball to the right place, and he didn't care how it was passed.

　　Anyway, it could be passed there.

　　Agüero ran ahead, already in place.

　　The football leaked to his feet, and Agüero turned halfway and fired a powerful shot from a small angle!

　　Lovren's attention was already very focused, but he was still a little slow and didn't block the shooting route, only slightly interfering with Agüero's shot with his body.

　　The king of small angles, Argentine professional boxer Agüero's powerful shot was full of power.

　　Mignolet made a very wonderful save, diving to push the ball out!

　　Bang!

　　The football hit Mignolet's hand and flew to the right.

　　Milner didn't hesitate and kicked the ball out of bounds without stopping it.

　　Agüero covered his head, unable to believe that Mignolet could save such a wonderful small-angle shot.

　　The entire stadium let out a burst of regretful sounds.

　　The pass was elegant, the shot was wonderful, and the save was also beautiful.

　　"Manchester City's attack is very fierce, and Liverpool's defense on the right is a bit difficult. Should they consider switching Milner and Clyne?

　　It's difficult for Clyne to keep up with Zhao Gang's pace!"