Chapter 597: Chapter 596: Deng Kai·Brando
The 52nd minute.
Fowler received a pass from Tu Lei and delivered a cross.
Ribery got on the end of it and, despite Riise’s interference, hit a tight angle shot into the side netting.
The 54th minute.
During a defensive move, Liverpool’s midfielder Schmeichel brought down Fowler.
Fowler indicated discomfort in his thigh.
Although he received the best rotation at Manchester City, his injury-prone nature had not been exposed due to the schedule.
Yet in the face of aggression, Fowler was still quite vulnerable.
He might not have been truly injured, but Maxa subbed him out for protection purposes all the same.
Adriano came on as a substitute.
The 57th minute.
Under Gerard’s hard pressing, Deng Kai sent a chipped pass to Baggio.
From the flank, Baggio sent in a cross at a 45-degree angle.
Adriano rose high and outjumped Happia to head the ball towards goal.
Whoosh!
The football crashed into Liverpool’s net.
"Beautiful! Adriano with a towering header to score!"
"Four-nil! Manchester City has thoroughly put the game beyond doubt! The aggregate score now stands at six to three! Unless Liverpool scores three goals in a row, Manchester City will advance to the final!"
"This is also Adriano’s third goal in the League Cup."
"After an early season slump, the Inter Milan prince Adriano has finally picked up."
"Given his current performance in the cup and league, this season he looks set to contribute more than ten goals for Manchester City in all competitions."
"Though not a large number or high efficiency, it is an acceptable figure for a young striker."
"Manchester City has not given Adriano so much league playing time for nothing."
"Similarly, Ribery has adapted even faster. He has become a stable attacking fulcrum on the right side of the team."
"The most enviable thing about Manchester City is their ability to develop young players."
"That’s more important than anything."
"The team isn’t afraid of raw talent; it’s afraid of not seeing progress, of not seeing a future!"
"Of course, considering Adriano’s current performance and demonstrated potential, ten million for the future is definitely worth it. But twenty million would be tough, and forty million even more unlikely."
"The deal for Adriano will likely not result in a loss for Manchester City, but it certainly won’t make a profit."
The 60th minute.
Kilop launched a long pass.
Chiellini won the first touch in an attempt to clear the ball.
But the football didn’t go far, and Simon seized the chance for a long-range shot.
Unfortunately for Lehmann, he was in great form today and successfully deflected the ball.
Manchester City made a substitution, bringing on Thiago Silva for the booked Tu Lei.
Although Thiago Silva is a centre-back, this season Manchester City has been training him to perform as a defensive midfielder, and he has the qualities to become an excellent one.
The 73rd minute.
Manchester City made another change.
Torres replaced the exhausted Roberto Baggio.
Torres was quick, and Manchester City kept giving him long balls to attack Liverpool’s defence.
In the 81st minute, Torres’s flank breakthrough led to Carragher being booked with a yellow card.
The 87th minute.
Deng Kai moved to the right flank again, combining with Maicon in the attack.
Maicon drew the defence and pushed the football forward with a pass.
Deng Kai made a run down the wing.
This was the first frontal confrontation between Deng Kai and Riise after the conflict arose between the sides.
The heartbeat of the fans at the scene suddenly quickened.
Everyone held their breath.
"Deng Kai changes direction, a continuous chain of feints."
"Riise is well-prepared; he’s still holding his position against Deng Kai, not letting him break through."
"Is Deng Kai going to try to force his way past with a touch? Judging from Riise’s movements, if Deng Kai really does get past, he’ll use his physical advantage to knock Deng Kai off balance."
"Deng Kai keeps feinting with a dropped shoulder, preventing Riise from getting the chance to close in."
"He’s past him! Deng Kai plays the ball with his left foot... it’s a nutmeg!"
"In the moment Riise looks down to find the ball, Deng Kai has already circled around him."
"Riise tries to grab Deng Kai, but Deng Kai slaps away Riise’s hand... that must have hurt!"
"Deng Kai passes! He flicks the football into the penalty area... Thiago Silva heads at goal!"
"Dudek makes a spectacular save."
"Deng Kai! He scores with a tight-angle follow-up shot!"
"Five to zero!"
"Manchester City have dealt Liverpool another blow as the match nears its end!"
"That was a humiliating move! Riise got nutmegged by Deng Kai! And Deng Kai scored!"
"A brace for him!"
In the camera shot, Deng Kai runs towards the corner flag.
In this moment, the whole world knows what he is about to do!
The home fans, in tune with Deng Kai, let out an earth-shattering "siu" three seconds later!
Deng Kai’s promise, though late, was fulfilled.
The home fans are completely satisfied.
At the ninety-second minute, Gerard sends a diagonal ball to the far post.
Owen makes a run and nudges a shot that hits the post and bounces out.
Soon after, the referee blows the final whistle.
The match is over.
Manchester City win the second leg by five to zero, coming back with an aggregate score of seven to three over Liverpool, and advance to the English League Cup final.
An esteemed English commentator had this to say after the match ended: "Liverpool can’t play like this; they lack the spirit of a comeback!"
"They must learn this; it’s crucial for their future."
"In the Premier League, they are forever the chasers. In the title races against Manchester United and Arsenal, they are definitely on the back foot."
"If they can’t play like Manchester City did today, they will never win a championship."
"Of course, this also applies to European competitions. English teams have always been at a disadvantage in Europe, even Manchester United’s treble was won with a last-minute comeback."
"Liverpool should let go of their grudge against Manchester City and maintain a good relationship with Deng Kai. After all, it was Deng Kai who taught Manchester United how to make comebacks!"
"Riise’s behavior was inappropriate; he put the team in a difficult position, confronting a team unified as steel."
"If your opponent is Marlon Brando, you certainly can’t beat him!"
"And today, Deng Kai is Manchester’s Marlon Brando!"
Afterward, Deng Kai, who was named the best player of the match, took questions from the media.
Reporter: "Deng Kai, how would you evaluate Riise’s performance in this match?"
Deng Kai shrugged: "He should be more focused. I know a lot of athletes have greater needs in some aspects, but when you’re on the pitch, your priority should be football."
"Not some other ’balls’."
"Otherwise, you simply can’t defend against players like Ribery, Maicon, and me!"
Reporter: "There were some conflicts on the field, and they weren’t resolved until you nodded your head. What did Gerard say to you at that time?"
Deng Kai: "Firstly, I need to correct something. The on-field conflict was caused by Riise, he took me down maliciously, and my teammates saw the whole thing."
