Chapter 656: Chapter 655: Losing is Winning, Winning is Losing
Adriano blocked Happia.
But Dudek had already adjusted his position and was ready for the next save.
However, Adriano, disturbed by Happia and with Kilop rushing at him, couldn’t possibly adjust the football with his foot and take a shot.
In the penalty area with too many players, any slight adjustment would eliminate the chance of a shot.
At the same time, he couldn’t go for a direct header, as it wouldn’t have the power needed and would essentially hand the ball control over to Dudek.
Bang!
Adriano flicked the ball with a header.
He directed the football towards a slightly outward penalty spot.
Bang!
Deng Kai, who had been closely followed but then ignored, burst into the penalty area, collected the football, and took a clever shot.
Kilop turned and bent over to stretch his leg behind him, executing an extreme defensive move.
This movement was very similar to the future Liverpool star Van Dijk’s signature defensive maneuver.
But Deng Kai seemed to have anticipated this move, and his shot was craftily aimed a little towards Kilop.
The ball squeezed through Kilop’s legs and into the net.
"GOAL! One to two! Deng Kai pulls one back for Manchester City!"
"Adriano’s physical strength is powerful, there are so many Liverpool players in the box, but he still got to the first contact point."
"Kilop’s forte is retreating to defend, especially when bending to stretch his leg back — a masterful move. But Deng Kai anticipated Kilop’s anticipation!"
"Indeed, Deng Kai. Kilop used to be Deng’s junior, and even now, he can’t escape Deng Kai’s ’Five Finger Mountain’."
Subsequently, Manchester City gradually demanded ball possession.
After several clashes, Liverpool eventually ceded the ball.
There was no helping it; Manchester City had too many players participating in pressing, and their pressing was tactical and coordinated.
In the entire Premier League, perhaps only Arsenal could currently outplay Manchester City in terms of ball possession and midfield control.
The thirty-ninth minute.
A Liverpool team unwilling to give up, after regaining possession, also tried to use passes from the back to dissuade Manchester City.
Usually, after a turnover, to prevent a counterattack, forwards pretend to press to buy time for midfield and defense to fall back.
So after this turnover, Liverpool passed it around in the back, and Adriano and Ribery should have retreated.
But Liverpool clearly underestimated the madness of Manchester City.
Adriano and Ribery did not pull back.
Deng Kai, Tu Lei, and even Essien joined the press!
Manchester City’s entire front line was involved, initiating an aggressive press in the front field.
Happia found all his passing lanes blocked, including the one to the goalkeeper.
Bang!
When Happia hesitated, he had an intense physical tussle with Adriano.
Eventually, Happia fell to the ground and Adriano gained possession.
Some Liverpool players raised their hands, indicating a foul by Adriano.
But the referee did not blow his whistle.
Such intensity was all too common in the Premier League.
Bang!
Adri passed the ball to Deng Kai.
Deng Kai went for a wall-pass through ball, and Kilop dived in vain.
Adriano was through on goal without trouble.
Bang!
With a powerful shot, Adriano turned and ran toward Deng Kai, starting the celebration.
"Two to two! Manchester City has completely equalized the score!"
"Liverpool’s backline played with fire; that was a significant error!"
"They should have passed the ball to Gerard right away."
"They’re trying to increase possession time and take control by passing around in the backfield, but they neglected the fact that this Manchester City’s front line has a very high rotation rate."
"With their substantial defensive tasks, it’s difficult for them to maintain their stamina throughout the whole match."
The forty-fourth minute, the first half was about to end.
Liverpool launched an attack.
They executed a string of quite brilliant combinations.
Even Riise came forward.
Gerard found a good opportunity and passed it to Riise.
Riise took a powerful shot.
Thiago Silva stood tall, blocked the shot with his body, and fell to the ground.
Tu Lei and Gerard both leapt up, and ultimately Tu Lei headed the ball, nudging it to Lahm nearby.
Lahm took the ball and flicked it a good five meters away.
Smicer, who was ready to defend him, had just settled his weight preparing to physically duel with Lahm for the ball.
Then Lahm suddenly accelerated.
By the time Smicer managed to lift his weight and turn around, Lahm had already run out more than two meters ahead.
"Lahm! Lahm has sped up, he’s so fast!"
"Both of Manchester City’s full-backs are incredibly fast. And there’s the substitute Ashley Young, who is also a sprinter in the 100 meters."
"It’s just that Sun Jihai’s speed is comparatively average, which is why he’s further down the pecking order for appearances at Manchester City."
"But Sun Jihai can play several positions, and Manchester City needs him."
"He’s past him! Lahm has done it again!"
"Everyone thought Lahm was going to pass to Deng Kai, but Lahm faked the pass and surged forward with the ball, crossing the halfway line himself!"
"So fast! Lahm cuts inside, Kilop is trailing by half a body length, Kilop has no chance."
"Adriano’s asking for the ball, Lahm raises his foot... another fake pass!"
"Lahm bursts into the box!"
"He shoots!"
"It’s in!"
"A solo run! The young Philipp Lahm goes the distance by himself! What an incredible goal that was!"
"So beautiful!"
"Three to two! Manchester City takes the lead! Lahm scores a century’s counterattack!"
The camera focused on Lahm.
The saying that losing is winning, and winning is losing, was perfectly exemplified in Lahm’s case.
He was once a winner, hailed alongside Schweinsteiger as one of Bayern Munich’s great young talents.
Until he was defeated by the younger duo of Lisbon’s Deng Kai and Ronaldo in the Youth Champions League, Lahm’s life began to go downhill.
He lost to his friend Schweinsteiger in the bid to join Bayern Munich’s first team.
As a result, he had to leave Bayern as a loser and join Manchester City.
After joining the Sky Blues, Lahm became a winner again, performing exceptionally well in multiple starts.
Unfortunately, an injury and being replaced by Grosso reduced him to the bench, making him a loser once more.
However, this season, he finally made his mark, becoming the team’s first choice again and putting on impressive performances.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it’s been a rollercoaster.
As for Schweinsteiger who chose to stay at Bayern, only this season did he officially move up to Bayern’s first team. While he too has played in some matches, he’s mostly come on as a substitute, and not for long periods of time.
Both are playing in top-tier leagues.
Bayern may be leading the Bundesliga at the moment.
But our Manchester City’s points are tied with Arsenal and Chelsea for first place, mind you!
As the season comes to an end, the gap between Lahm and Schweinsteiger is set to widen further.
In that moment, far away in Munich, Schweinsteiger, who hadn’t been selected for that round’s league match squad, watched Lahm on the screen with numerous thoughts running through his mind.
He just couldn’t understand.
How could winning turn into losing?
What kind of bizarre extreme challenge was this?
