Chapter 697: Chapter 696: Three Arrows Unleashed
"It’s terrible! That corner should not have been given! And let’s not even mention the penalty that followed!"
"Manchester City really are a bit unlucky."
"Oh! Ronaldinho really has nerves of steel!"
"Ronaldinho scores his second goal from a penalty! Now, the aggregate score becomes four to three!"
"Barcelona is completely ahead by a goal."
"Even if Manchester City scores after this, Barcelona will have avoided the possibility of a knockout, and the teams will return to a tie, which significantly increases Barcelona’s margin for error."
There’s a complete difference between losing after conceding a goal and drawing after conceding a goal, psychologically speaking.
The latter is much calmer.
After the goal, the main referee finally blew the whistle to stop the match.
The first half ended.
On Manchester City’s side, Guardiola led his team of assistants into the locker room to prepare a targeted analysis of Barcelona’s first-half play.
Whereas Maxa stayed on the sidelines, ready to give the referees an earful.
This team had people responsible for technique and others for emotions, truly an assembly line operation.
During halftime, various media outlets also began analyzing some of the first half’s issues.
Huang Jianxiang stated, "I personally think that Adriano was not offside on that ball. I know some would say it was a fifty-fifty call, but I want you to consider, who made that pass?"
"It was Deng Kai!"
"Deng Kai has been the European Assistant King for three years running. Although there are still some matches left this season, he’s already made over fifteen assists in the league."
"Without any surprises, he will continue to be the European Assistant King this year! And since the beginning of his professional football career, he’s accumulated over a hundred assists in all competitions."
"Given time, he could quite possibly become the greatest Assistant King in football history!"
"Such a player definitely has the ability to judge whether a goal is offside."
"If you’re unsure whether it was offside, just look at Deng Kai! How could football passed by Deng Kai possibly be offside?"
Huang Jianxiang’s explanation is outrageous.
But the majority of fans actually felt there was nothing wrong with his argument.
In the realm of assisting, very few dare to say they are more professional than Deng Kai at this stage!
Not even Zidane would guarantee it.
Other analysts delved into the two penalties awarded to Barcelona.
Some analyzed the penalty that Manchester City should have won.
In the end, most people developed a better understanding or rather sympathy towards Manchester City.
They were already at the end of their tether.
And now they were kicked while down.
Manchester City’s exit from the European Union Cup this time truly gives one reason to sigh... A tiger that falls flat is teased by a magpie!
In the second half, both teams returned to the pitch.
The game remained extremely intense.
In the 52nd minute, Deng Kai delivered a through ball.
Villa on the left received the ball and took a long shot that flew over the bar.
In the 58th minute, Ronaldinho carried the ball and made a cross.
Xavi took a long shot that sent the football to the fans in the stands.
In the 64th minute.
Lahm, after crossing midfield, changed his usual style of playing to the end line and cut in early, forcing Marquez to foul him and bring Lahm down.
Manchester City was awarded a free kick from a pretty good position.
Deng Kai took the shot.
He struck an Elevator Ball that hit the crossbar, missing the chance to even the score.
"Oh! Indeed! When someone’s luck is down, even drinking water can get stuck between teeth."
"Although it’s quite normal for Deng Kai’s free kick not to go in, as he can’t score on every free kick."
"But to appear at this time, it inevitably gives people a feeling... as if it’s fated!"
"It seems as if Lady Luck favors Barcelona even more."
In the 66th minute, Quaresma cut inside after getting past Lahm and delivered a beautiful pass.
Saviola rushed forward in front of goal to push a shot.
Cech flew to save, deflecting the football away.
The ball flew towards Saviola, who immediately took a follow-up shot.
However, Cech on the ground used hands and feet alike, scrambling up to save consecutively.
Once again, he refused entry to the football.
Chiellini cleared the ball immediately after.
Saviola held his head in his hands, disbelieving.
"Saviola really... missed that opportunity, it’s... such a pity!"
"Cech’s saves are incredibly strong! That double save is definitely one of the best in the match!"
"If we say Lady Luck favors Barça, then Manchester City embodies a will to defy fate; they still haven’t given up!"
"Oh! Barça is making a substitution, Rijkaard can’t stand it with Saviola anymore."
"Cruyff replaces Saviola, this Dutch hound, once a main striker for Barça, has spent more time on the bench this season."
"It seems he doesn’t have a good relationship with his fellow countryman Rijkaard. He’s clearly not happy with his role in the team and he might look for a transfer!"
"Another young player from Barça is Iniesta, who is coming on to replace his senior Xavi. As one of the most talented players from La Masia of his generation, Iniesta is burdened with high expectations."
"Yet, his former adversary Deng Kai is clearly a presence beyond his reach."
"Even his former national youth team companion Torres has already attained numerous honors with Manchester City’s senior team!"
At the same time, Manchester City also made adjustments to their team.
"Speaking of Torres, here he comes. He’s replacing Villa, who started the game today."
"Both these young Spanish forwards are very talented, rumored to have a good chance of joining Spain’s national team together this summer for the European Championship!"
"Villa’s offensive skills are more mature, and his shooting is just a bit better."
"Torres is faster, and his entrance might bring even more trouble to the Barça defense."
"Additionally, Kompany is replacing Thiago Silva, who is carrying a yellow card and has a slight discomfort in his thigh."
"Kompany’s height will also greatly increase Manchester City’s threat on set pieces."
After the substitutions, both teams saw a surge in dynamism.
There was a wave of intense contesting.
In the 71st minute.
Kompany headed a corner kick from Barça out of the penalty area.
Mascherano received the ball and with a feint, he breezed past Iniesta, who tried to press forward.
Then, Mascherano slipped the ball to Deng Kai, who was bursting past him.
Deng Kai, upon receiving the ball, immediately nudged it forward and accelerated, driving the ball at high speed down the center.
Almost simultaneously, Torres and Ribery, one on the left and one on the right, took flight with Deng Kai.
Because they weren’t carrying the ball, they were faster than Deng Kai.
Three sharp swords, each piercing through the middle of Barça’s formation in different directions.
The Barça defenders could hardly catch up with the trio of Deng Kai; they could only continue to chase.
Those defenders who hadn’t pushed forward quickly retreated and positioned themselves.
This was a very dangerous attack.
By the time Deng Kai carried the ball past the halfway line.
Ribery took the lead by making a run to the right, actively spreading out to the flank.
Deng Kai went with the flow, his body angling to the side, right foot raised.
Puyol had no choice but to shift towards Ribery’s direction somewhat, covering Ribery as well.
