Chapter 264: Not Swapping Jerseys with Ronaldo, Is Ronaldo Jealous?
During the pre-game handshake, Lin Quan and his national teammates shared some laughs and hugs.
When it was Real Madrid's forwards' turn, Bale was very polite: "Lin, can we swap jerseys after the match?"
Hearing Bale's words, Benzema and Ronaldo perked up their ears.
Lin Quan didn't think much of it and nodded, "Sure!"
After answering, he thought he heard two sighs beside him.
"Lin, can we swap jerseys after the next match at Bernabeu?"
When it was Benzema's turn, he grabbed Lin Quan's hands, looking hopeful.
"Uh, okay!"
Lin Quan nodded again, feeling a bit strange.
Am I that popular with Real Madrid's forwards? Why are they lining up to swap jerseys with me?
Finally, it was Ronaldo's turn. The two looked at each other, but Ronaldo snorted and didn't speak.
Lin Quan was puzzled. He hadn't offended Ronaldo, so why the attitude?
The captains began the coin toss, and Real Madrid's captain Casillas won, choosing to start with the ball.
At 6 PM, the referee's whistle signaled the kickoff of the first leg match between Manchester City and Real Madrid.
Ronaldo passed the ball to Bale, who quickly returned it to Modric and ran down the wing.
Manchester City's players didn't give Modric time to organize the attack. Several players quickly pressed up, charging towards him.
Modric calmly passed the ball back to Alonso.
Alonso, positioned furthest back, faced less pressure from Manchester City's pressing.
However, Manchester City's forward Aguero still charged at Alonso.
Facing Aguero's pressing, Alonso shifted the ball to left-back Marcelo.
Marcelo, a strong attacking full-back, looked up to see Manchester City's defensive setup and quickly advanced with the ball.
Seeing Marcelo advancing, Ronaldo started positioning himself, moving between the middle and the wing to draw the defenders' attention.
This season, Ronaldo had been a scoring machine in the Champions League, making him Real Madrid's top threat.
Seeing Ronaldo move, Manchester City's midfielder Yaya Toure immediately left Isco and rushed towards Ronaldo.
At that moment, Marcelo crossed the halfway line, catching Manchester City's left-back Kolarov's attention.
Marcelo showcased some fancy footwork, attempting a trick, but the Serbian defender wasn't fooled.
Like Marcelo, Kolarov is more attack-minded and knows his defensive limitations, so he cautiously held back.
You can go down the line, but I won't let you cut inside to pass to the middle.
Marcelo feigned going down the line but suddenly paused, creating space from Kolarov, then made a wide pass to the right wing.
A tall figure received the ball and darted down the wing like lightning.
Gareth Bale!
Bale's threat had been repeatedly emphasized by Pellegrini before the match. As soon as he got the ball, Manchester City's players, Zabaleta and Kroos, immediately closed in, planning to double-team him.
But Bale's dribbling was simple and straightforward, relying purely on speed!
Facing Zabaleta's interception, Bale simply knocked the ball past him and sped around him, despite Zabaleta's attempt to pull him back, catching up to his own pass!
Bale's signature move – passing to himself a few seconds ahead!
Zabaleta was completely out of position, and Kroos couldn't catch up, watching helplessly as Bale charged into the penalty area.
In the box, Manchester City's captain Kompany, who had just returned from injury, came up to block Bale at the edge of the penalty area.
Bale couldn't continue his dribble as he wasn't a player with exceptional close-range dribbling skills.
In the tight space of the penalty area, his speed was less effective.
So Bale slowed down, looking for a shot opportunity!
Kompany was on high alert, watching Bale's every move, ready to block any shot.
Here it comes!
Bale didn't hesitate, adjusting his stance and preparing to shoot.
Seeing Bale's shooting posture, Kompany braced himself, hands behind his back, ready to block with his body.
However, Bale had a trick up his sleeve. Instead of shooting, he lightly passed the ball to the side, where a white figure was speeding in!
Who was it?
It was Real Madrid's number 22, the 2012 Golden Boy – Isco!
Isco quickly cut in and shot before the defenders could react.
The shot was heart-stopping for the Manchester City fans at the Etihad Stadium. From their perspective, it seemed their defense had completely overlooked this sudden threat, not marking him at all.
No way, less than three minutes in and Real Madrid was going to score?
Manchester City fans held their breath, barely daring to look at their goal!
At the critical moment, Joe Hart came to the rescue! He stretched out like a deity, making an acrobatic save to deny Isco's dangerous shot!
Phew! Seeing Joe Hart's save, the Manchester City fans collectively breathed a sigh of relief!
Thank goodness for Joe Hart; without him, the team would have fallen behind right at the start!
With that thought, the fans began singing praises for Joe Hart, celebrating his greatness.
Kompany, looking serious, went over to talk to the midfielders, especially Kroos.
The responsibility for Isco's unmarked run fell on Kroos.
He nodded, knowing that Real Madrid's attack was highly threatening today. If he moved, he needed support from teammates; otherwise, he couldn't leave his position lightly.
On the sidelines, Real Madrid's coach Ancelotti held his head in frustration after seeing Isco's shot saved by Joe Hart. But he quickly regained his composure, applauding Isco and the players.
Although this attack didn't succeed, Real Madrid has already shown their offensive power.
Manchester City will likely play more cautiously after seeing how dangerous Real Madrid's attack can be.
If they do play defensively, they will fall into Real Madrid's trap!
To Ancelotti, Manchester City is a team strong in offense but weak in defense.
If they can be forced to focus on defense and not have many players attacking, it would be the ideal situation for Real Madrid.
However, Pellegrini might not choose this strategy. In his last match against Barcelona, he made substitutions earlier than expected, showing his aggressive nature.
From the home team's bench, Pellegrini frowned as he watched Real Madrid's dangerous attack right at the beginning.
Real Madrid is indeed a tough opponent; their three forwards are highly threatening.
Combined with the two fullbacks and Modric's passing in the middle, Real Madrid has too many ways to attack.
Pure defense alone cannot stop Real Madrid unless Manchester City has Atletico Madrid's defensive prowess.
But Atletico's defensive ability was built over three to four years by Simeone, starting from scratch.
Manchester City can't learn this overnight!
Besides, Manchester City's players are not workers but luxurious sports cars. Asking them to do the hard work of defenders is a waste of their talent.
With this in mind, Pellegrini made a decision.
To win, Manchester City must rely on their offense!
On the field, Real Madrid's corner kick didn't pose a threat as Joe Hart caught the ball.
After catching it, Joe Hart quickly ran out and threw the ball to Lin Quan's feet.
As soon as Lin Quan received the ball, Marcelo intercepted him!
Marcelo is good in attack, but in defense, especially one-on-one, his abilities are not as impressive!
Lin Quan's dribbling is different from Bale's. He used a change in rhythm and a feint to throw Marcelo off balance, smoothly bypassing him.
Damn!
Marcelo cursed and quickly turned to chase back.
This guy has become stronger since the Confederations Cup!
Seeing Marcelo beaten, Real Madrid's center-backs hurried to retreat.
Since Ramos had gone forward for the header, only the warrior Pepe was left to cover the back.
Stopping Lin Quan one-on-one was impossible, so Pepe waited for his teammates to come back and help.
Xabi Alonso was not far from Lin Quan. As Lin Quan advanced down the wing, Alonso chased straight down the middle, likely to meet him near the penalty area.
Additionally, right-back Arbeloa was also quickly retreating. He could cover the center-back position with Pepe, forming a barrier to protect their goal.
Pepe quickly evaluated the situation and felt more confident, no longer panicking.
However, Lin Quan was not alone in his attack.
As he advanced, Manchester City's forwards Aguero, left-winger David Silva, and attacking midfielder De Bruyne also sprinted forward.
Besides De Bruyne, who was a bit behind, the other two were close to Lin Quan, allowing Manchester City to create a three-on-three situation in the front.
On the sidelines, Ancelotti stood up.
Real Madrid had just completed a very threatening attack, and Manchester City immediately countered.
Indeed, underestimating Manchester City would lead to severe consequences!
"Go, Lin!"
"Beat them!"
"Send the Galacticos to hell!!"
Seeing their team's fast counterattack, Manchester City fans cheered excitedly.
So what if it's Real Madrid?
So what if they're a top European team?
We're here to beat the best!
Over 5,000 Real Madrid fans who had come to support looked worried. The opponent's counterattack was too fast, especially number 10. Marcelo seemed like a statue, failing to slow down his advance.
Seeing Manchester City's massive attack, they feared this match might become an offensive battle!
Real Madrid fans usually welcome attacking football, but last year, in the Champions League semi-finals, they faced another offensive team – Klopp's Dortmund!
At Westfalenstadion, Real Madrid had a painful experience, losing 5-1!
This time, at the Etihad Stadium, seeing Lin Quan charging towards their penalty area, they couldn't help but recall last year's match: Will history repeat itself?
As Lin Quan approached the penalty area, Real Madrid's defenders finally moved.
Pepe cautiously approached, maintaining a safe distance, not giving Lin Quan an easy chance to get past him.
He aimed to force Lin Quan to slow down or pass, preventing a direct threat to the goal.
With Arbeloa already defending in the box and Alonso tracking back, Lin Quan had limited options: either get past Pepe immediately or risk being surrounded and losing the ball.
If he forced his way through, Pepe was confident he could let the ball pass but not the man, leaving the ball for his teammates and blocking Lin Quan himself.
However, Lin Quan seemed unfazed by Pepe's trap. As Alonso reached out to intercept, Lin Quan suddenly accelerated into the box!
Pepe's eyes widened! This guy's got guts!
He immediately focused, closing in on Lin Quan, forcing him to make a quick decision!
Get past me and let my teammates or the goalkeeper take the ball.
Fail to get past and let me block and steal the ball.
Faced with Pepe's defense, Lin Quan hesitated, not making a choice immediately.
Pepe was delighted, quickly closing the distance, thinking: Is this the guy touted as being on par with Messi and Ronaldo? Seems a bit overrated!
But at that moment, Lin Quan moved!
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