Chapter 433: Juventus' Strength!
After all the tours and bonding, the match day arrived, and neither side showed any intention of holding back.
In the first half, both teams attacked fiercely, with the pace of the game extremely fast. The match was thrilling, making the fans who bought tickets to watch it live feel that it was worth every penny. This is the kind of Champions League everyone loves! Having a bunch of weak teams no one knows about only lowers the quality of the Champions League and makes the games less interesting, even less so than watching their own league matches.
Juventus had clearly come prepared, making many targeted arrangements against Manchester City's offensive system. Instead of man-marking Lin Quan as they had done before, they switched to zone defense, using player movement and positioning to disrupt the connections between City's players and reduce Lin Quan's dribbling space.
In the first half, this strategy worked wonders. Although City managed eight shots, none of them resulted in a goal. On the other hand, Juventus' forwards also couldn't break through City's defense. Despite the intense and exciting play, the first half ended 0-0.
At the start of the second half, Guardiola made tactical adjustments. He replaced forward Jovetic with defensive midfielder Fernandinho, changing the formation to a 4-5-1 and switching to a false nine. This adjustment strengthened City's control of the midfield and effectively curtailed Juventus' counterattacks. The match quickly fell under City's control, with their possession rate soon exceeding 60%.
Juventus' coach, Allegri, began to feel uneasy. He stood up and moved to the sideline, frowning as he watched City's players' positioning and attacking coordination, pondering his response. Guardiola's move to replace a forward with a midfielder seemed to weaken City's attacking power, but in reality, it increased their control over possession and the number of attacking phases.
For most teams, simply increasing the number of attacks and shots might not necessarily translate into goals. But City was different because they had a superstar, one of the top three with the highest scoring efficiency. Giving him so many shooting opportunities meant he would eventually find the net.
Thinking about this, Allegri considered making a substitution himself, taking off a forward and adding a midfielder to strengthen the defense. However, before he could make up his mind, the situation on the field changed dramatically.
In the 58th minute, while City was attacking, Lin Quan's shot on goal was deflected by Chiellini, causing the ball to change direction. Buffon, who was ready to make a save, almost hurt his back. For goalkeepers, deflected shots are the most difficult because the ball's trajectory suddenly changes, leaving them no time to react. Buffon could only helplessly watch the ball fly into the net.
1-0, thanks to Chiellini's deflection, City finally broke the deadlock.
Seeing this goal, Allegri couldn't help but hold his head in his hands. Now his planned adjustments were useless; instead of taking off a forward, he needed to strengthen his attack to turn the game around. So, he called Dybala to warm up and get ready to come on. Juventus had two forwards on the pitch: Mandzukic and Morata. Since Morata had just recovered from an injury, Allegri planned to substitute him.
However, before he could make the substitution, Morata surprised him. In the 62nd minute, Juventus' two forwards completed a brilliant combination. Mandzukic received the ball, shielded it from City's defenders, and set it up for Morata. Morata deftly sidestepped Van Dijk and, with a slight adjustment, took a shot. The strike was quick and decisive, and Navas, who raised his arms to save it, could only watch as the ball squeezed through the small gap between his hands and went into the net.
1-1, Juventus had equalized!
This was also the first time this season that City's goal had been breached. Seeing Morata's excellent shot, Lin Quan couldn't help but be surprised. Has this guy's shooting technique improved significantly? Or was it just luck?
Three years ago, in the youth national team, Lin Quan had witnessed Morata's shooting skills. Morata had a knack for finding gaps in the opposition's defense and creating his own shooting opportunities. However, his shooting efficiency was low; despite being ambidextrous, he often missed in unexpected ways or sent the ball straight into the keeper's arms. But if Morata had suddenly improved his shooting dramatically, combining this with his ability to find space and shoot with both feet, his future achievements could far exceed what was expected, potentially becoming a top-tier forward in the world.
After scoring at City's home, Morata was ecstatic. He sprinted towards the corner flag, leaping in the air, and made a heart shape with his hands towards the Juventus fans. The Juventus fans, already ecstatic at the equalizer, went wild seeing Morata's celebration.
"Well done, Morata!"
"Great shot!"
"Amazing!"
The fans' praise made Morata feel like he was floating on cloud nine. The feeling was so intoxicating that he wished he could score a couple more goals to keep the praise coming. Before Morata could bask in his glory, his teammates rushed over, piling on top of him in celebration.
On the sidelines, Allegri smiled and applauded his players. Fortunately, his substitution had been slightly delayed; otherwise, this goal might not have happened. It seemed Morata was in better shape than expected after his injury. With this game, Allegri's worries about Morata's condition vanished. But they couldn't afford to relax just yet; they had only equalized. With 30 minutes left, City could easily score again. So, the next phase was crucial: how to maintain this scoreline?
On the other side, Guardiola stroked his chin, pondering. The recent goal had an element of luck, and it was unlikely to happen again. Plus, City wouldn't give them such opportunities again.
Guardiola had to think of new tactics to regain control of the game. He knew that allowing Juventus to score again would put them at a severe disadvantage.
With the game tied, the atmosphere in the stadium was tense. The fans could feel the intensity of the battle on the field. Both teams were determined to win, and the pace of the game didn't slow down.
Manchester City continued to press forward, leveraging their strong midfield to dominate possession and create opportunities. Lin Quan, as usual, was at the heart of City's attacks, constantly probing Juventus' defense for any weaknesses.
In the 70th minute, City earned a corner kick. Kevin De Bruyne stepped up to take it, sending a well-placed cross into the box. The ball found the head of Vincent Kompany, who directed a powerful header towards the goal. Buffon, showing his experience and reflexes, made a spectacular save to deny Kompany. The ball bounced back into play, and there was a scramble in the box before Juventus managed to clear it.
Despite the missed opportunity, City didn't relent. They kept up the pressure, pushing Juventus further back into their half. Guardiola decided to make another tactical change, bringing on Raheem Sterling to add more speed and width to their attack.
Sterling's introduction injected fresh energy into City's play. His pace and dribbling skills immediately posed a new threat to Juventus' defense. In the 78th minute, Sterling received a pass from De Bruyne on the left wing. He took on two defenders, darting past them with a burst of speed before delivering a low cross into the box. The ball evaded the Juventus defenders and found its way to Lin Quan, who had positioned himself perfectly. Lin Quan took a quick touch to control the ball and then fired a shot towards the bottom corner. Buffon, despite his best efforts, couldn't reach it this time.
The stadium erupted in cheers as Lin Quan's shot hit the back of the net. Manchester City was back in the lead, 2-1.
The goal was a testament to City's persistence and tactical flexibility. Guardiola's adjustments had paid off, and the team celebrated with their fans, who were ecstatic with the turn of events.
Juventus, now trailing again, had to respond quickly. Allegri urged his players forward, signaling for a more aggressive approach. He brought on another striker to bolster their attack, hoping to snatch a late equalizer.
The final minutes of the game were a flurry of action. Juventus threw everything they had at City, trying to break through their defense. However, City's backline, marshaled by Kompany and Van Dijk, stood firm. They intercepted crosses, blocked shots, and made crucial tackles to protect their lead.
In the 85th minute, Juventus came close to scoring. Dybala found space just outside the box and unleashed a powerful shot. Navas, demonstrating his agility, dived full stretch to his right and tipped the ball around the post. It was a vital save that kept City in the lead.
As the clock ticked towards 90 minutes, City focused on maintaining possession and running down the time. They passed the ball around with confidence, frustrating Juventus' attempts to regain control.
The referee added four minutes of stoppage time, but Juventus couldn't find a way through. When the final whistle blew, Manchester City had secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory.
The players and fans celebrated together, knowing they had overcome a significant challenge. This win not only gave them three points but also sent a message to the rest of Europe that Manchester City was a force to be reckoned with in the Champions League.
As the players left the field, Guardiola exchanged a handshake and a few words with Allegri. Both managers showed mutual respect for each other's efforts. It had been a thrilling encounter, showcasing the best of European football.
Back in the dressing room, the mood was jubilant. The players congratulated each other, enjoying the moment of triumph. Lin Quan, who had been instrumental in the victory, received praise from his teammates and coaches. It was another brilliant performance from the star player, reinforcing his reputation as one of the best in the world.
Guardiola addressed the team, praising their determination and adaptability. He reminded them that this was just the beginning and that they needed to maintain their focus and work hard for the challenges ahead.
For Manchester City, this victory was a significant step towards their goal of conquering Europe. They had shown their quality and resilience, proving that they could compete with the best. The journey was far from over, but with performances like this, the dream of lifting the Champions League trophy seemed within reach.
However, figuring out how to break through Juventus' defense was the most pressing issue at hand. Guardiola pondered for a moment and then signaled his players to press forward and apply intense pressure on Juventus.
This kind of attack carried significant risk because it left their defense exposed. If Juventus managed to break free and launch a counterattack, it could be very dangerous. But Guardiola trusted his players and his tactics, confident they wouldn't give Juventus such an opportunity. He aimed to have his players exert continuous pressure, forcing Juventus' defense to retract further and create opportunities for his surprise tactics.
Seeing the coach's signal, the Manchester City players moved up without hesitation, pressing past the halfway line and launching an all-out assault within thirty meters of the Juventus goal. Juventus' players immediately felt immense pressure, reminiscent of facing peak-era Barcelona. City players used passing and dribbling to pull and stretch Juventus' defense, forcing their players to stay fully focused without any margin for error. This level of concentration was mentally exhausting, and within a short time, many players felt physically and mentally drained, as if they had fought a tough battle.
Due to this, Juventus' defense retreated significantly, almost entirely within thirty meters of their goal. As a result, the penalty area was crowded with players. Without a tall striker, City's threat seemed to diminish once Juventus' players packed the box. However, breaking a dense defense isn't limited to headers alone. Set-pieces and long-range shots are also effective strategies.
Seeing the opponent's players clustered near the penalty area, City increased the frequency of their long-range shots. Kroos, De Bruyne, David Silva, and Lin Quan all took turns attempting shots from distance. Each of these players posed a significant threat, especially Lin Quan, whose shots were particularly dangerous, drawing special attention from Juventus.
However, City's real trump card wasn't Lin Quan, Kroos, or De Bruyne. It was someone Juventus would never have expected.
In the 82nd minute, Lin Quan created space, feigned a long-range shot to draw Bonucci and Chiellini toward him, and then passed the ball to the oncoming Kroos. The two worked seamlessly; as soon as Lin Quan's pass reached Kroos, he was ready to shoot. Juventus' players rushed to block Kroos, and even Buffon was drawn toward the action, slightly shifting his position to the right.
But just when everyone thought Kroos would shoot, he subtly tapped the ball to the open space on the other side. It was a fake shot and a real pass. Though it wasn't clear who Kroos was passing to, Juventus' players sensed danger.
Following Kroos' pass, a small, dark figure came into view—it was Kante! This truly surprised Juventus' players. They knew Kante was an exceptional defender but hadn't heard of his long-range shooting prowess. However, it was too late. Thanks to Lin Quan and Kroos drawing away the defenders, Kante found himself unmarked and ready for a clear shot.
Kante, well-prepared, delivered a high-quality shot aimed at the left side of the goal. Buffon, realizing the danger after Kroos' feint, moved to the right but was still a step too late. As Kante struck, Buffon's feet hadn't fully adjusted, and despite his desperate leap, the ball brushed past his fingertips and into the net.
The heart-stopping save attempt ended with the ball in the net, and City fans collectively sighed in relief. Buffon's reputation as the world's best goalkeeper was evident, even at 37, leaving everyone to marvel at his skills. On the other side, Juventus fans couldn't help but feel disappointed. Just a bit more preparation could have saved that goal, they thought.
Landing on the ground, Buffon felt an intense dissatisfaction. This goal was due to underestimating the opponent. They hadn't anticipated Kante would be the one to finish the attack. If they had known earlier, he would have been marked tightly.
On the sidelines, Guardiola was ecstatic, celebrating like a child, pumping his fists with joy. He was delighted not only because the team regained the lead but also because Kante's attacking prowess was unleashed. Kante's defensive abilities were undisputed, but Guardiola wanted all his players to be versatile. Multi-skilled players were Guardiola's favorite.
Unlocking Kante's attacking capabilities was significant for City. It meant another playmaker and goal-scorer, making it harder for opponents to defend. Crucially, Kante's strong defensive skills often led to successful tackles. If he could directly transition to organizing attacks after winning the ball, without needing to pass it to a teammate first, it would reduce the opponent's reaction time and greatly increase offensive efficiency.
For Manchester City, this was momentous. Of course, achieving this wasn't easy. Kante still had a long way to go before becoming the all-around player Guardiola envisioned.
City's second goal was a critical blow to Juventus, leaving them little time to equalize as the match entered its final stages. Juventus lacked possession, and City's midfield control was formidable. Weakening their defense to strengthen their attack would only expose them to more goals.
Allegri, not one to hesitate, quickly brought on Dybala, further strengthening their offense. They had nothing to lose and decided to go all out in a final push.