Chapter 17 Some Silence in the Locker Room

The Manchester City locker room was quiet.

Nicolás Otamendi covered his face and leaned back on the bench, finding it too difficult to contain Mbappé, whose explosive power was just too strong.

Moreover, Monaco's players had exceptional passing skills.

Fabinho and Bakayoko in midfield had also improved rapidly since their first encounter with each other.

It seemed as if Zhao Gang had opened their Ren and Du Channels, and their defensive actions and experience had greatly improved. Paired with Falcao, they did a great job of intercepting Zhao Gang.

This 4-4-1-1 formation had dealt a near-devastating blow to Manchester City.

"We have problems on both the defensive and offensive ends! Our grasp of opportunities on the offensive end is a little lacking, which is related to luck and mentality. In the second half, you don't need to feel too much pressure, and don't be impatient. We will definitely score.

"The problems on the defensive end are too serious! But you have to admit that your defensive level cannot contain young players like Mbappé, Bernardo Silva, and Lemar!" Guardiola began to summarize the disastrous first half.

In his opinion, Manchester City's offensive level had not been fully发挥ed, while their defense was indeed somewhat inferior.

As long as the offense could perform normally, they would definitely be able to score!

"If Zhao is contained, you become a group of mediocre attacking players. Do you believe that yourselves? Even without Zhao, you are the most outstanding attacking combination in the Premier League and in European football! You guys, buck up!

"Throughout the second half, you may find it difficult to get offensive support from Zhao!!"

"If that's the case, will you forget how to play football??"

Kevin De Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus, and Raheem Sterling stared blankly at Guardiola.

What did he mean?

No support in the second half?

Was he going to substitute him?

Wouldn't that be the end of it?

He would definitely find an opportunity on the field, and even if he was double-teamed, he would definitely find a way to break through!

"We must first find a way to contain Monaco's three young players, and then find a way to score a goal to eliminate Monaco! So in the second half, Zhao's defensive task will be very heavy!!"

After thinking it over, Guardiola made a bold decision.

...

Soon, the second half began.

Loud cheers rang out once again in the stands of the Etihad Stadium.

These fans had been somewhat stunned by the first half, but they had adjusted during halftime.

In this situation, they should give their home team the most enthusiastic support.

To let these players know that no matter what happened, the Manchester City fans would stand behind them and support them!

"Guardiola has made two substitutions. To make adjustments at the start of the second half shows Guardiola's courage!

"Kompany replaces Otamendi, and attacking midfielder Delph replaces defensive midfielder Fernando!

"Does this substitution mean that Manchester City is about to launch a desperate counterattack and return to a 4-1-4-1 formation??"

The original 4-2-3-1 formation, with Fernando partnering Fernandinho as defensive midfielders, did not have a good defensive effect. Now Guardiola directly replaced a defensive midfielder with a central midfielder.

It looked like they were going to charge straight ahead.

"If Manchester City doesn't score now, they will be eliminated. It's normal to increase attacking players, but is it a little too hasty? Are they launching a full-scale attack at this time?

"If there are any more problems on the defensive end, then they will be doomed!"

The Manchester City players looked a little solemn, and the Monaco players were equally expressionless. They had not yet secured their spot to eliminate Manchester City. As long as Manchester City leveled the aggregate score, they would be the ones eliminated!

During the halftime break, Jardim told them that they must pay attention to defense, but they could not give up on offense. Defending blindly would not work.

Only sharp counterattacks could contain Manchester City's offense.

"Even if we eliminate Manchester City, we cannot create a new European战 history for Monaco, but we will create new glory!

"After tonight, we will become the focus of all of Europe!

"And you, my children, you are the heroes of Monaco, you are the shining stars of the future!

"Go! Defeat Manchester City! Let the entire Etihad sink!"

Encouraged by Jardim's inspiring words, the Monaco players walked onto the field with vigor.

There were only forty-five minutes left to eliminate Manchester City!

"Manchester City's formation still looks like a 4-2-3-1. Zhao Gang's position has retreated, participating more in defense. Is Guardiola preparing to have him and Fernandinho jointly defend Monaco's trident?"

The game had been going on for fifty-five minutes, and commentators from various countries had finally seen it. This time, Zhao Gang was standing in the defensive midfielder position. After getting the ball, he did not advance quickly as before, but kept shifting the ball. When the opponent attacked, he could quickly take up his position.

When Monaco attacked, Zhao Gang even directly started marking Mbappé!

Making it difficult for Mbappé to directly face the center backs.

"Looking at the current situation of the entire Manchester City team, the only one who can keep up with Mbappé's speed is really Zhao Gang! But defending Mbappé, even if he can be contained, will consume a lot of physical energy. In that case, Zhao Gang may find it difficult to have many opportunities to participate in the attack... Oh no!! Zhao Gang!!"

Zhan Lu watched the live broadcast and saw Monaco launch another counterattack, finding Mbappé.

The young and vigorous Mbappé started sprinting with the ball, and Zhao Gang, following Guardiola's arrangement, began a speed race directly with Mbappé!

Mbappé took a powerful touch and then strode forward, sprinting with a whoosh!

Zhao Gang's start was a little slower, but his speed got faster and faster. The two of them ran towards the ball at the same time, and when they were about to touch the ball, they were almost in the same position.

Almost simultaneously, the two engaged in physical confrontation, preparing to push each other away and get the ball!

After a fierce collision, Mbappé's steps were directly disrupted, and he staggered and fell to the side, rolling three or four times before stopping.

Zhao Gang stood in front of the ball and passed it to Kompany.

"Mbappé's speed is almost on par with Zhao Gang, but his absolute speed is still a little slower, and his physical confrontation is much worse. This fall was a bit heavy! But there's no way, this is football. Within the rules, it's not like whoever falls has the right to be right."

Mbappé sat on the grass, his little black face wrinkled. His best weapon, which used to be invincible, was useless at this time.

How could Zhao Gang, who had broken Gareth Bale's fastest sprinting speed on the field, lose to Mbappé, who had not yet fully grown up?

The direct collision between two future stars ended with Mbappé rolling to the side.

The Etihad fans shouted wildly, cheering for Zhao Gang's super speed and confrontation, and also desperately cheering for their team.

Goal, score a goal!

As long as they score one, they can take the initiative!

This kind of sprint does consume a lot of physical energy. Zhao Gang did not turn around and run with the ball, but let Kompany start organizing the attack.

Kompany, a center back, could also carry the ball forward in Manchester City's attacking system and had a very good long-range shooting ability.

Before his injury, this kind of long-range shot had helped Manchester City score a lot of points.

The offensive and defensive rhythm of both sides was very fast. Manchester City wanted to score, and Monaco did not defend blindly, investing a lot in the attack.

Therefore, Monaco's attacking group consumed a lot of energy, which also caused a lot of physical loss for Zhao Gang and Fernandinho, the two defensive midfielders. Zhao Gang found it difficult to directly dribble the ball and sprint to find opportunities like before.

Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling were in very good physical condition, and Gabriel Jesus and Delph had not consumed much energy.

Therefore, after Zhao Gang retreated to increase the defense, Monaco's attacking speed was fast, but the threat was much smaller.

And Manchester City's impact began to show. Even without scoring, Monaco's defense was in imminent danger.

"Monaco's offensive threat has been much less in recent times. Zhao Gang is not only filling the center back position, but also frequently appearing on the wing to assist in the defense of Lemar, the speed-type midfielder!

"Reducing Monaco's impact a lot.

"Although it sacrifices his offensive ability, the defense has been stabilized.

"Manchester City is developing in a better direction. As long as they can score a goal in the next twenty-five minutes and maintain no further goals conceded, they will eliminate Monaco and advance.

"Although the initiative is still in Monaco's hands, Monaco's fans and players are now obviously more worried about their situation than Manchester City fans!

"Monaco has lost the courage to fight desperately in the first half. They had nothing to lose in the first half! So they showed a crazy offensive scene.

"Now, Monaco doesn't dare to lose the ball easily!"

After the sixty-fifth minute of the game, there was a watershed moment.

The Monaco players, who were still charging at the beginning of the second half, had lost their previous sharpness at this time, and they began to retreat consciously!

Just like the commentators said, those who have nothing to lose are not afraid of those who have something to lose. When they had something to lose, they began to worry about gains and losses.

Holding onto the score would allow them to advance!

Moreover, Mbappé, Bernardo Silva, and Lemar were charging too hard, and their physical strength was somewhat unsustainable. If they charged a few more times, they might have cramps.

Monaco began to enter a defensive state.

This also freed Zhao Gang. Mbappé's position was no longer so forward, and it was difficult to threaten Manchester City's penalty area directly.

He began to dribble the ball forward after getting it.

Guardiola paced不停 by the sidelines. Manchester City's recent attacking moves were very good, and the five shots were extremely threatening, but either they were slightly off target or they were destroyed by goalkeeper Subašić.

It seemed that Manchester City was a bit unlucky, otherwise they would have already scored!

The efforts of Manchester City's attacking players were also one of the reasons why Monaco wanted to stabilize the defense.

Guardiola paced不停 by the sidelines, his face沉似水.

There were still twenty minutes left. Monaco had obviously lost the idea of a full-scale attack and would only play a long pass for a counterattack.

Then Manchester City's defense should not have too many problems.

Zhao Gang would be freed.

The huge consumption of physical energy was likely to cause Zhao Gang's actions to be deformed and mistakes in attack.

Guardiola had no expression on his face, but he was already praying in his heart.

Zhao, please don't have any problems with your physical strength. Now is the chance!

Whether we can enter the top eight and escape the pillar of shame depends on you!

Charge up!

Mbappé has already stolen so much limelight, don't you want to fight back?

Are you just going to watch him step on you to take the lead?

Even if you can defend him and win in a one-on-one confrontation, he scored twice and knocked out Manchester City!

This time, you still lost!

With both祈祷 and anxiety in his heart, Guardiola stopped and stared死死 at the field.

"Ah!!!!!!"

Guardiola suddenly lost his composure. His eyes were almost瞪出来, and his big mouth could塞进 five or six hamburgers.

He lifted his legs high a few times and turned to hug Arteta tightly.