The Real Madrid fans in the stands at Atletico Madrid hadn't even had time to react.

When had Real Madrid's center backs become like this?

Ramos and Varane.

This was definitely one of La Liga's strongest center-back pairings.

And they were both national team mainstays, yet they were being played so raggedly?

If Zhao Gang hadn't headed that ball away just now, Real Madrid would already be down 0-3!

"What's Varane thinking?? Seeing Zhao's speed, knowing he can't win the ball, doesn't he know to quickly cut him off?? Why does he keep trying to challenge?"

"His speed is bad, and his awareness is bad too?"

"How did someone like that become a starting center back for both club and country?"

"What makes him think he can replace Pepe as a starter for Real Madrid?"

"That's right, Pepe would never be so reckless! Even if he couldn't match the speed, he'd use every possible means to stop that attack!"

"Why is Ramos pushing so far up? Knowing Zhao is so fast, why is there only one person left in the backfield? Wasn't it always two people before?? All actors!"

"Ah, it's just that Zhao's speed is too fast; Varane wasn't prepared for it. Zhao's sprinting speed wasn't this fierce before.

Varane, as a center back, it's fine for him to try to disrupt at that distance... Zhao is just getting more and more aggressive."

"Go! Go! Bring it back! Bring it back!"

The Real Madrid fans were chanting non-stop, and Real Madrid's attacks were indeed becoming more ferocious.

Looking at the situation, according to the Real Madrid commentator from the last game, this score wasn't the end, and Real Madrid would definitely rewrite it again.

C. Ronaldo found it difficult to get past Fernandinho's defense, but Fernandinho could only defend C. Ronaldo directly; the rest of the Real Madrid players could easily get past the Manchester City midfield.

Kroos's quick distribution easily put C. Ronaldo up against Zabaleta.

Then Marcelo, coming up from behind, posed an even greater threat, throwing the entire Manchester City right flank into disarray.

Added to that was Benzema's support in the center, making Manchester City's defense a cause for concern.

When C. Ronaldo faced Zabaleta again, he did his trademark bicycle kick feints a couple of times before pushing the ball to Modrić.

C. Ronaldo almost never dribbles when in a set-piece attack.

Distributing the ball after drawing the defense is his characteristic.

Modrić took the ball, cooperated with Benzema, and then passed it laterally to Kroos.

Carvajal quickly cut inside, pulled at Manchester City's defense after receiving the ball, and passed it out.

After receiving the ball, Kroos chipped it directly to Bale on the right.

Real Madrid's offensive coordination was excellent, and although Manchester City's defensive formation was still in place, there were many gaps appearing.

Bale was completely open!

The Great Sage Bale's speed was unmatched in Europe a few years ago.

Now, just today, someone had broken his record.

But that didn't mean Bale's speed was bad.

After getting the ball, Bale accelerated forward, preparing to cut inside.

Neither of Manchester City's full-backs, Kolarov or Zabaleta, could stop Bale.

Seeing Kolarov coming to defend, Bale didn't choose to pass, but instead nudged the ball towards the end line.

He was preparing to use his speed to overtake and break into the penalty area!

Kolarov sprinted desperately to cut him off.

During the confrontation with Bale, he was easily left behind!

"Bale's speed is still too fast! Look at this ball, Kolarov is completely out of position! Bale is in!"

Bale saved the ball from the end line and broke into the penalty area.

Stones could only quickly fill the gap!

At this point, if Bale found an angle to shoot, that distance would be too uncomfortable for Bravo!

Bang!

Bale was very unselfish; instead of shooting, he chipped the ball into the penalty area.

At this time, not only was Benzema in the penalty area, but so was C. Ronaldo, who had rushed in from the wing!

Manchester City had lost Stones's aerial presence, making it very easy for Benzema to lean on Otamendi and jump high.

First point!

He whipped his head and directed the ball towards the goal!

It had both power and sought an angle!

The ball headed towards the lower left corner, and Bravo subconsciously lowered his body, making a save.

But when he saw the trajectory of the ball, he gave up resisting.

The ball was traveling too fast, and the angle was too extreme; he had no chance to save it!

The Real Madrid fans who had come to the Etihad Stadium had already raised their hands, ready to celebrate!

The Manchester City fans' hearts sank; this was bad!

Clang!

After Benzema's powerful header, he looked at the goal, almost ready to celebrate.

But the ball hit the post directly!

His celebratory gesture turned into a head-in-hands sigh.

The Manchester City fans jumped up, almost bursting into song!

"Just a little bit off, Benzema was too focused on the angle! Manchester City escapes!"

"C. Ronaldo! There's still a chance! A rebound! C. Ronaldo's rebound!"

C. Ronaldo, who always had a strong desire to score, was always watching the goal and the ball.

He wouldn't miss any scoring opportunity!

This spirit was the same as Zhao Gang's performance in front of the goal.

Always be prepared to shoot, even if there's no chance.

Without this preparation, even if the opportunity comes, it will slip away.

Bravo, who had already given up on the save, realized the ball hadn't gone in and immediately reacted, diving onto the turf to try to hold the ball down, but it was too late.

Another faster figure burst out from the crowd, smashing the ball like a cannonball into the upper right corner of the net, knocking the camera askew!

Goal!

C. Ronaldo, who always strives for goals even when Real Madrid is down by two, seized the opportunity!

Once again, he became a hero for Real Madrid, sounding the horn for a counterattack!

"Siu!!!!"

Countless Madrid fans stood in front of their TVs, jumping high and swinging their arms with C. Ronaldo, roaring domineeringly.

Real Madrid's teammates rushed over and surrounded C. Ronaldo.

After being scored on twice in a row by Manchester City, they needed to vent!

This wasn't the end; it was a beginning!

The beginning of Real Madrid's counterattack!

This attack would be the equalizer!

The next one would be the go-ahead goal!

Manchester City's defense was simply not good enough!

On the sidelines, Zidane breathed a sigh of relief; as expected, Manchester City's defense had a hard time restricting Real Madrid's attacking trident.

Continuous passing and breakthroughs would find a weakness.

And Benzema and C. Ronaldo's sense of smell in front of the goal was world-class.

There was still a lot of time left, and plenty of opportunities!

Couldn't defend? Then they'd trade blows!

Guardiola shook his head non-stop; this defense, both left and right fullbacks, was a bit lacking.

They simply couldn't compete with top teams.

They could do whatever they wanted in the Premier League because the two center backs and the defensive midfielder could quickly fill the gaps, making the weaknesses of the two full-backs less obvious.

But against this kind of high-impact attacking group with an extremely strong ability to seize opportunities in front of the goal, the center backs'补位(bǔ wèi - covering) was simply a disaster!