Chapter 1 The Beginning

Barcelona set up a wall; Zhao Gang could take a direct shot from this distance.

Ter Stegen directed the defense, extremely tense.

The fans in the Etihad stands watched the field with anticipation.

Zhao Gang stood in front of the ball, took a deep breath, then took a few steps back, and accelerated!

As his thigh swung, his right foot fiercely struck the soccer ball!

The soccer ball drew an arc, soaring over the wall!

The upper right corner of the goal!

Ter Stegen leaped up, reaching for the ball with one hand.

He realized that he was still a bit short and didn't touch the soccer ball!

In an instant, Ter Stegen's heart turned cold. This guy's free-kick technique was too fierce!

Bang!

Ter Stegen fell on the lawn, and the soccer ball slammed into the crossbar. The huge force made the entire goal tremble, and it bounced out of the baseline!

Zhao Gang held his head, and the Manchester City fans let out a huge sigh of regret.

"Just a little bit, just a little bit! This free-kick technique… if it were one centimeter lower, the ball would have hit the bottom of the crossbar and bounced into the net! Ter Stegen had no way to save that ball… What a pity, what a pity!

Lacking some luck!"

The Barcelona players quickly ran forward, preparing to attack.

Ter Stegen broke out in a cold sweat, and Guardiola pounded his leg hard. If it had gone in, Manchester City's chances of advancing would have greatly increased.

If they ultimately eliminated Barcelona, it wouldn't just be about advancing to the final; it would also be about breaking through their psychological barriers and shadows. For the final Champions League battle, they would grow too much and face it with a completely new look.

Ter Stegen kicked the ball out with a long foot.

The two sides once again engaged in a scramble.

At this point, Barcelona already had a sense of crisis; if they didn't score, they would be eliminated.

So, the midfielders and forwards were particularly aggressive.

Busquets was in the midfield, and Mascherano and Alba rushed up from time to time to increase the number of attackers.

Time was passing. Zhao Gang's luck wasn't very good, and Messi's luck didn't seem to be working either. One of his shots brushed against the post and went out of bounds.

Making the Manchester City fans' hearts clench.

Suarez was still being heavily restricted, making it very difficult for him to play. He could only serve as a relay point, constantly distributing the ball to both wings.

Neymar's juggling-like breakthroughs were indeed cool, but several attacks were directly disrupted out of the penalty area.

And Manchester City didn't stop attacking either, launching counterattacks with great flair.

Aguero was also tightly marked, and De Bruyne's passes found Jesus twice, but unfortunately, the shots were blasted into the sky!

Guardiola and Enrique both looked uneasy.

Guardiola knew about Barcelona's strong attacking ability, and they could be equalized at any time!

Once equalized, Manchester City would be eliminated.

And Enrique was even more solemn. Now that Barcelona was behind, he had to find a way to get a goal back!

Both sides were doing their best to work hard.

In the remaining ten-plus minutes of the first half, no more goals were scored.

When the half ended and the players left the field, heading towards the locker room, the fans in the stands excitedly shouted the players' names, sang the team song, and cheered for all the players.

"Zhao! Well done! Keep it up!!"

"Defeat Messi, and you'll be the world's number one!!"

"Go, go, Manchester City!!"

"Idol, Zhao!!"

In the locker room, the players and coaches on both sides did not relax. The less time left in this game, the more nervous and excited people would become.

This was a decisive battle. Half the game was over, and the second half would be even more intense.

For both sides, nothing was impossible.

A small mistake could also lead to Manchester City being eliminated.

Guardiola and Enrique kept arranging their tactics for the second half.

The Dragon Country fans were still cheering for Zhao Gang like crazy, and many video bloggers were editing out the highlights of the first half.

Zhao Gang's performance in this game seemed to be a bit worse than before, with only one assist, but his free kick and his confrontation with the entire Barcelona team were enough to show his determination in this game.

The fans could be full of anticipation, celebrating with joy, but the players on both sides couldn't be so relaxed.

When the second half began, the players on both sides looked solemn.

Before the game, Manchester City was under greater pressure, but now Barcelona was under greater pressure.

They had to score!

Manchester City did not deliberately strengthen its defense. The previous game against Juventus taught Guardiola a lesson. After taking the lead, he would never replace the front players and replace a defensive midfielder.

The same was true today. He would not let Zhao Gang retreat to defend. He wanted to maintain an attacking state at all times so that Barcelona would always be wary.

And once there was a problem with Barcelona's defense and Manchester City miraculously scored a goal, that would be even more perfect!

Barcelona had been attacking from both wings, and Messi often ran from the right to the middle, which was very similar to Zhao Gang.

In the fifty-fifth minute of the game, Messi received a pass back from Neymar in front of the penalty area and suddenly unleashed a powerful shot!

Bang!!

This ball easily passed the defense and spun directly towards the goal!

The hearts of fans on both sides were tugged.

Messi's luck didn't seem to have returned. This shot directly hit the crossbar and bounced out!

One shot brushed against the post, and the other hit the crossbar!

Messi was disappointed and kept shaking his head.

Manchester City fans felt a little relieved. If this ball had gone in, it would have been troublesome!

Guardiola paced on the sidelines. He was a little worried that his tactics were wrong again.

Should he increase the defense?

If this continued, and there were problems with the defense, something big would happen again.

Moreover, this semi-final was of great significance to him. Since leaving Barcelona, he had never entered the Champions League final again!

This was his time to prove himself!

So, his pressure was conceivable. He kept hesitating whether to substitute someone to increase the defense, or to have everyone on Manchester City start defending?

Guardiola was still hesitating.

Bravo pushed the ball to Stones, and Manchester City's ball slowly moved forward, layer by layer.

Only a small number of times would the goal kick directly go to Zhao Gang. Most of the time, Manchester City's attack was like this, unhurried, controlling the ball and slowly moving forward.

Manchester City could take their time, but Barcelona, who were behind, couldn't continue to take their time like this.

The forwards Neymar and Suarez began to actively counter-press, and Messi was also constantly watching Manchester City's possible passing routes.

Busquets kept an eye on Zhao Gang, and there was also a Gomes next to him, ready to rush over at any time to snatch the ball passed to Zhao Gang.

Manchester City's midfielders and forwards began to retreat to support, leaving only Aguero hanging in the front, waiting for opportunities at any time.

Rakitic and Mascherano were also moved forward, making Manchester City's passing routes a bit dangerous.

Fernandinho didn't dare to pass the ball back and kicked it to Zhao Gang near the midfield. Gomes finally found an opportunity, preemptively pressing forward, and with Busquets, one fiercely blocked the position and the other poked the ball with one foot!

The soccer ball was intercepted by Barcelona!

Rakitic rushed over, took the soccer ball, and while breaking forward, he slotted the ball straight to Suarez.

Suarez half-turned to receive it, and Stones, who was switching defense behind him, stretched out his foot and poked the ball directly out!

This kick was crucial, otherwise Suarez would have likely shot directly.

Suarez quickly counter-pressed, and at this time, David Silva appeared in time and took the ball with his back to the defense!

Barcelona, who were originally attacking, now had to defend!

Zhao Gang, who had not retreated too deep, now had a chance to counterattack.

Silva's pass was very precise, finding Zhao Gang with his back to the defense. Busquets quickly interfered behind Zhao Gang.

Zhao Gang half-turned around, and the soccer ball drew an arc on the lawn, flying over the heads of the two!

Zhao Gang and Busquets both stretched out their hands to squeeze each other's space. Zhao Gang still got the ball first, and Busquets kept pestering him, pulling Zhao Gang from the side, even if it meant fouling, he had to stop Zhao Gang from moving forward.

The referee's whistle was already in his mouth, and just as he was about to stop the game, Zhao Gang passed the ball out with one foot!

This time it was Jesus on the left!

Sterling's goal on the right had alerted Barcelona.

They were on guard.

Zhao Gang directly looked for his teammates on the left!

Rakitic saw Zhao Gang turn around and had already run over to support Busquets, trying to snatch the soccer ball. This pass gave Jesus a considerable gap.

After getting the ball, Jesus followed suit, rushing forward on the left.

Mascherano sprinted up, trying to stop Jesus.

Running wildly on the inside, trying to squeeze Jesus to the sideline.

Jesus really had no space to cut inside.

But he had already dribbled the ball to the frontcourt, then made a sudden stop. He didn't shake off Mascherano, and Jesus accelerated again, but still didn't shake him off. He directly passed the ball back to De Bruyne who was following up.

And at this time, Barcelona's defense had all returned, but they hadn't stood firm yet!

Manchester City's attacking players also supported up. Jesus kept running, already taking Mascherano away.

Aguero swung his legs and rushed into the penalty area!

De Bruyne and Aguero, this connection was too common in the league!

So, Barcelona's players didn't dare to be careless and rushed into the penalty area, ready to intercept!

And Gomes approached De Bruyne to defend.

De Bruyne raised his leg and bang, it was a kick.

The soccer ball spun diagonally forward. Most of Barcelona's defenders poured into the penalty area, defending Aguero and Sterling.

De Bruyne's ball looked like it was rushing into the penalty area, but it was spinning in the air and actually went towards the top of the penalty arc!

Zhao Gang and Busquets were both rushing to that area.

That vacuum area where there were no Manchester City attacking players and no Barcelona defenders!

But Busquets' speed really couldn't keep up with Zhao Gang.

Zhao Gang rushed to the top of the penalty arc, without any adjustment, and without stopping the ball, he volleyed the flying soccer ball!

He was running, and his whole person was about to take off, with his legs crossing forward like scissors.

Bang!

His right foot hit the soccer ball, and the huge force caused the soccer ball to deform a lot.

Inside the penalty area, Barcelona's players wanted to block it, but it was too late. Busquets chased all the way back, standing next to Zhao Gang when the soccer ball had already flown out!

Ter Stegen concentrated and flew horizontally.

This ball was too powerful and too fast. It passed through the crowd like a cannonball. Even if Ter Stegen reacted quickly and touched the ball, he didn't change its direction too much.

The soccer ball directly smashed into the net!

The net made a burst of pleasant sound!

Goal!

Two to zero!

Manchester City was leading by two goals!

Cheers erupted in the Etihad, like a violent explosion.

"This powerful shot!! Really... a scissor kick in the air! Who would believe you if you said he didn't know kung fu??

The whole of England will think that Dragon Country people know kung fu!!"

"Holy crap!! This is too cool!!"

"Little Zhao is awesome!!"

"Invincible!! Manchester City is invincible!! Zhao Gang is invincible!!! Barcelona is going to be eliminated!!"

"Go!! Get to the final, play Bayern! Win the championship!!"

"I love you to death!"

The fans shouted Zhao Gang's name like crazy, and Manchester City's players rushed over and surrounded Zhao Gang in the middle.

Another goal, and it was you again!

Barcelona's attack made Manchester City's players a little breathless, but this goal relaxed Manchester City's players' tense nerves a lot.

"Don't relax, don't relax." Zhao Gang didn't celebrate too much. At this time, there were still twenty minutes left in the game. If Barcelona scored one, it would be dangerous!

Guardiola on the sidelines just waved his fist to celebrate briefly. He also knew that they hadn't advanced yet. Barcelona had almost pierced Manchester City's goal before. Once they conceded one, and Barcelona continued to counterattack and scored two, all of Manchester City's efforts would be in vain!

Guardiola looked at Zhao Gang, then moved his gaze to Messi.

Messi still had no expression, and you couldn't see any sadness on his face. Guardiola's heartbeat accelerated.

Damn it, this most proud disciple of his could go berserk at any time!

Guardiola couldn't hold back anymore. This game was too important to him.

Now he seemed even more nervous than Enrique.

He shouted loudly into the field.

Retreat, pay attention to defense!!

Be sure to win the game, win it!!

The fans in the stands clenched their fists, watching the field nervously, constantly looking at the time on the big screen.

They hoped so much that the game would end here.

But it hadn't ended yet.

After Barcelona kicked off, they did indeed push forward with a large army. They had completely run out of retreat!

David Silva, Jesus, and Sterling all retreated to the front of the penalty area, preparing to face Barcelona's storm-like attack!

And Zhao Gang didn't retreat. He was still forcing Barcelona's midfielders and constantly interfering with Aguero.

De Bruyne was also running around, putting pressure on the ball carriers everywhere.

Messi had already started playing solo!

On the surface, you couldn't see his state, but he was already anxious in his heart.

At least he would constantly pass the ball to activate the team.

Now he started constantly dribbling and attacking, trying to find a chance to shoot or find teammates in open positions.

A slight problem appeared in Manchester City's left-wing defense, and Silva and Fernandinho began to rush to support.

After Messi rushed to the baseline, he quickly turned around and dribbled back, and after a few feints, he forced Kompany to foul.

A free kick from a pretty good distance!

The Manchester City fans were a little nervous.

This distance had a certain angle to the goal, and Messi's free-kick skills were extremely high.

If they conceded a goal, it wouldn't be good.

The game had reached the seventy-ninth minute.

Manchester City had to hold on!

Bravo shouted loudly, and Zhao Gang also ran to stand in the wall, because Manchester City's height was a problem.

Barcelona's players in the penalty area were watching the goal with fierce eyes, ready to rush over at any time.

Messi stood in front of the ball. In the past, Neymar would be there to cover him, but now it wasn't necessary.

Neymar went to the penalty spot. This ball was telling everyone that Messi was taking the kick!

In the tense offensive and defensive positions of both sides, under the attention of countless people.

Messi glanced at the goal, then took a run-up, looking at the ball under his feet.

Bang!!!

An arc ball. Over the wall!

Bravo stood at the near post and took a breath of cold air.

Far corner!

Damn it!!

He kicked a far corner!!

Bravo quickly retreated, rising from the ground like a carp leaping over the dragon gate.

He stretched out his left hand and tried his best to hook the soccer ball.

The soccer ball fell, brushing his fingertips!

Bang.

The soccer ball smashed on the ground, and Bravo followed it down, He hurriedly turned around, wanting to continue to save the ball.

The referee had already pointed to the center circle.

It had completely crossed the goal line in mid-air!

Bravo hammered the turf hard, venting his emotions.

Messi spread his arms, signaling the teammates who came over not to celebrate.

One more goal was needed!

One more goal was needed to advance!

Suarez quickly snatched the soccer ball and ran to the center circle.

They had to hurry up and kick off!

"Messi! It's Messi again!! At the most critical moment, when Barcelona needed to score, Messi stood up! A wonderful free kick directly broke the goal, bringing the suspense back again!

Now, if Barcelona scores another goal, Manchester City will be eliminated!

Is there a possibility that the two sides will score a goal each in the following time, letting the game go into overtime??

With Barcelona's current offensive, it is really very, very possible to score another goal!"

Guardiola was completely in no mood to sit in his chair, so he squatted directly on the sidelines, his eyes never leaving the field.

He wasn't the most nervous at this time. After another seven or eight minutes, if it was still this score, he would be so nervous that his legs would go weak.

This game was the most anticipated and exciting in years.

Win. We must win!

Guardiola clenched his teeth tightly, clenching his fists.

He wanted to substitute defensive players on, but eventually gave up.

And Enrique had already substituted Iniesta on to prepare for the final counterattack!

Manchester City kicked off, and Iniesta only needed to play the last ten-plus minutes, so as soon as he came on, he started pressing.

His stamina was very full.

Six minutes later, Iniesta's enthusiasm finally paid off.

He snatched the ball from David Silva and found Messi, who was breaking through along the center!

"Barcelona's counterattack! The speed is very fast! Messi's dribbling breakthrough!!"

Fernandinho chased frantically. At this time, he no longer cared about yellow cards or not. He directly reached out and pulled Messi's jersey.

Messi's confrontation ability has actually been underestimated.

His jersey was pulled out of shape, but he didn't fall down or stop. Instead, he shook his hand and knocked Fernandinho's hand off his clothes!

The referee didn't stop the game, and Messi regained control of the soccer ball and moved forward quickly!

His eyes were only on the front!

Kompany quickly made up the position, Stones stopped Suarez, and Otamendi on the other side was always watching Neymar's movements. Neymar was still moving forward, not yet reaching the danger zone.

Seeing Kompany in front of him, Otamendi seemed to have the idea of ​​making up for the position. Messi did not pass the ball, but continued to dribble, a feint, shook Kompany, Kompany followed hard, and Otamendi could only rush over to make up for the defense, in case Messi broke through.

Neymar had already arrived on the other side, but he encountered Zhao Gang's defense.

Zhao Gang chased all the way back from behind Neymar and finally arrived at the critical moment!

Messi couldn't pass to Neymar, but at this time Suarez had run to the side to support.

Stones blocked in front of Suarez, but he defended the wrong way!

Messi didn't pass horizontally at all, but instead slotted the ball straight in!

The ball entered the penalty area!

"Suarez! Suarez's single-handed opportunity!!"

Suarez was not responding to Messi at all. He knew that Messi could see the path where he was and he broke away from Stones one step ahead and rushed into the penalty area!

One-on-one against Bravo!

Stones accelerated forward, too late to stop it, and quickly fell to the ground, tackling from behind!

Suarez took a step ahead and hit the soccer ball with one foot, then staggered and fell in the penalty area!

The soccer ball flew towards the goal!

Bravo stretched out his limbs with all his strength, spread his arms, and stuck one leg horizontally on the turf, bravely and fearlessly welcoming the ball with his body.

At such a short distance, at this speed, if it hit his chest or head, he could faint on the spot.

But this was a goalkeeper's mission!

Facing the soccer ball, like a soldier guarding a position, he would never retreat even in the face of artillery fire!

Bang!

The soccer ball hit Bravo's leg and flew directly out of the penalty area!

Suarez held his head, rolled to the ground, and shouted loudly.

A killer shot, a killer ball!

It was gone!

It was just a little bit short!

"Bravo!! Magically blocked Suarez's single-handed shot! This ball...this ball may have saved Manchester City!

Manchester City fought with all their might, not only with Zhao Gang and the attacking group's goals, but also with the iron-blooded defense built by the defense!!

Bravo has made a great contribution!!"

Bravo blocked the single-handed shot and did not relax at all. He quickly returned to the goal line, waiting for a possible second attack.

Sterling, who had rushed back, kicked the ball away, temporarily relieving the crisis.

Guardiola's eyes went straight. It wasn't until the ball was blocked that he realized that just now, Manchester City had almost been pushed into the abyss.

Guardiola looked at the time display, four minutes of stoppage time.

Now his heartbeat had begun to accelerate.

He felt that every second was going so slowly.

Even in the Champions League final with Barcelona, he had never been so nervous.

This Manchester City team, in his eyes, did not have the strength to compete for the Champions League, but now they had magically reached this point.

Only four minutes left to advance!

Enrique was also holding his head and kneeling on the sidelines.

His face was full of discomfort, like he had eaten shit.

Barcelona launched another attack.

Except for Umtiti, everyone was surrounding Manchester City's half.

Pique, a center back, had run into Manchester City's penalty area.

Neymar sent a cross to find Pique!

At this time, Zhao Gang was no longer standing in the midfield. He also appeared in the penalty area and headed the cross out with one head.

Iniesta on the outside crossed the ball into the penalty area again.

"Zhao Gang! Continuous clearance! Pique and his confrontation were still a bit short! Can Manchester City withstand the last two minutes??"