Chi Meiya
Chapter 335 Life and Death Battle! Manchester City Visits Juventus
"Man City will definitely win! Zhao will score five!!"
"Wife and kids are sent away. Let's cheer and celebrate tonight!"
"Man City must take down Juventus!"
"Juventus fans are trembling... I hope Zhao scores, and Man City gets knocked out with a 1-1 draw..."
"Man City didn't win at home, so it's going to be tough away. The players lack experience, and it's hard to deal with old foxes like Juventus."
"Juventus' Champions League defense isn't just for show. Zhao's two goals were a bit of a surprise. At Juventus' home... it's going to be difficult!"
The Dragon Country fans were enthusiastically discussing the match.
Soccer is the world's number one sport, but in Dragon Country, its popularity has never been as high as basketball. One reason is that Dragon Country's soccer is heartbreaking, and the other is that Yao's emergence made the NBA popular in Dragon Country. Furthermore, the broadcasting time of European soccer is extremely unfavorable for Dragon Country fans.
All sorts of reasons have led to soccer not being very popular.
However, the discussion about soccer is now rising rapidly, which is vitally connected to the emergence of Zhao Gang.
A large number of Dragon Country fans will choose to stay up late to watch the live broadcast. Many of them don't understand the specific rules of soccer at all, and they can't even distinguish offsides.
But they are still full of enthusiasm, just to see that black-haired, yellow-skinned teenager running on the field.
Many people questioned Zhao Gang's national sentiments, believing that his choice was wrong.
There's no need to talk about national sentiments when it comes to soccer, no need to involve these things.
But Zhao Gang was able to attract attention, and become the focus of Dragon Country fans in such a short period of time, isn't it precisely because of national sentiments?
It is precisely because of a common goal and common blood that they are so cohesive and united.
On April 19th, Man City traveled to Turin, Italy, to the Juventus Stadium for the second leg of the do-or-die battle.
In the Champions League knockout match on April 18th, Barcelona defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1 away, winning the aggregate score 5-1 and advancing to the semi-finals first.
In another group, Real Madrid defeated their city rivals Atletico Madrid 3-1 on aggregate. The Spanish duo both advanced to the Champions League semi-finals.
Tonight is the do-or-die battle between Juventus and Man City, and also the decisive battle between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.
Regardless of whether Juventus or Man City advances, they will face Barcelona.
Karin, a reporter for *Tuttosport*, had interviewed Zhao Gang several times.
This time, she arrived at the Juventus Stadium early. She had no special task, just wanted to watch her idol's game.
Throughout the Juventus Stadium, black and white striped flags were everywhere. This is the Juventus team's culture and the origin of their nickname, the Zebra Army.
This match is the most important one so far for both Juventus and Man City.
Therefore, the Juventus fans have already filled the entire stadium, and a large number of fans can only be blocked outside the stadium due to safety issues.
The fans shouted the team's slogans loudly.
Cheering, blessing, and even praying for their home team.
In the previous round, Juventus performed bravely away, drawing with Man City. Returning to their home, it made these fans even more expectant and confident.
Juventus' home stadium has the fewest goals conceded in the entire Europe. Their home defense is the best in the top five leagues.
The fans have sufficient reason to believe that Juventus will send the Premier League overlord away at home!
Even a draw, as long as Man City doesn't score two goals, they will still be eliminated!
For Juventus, they have indeed gained the upper hand in this knockout round.
The commentators of the Central Media were already ready.
The last match provided a wonderful showdown for all the fans. This one has also attracted a large number of viewers.
Especially since this game has even more to offer. The score of 2-2 is full of suspense. Any slight carelessness from either side will lead to utter destruction.
A season's worth of efforts will be in vain!
"Viewers, let us follow the broadcast screen to the Juventus Stadium in Turin!
This Champions League quarter-final knockout match is about to begin.
In the first leg between the two sides, Zhao Gang delivered a perfect answer sheet. Now his goals in the Champions League have reached twenty-one. Guardiola believes that he can score thirty goals in the Champions League this season!
Let's watch Zhao Gang's performance together, can he once again lead Man City to eliminate a strong enemy!"
The Man City players walked into the Juventus Stadium, and the shouts of the Juventus fans roared around them.
Disturbing every Man City player on the field.
Generally speaking, a team's away record is worse than their home record.
Only a very few teams are dragons away from home. In general, the home team has a certain advantage.
It has a lot to do with the fans, and also some connection with the stadium.
After all, the home team players can often appear in the stadium for training and are more familiar with their home ground.
Moreover, in this kind of European competition, going from a familiar country to another unfamiliar region, there will also be many psychological discomforts.
From the perspective of home and away games, Man City should have a more difficult time playing this game than the first leg.
Now, the Man City players are being "attacked" by the Juventus fans.
When the players entered the field, Juventus received cheers from tens of thousands of people, while the Man City players received countless boos.
No matter how strong your psychological quality is, you will be disturbed to some extent.
Zhao Gang opened his mouth, looked up at the magnificent stands, he was as small as an ant.
The fans on the stands were shouting at him, not knowing what they were shouting, probably not nice things.
Zhao Gang took a deep breath, constantly shifting his gaze, preparing to find the area for Ollie and other Man City fans.
When he saw those few bright reds, his eyes stopped.
In a black and white intermingling, the red flags were particularly dazzling.
They were few in number, waving red flags, and jumping non-stop.
It was the red belonging to Dragon Country, and there were banners raised with words that Zhao Gang was familiar with.
"Add oil!" (Cheer on)
"Add oil!!" (Cheer on)
"Add oil!!!" (Cheer on)
"Zhao Gang, add oil!!" (Cheer on)
Zhao Gang stretched out his hand, waved it twice, nodded, and smiled.
His heart was filled with a lot of emotion, and a lot of comfort.
Beep!!!
With the referee's whistle, the game officially began.
"Juventus is still in the 3-4-2-1 formation, with no changes from the first leg between the two sides!
On Man City's side... Guardiola has made adjustments.
It's not his new formation, but he has returned to the 4-1-4-1 formation that has been smoother before.
Clichy is rotated into the defense, Stones partners with Otamendi as the two center-backs, and Zabaleta plays as the right-back.
Fernandinho is the single defensive midfielder. In this way, Fernandinho can quickly support the defense. Guardiola did not stubbornly choose the 3-4-3 formation that did not work well before, which shows how much he attaches importance to this game!
De Bruyne, David Silva, Zhao Gang, and Sterling form the midfield. De Bruyne and Sterling should be positioned further forward, and the younger Jesus is at the forefront!
Aguero's performance in the Champions League is indeed a bit... a bit worrying. In this game, Guardiola has placed Kompany and Aguero on the bench!
The Man City players have returned to their familiar positions. This game... should be a very exciting showdown!"