Juventus's performance in European competitions has always been very stable.

Despite falling behind after Zhao Gang's early surprise attack, they didn't lose their composure due to insufficient preparation at the start.

Regardless of the situation, Juventus always prioritizes a stable defense before considering offense.

In the following match, Manchester City still maintained possession advantage, which is their characteristic. Apart from pass-and-move teams like Barcelona, few teams in Europe can have a higher possession rate than Manchester City when playing against them.

And Juventus was steadily waiting for opportunities.

When Manchester City attacked into their half, they would shrink their formation, leaving only Higuaín to restrain the opponents in the front, while the rest had their own defensive tasks.

Manchester City's formation was pushed very far forward, with defenders ready to support the attack at any time.

When Manchester City's several waves of attacks failed, Juventus would launch a very fast counterattack.

Juventus naturally saw the weakness in Manchester City's left-wing defense. Originally, Dybala was mainly attacking on the left, but now it was switched to Alves on the right.

Alves partnered with Mandžukić, and this combination created a considerable threat to Manchester City's left wing.

"Manchester City's left-wing defense is very problematic. Fernandinho needs to constantly fill in, which means that there will be gaps in Manchester City's midfield defense.

Juventus is not without opportunities. Guardiola's tactical system is not yet mature."

The two sides engaged in more than twenty minutes of offensive and defensive drills. De Bruyne had some defensive problems, but his attacking passes were a strong point. In more than twenty minutes, he attempted eight crosses or through balls.

Unfortunately, Juventus's veteran defense was extremely solid, especially in aerial duels, where they could always clear the ball in advance.

Making Agüero and Jesus return empty-handed every time.

As for ground passes, they were also resolved by Juventus's dense defense.

Zhao Gang tried several breakthroughs in the middle, and although he could break through the midfield defense, it was difficult to go further.

Manchester City did not find a good opportunity to extend their lead.

It can be said that Manchester City's offense was somewhat restricted for the first time in the Champions League.

Juventus's seasoned defense was much stronger than Monaco's.

Even stronger than Real Madrid.

The pace of both sides stabilized slightly, and there were several changes in possession in midfield.

The fans at the Etihad Stadium kept cheering for their home team, while Juventus's veteran defenders constantly reminded their teammates of their positioning and defense.

"Stay steady, stay steady!" Buffon kept clapping his hands, reminding his teammates.

Manchester City once again besieged the city. Jesus received Zhao Gang's pass on the wing and tried to break through directly from the baseline, either for a cut-back pass or to find an opportunity to shoot directly.

Unfortunately, he was directly tackled out by Chiellini!

Mandžukić, the "defensive forward" who had retreated to the edge of his own penalty area, controlled the ball with one foot and then made a long pass.

After receiving the ball with his back to the goal in the center, Pjanić turned slightly and, without taking a step forward, passed the ball directly to Alves, who was quickly cutting in on the wing!

The world knows that Juventus's defense is unmatched, but in fact, their counterattack speed is even faster.

In Serie A, they are outstandingly strong and basically don't play defensive counterattacks, but in the Champions League, they keep a very low profile.

Their quick defensive counterattacks are impressive.

"Juventus's counterattack! Alves is very fast, De Bruyne is slow to catch up... Fernandinho is quickly approaching.

Juventus only has three people in the frontcourt: Higuaín in the center and Dybala on the far side!

Three-on-four in the frontcourt, Manchester City players are quickly retreating!

Alves, Alves with a very beautiful feint!

Otamendi can't keep up... passes into the penalty area!

Higuaín... a shot at the near post!!

Goal! Goal! Higuaín! In the twenty-ninth minute of the match, Juventus intercepted the ball and launched a quick counterattack, found Pjanić, who turned cleverly and distributed the ball to the right, where Alves entered the penalty area before Fernandinho could fill in.

Higuaín shot into the near corner without stopping the ball!

Juventus equalized the score away from home!"

Higuaín slid out of bounds on his knees, celebrating passionately.

The less than a thousand Juventus fans who had traveled far and wide immediately jumped up and cheered excitedly.

Equalized!

Equalized!

Juventus!

Higuaín!

The counterattack was brought to the extreme!

Alves, well done!

Manchester City fans at the Etihad scratched their heads, not quite understanding.

This speed seemed familiar.

Isn't this the same tactic of Zhao Gang sprinting on the wing and passing to Agüero?

Juventus's counterattack is so fierce!

However, they did not complain about the defense, nor were they discouraged. They were just quiet for a moment before becoming active again.

They firmly believed that Juventus would definitely not have the opportunity to take away victory at the Etihad Stadium, not even a draw!!

Allegri breathed a sigh of relief. This tactic was correct, using only a few people to contain the opponents and quickly achieve precise strikes.

There are not small problems with Manchester City's defense. The squad is not yet proficient, and there are still problems with the players' coordination.

Especially De Bruyne, who will definitely become a defensive black hole, and the entire left wing of Manchester City will have problems!

Guardiola stroked his chin, looking at the lineup on the field. The defensive problem was within his expectations.

The three-center-back system has this problem. Once the wing-back players are too slow to support, and Otamendi's speed is not enough, it is very likely to be penetrated by wingers or full-backs with strong impact.

Alves happened to have both speed and impact, and Higuaín in the center had a strong ability to seize opportunities in the club.

Personnel adjustments are needed.

After Manchester City kicked off, they stabilized the rhythm and slowly looked for opportunities.

However, they still failed to find Juventus's loopholes. Alves was able to defend and attack well, while Sandro could quickly retreat. Juventus's defense was difficult to pull apart.

In the thirty-fifth minute of the match, Juventus seized another opportunity in midfield.

This time it was a cooperation between Marchisio and Alves.

Juventus is now almost abandoning the left-wing attack, giving the ball to the right wing whenever they have possession.

After receiving the ball, Alves cooperated with Marchisio. Marchisio seemed to pass to Higuaín, but suddenly distributed the ball to the right again, and Alves, who successfully went around, rushed all the way to the baseline.

Otamendi, who was prepared this time, followed closely, but still allowed Alves to find a chance to cross near the baseline!

With a cross, Stones blocked Higuaín, but defensive forward Mandžukić suddenly rushed over from behind.

A toe shot!

Bravo reacted quickly, barely blocking the ball!

The Manchester City fans in the entire Etihad Stadium broke out in a cold sweat.

If it weren't for Bravo's habit of performing exceptionally in the Champions League, Manchester City would have been overtaken now!

Juventus fans covered their heads and sighed with regret.

What a pity, what a pity!

Just a little bit away!

"Just like I said before, Juventus's defense is stable and experienced.

In the Champions League, Manchester City is still too inexperienced.

Juventus's defensive counterattack is very deadly!

In this match, Juventus is not the weaker side. As long as they operate properly, they can completely take away a victory on the road!"

Arrigo Sacchi said excitedly while watching the match.

Manchester City started with a critical hit, but as they played, they realized that it was nothing more than that!

Juventus's defense deserves to be the strongest in Europe!

"Damn, are we going to lose? Juventus's counterattack feels too fierce!"

"Guardiola is tinkering again. It's fine to put out a strange lineup in the league, but why do it in the Champions League? The entire left wing is almost gone!"

"De Bruyne can't be a wing-back, he has to be further forward, and there must be protection behind him. Now there's only Otamendi behind De Bruyne, and Fernandinho's support isn't that fast!"

"It's bad, it's bad..."

"Haha, Juventus is still tied, why are you guys so anxious? I'm a Juventus fan and I'm so happy!"

"Juventus, keep it up, beat Manchester City, send Manchester City home, and make Manchester City fans cry and shout for daddy, charge!!"

Stones received the second ball and kicked it into the middle with a big foot.

Zhao Gang nodded his head and passed it back to David Silva.

Silva gently pushed it, returning it to Zhao Gang, who had already turned around successfully.

Agüero, Sterling, and Jesus instantly went full speed, striding forward.

At the same time, Juventus, who had failed to attack, quickly retreated.

These players were not only retreating, but also constantly observing Zhao Gang's passing intentions, preparing to intercept at any time.

This is the defense of a high-level team, ready to seize the opportunity to launch a counterattack at any time.

Pjanić, who was moving horizontally, wanted to block Zhao Gang. Zhao Gang did not continue to dribble the ball forward, but instead kicked the ball directly into the frontcourt and then accelerated forward.

Agüero was slightly better than Bonucci in terms of speed!

The football landed between Agüero and Buffon, just outside the penalty area!

This time, Buffon's position was very far back. He may have been psychologically scarred by Zhao Gang's shot.

If he had been positioned further forward, he could have rushed out to clear the dangerous ball before Agüero.

But now, it was too late for him to rush out!

This is the advantage of a goalkeeper being positioned forward, he can quickly clear the dangerous ball that could form a one-on-one!

Bonucci didn't dare to foul easily. At this time, a foul would be a red card plus a dangerous free kick. He could only keep running behind Agüero, looking for an opportunity to clear the ball.

Agüero stepped into the penalty area and took a strong touch!

Buffon observed Agüero's touch, and because of Bonucci's interference, it was a little too strong. Buffon didn't hesitate and rushed out directly, throwing his body sideways.

Bonucci desperately squeezed Agüero's route. Agüero watched the football fly into Buffon's arms, feeling anxious and helpless.

Buffon hugged the football, curling up his body to prevent mistakes.

Agüero and Bonucci both fell into the penalty area, and there was no talk of a foul at this time.

The football was completely under Buffon's control.

Agüero pounded the turf, feeling extremely frustrated.

The reputation of being a Champions League weakling was really confirmed.

His performance in the league and the Champions League was vastly different.

"Agüero, he took a bit too big of a touch. It was a very good opportunity, he had already run out a one-on-one!

What a pity, what a pity.

Juventus's defense is still very strong, and Buffon's speed and timing of his rush out were good."

Guardiola, who was originally bent over, watching Agüero excitedly, had his painful expression kicked out by this action.

Just a little bit away, and this counterattack would have ended perfectly.

Just now, Juventus fans were regretting, and now it was Manchester City fans who were sighing.

The offensive and defensive standards of both sides were on full display at this moment.

Both were short of that final touch.

Both sides had the ability to score and had the opportunity to defeat the other.

There was no one-sided situation.

"Zhao, an accurate long pass, found Agüero thirty-three meters away, but unfortunately, Agüero didn't seize this opportunity!

This is the Champions League, not the league. I'm afraid it will be difficult to find this kind of opportunity again.

Agüero missed a goal that could have decided the outcome of the match, this goal... Agüero needs to apologize to Zhao and to the whole team."

"It's too outrageous, this passing technique and vision. If the Dragon Kingdom team had a forward like Agüero, the two of them could break out of Asia!"

"Indeed, it's like having a God's perspective! What a pity..."

"With this kind of play, the two sides will definitely not draw, there will definitely be more goals, the exciting part is yet to come!"

"Kill Manchester City!!!"

"Kill Juventus!!!"

"Charge!!!"

"Kill!!!"

The players on the field didn't have the passion to watch the ball at all.

Whether it was the fans in the stands or in front of the screen, they were all excited.

Every dangerous attack could affect their tense nerves.

Especially some older fans who spent money to bet on the game, the comments were flying, more enthusiastic than real fans, wishing that the other side would all be sent off with red cards and directly ruled to lose.

Bang!

Kompany kicked the ball out of bounds.

It was Alves's breakthrough again. Dybala on the wing found an opportunity, received a pass, and fired a shot, which was blocked by Bravo. Kompany didn't give him a chance and kicked it out with a big foot.

On the other hand, Manchester City had fewer shooting opportunities than Juventus.

Manchester City could play a lot of passes and had a high possession rate, but Juventus's defense was very resilient and it was difficult to tear apart the defense with passing.

Even if they could enter the penalty area, Juventus's three center-backs could clear the attack in time.

Buffon could also rush out in time to clear the attack.

In the final stage of injury time in the first half, neither side was able to change the score.

As the referee's whistle sounded, in the first half, Manchester City took the lead with Zhao Gang's long shot, one to zero. Then Alves's breakthrough cross, Higuaín scrambled to shoot and equalized the score.

The two sides were temporarily tied.

The players on both teams didn't look relaxed.

Juventus's defense deserved to be the strongest in the Champions League, making Manchester City's attack almost ineffective.

And the team's excessive energy was being diverted by defense, and the counterattack could only use a few people to contain the opponents, so Juventus's attack was not fierce enough.

Both sides had their own concerns.

Returning to the locker room, Guardiola still showed his professionalism. He did not blame the team for not defending well.

This formation was not yet fully formed.

He was too anxious.

But he never thought he was wrong.

If he couldn't show his football philosophy on the field, what was the point of being a coach?

When the team's record is good, it's because of the coach's lineup, and when the record is bad, of course the coach bears everything.

Faced with the new formation, Guardiola wouldn't think it was the players' problem if the team didn't play well.

There was a problem with the entire left wing, and Fernandinho couldn't support the wing well because he always had to take care of the midfield.

So Guardiola made some changes to the defense.

When the team defended, Guardiola wanted Otamendi to appear directly behind De Bruyne, and Fernandinho quickly retreated into the defense line to fill the position.

Instead of letting Fernandinho appear behind De Bruyne as before.

"They will continue to attack our left wing. Once our left wing defense is in place, there will be gaps in the middle. With the ability of players like Alves, Higuaín, and Marchisio, they will definitely discover this problem. They will contact their teammates in the middle. At this time... Zhao, you have to support the middle from the wing. Sterling, I need you to retreat when Zhao leaves the wing. Whether it's offense or defense, you have to stand firm in this area! Understand??" Guardiola kept pointing at various areas on the right wing, telling the players how to defend.

Many people think that if there is a problem on the left wing, it has nothing to do with the middle and right wings. This view is not valid for Guardiola.

The three lines, left, center, and right, front, center, and back, are all a whole, and one move affects the whole body.

At any time, all gaps must be blocked by players.

This Manchester City team is a whole and should never be separated.

"Go! Beat them and welcome everyone's cheers!"

Soon, the second half began. Juventus didn't change much. They were still mainly defending, and would attack Manchester City's left wing whenever they had the chance.

Zhao Gang would often run from the wing to the middle, which would create more attacking gaps.

And Juventus's midfield defense was very dense. Pjanić and Marchisio's interceptions were very good, and Sandro and Alves would also often support the middle.

Behind them were the veteran defenders. Juventus's defense was very solid and durable.

Compared with Sterling, Jesus's breakthrough ability was slightly worse, so Zhao Gang would always pass the ball to Sterling and let him make some plays on the wing. Although it was somewhat threatening, he just couldn't open Juventus's door.

In the fifty-ninth minute of the match, Sterling tried to break through again, but Bonucci's sudden support, in cooperation with Barzagli, directly stole the ball.

Manchester City's players immediately launched a counter-press, preparing to delay the offensive rhythm. Bonucci passed the ball to Chiellini.

Chiellini took two steps and passed it straight to Marchisio, who was taking the ball with his back to the goal.

In the same routine as in the first half, Marchisio's ability to take the ball with his back to the goal was very strong. He made a diagonal pass behind him and found Alves, who was speeding up!

"Juventus's counterattack is always effective, the cooperation between Marchisio and Alves!

Alves is speeding up! Oh!!! Manchester City made a huge, huge mistake!!"

Fernandinho's defense suddenly collided with Otamendi!

Fernandinho should have filled in along the middle, but in his eagerness, he collided with Otamendi!

Both of them fell to the ground at the same time.

Alves's personal ability was already outstanding, so how could he miss this opportunity?

He directly cut inside to the middle and rushed towards the penalty area at full speed.

"Alves, an opportunity! An opportunity to defeat Manchester City!! Alves! Beautiful!!" Arrigo Sacchi clenched his fists excitedly.

Defeating the Premier League champion would prove that the time for Serie A had come!

Alves rushed into the penalty area. Stones had no choice but to quickly follow, leaving the gap behind him to others.

Higuaín had already run into position, but Kompany rushed over in time.

Alves passed it back with one foot, then took away Stones's defense.

After receiving the ball, Mandžukić didn't shoot, but directly lobbed the ball up.

Kompany jumped high, looking up at the flying football with some despair.

He immediately turned his head and, sure enough, Higuaín, who had just been blocked by him, had retreated to the back post, stretched his head, and headed the ball heavily!

The football bounced off the ground, and Bravo could only watch the ball sigh, unable to stop the close-range header.

One to two!

Higuaín scored twice!

"Reversed...reversed!!! Juventus! The Bianconeri! Higuaín!!

Scored twice!!

In the sixtieth minute, Juventus reversed the score!!

Manchester City! Premier League champion, winning the title six rounds in advance, go to hell!! Italy is the strongest in Europe! No matter how much Serie A has declined, it is not comparable to the Premier League!

Manchester City! Continue to stay in the Champions League quarter-finals, never breaking the curse!!

Go home!!" Arrigo Sacchi was going crazy.

This football player, who had spent his whole life improving the value of Serie A, could no longer suppress his excitement at this moment and spoke without thinking.

Listening to the passionate commentary, Italian fans felt as if they had been injected with chicken blood, instantly becoming excited.

They stood up with a whoosh, feeling that they had endless strength, and violently waved their fists at the air, howling loudly.

Juventus fans in the stands jumped wildly, waving their black and white flags, roaring for Higuaín, for Alves, for Mandžukić, and for Juventus.

Oli covered her small mouth, unable to believe that the invincible Manchester City had made such a low-level mistake, with teammates crashing into each other?

The Manchester City fans in the entire stands fell silent.

Shaking their heads non-stop.

What's going on?

Higuaín was too excited and took off his jersey, opened his mouth wide, and ran passionately, celebrating with all the Juventus fans. A yellow card was inevitable, but he didn't care.

Stones put his hands on his hips, and Kompany lowered his head.

Fernandinho and Otamendi both shook their heads, this positioning mistake was too fatal.

How could a team like Juventus miss this opportunity?

Allegri, who had been expressionless throughout the match, finally clenched his fist and waved it fiercely.

Defensive counterattack, using the attacks of a few people to disintegrate the opponent.

Although the attack was a bit weaker, seizing the opportunity could defeat the opponent.

With Juventus's defense, they could definitely defend Manchester City's attack with a high probability.

Zhao Gang was lucky enough to score a super long shot, he didn't believe that he could score two of these shots in one game??

"Haha... Manchester City lost!! I said that Manchester City would have an accident! Now it's good!"

"Juventus is the eternal God!"

"The Champions League is not about attacking!"

"Manchester City is inexperienced. Zhao Gang misfired."

"It was hyped up so much, what's going on, he only scored one by luck..."

"What's the rush? There's still half an hour left!"

"Why are there so many Juventus fans all of a sudden??"

"They're not Juventus fans, Juventus fans wouldn't talk like that even if they won. These are all Manchester City's haters..."