I'm 198cm tall. Are you giving me a Maradona template?

Chapter 308 A Bit of Bad Luck?
Such an early goal puts the game at risk of spiraling out of control.

This is something that Guardiola, who has always emphasized controlling the game, finds extremely difficult to accept.

He went to the sidelines, grabbed David Silva, and quickly began to confess.

"Don't rush to attack. Let's control the situation first. There's still plenty of time!"

Manchester City needs to attack, but not to make a panicked, all-or-nothing gamble.

This will only give Liverpool a chance to fight back.

After the game restarted.

Manchester City did not rush to attack.

They regained possession in the air in their own half, wearing down Liverpool's momentum as they tried to mount a counter-attack after scoring.

have to say.

Manchester City have been incredibly consistent this season, almost frighteningly so.

Nineteenth minute of the match.

Manchester City suddenly launched an attack.

Bernardo Silva sought to break through on the flank, drawing the defense before passing the ball to Mahrez.

Mahrez crossed the ball from the right side of the penalty area line.

The football was passed in low to the ground.

Aguero made a clever run to the near post, and with his foot facing the goal, he flicked the ball with the outside of his left foot, sending it bouncing into the net.

"Aguero!!"

Amid the commentators' exclamations.

The football grazed the area between the right post and the ground and went into the goal.

"Manchester City have equalized!!!"

The Al-Ittihad Stadium erupted in cheers as the football spun into the goal.

The cheers of Manchester City fans shook the entire stadium.

"Despite falling behind early, Manchester City controlled the game and showed amazing consistency! Guardiola's team is too strong!"

"Both sides have scored a goal! This match between the top two teams is truly exciting! Nineteen minutes into the game, the score is 1-1!!"

"Aguero!! Aguero!!" the Manchester TV commentator shouted.

"He equalized for Manchester City, bringing the two sides back to level terms! This goal was crucial! Despite conceding an early goal, Manchester City maintained control of the game! They equalized in the 19th minute, and the suspense of the match is back!"

At this moment.

The match had been going on for less than twenty minutes.

But a tense atmosphere has already begun to spread.

"Manchester City's performance has been very consistent. This season, Manchester City is definitely a team to be reckoned with. Although Liverpool's form this season is excellent, and the world's attention seems to be focused on them, Manchester City's performance behind them is also quite amazing, especially in the league. Their consistency in the league is in no way inferior to Liverpool's!"

CCTV commentator He Wei said with a frown.

"Hopefully, Liverpool's players won't be affected by the goal conceded," Zhang Lu said from the side.

Many Chinese fans watching on screen had their brows furrowed.

"This game doesn't look good."

"Manchester City is so much stronger this season!"

'Their control is too strong!'

"The two Silvas in midfield are really amazing!"

"De Bruyne may be injured, but Manchester City's midfield is still incredibly strong."

"The news says De Bruyne is coming back soon."

This Manchester City team is indeed very formidable.

They have an extremely luxurious lineup, impeccable in both strength and depth.

Simultaneously.

After three more seasons of coaching by Guardiola.

This team's technique is completely infused with the essence of Guardiola's football.

The team is operating very smoothly.

This can be seen from their performance after conceding an early goal.

but
Their opponents, Liverpool, are also a very mature team.

The camera pans across Liverpool's players.

There was no sign of frustration on their faces.

Manchester City remained very stable after falling behind.

They certainly wouldn't panic just because the score was tied.

If Liverpool were a team that panicked after conceding a goal.

It's impossible for them to win 18 consecutive league games.

After the game restarted.

Neither side exerted too much effort, but rather engaged in both offense and defense, and both seemed somewhat wary of each other's attacks.

Twenty-third minute of the match.

David Silva received the ball in the backfield and sent a long pass to Sterling in the attacking third.

Former Liverpool winger Sterling received the ball and darted into the penalty area with his rear end sticking out.

Sterling may be happy to shoot, but his dribbling ability is indeed very strong.

Especially since his side is facing the famous Highway 66, Arnold.

Arnold was easily beaten by Sterling, who then crossed the ball.

The ball was passed back to the penalty spot in a triangular pass.

Bernardo Silva followed up with a shot, but the ball was blocked and went out of bounds.

'Danger!!'

The commentators exclaimed in surprise.

Two minutes later.

It was Liverpool's turn to create an attacking threat.

Mane broke down the wing and delivered a cross directly into the penalty area.

Under pressure, Yang Guang headed the ball towards the goal, but it went just over the bar.

The match ended in the 33rd minute.

Liverpool created another good chance.

Salah's breakthrough was brought down by Danilo.

Liverpool were awarded a free kick on the right side of the attacking third.

Arnold took the free kick and sent it into the penalty area.

Matip's header went wide.

Three minutes later.

Salah chose to break through again.

He first got past David Silva, then dribbled the ball inside against Danilo, and then made a through pass to Sunny. Sunny didn't stop the ball and backheeled it towards the edge of the penalty area.

Salah, who had cut inside to pass the ball, did not stop but continued to cut inside along the penalty area line.

He and Yang Guang executed a very exquisite frontcourt play.

Near the edge of the penalty area.

Salah curls a shot into the air!
This time the football grazed the post.

It went wide of the baseline.

Salah, after completing the shot, couldn't help but cover his head with his hands.

This is a golden opportunity!!

Manchester City fans' hearts nearly stopped.

But looking back...

Manchester City responded in attack.

Bernardo Silva broke through on the right and created a set piece.

He then took the free kick himself, sweeping the ball into the penalty area.

Center-back Kompany headed the ball back.

Near the penalty spot.

Aguero somehow ended up in this spot.

He was almost undefended.

Lift your foot and unleash a powerful shot!
The football had not yet hit the ground.

It was then driven towards the goal.

"Aguero! Beautiful!!!"

Amidst gasps of surprise.

The football flew towards the goal like a cannonball.

crucial moment.

Alisson made some brilliant saves.

He instinctively lunged forward and slapped the soccer ball with his palm.

The football deflected slightly, bounced off the crossbar, and went out of bounds.

"Wow! Alisson! Alisson made a fantastic save!! Wow!!"

"Aguero's volley was almost a certain goal! But Alisson saved it!"

"The Brazilian goalkeeper's performance in this match was phenomenal!"

He saw his shot saved.

Aguero himself looked incredulous.

His shot preparation was very thorough.

The taut instep allowed the ball to be firmly planted.

The ball moves extremely fast.

Although the angle wasn't too tricky.

But how could such a shot be saved?
This can only be said
Liverpool were lucky.

"This might be Manchester City's closest chance to score since equalizing! Liverpool's defense has been repeatedly shaky, with constant dangerous situations in their backline. Liverpool has encountered their toughest opponent this season. After the adjustments made at the beginning of the season, Manchester City's consistency is truly terrifying!"

"Klopp will definitely need to make some adjustments at halftime. Manchester City, playing at home, are getting better and better as the game progresses."

Neither team managed to score again in the first half.

The two teams returned to the locker room at halftime with the score tied at 1-1.

This result is actually acceptable for Liverpool, who are playing away from home.

They weren't so arrogant as to think they could win every game.

This is, after all, the Etihad Stadium. And their opponents are visibly in excellent form today.

We escaped unscathed from an away game, what more could we ask for?

And Manchester City's form this season speaks for itself.

Apart from this game, they have no other games like this this season.

They played 20 league games.

They scored an astonishing 61 goals and conceded only 12.

These statistics are even better than Liverpool's.

Liverpool have only scored 51 league goals this season.

Despite playing two fewer games, they conceded two more goals than Manchester City.

It can be said.

Given Manchester City's current form...

This applies to any league this season.

They are all overwhelming favorites to win the championship.

The result is now
They are only one point ahead of Liverpool despite having played two more games.

Manchester City and Liverpool are the two teams.

They've already pulled ahead of the other teams.

Anyway.

This season.

The battle for the Premier League title.

The matchup is between Liverpool and Manchester City.

During halftime.

Klopp made some adjustments.

First half.

Manchester City's attacks down both flanks were very active.

Whether it's Sterling on the left or Mahrez on the right.

They can frequently get one-on-one opportunities.

Ultimately.

The reason they frequently get opportunities is...

This is because they have two top-class midfielders behind them who can help draw the firepower away from them.

In comparison.

Liverpool's midfield appears somewhat "muscular".

In terms of creativity, they cannot compare to Manchester City's two Silvas.

But compared to wingers.

Mane and Salah are much better than Mahrez and Sterling!
That being the case.

The answer to how to stop Manchester City's attacks down the flanks becomes obvious.

The first step is to use the midfield's physical strength to limit Manchester City's connection between the midfield and the wings.

Second
It's about utilizing the impact of Mane and Salah.

Violence begets violence!

They launched a fierce attack down the flanks.

This forces the opponent to switch to defense on the flanks.

No time to attack.

This style is quite in line with Klopp's style.

Inside Bayern Munich's locker room.

Guardiola also talked about attacking down the flanks.

Both sides agreed that they needed to strengthen their attack in the second half, and both felt that opportunities would arise on the flanks.

The second half has begun.

The result of both sides intensifying their offensives simultaneously.

The match quickly turned into an offensive battle!
Although Guardiola was somewhat dissatisfied with the game turning into an attacking battle, he hoped to control the game and ideally dominate the opponent.

But this is the situation now.

If Manchester City backs down first.

That could have very serious consequences.

Second half of the game.

The two sides were practically locked in a fierce battle.

Forty-eighth minute of the match.

Salah broke through on the wing and went down the byline.

It will then be uploaded.

The center of the penalty area.

Sunlight lifted his foot and hooked the ball toward the goal.

Ederson made a brilliant save, deflecting the ball into the six-yard box, where it was cleared by center-back Stones.

One minute later.

Manchester City launched an attack down the flanks.

Mahrez and Walker, the two wingers, executed a one-two pass.

Walker received the ball and drove towards the baseline before passing it into the penalty area.

When Aguero tried to get the ball, Van Dijk cleared it with a first kick.

The match is in its fiftieth minute.

Manchester City launched a surprise attack from the left.

Sterling's cut inside was tripped by Arnold.

Sterling's exaggerated fall seemed like a fake.

This greatly displeased the away fans in the stands – after all, Sterling's departure from Liverpool was also somewhat unpleasant.

However, the referee still ruled that Arnold had committed a foul.

Manchester City were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area.

David Silva's free kick hit the wall and bounced back.

Fernandinho rushed up and kicked him.

The football went up into the second tier of the stands.

Both sides come and go.

It left fans dazzled.

Both sides launched attacks down the flanks.

This made the players in the middle lane seem somewhat quiet.

But when the camera shifted to the middle lane...

That's often when it's most dangerous.

The match ended in the 56th minute.

Mane and Robertson executed a wall play.

Robertson crossed from the byline.

Front point.

Sunshine headed the ball backward.

Ederson, positioned at the near post, tried his best to leap up and parry the ball, but the ball's trajectory perfectly cleared his fingertips and fell towards the far post.

Just as the football was about to cross the goal line.

Full-back Danilo clears the ball with a bicycle kick!

The ball was kicked out.

Liverpool's players immediately raised their arms.

"The ball has crossed the line!"

But the referee remained unmoved.

He pointed to his headphones.

This means if it crosses the line.

The Eagle Eye system will provide a notification.

Liverpool's players had no choice but to focus on the game.

The football flew out of bounds at that moment.

Danilo, who cleared the ball with a bicycle kick, appears to have a minor thigh injury.

While the team doctor entered the field.

The Hawk-Eye system recovered the ball.

When you see that only a sliver of the ball remains above the line.

It's about one centimeter thick when it overlaps with the door line.

Many Liverpool fans held their heads in their hands.

Just a little bit!

Just a little bit closer!
When the Liverpool players at the stadium saw the replay on the big screen, they couldn't help but cover their heads with their hands.

This goal was truly a close call, almost a goal at all.

"Aaaaaaah! Danilo! Danilo!! Wow, that was the key to getting us out of that predicament! It was just a hair's breadth away! Just a hair's breadth away!"

The commentators exclaimed in surprise.

"Holy crap! This is fucking amazing!"

"What incredible luck!"

"The ball landed on the goal line."

"It's such a pity for Liverpool!"

On the Chinese internet.

Fans also expressed their regret over the missed shot.

at the same time.

Their mood began to grow heavy.

They missed those shots.
Liverpool's luck in this game.

Is it a little bit bad?
To know.

Luck is also part of the game!
(End of this chapter)