Ground football: Ronaldo thought I was going to assist him

The camera frequently focused on Deng Kai on the bench.

really!

As soon as Deng Kai sat down, the team doctor came up and started applying ice to his calves and thighs.

"Huh, is Deng Kai... injured?"

"If that's the case, then Rome might still have a chance!"

"We can't find another team and its core player to compare to Duncan's importance to Manchester City. He's too important; Manchester City can do without anyone else, but not without him!"

"Manchester City can do without Jerusalem, but they absolutely need Duncan!"

Note: It has been said that Manchester City without Maxi is like the West without Jerusalem.

After Deng Kai left the field.

Emerson, Totti, and others are once again making moves.

This time, they bullied Fabregas.

While Fabregas performed well in the EFL Cup, he seems to be less effective in European competitions.

He seems a little... nervous!

In just ten minutes.

Rome continued to launch offensives.

Manchester City were gradually pushed back into their own half.

The flanks are basically still the same flanks.

The other players were all pretty much the same.

But Manchester City just couldn't deliver their most dangerous passes.

While possession can be guaranteed, possession without forward passing is meaningless.

Eighty-eighth minute.

Emerson played a through ball, Totti dropped back and blocked Essien, then flicked the ball behind him with the instep of his foot without stopping it.

Cassano dribbled into the Manchester City penalty area and scored with a low shot.

Roma finally pulled one back.

It's better than nothing.

However, in the first minute of stoppage time.

Cassano, who was on the wing, received another pass from his teammate and crossed the ball to Totti.

Totti holds the ball and confronts Kompany.

Then suddenly turn sideways.

Emerson, who had made a run, took a long-range shot.

In grief and indignation, Fonte stepped forward with his hands behind his back, using his body to shield himself from the bullets.

He was completely unnecessary to come up here!

At this moment, how much he wished that Chiellini and Thiago Silva could recover.

Playing football is so painful.

It's still more comfortable to paddle in the water.

boom!

There was no pain.

Emerson did not take a long-range shot.

Instead, he temporarily switched to a through pass, sending a through ball between Fonte's legs.

Cassano cut inside from the ball and into the penalty area before attempting a shot.

This caught Cech completely off guard.

"Go! 4-2! Roma scores again!"

"Cassano is amazing! He scored twice too!"

"Two goals in five minutes! Cassano has proven his worth!"

"He has kept Roma's chances of a comeback in the next leg at Itihad!"

"He is a hero of Rome!"

Four to two!

Manchester City's performance in this UEFA Cup Round of 16 match started strong but fizzled out.

This once again exposed their weakness.

It's not just something anyone said; everyone can see it.

Deng Kai needs to undergo physical therapy frequently, which means his body is already on the verge of injury.

If things go wrong, then...

……

Wohlfahrt: Duncan's body has reached its limit; he needs to rest now!

Manchester City's schedule is too tight; competing on three fronts for an extended period is not advisable!

To clarify, teams typically face competing on three fronts late in the season. However, Manchester City, not wanting to give up on the EFL Cup, has been competing on three fronts for quite some time now!

Even if Manchester City manages to get past Roma, it's doubtful they'll be able to continue their campaign!

March 13th, the 28th round of the English Premier League.

Deng Kai sat on the bench this time and didn't play at all.

Manchester City ultimately defeated Everton 2-0.

March 21st, the 29th round of the Premier League.

Deng Kai is on rest!

Manchester City failed to score throughout the match, ending in a 0-0 draw against Southampton.

Another draw.

Meanwhile, Arsenal continued their winning streak, narrowing the gap to four points.

The pressure of the league has put pressure on Manchester City.

On March 25, the second leg of the UEFA Cup Round of 16 match kicked off at the Intihad Stadium.

Deng Kai returned to the starting lineup.

It gave the fans a false alarm.

Before the game, some media outlets even thought that Deng Kai might not play or would be on the bench.

But after only thirty minutes of the match, Manchester City's faces were clouded with worry.

In Rome, Dacourt was out of form and was replaced in the starting lineup by young De Rossi.

And it was the handsome De Rossi who tackled Essien in the 30th minute.

This led to Essien's departure!

The Intihad Stadium was silent.

Fans then began to angrily criticize De Rossi.

Essien is Manchester City's key defensive midfielder!

In this series, Essien completely shut down Totti.

As a result, he was crippled by De Rossi!

Not to mention Manchester City fans, even the French national team coaching staff posted profanities on social media.

They are worried that Essien will not be able to participate in the European Championship this summer.

Essien's performance this year has been outstanding, and he was selected by the French national team coaching staff early on.

Although the French national team has several top-level defensive midfielders such as Vieira and Marcelo, Essien's competitiveness is no less than theirs.

Bringing him along as a substitute defensive midfielder is an absolute luxury.

It couldn't be more stable.

And now...

Neither side managed to score in the entire first half.

In the 60th minute of the second half, Manchester City's left-back Lahm scored a solo goal.

It dealt a fatal blow to Rome.

With the aggregate score at 5-2, Roma needs to score three goals at the Intihad Stadium to turn the tide.

This is really difficult.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!

Eighty-second minute.

Fabregas, who came on as a substitute, ended the suspense.

He received a pass back from Adriano and scored with a long-range shot.

The overall score is now 6-2!

Rome is out of the running.

Fabregas once again demonstrated what it means to be a bully at home.

His performance was a world apart from his previous performance at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

The moment the referee blew the whistle.

The Intihad Stadium erupted in celebration of their advancement.

They are now in the UEFA Cup quarterfinals!

Their next goal is the semifinals!

Major European media outlets have been reporting on Manchester City's advancement.

Although Manchester City is considered weak, no one can know exactly when they will start to falter until they truly collapse.

Ultimately, it's about prestige and status.

Dongqiudi even gave Manchester City a full-page spread.

Manchester City: Who's next to die?

Roma fans were deeply saddened after seeing this headline.

However, soon, a team even more distressed than Roma emerged.

That's... Barcelona!

The UEFA Cup matchups are in! Barcelona draws a tough opponent, facing Manchester City!

Here they come! Deng Kai faces Barcelona again in the UEFA Cup!

"Deng Kai + Fonte vs. Ronaldinho + Quaresma! Former teammates reunite, who will emerge as the true winner?"

Ronaldinho: This is not good news; Barcelona is not at its best yet.

Quaresma: This was a terrible match, and I know many will say Manchester City weren't at their best either. But I know Kai's ability; he can decide a game at any time!

Deng Kai: No, no, no! Barcelona has been somewhat lackluster these past two years, but buying Ronaldinho and Quaresma was one of the best decisions they ever made. They will pose a huge challenge to Manchester City's defense!

Fonte: No way! We're not going! I'm just a substitute for the water cooler!

Fonte really doesn't want to go back to those days when he almost broke his ankle being outmaneuvered by Quaresma and Ronaldinho in a training match with Sporting Lisbon.

Playing football is too difficult.

There are too many geniuses.

People need to learn to lie down and relax.

Should I go to the Turkish Super League, Saudi Arabian League, or Major League Soccer at 23 to make some money?

No, no!

We must not stray from the glory of our Lord.

Otherwise, what am I, Fonte, anyway?

I like playing football on the ground: Ronaldo thought I was going to assist him.