Chapter 457: Through Ball into Space, Manchester United's Comeback (For Nuanyang1314)

"Go Manchester United!"

"Go Mancheng!"

"Go Manchester!"

The match offered plenty of highlights; although it was halftime, many fans still chose to stay in front of their televisions.

It was already past 1 a. m. Beijing time!

"In the final stretch we played very well; you should have felt it yourselves—we were gradually taking control of the match's rhythm."

Ten Hag paced in front of the tactical board.

"But in the first twenty minutes—strictly speaking, before the first goal—we encountered a clear problem: our opponents' short-passing combinations in tight spaces."

Tapping the tactical board with his finger: "When our opponents cluster together, they execute some short passing and possession plays; this is how Mancheng attacks our defensive line. And these players are not just attackers; defenders join in as well."

"Kyle Walker and Mendy—their full-backs push up to join."

Sweeping his gaze around the room at the players, Ten Hag's meaning was already crystal clear.

Why had Mancheng scored first?

Because their short-passing combinations were excellent, allowing them to seize massive possession.

But that was only one reason; another was that Mancheng successfully created numerical advantages, which was also why Manchester United's defense was under such pressure.

The defense was indeed outstanding, but facing one or two extra opponents, the Manchester United players could only feel utterly helpless.

In response, Ten Hag made some adjustments.

In the second half, Martial, with a larger range of movement, replaced Ale, coordinating with wingers Rashford and Ziyech to drop back and defend.

Then on the attacking front, Ashley Young and Valencia still needed to participate in the offense; that was certain.

Those were the main points; everything else was just minor details.

"Oh, and one more thing: try not to concede corner kicks."

Defending corner kicks had always been a persistent problem for Manchester United, so it was best to be extra cautious in that regard.

While Ten Hag was speaking, Tang Ye leaned against the cabinet at the back, arms folded across his chest.

His mind racing, Tang Ye was pondering how to counter Mancheng's penetration through the center.

To reach a conclusion, Tang Ye sifted through the FIFA game records stored in his memory.

Regrettably, no tactic in Tang Ye's mind could simultaneously handle both central penetration and explosive wing attacks.

Mancheng's offense was simply too comprehensive!

Clap! Clap!

The locker room grew somewhat quiet as Ten Hag and Fan Fan Dejiahe clapped to draw the players' attention.

"Get excited, get excited!"

Fan Fan Dejiahe slapped Martial's neck with his hand, hoping the substitute Manchester United striker would enter match condition faster.

He noticed Tang Ye watching him from afar.

"Oh, Tom, do you want to experience it?"

Fan Fan Dejiahe raised his right hand and walked toward Tang Ye.

Slapping the neck—though the actual target was the brainstem behind the brain—external stimulation of the brainstem could activate the body's protective mechanisms, causing excitement.

It hurt a little, but for Tang Ye, this was entirely bearable.

"Recall it."

Ten Hag pointed to his own temple, his index finger circling: "Recall what I just said; we're about to head out. Remember, we will be the victors of this match—that is certain—but only if you bring out the same form you showed in the final period of the first half!"

"Roar!!!!"

The Manchester United players in the locker room let out a roar.

They were ready!

……

Live match report from Dongqiu Di: The second half is about to begin; Manchester United makes a substitution, Martial replacing Ale.

"China Central Television, welcome back, dear viewers! This is..."

"The match has begun!"

"Hmm, Martial for Ale; Ten Hag is clearly looking to switch to a different attacking tactic."

"Yes, in this match Manchester United must definitely try to take all three points, because if they secure three points, they will surpass Mancheng and move into first place!"

Ten Hag's ambitions were huge, but so too was the pressure.

The situation in the first half had already proven one thing: this season's Mancheng was even stronger than last season's.

"Here!"

David Silva actively dropped back, calling for the ball!

Tang Ye moved up to intercept, ending up locked together with David Silva.

Tang Ye tried to shove his opponent off the pitch, but failed.

Silva tried to push Tang Ye away, equally unsuccessful.

The pass arrived!

Tang Ye stretched out his foot to trap the ball, but fell into the opponent's trap.

David Silva suddenly exerted force, shoving Tang Ye aside and directly seizing possession.

"Oh!"

"A very clever choice; Mancheng has broken through the opponent's high press."

Dribbling past the halfway line, heading straight for the byline!

Bang!

Pass the ball forward to Sterling!

"Into the center, get into the middle!!"

"Check it, check it! Hey, press up!"

Both Ten Hag and Guardiola were shouting.

Sterling's off-the-ball movement was excellent, so Manchester United had to handle this with great care.

De Jong suddenly stuck out a leg, but Sterling successfully shook him off.

"Wow!!!"

Cutting inside toward the middle!

Support players for Mancheng were positioned at the bottom of both the left and right flanks; Guardiola's tactic of creating numerical superiority was perfectly demonstrated here.

Slap!

Passing the ball to Agüero, who was positioned at the far post!

After receiving the ball, Agüero stopped dead on the spot, while Mahrez made a diagonal run into the penalty area.

Another cross-run in the attacking third!

Agüero shouted and lofted the ball into the penalty box.

Mahrez controlled the ball with his body.

Slap!

A volley was struck.

At the critical moment, De Gea pulled off a miraculous save; Mahrez's volley ultimately struck De Gea's thigh.

"Shit!!"

Having missed such a golden opportunity, the Mancheng striker dropped straight to his knees on the grass.

After gathering the ball, De Gea stood up and, while running outward, signaled for his teammates to make forward runs.

"Get up, get up, block him!"

Mahrez's act of dropping to his knees after taking the shot drew Guardiola's displeasure.

Because Mahrez failed to press, De Gea easily delivered a powerful throw-in, bypassing De Jong to find Ziyech, who was making a forward run.

"I'm going forward, I'm going forward!"

Sprinting at maximum speed to get ahead of Ziyech, Tang Ye successfully created a good passing option for his teammate.

Receiving Ziyech's through ball!

Lifting his foot to let the ball roll ahead of him, Tang Ye still chose to retain control with his first touch.

A 10% bonus might not seem like much, but it can play a significant role at critical moments!

He lifted his head to assess the situation ahead.

Hurry up, Marcus, hurry up, Marcus!

As his teammates gradually got into position, Tang Ye finally had the chance to make a pass.

Slap!

【Kevin De Bruyne 45-Degree Cross Lv5: Replication (Transcendent State)】

Proficiency: 727/3500

Using the technique of a 45-degree cross, he sent the ball to Rashford, who was advancing up the left flank.

This ball was difficult to control, so Tang Ye added considerable spin to help Rashford settle it.

After controlling the ball, Rashford knocked it forward and then accelerated.

However, Rashford's first touch was slightly too heavy, and ultimately Stones reached the ball and cleared it just before Rashford could.

"Xuuu!!!"

Rashford's arrogant yet mistake-ridden dribbling drew boos from the Mancheng fans in the stands.

"bluemoon (Oh, blue moon)"

"nowimlolongeralone (Now I am no longer alone)"

"Withoutadreaminmyheart (No longer without a dream in my heart)"

"..."

The fans hadn't sung during the first half, but finally started in the second.

If Tang Ye had been willing to listen carefully, his love for music would surely have allowed him to detect a hint of desolation in the Mancheng anthem, sparking his curiosity.

However, this match was simply too important, so Tom would not divert his attention to the opponent's cheering songs.

Walker suddenly charged forward and took possession of the ball!

!

Realizing something was wrong, Tang Ye immediately accelerated to close in from the side.

Bang!

His original intention was to tackle, but Walker fiercely shielded the ball with his foot, resulting in Tang Ye stepping directly onto Walker's ankle.

"Beep!"

Fuck!

Feeling somewhat uncomfortable, Tang Ye received a yellow card due to his erroneous decision.

Check Dongqiu Di live match report: Tang Ye committed a foul with a tackle and was shown a yellow card by the referee; this season, Tang Ye has already received three yellow cards in the Premier League, whereas last season he received only four yellow cards across 34 Premier League matches.

Tang Ye attempted to high-five Walker, but Walker refused.

Since that was the case, Tang Ye said nothing further and began focusing on the upcoming defensive duties.

"..."

"De Bruyne!"

"To Sterling!"

"Hey, De Gea!"

"Brilliant, De Gea!"

The Manchester United goalkeeper reproduces a god-level save, denying Sterling's shot from close range.

The counterattack is on.

"Get forward, get forward!"

Signaling his teammates to run faster, Tang Ye stays in place, ready to receive the ball.

De Bruyne, having just taken the set piece, wants to come up and disrupt!

Tang Ye glances back, then still calls for the ball from De Gea.

Slap!

Jumping up and flicking the ball with his heel, Tang Ye sends it directly behind De Bruyne.

!!!

De Bruyne decisively pulls Tang Ye down!

"Beep!"

A yellow card for Mancheng!

"Sorry."

De Bruyne pulls Tang Ye up from the ground; the two clap hands, after which the Mancheng midfield begins retreating quickly.

"Damn..."

Tang Ye isn't very comfortable, because when receiving the ball just now, he had already calculated the subsequent goal-scoring route.

But he simply didn't account for De Bruyne's tactical foul!

Manchester United's defensive set piece goes straight to De Gea, while Tang Ye moves forward to support.

Slap!

The long pass is driven directly toward the edge of the box; Martial jumps but fails to touch the ball.

The Mancheng players fail to touch it as well.

"Here!"

Hearing Tang Ye's voice, Martial bends down and heads the ball back, then turns to make a forward run.

Tang Ye prepares, lifts his right foot, and delivers an aerial through-ball.

The motion is fast, yet Tang Ye controls it well, ensuring the ball won't bounce after hitting the grass, so Martial can receive it comfortably.

"Hey, it's delivered!"

"Martial!"

Bang!

A volleyed shot; goalkeeper Ederson sits on the ground with both hands raised.

All of this happened a bit too suddenly!

"GOOO——AAA——LLLLLL!!"

"Anthony Martial!"

"A goal for Manchester United!"

"2:1!"

"Manchester United has reversed the score!"

The away stand suddenly erupts; Martial wants to rush out to celebrate but collides mid-way with Tang Ye, who is running toward him.

"Haha!"

Bang!

The two collide again.

"Brilliant!!!"

Gathering together, the Manchester United players roar.

【Assist brace achieved; you gain extra Counterattack Points *20】

【Mission Progress: Assists (3/10)】

Arriving below the stands, Martial shows his black gloves to the Mancheng fans.

This little rat has reversed the score!

"Fuck you!"

"Get lost!"

"You stupid piece of shit!!!"

"..."

The fans are cursing quite harshly, but the excited Manchester United players won't mind such minor details.

"Let's look at the replay."

"Hmm, Tang Ye's aerial through-ball into the box was handled truly excellently."

"Yes, the slow motion shows Tang Ye added backspin to the ball, so when it hit the grass in front of Martial, it didn't bounce up."

While the commentators analyze Tang Ye's slow-motion play, De Bruyne on the field also looks up at the big screen.

Skill determines success or failure; details make champions.

The gap between little Kevin and the great GGBond is reflected precisely in these details.

De Bruyne could certainly think about not letting the ball bounce up, making it easier for the striker to receive.

But he had no way to kick a downward-spinning airborne through-pass within such an extreme timeframe!

Check Dongqiu Di live match report: Assist brace! Tang Ye's airborne through-pass, Martial's poke shot scores, Man United reverses Mancheng 2:1.

【Everyone stand up!】

【Haters, speak up!!!】

【You all love sudden goals, don't you? Mancheng did the same in the first half.】

【A true clash of titans, though Mancheng fans admit losing to GGBond is hardly unjust.】

Tang Ye walked toward the halfway line with his arms around Rodri and Martial, while the jeers of Mancheng fans rang in his ears.

And Guardiola too.

"No, what are you doing?"

"Is that how a center forward holds the ball? Mark tight, mark tight! Where is it!?"

After shouting, Guardiola slumped and walked toward the bench, where he happened upon a mineral water bottle on the way.

Slap!

The furious Mancheng manager kicked the mineral water bottle flying!

"Beep!"

Aguero kicked off, sending the second-half second goal into play!

It was already the 65th minute of the match!

Hmm, let's do a quick calculation.

Just hold on for another 25 minutes; including stoppage time, 28 minutes at most.

If they withstand this, Man United can take all three points from Mancheng!

"United!"

"Man United!"

The cheers of Man United fans could faintly be heard, while a league table popped up in the bottom-left corner of the CCTV5 broadcast.

Premier League Standings (if the score holds until the end):

1. Man United (12 rounds), 32 points.

2. Mancheng (12 rounds), 29 points.

3. Liwupu (11 rounds), 29 points.

If this score holds until the end...

Then Man United would be first!

Moreover, as long as Liwupu doesn't gain too many goal differences in Round 12, Man United will remain in first place even if Liwupu wins their match!

A bit exciting...

Ten Hag sat on the bench, with assistant coach Fan Fan Dejiahe beside him.

Both men kept their mouths shut, but if one looked closely, one would notice Ten Hag's body seemed to be trembling.

Excitement.

But also great tension!

Whether Man United could defend their one-goal lead was crucial!

"Mancheng is making a substitution!"

"Sane replaces... hmm, Mahrez."

"Guardiola is preparing for a final desperate push."

"Hiss... Luke Shaw is injured and absent; currently, there seems to be no defender on the Man United bench capable of keeping up with Sane."

(End of chapter)