Chapter 566: Stabilization Complete: Set Pieces 90, Overall Rating 91

Because the equalizer came later, the Manchester United players were still in decent form.

Except Tang Ye.

At this moment, GGBond was still troubled by Tang Ye's free kick in the first half.

He simply couldn't understand how such a good angle could be saved by Ederson.

"Did our wall leak, letting him see through?"

Dembélé said.

Two Manchester United players leaned against the wall beside the tunnel, discussing Tang Ye's free kick: "I guarantee, Tom, any normal goalkeeper would've let that one in. The shot was too fast—unless our wall didn't block his view."

"No no no, the wall definitely blocked him. I'm telling you, Osman, I couldn't even see his eyes—he couldn't have seen me either, and…"

"Forget it, let's go, Tom."

Rodri pushed Tang Ye toward the locker room: "Stop thinking about it. Let's move."

The first half had ended, yet Tang Ye and Dembélé were chatting against the wall instead of returning to the locker room—this wasn't at all what professional players should do.

"It's frustrating, Rodri."

Tang Ye turned to Rodri, shrugged helplessly, then finally walked back to the locker room.

"…."

"We need to show much better form, but your performance was unacceptable."

Ten Hag was in a bad mood.

Compared to last month, the overall form of Manchester United's players had declined.

The most noticeable decline was in the defense.

It was already the team's weakness, and now their form was worse.

"Sterling must be marked, but you can't get too close to him. Marking Sterling is like marking Hazard—remember how you defended Hazard last season? We need to keep some distance…"

Ten Hag shouted.

Just as Ten Hag was speaking, a sound echoed in Tang Ye's mind.

【Set Pieces: 90 (Charging) → Set Pieces: 90】

Hmm!

The infusion of extraordinary power had ended.

To be honest, Tang Ye was still a little excited, because he'd estimated the infusion would take one to two months to complete—yet it had finished in just half a week.

Athletes like him process and stabilize faster than ordinary people.

Before the stabilization, Tang Ye's set piece ability was a virtual 90; now it was a real 90.

Tang Ye (41 years old)

【Ball Control: 90; Passing: 94】

【Shooting: 82; Heading: 62; Set Pieces: 90】

【Speed: 79; Stamina: 80; Physical Confrontation: 86】

【Defense: 77; Vision: 99】

Overall Rating: 91

Set Pieces: 90, Overall Rating: 91.

Damn!

So strong, GGBond!

With both hands clenched tightly on his thighs, Tang Ye felt a heat rising in his feet.

Pata pata!

Ten Hag clapped hard.

"We must give our best form, break their passing game with pressing!"

Ten Hag had issued his order: if Manchester United didn't win this match, the players would lose their entire day off.

Dembélé looked visibly nervous; Tang Ye looked visibly calm.

Time to act!

…

DQD Live Report: 51st minute, Tang Ye's long-range shot saved by Ederson, Alaire subbed on for Martial.

"Hmm, Ederson's form today!"

"Yeah, haha!"

"Add that first-half direct free kick to this match—if Ederson hadn't performed so well, Man City would've conceded three goals already."

"True, but Ederson really did play brilliantly today—there's nothing you can do."

Manchester United's poor shooting touch combined with Ederson's outstanding form created a double buff—Man United was suffering badly.

So far in this match, Manchester United had created nine shooting opportunities, five of which were on target.

But only one goal!

"Look here!"

Alaire immediately waved to his teammates upon entering.

This was what Ten Hag had emphasized at halftime: if Alaire came on, Manchester United needed to shift tactics.

Slightly reduce the emphasis on central penetration, and focus more on fullbacks pushing down the flanks.

Rashford was tightly marked by Walker, but Manchester United still had Dembélé.

Ten Hag's plan was to use Dembélé to attack Man City's defense and then deliver crosses from the flank.

Dembélé would drive forward, then pass to Rashford or Alaire—that would be fine.

Pah!

A long pass from Tang Ye, aimed at Dembélé on the right flank.

Control!

As Dembélé controlled the ball, David Silva moved toward him—but the Manchester United forward wasn't fazed.

He tapped the ball back and forth with quick footwork, then suddenly cut left.

Dembélé used pure speed to blow past his defender!

"Wow!!!"

He was fast—several Man City players were chasing him.

"Man United is dead set on attacking the right flank—look, their left and central players are already rushing over."

"Dembélé… cuts inside toward the center!"

Dembélé had originally planned to drive to the byline and cross, but after observing, he decided an inside cut was better.

He edged closer to Fernandinho.

Left foot to right foot.

Swish swish!

A lightning-fast nutmeg—Dembélé successfully entered the box.

"Wow!!!"

A great shooting opportunity!

Dembélé!

Pah!

He shot.

Dembélé's shot was saved by Ederson, but the referee blew the whistle immediately.

"What a shame."

"Bleep!"

"Hey, penalty! That's a penalty!"

"My god, I didn't see it clearly—was it Fernandinho's foul?"

Fernandinho spread his hands toward the referee, demanding an explanation: "No, he shot first, then I interfered—I didn't push him before he shot!"

Dembélé lay on the ground with his hands out, not arguing—he wasn't good at this.

Manchester United players rushed over; Rodri and Ashley Young were shouting with the opponents, while Tang Ye walked straight to the ball boy, took the ball from him, and joined the argument.

"Bleep bleep bleep bleep bleep!!!"

The home fans in the stands were furious with the referee, who was listening to his assistant's advice.

Bleep!

Another whistle—the referee made a box gesture in front of the players.

This was a controversial call—he needed to check VAR!

"Bleep bleep bleep bleep bleep!!"

"Not a penalty! Not a penalty!"

"Are you blind, ref?"

The referee carefully studied the replay on the screen, while Manchester United's players gathered together, waiting.

Pah! Pah!

Tang Ye gently juggled the ball; Dembélé had walked over without notice: "That's definitely a penalty—I was pushed over."

"Are you diving?"

Tang Ye covered his mouth and asked quietly.

Dembélé gave a slight nod.

"Mm."

Tang Ye raised an eyebrow.

Actually, after shooting, Dembélé didn't need to fall, because Fernandinho hadn't pushed hard.

But it was true that Dembélé had been disturbed during his shot.

So this goal was highly controversial—the referee could award it or not.

"I think it should be given."

Tang Ye narrowed his eyes.

The main referee studied the replay for about a minute and a half, then ran back.

Beep!

Draw a box, point the index finger at Manchester City's penalty area.

"Penalty!"

"It's a penalty!"

"Ah, here it comes—a penalty."

"Yes, this one definitely."

The commentator explained to the fans that Fernandinho's foul was disrupting the attacking player's shooting balance inside the penalty area.

In the 57th minute of the second half, with the score 1-1, Manchester United won a penalty.

The outcome of this penalty could very well decide the match's momentum!

"It's not a penalty, referee! I hadn't pushed hard before he shot—I only brushed against him. This is normal contact, and I was inside!"

Manchester City players were still arguing, but Tang Ye had already taken his position in the penalty area.

Huh, huuuh…

"This year's Ballon d'Or midfielder faces the season's outstanding Manchester City goalkeeper, Ederson!" "Beep!"

"Tang Ye… run-up."

No rush—he jumped left, then right, then began his run-up.

Rhythm changed.

Snap!

Left foot—low drive!

Aimed left—the goalkeeper Ederson dove the wrong way.

"Goal! Goal!"

"Tang Ye!"

"2-1! Manchester United have overturned Manchester City with this penalty!"

Ederson sat on the ground, sighing, as Manchester United players sprinted past him.

"Roar!!!!!!"

Tang Ye, Dembélé, and McTominay linked arms and ran in the same direction.

Swish! Swish! Swish!!!

【Counterattack!】

【Others just guess the direction when taking penalties—Tang Ye? You have to guess which foot he'll use.】

【Fernandinho, war criminal, step forward!】

【Neutral fans say this probably shouldn't be a penalty.】

【This one's 50-50—could go either way, but Dembélé did seem to be bumped.】

【Dembélé? King of Penalties!】

After scoring in the first half, Dembélé created another penalty.

So far, Manchester United have scored two goals, both involving Dembélé.

Tang Ye roared into the air, raising Dembélé's left hand amid Manchester City fans' boos.

The clock reached the 65th minute of the second half.

Manchester United led 2-1, but CCTV's commentators weren't confident in United's chances.

Continuous attacks would inevitably drain the stamina of Manchester United's two strikers.

So the question arises.

How long can Rashford and Dembélé keep going?

"Jingdong'an."

"Long ball out!"

"Oh, beautiful!"

A precise cross sent the ball to Sterling on the flank.

Both hands raised, Sterling cut inside past Wan-Bissaka.

Wan-Bissaka tackled!

"Oh!"

Everyone thought Sterling would be sent flying, but he hooked the ball with his toe and leapt, evading Wan-Bissaka with ball and body.

He kept driving toward the penalty area.

Hiss!

Thud!

Left foot—powerful shot—directly struck Ashley Young's hand.

Oh no!

Beep-beep-beep!!!

Just minutes ago, Manchester City gave away a penalty—now Manchester United returned the favor.

"City!"

Thud-thud!

"Mancity!"

Thud-thud-thud!

Manchester City were trailing, but if they scored now, they could equalize.

The crucial penalty opportunity fell to substitute Otamendi.

Huh…

Snap!

A light push shot—score tied at 2-2!

Manchester City players sprinted around the pitch; Guardiola raised both arms.

"Ah…"

Tang Ye sighed: "That cross was going out anyway—it only hit Young because he tried to block it. Is that really a penalty…?"

Manchester City players were furious about United's penalty; United players felt the same about City's.

Had Ashley Young not stepped in, Sterling's cross would have gone out!

But because Young intervened, Manchester City won the penalty.

Pure luck!

"Eoncity!"

"Eoncity!"

"Tom!"

"Xuuu!!!!!!"

"Xuuuu!!!"

Manchester City fans wanted to unsettle Manchester United's mindset but couldn't think of anything specific—so they targeted United's star player.

Tang Ye was pitiful—he was booed in nearly every match.

72nd minute!

Manchester United made their second substitution: Ziyech came on for Rashford.

Rashford had cramped up minutes earlier, forcing United's change.

"Watch the left flank! Watch the left flank!"

Ziyech had barely stepped on the pitch when Tang Ye grabbed him to whisper: "Walker's done for."

Tang Ye had watched closely—he'd seen Kyle Walker gasping for air more than once.

Rashford's stamina had been drained by Walker—how much longer could Walker himself last?

"Just run. When you see the chance, go."

Given such responsibility immediately after coming on, Ziyech's heart raced.

"Erik!"

Ten Hag was called back to the bench by Van Gaal, who suggested: "Replace Dembélé with Jesse (Lingard)."

Lingard is a midfielder, but like Tang Ye, he can also play as a winger.

However, Ten Hag did not accept Van der Gaag's proposal.

"I feel it's coming soon."

"Soon? What's coming soon?"

"They can't hold this defensive style for long."

Snap!

Cross from 45 degrees!

The high ball lands precisely above the penalty area as de Ligt charges in from behind.

Jump!

Thud!

With a powerful header, de Ligt scores.

But it's an offside goal…

The camera cuts to Tang Ye on the pitch.

Tang Ye has already created eight shooting opportunities in this match, yet Manchester United still does not lead Manchester City.

"Ecity!"

"Ecity!"

The crowd's chants lift Manchester City's momentum, and the Blues even had another chance to score.

Snap!

De Bruyne's long-range shot goes wildly off target, straight to Wan Bisaka's feet.

A perfect counterattack opportunity!

"Hurry up, hurry up!"

It would be a waste not to use such a chance; under his teammate's signal, Wan Bisaka dribbles forward himself.

He advances a short distance on his own.

"Left!"

When Wan Bisaka doesn't know what to do, Tang Ye points him in the right direction.

Just as Tang Ye expects Wan Bisaka to pass left, the United fullback takes the ball himself.

"..."

Well, same thing.

Snap!

A low, long pass rolls through the grass, finally reaching Ziyech.

Walker follows, trying to intercept, but Ziyech's positioning advantage is too clear—Walker has no chance to tackle.

Without hesitation, Walker grabs Ziyech.

"Hey!"

"That's a great opportunity."

"That's a yellow card, but there's no choice—the foul is justified."

Beep!

Yellow card: Kyle Walker

Walker had to take that yellow card; otherwise, if Manchester United breaks free on the counter, it would be disastrous.

The free kick is slightly left of center, about 35 meters from goal.

This is clearly not an ideal free kick; Ziyech prepares to take it himself, but Tang Ye speaks to him.

"Wait—I'll give you a signal, then sprint straight into the six-yard box."

"Yes, just run."

Tang Ye pats Ziyech on the shoulder, and the latter runs to form the wall.

Manchester United's free kick: Tang Ye and Dembélé take their positions.

(End of Chapter)