Chapter 601: Leipzig vs. Manchester United Officially Kicks Off; The Great Erik Lies Down

Time arrived at August 16, and the results of the first three quarter-final matches were all out.

Paris, Bayern, and Barcelona—these were the three teams confirmed to have advanced to the semi-finals.

It is often said that a single-leg knockout format increases the winning chances of weaker teams, yet in the end, strength conquers all; the explosive performances of Messi and Neymar made Barcelona and Paris the current favorites for the championship.

As for Manchester United, the original favorite for the title.

This club, now without its head coach, was also about to face its do-or-die battle.

"Manchester Evening News" predicted Manchester United's starting lineup for the quarter-final:

Goalkeeper: De Gea

Defenders: Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Rojo, Luke Shaw

Midfielders: De Jong, Tang Ye, Rodri

Forwards: Dembélé, Martial, Rashford

Head Coach: Fan Fan Dejiahe (Interim)

Judging from the starting lineup given by the "Manchester Evening News," Manchester United's midfield and forward line configurations were quite luxurious.

However, the defensive line was somewhat terrible.

Although it was passable, it clearly did not match the configuration of the team's midfield and attack.

According to analysis by football experts, Manchester United's defensive line would very likely become a hidden danger in their match today.

At Lisbon's Estádio da Luz, there were still 15 minutes remaining before kick-off.

The "Manchester Evening News" had perfectly predicted the starting lineups for both Manchester United and RB Leipzig, as both sides had players unable to compete, making the prediction not difficult.

But whether the prediction succeeded or not no longer mattered; the focus now was on the match about to begin.

"It's okay, it's okay!"

In the away team's locker room, Tang Ye stood right in the center.

Ten Hag was absent, and Fan Fan Dejiahe's words lacked persuasiveness, so only Tang Ye could step up.

"Don't feel pressured; we are just missing one player who cannot take the field!"

True to being Ten Hag's favored disciple, Tang Ye quickly found a clear perspective on the problem.

Although two people were infected, one of them was a coach, so it would not bring too much impact to the intensity of Manchester United's lineup.

"The opposing side also has infections, and two of them! They have two players infected, one more than us!"

Borrowing information he had just asked from Rodri, Tang Ye appeared extremely confident.

Whether his words were infectious, Tang Ye did not know.

Anyway, if he were sitting on the bench listening to himself, his passion would already be burning.

"We will win; we will bring victory back to Carrington, and yes, also to Old Trafford."

Tang Ye pounded his chest, making eye contact one by one with Rodri, Dembélé, Rashford, Ashley Young, and other players.

"Go Manchester United!!!"

"Champions!"

Boom!

"Ce sont les meilleures équipes (French)! They are the best teams."

"Sie sind die allerbesten Mannschaften (German)! They are the ultimate teams."

"The main event (English)! The most important match."

"Die Meister (German)! The victorious army."

"Die Besten (German)! The kingly army."

On the pitch of Estádio da Luz, the players of Manchester United and Leipzig stood in separate rows.

On the presidential stand, there were some staff members, while other areas were covered by drapes bearing the crests of Manchester United and Leipzig.

There were no more than 1,000 people in the stands altogether.

But the television broadcast was different.

A total of 340 million people worldwide were watching the broadcast simultaneously, yet the match had not even started.

The camera panned across Tang Ye, and the on-site photographer captured his entire body in a 360-degree, no-blind-spot shot.

The temperature was quite pleasant, yet the back of Tang Ye's jersey was already soaked through; even the fluorescent captain's armband had dimmed slightly, all wetted by sweat.

Of course, this was not due to heat, but due to pressure.

Unprecedented pressure!

"China Central Television, China Central Television!"

"This is the live broadcast bringing you..."

"The match has begun!"

"Now I will introduce the starting lineups for both sides in this match; first, the home team, RB Leipzig, attacking from the left side of the screen to the right!"

RB Leipzig (4-1-4-1)

Goalkeeper: Gulácsi

Defenders: Mukiele, Upamecano, Klostermann, Angeliño

Midfielders: Laimer, Sabitzer, Kampl, Olmo, Nkunku

Forward: Poulsen

Head Coach: Nagelsmann

The number of top-tier players within the Leipzig squad was fewer than that of Manchester United, one could even say they were not even on the same order of magnitude.

But if the criteria are expanded to the "upper-middle" tier, then Leipzig has plenty of players.

After all, they are second in the Bundesliga; if they were too easy to bully, wouldn't that lose them face?

"Due to the pandemic's impact, both sides are permitted to have 12 players on the bench, and then there is the health situation within the squads..."

The commentators analyzed the current status of both teams.

Leipzig has two players infected, one starter and one substitute.

Manchester United has two infected, one coach and one player.

But from this perspective, the difference between the two sides is negligible.

The camera cuts to Fan Fan Dejiahe on the sideline!

"Wow, here he comes!"

"This is Manchester United's interim head coach for today's match, Michel Fan Fan Dejiahe, one of the key figures in Coach Tenghahe's staff!"

"Many fans who just started watching football might not know that this isn't Fan Fan Dejiahe's first time serving as interim head coach. In other words, he has experience, so everyone doesn't need to worry too much."

The camera instantly shifts to the pitch, where Wan-Bissaka blocked Nkunku's shot from the backfield.

"Nice!"

Tang Ye raised his right hand and gave a thumbs-up.

What the team needs now is momentum, so whenever there is a good performance, he and Rodri will loudly praise their teammates.

A throw-in for Leipzig!

Angeliño!

"Ah!"

Leipzig chose to directly lob the ball into the penalty area, wanting to bypass Manchester United's midfield defense.

They succeeded!

After controlling the ball, Olmo passed it to Sabitzer.

Watch Sabitzer.

Bang!

A long-range shot roared out; Sabitzer kicked the ball straight into the sky.

"Phew..."

He hugged his head with both hands, took a deep breath, and then ran toward his teammates, signaling for everyone to focus.

"It's okay to make a mistake, just think before you act."

"Focus on one point!"

Previously, wearing the captain's armband on the field, he didn't know what to say, but now Tang Ye has improved significantly; at least now he fully deserves the captain's armband on his arm.

The counterattack is launched!

Slap!

De Gea launched a long kick from the backfield, and Rashford sprinted forward rapidly.

Rashford helped hold his position; the one responsible for receiving the ball was Martial!

Controlling the ball steadily, Martial decisively dragged the ball and turned, then ran toward the opponent's goal.

It was still the familiar sight; Manchester United's counterattack speed was extremely fast.

Martial is approaching!

Bang!

He pushed a through-ball to Rashford, who was making a run down the left flank to the byline.

Rashford received the ball, forming a 1v1 situation with the defender!

With teammates rushing up, Rashford cut back a triangle pass to Dembélé, who was making a supporting run at the top of the arc.

Dembélé first held the ball and feinted in front of the defender for a moment; waiting until Tang Ye came up from behind, he stopped the ball dead on the spot.

Dembélé has set up the cannon!

Watch Tang Ye!

The right leg lifts up!

!!!

Tang Ye swung his right leg with incredible speed, but stopped it the instant before touching the ball.

Slap!

Pretending to shoot, he actually passed the ball to Dembélé on the right.

Dembélé!

"Here!"

Pointing with both fingers at the small empty space in front of him, Tang Ye and Dembélé's minds instantly connected.

Slap!

Dembélé passed to Tang Ye, and Tang Ye, without stopping the ball, played it out immediately.

A one-two combination outside and inside the penalty area; Tang Ye's short through-ball rolled past the defender's feet and arrived at Dembélé's feet.

Bang!

A left-footed volley into the net; Dembélé's powerful shot sent the ball in.

"Goooo——aaaaa——lllll!!!"

"Goal!"

"Goal!"

"Dembélé! This is Manchester United's goal!!!"

"1:0!"

In the 19th minute of the first half, the first goal of the day was scored!

"That goal shouldn't have been offside, right?"

"No offside, absolutely no offside; at the moment Tang Ye passed, Angeliño was trailing behind, so it's definitely fine."