Chapter 602: 5:1 Breakdown of Leipzig; The Semifinal Opponent is Bay

【God of War!】

【Holy crap, that shot is already a lock for the Champions League Goal of the Season!】

【2:0!】

【Actually, it's mostly just bad luck for Leipzig; with one more starter, they might have made it a 50-50 game.】

【You're dreaming, as if my Manchester United is fielding their full-strength lineup.】

When Modrić struck that outside-of-the-foot worldie in the Round of 16, everyone thought it would be the Champions League's best goal of the season.

But looking at it now, that goal actually falls quite short.

A rainbow flick into the dead corner!

"Nice, Tom!"

Fan Fan Dejiahe raised his hands, then twisted his body twice.

Just like that.

Too strong!

"Beep, beep-beep!!"

The first half ends.

Manchester United entered halftime with a two-goal lead, and unsurprisingly, received cheers from the staff in the presidential box.

Regrettably, there weren't many Manchester United fans in the presidential box; most were supporters of Sporting CP or Benfica.

Of course, because of Cristiano Ronaldo, there exists a subtle connection between Sporting CP and Manchester United.

"Amazing!"

Fan Fan Dejiahe patted Tang Ye's arm: "With these two goals, our win rate is already very high."

"Haha."

Tang Ye pushed Fan Fan Dejiahe, signaling the coach to return to the locker room quickly.

"Oh, by the way, wait a moment."

Fan Fan Dejiahe looked left and right, then whispered: "Later in the locker room, I'm going to say a few things; after I finish, you show your approval of me, then add a few words yourself."

"Oh? Oh, okay."

Tang Ye paused for a moment, then indicated he understood.

To the Manchester United players, Fan Fan Dejiahe was more of a friend figure; the players would listen to what Fan Fan Dejiahe said, but it didn't necessarily translate into good execution.

At times like this, the captain, Tang Ye, needed to step up.

Both friends, Mitchell and Tom, are asking you to do this; surely that's more persuasive than Teacher Eric, right?

The fifteen-minute halftime break was an opportunity for adjustment for Manchester United, and even more so for the trailing Leipzig.

"What is pressing? It means you have to go up and steal their ball!"

Nagelsmann shouted: "They specialize in scoring goals, so why should we play an attacking game against them? Let's just prevent them from launching their attacks!"

"Keep the ball in their defensive third, and our chances will come. If we keep getting tangled up with their midfielders and forwards, how are we supposed to score?"

Nagelsmann paused briefly, looked at Kampl, and remembered what he wanted to say.

"Why did you leave a gap when pressing TY? Go straight up and challenge him! Use your body to block him! Did you leave that space to give him a chance to shoot, or do you want to ask him for an autograph?"

"Pfft."

The assistant coach accidentally laughed out loud, quickly covered his mouth, and walked to the door.

"Use your body to collide with him; don't give him an inch of space! That's how you play against TY!"

"Have you all forgotten how Germany lost to China back then? Every single one of you watched the live broadcast, didn't you?"

"..."

The locker room fell silent.

"We have Champions League qualification, which means we work one month more than other Bundesliga teams; do you want to work that extra month for nothing?"

"Two choices."

Nagelsmann rubbed his beard vigorously: "Either go all out, at least reach the semifinals, and tell the fans we gave our all."

"Or get knocked out in the quarterfinals, tell the fans we're f***ing no match for Manchester United, and that they completely crushed us!"

"..."

This season differs from previous ones; by the time the Champions League reaches the quarterfinals, the top five leagues have already concluded.

With no other competitions to worry about, if we don't risk everything for the Champions League now, it would be truly regrettable.

"Get ready!"

Nagelsmann said, pointing at Kampl and several of Leipzig's midfielders: "Stop f***ing asking TY for autographs; when it's time to collide, go up and collide!"

"China Central Television!"

"Welcome back, dear viewers; this is the live broadcast currently bringing you..."

"With a score of 0:2, judging from the first-half performance, Manchester United has almost completely controlled the match."

"Yes, exactly; moreover, looking at this season's situation, it seems Manchester United hasn't lost a single match where they scored first."

The momentum has completely tilted toward Manchester United; time is running out for Leipzig.

Slap!

Gulacsi launched a long kick, sending the ball directly to Manchester United's defensive third.

After summarizing their experience from the first half, Leipzig decided to change their strategy.

Just as Nagelsmann said, Leipzig needed to bypass Manchester United's midfield before attempting to create anything.

"Left, left! Everyone go together!"

Tang Ye and his teammates were to drop back, while Rodri and Rojo rushed to contest the first point; Tang Ye, meanwhile, stayed on standby alongside Derong.

Bang!

Rodri won the first point and passed the ball to Tang Ye!

Beautiful!

Tang Ye laid the ball back to Derong before sprinting forward again.

Though many defenders stood before Derong, Tang Ye remained completely calm, for based on his earlier calculation, Derong would absolutely be able to dribble out of trouble once he received the ball.

Let's see Derong's move!

Facing a pressing defender, Derong calmly dragged the ball to adjust.

Finding space to pass, Derong then began his maneuver.

Slap!

He passed to Wan-Bissaka, who was charging up on the flank; after completing the pass, Derong ran toward the left.

The two ran together for about five meters, after which Wan-Bissaka cut the ball across to the center, returning it to Derong.

"Wow!"

"Beautiful!"

"An exceptionally well-coordinated advance!"

Building out from the back has indeed always been Manchester United's problem, but since it is a persistent issue, Manchester United would surely have spent considerable time improving it.

Had Leipzig faced Manchester United in the first half of the Champions League campaign, their high-pressing tactics might well have succeeded.

Regrettably, it is now the second half of the season, not the first.

Derong carried the ball all the way into the opponent's half before laying it off to Dembélé, who had moved up to support.

Slap!

With his left foot, he delivered a long pass, and Dembélé accurately found Luke Shaw.

Luke Shaw to Tang Ye!

"Go, go, go!"

Tang Ye dribbled forward alone, his pressing presence maxed out, forcing Kampl to retreat continuously.

Tang Ye drew closer, step by step...

Swish-swish!

Executing a nutmeg to create an angle, Tang Ye then sent a pass to Rashford.

Rashford!

He crosses it!

Rashford drove down the flank and cut the ball back across.

Watch Dembélé!

Slap!

Dembélé's shot was blocked by the goalkeeper, and the ball flew toward Derong.

"Strike it directly!"

Tang Ye's voice rang out, and at that very moment, Derong made his choice.

Without controlling the ball, he volleyed it straight.

Duang!

The ball smashed against the crossbar; by the time it rebounded onto the grass, it had already crossed the goal line.

Goal!

Derong!

Frenkie de Jong!

3–0!

Manchester United scored again on the counterattack; goalkeeper Gulácsi sat on the goal line, looking somewhat dazed.

"Woohoo!!!"

The Manchester United players celebrated wildly, with Tang Ye even leaping straight onto Rashford.

"Hiss..."

"If this is how it goes, Leipzig will find things very difficult from here on."

"Mm."

It was now the 65th minute of the second half; Manchester United already led by three goals, while Leipzig still seemed unable to find the proper way to play the match.

What was to be done?

Head coach Nagelsmann narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Be careful; be more careful from now on!"