Chapter 679: An Impossible Opportunity Lies Before Us

"Beep beep beep beep!!!!"

Because Mancheng had mounted a comeback, the smoke that should have risen at Westfalen failed to materialize.

After a few minutes of rest, the match would enter extra time, with players from both sides gathering in front of their respective benches.

"Borussia!"

"Dortmund!"

"Dortmund!"

Boom boom boom!

"Tang Ye!"

As Tang Ye approached the area beneath the main stand, the Dortmund fans suddenly erupted.

"Lead us forward one more time!"

"TY, take us to the Champions League final!"

"..."

The reason the fans were shouting so loudly was that they had realized the situation was turning unfavorable.

The strength Mancheng displayed in the second half surpassed that of Dortmund!

Trouble was brewing!

Tang Ye said nothing, merely casting a glance toward the stands.

If the match were dragged into a penalty shootout, to be honest, Tang Ye felt quite confident, as Dortmund boasted many penalty experts within the squad.

But!

Tang Ye harbored doubts about whether they could actually force the match into a penalty shootout.

"Come on, hurry, hurry!"

Reus shouted, and the Dortmund players gathered before Matti.

"Are you okay?"

Matti's first order of business was to confirm Tang Ye's physical condition.

Upon receiving Tang Ye's affirmative response, the Dortmund medical team rushed over, signaling for him to sit on the grass.

The players huddled together; Tang Ye sat before Matti while two physiotherapists continuously rubbed essential oil onto his thighs and calves.

"For the final thirty minutes, our key objective is to drag the match into a penalty shootout."

"I know some of you may dislike defending, but you must understand one thing: defending is not shameful!"

Matti shouted, "Losing the match is what's shameful!"

"Having come this far, we cannot lose!"

The players remained silent, simply nodding to indicate their understanding.

Just as Matti was emphasizing defensive tactics for extra time, Tang Ye suddenly let out a cry from the grass.

"Ah!"

"What's wrong?"

Matti's expression tightened.

"Nothing, nothing, it just hurt a bit when they pressed."

Tang Ye raised his hand in apology: "My fault."

"You can lie down first; it's fine."

Matti signaled that Tang Ye could make himself comfortable.

Tang Ye lay down, originally intending to close his eyes and rest properly, but he noticed Pogba's condition.

The Dortmund defensive midfielder was planting the sole of his right foot on the grass, twisting it back and forth.

"..."

"Paul, maybe you should come off."

Tang Ye suddenly spoke up.

Matti first looked at Tang Ye, then seemed to realize something, and turned to Pogba: "Can you still hold on?"

Logically, Pogba should still be able to run, but Tang Ye would not have made such a statement without cause.

Indeed, when asked this question, Pogba appeared somewhat hesitant.

"Just come off, Paul, it's fine."

Reus also began to persuade him.

Pogba's performance in this match could only be described as average; there was no need for him to force himself.

"Save your strength for the final, Paul."

Tang Ye continued.

Pogba took a step back: "Then how do we reach the final?"

"We will definitely reach the final."

Tang Ye extended his left hand and gave Pogba's calf a light tap: "Get off, get off."

"..."

When Pogba remained silent, Matti took it as tacit agreement and immediately substituted Witsel in for Pogba.

It worked out perfectly; since they needed to waste time anyway, replacing a defensive midfielder with a defender was quite reasonable.

Coincidentally, Tang Ye's leg massage was just about finished at that moment.

Standing up, Tang Ye placed one hand on Pogba's shoulder.

"Relax a bit, and watch us work."

This season's Champions League knockout stage for Dortmund is just like a chaotic era, and as the sole victor of last season's Premier League "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," this environment is simply tailor-made for Tang Ye.

Living in chaotic times is precisely the moment to show off one's skills!

"Come on, come on!"

"Dortmund!"

Clap clap clap!!!

"..."

"Alright, welcome back, dear viewers; extra time is about to begin."

"As we can see, Dortmund has chosen possession, while Mancheng has opted for the goal end first."

"Hmm... on Dortmund's side, Witsel is replacing Pogba!"

Securing possession first plus a defender; Dortmund's intention is far too obvious.

They simply intend to defend!

The camera cuts to Mancheng's side, where Guardiola's facial muscles are twisted together.

Everyone here is a coach of a top-tier team, all possessing the ability to analyze the situation.

Guardiola naturally understands what Dortmund wants to do, and Escrivá... oh, it's Ma Ti.

Ma Ti also clearly understands what Mancheng wants to do.

In extra time, the tactics of both sides are basically completely face-up.

So, with both sides playing with open cards, who will be the one laughing in the end?

That depends on playing 'Fight the Landlord.'

When everyone's cards are visible, it comes down to who holds the better hand!

"Beep!!!"

The match has begun!

Haaland receives the ball and immediately passes back to Witsel, who then passes to goalkeeper Bürki.

Do you think Bürki will now kick it long upfield?

Hmm... if you think that, then you are terribly mistaken.

Bürki passes directly to Hummels, and Hummels passes to Akanji.

Okay, having secured the first possession of extra time, Dortmund immediately starts wasting time.

【Hahaha, damn, I know why they swapped Pogba out to let Tang Ye play as a defensive midfielder!】

【Honestly, I knew this Ma Ti lacked skill. How about this: let Saint É have him jump down from the bench to give orders; worst case, he gets dragged away again.】

【If he gets dragged away, he won't be able to play in the final either.】

【If we lose the semi-final, where would the final even come from? Get your priorities straight, bro!】

【Just watch my King Ball Tang's defensive performance; honestly, I've always felt Ggbond's defense is stronger than Casemiro's.】

Foden dribbles the ball making a forward run on the wing, and Tang Ye slowly approaches.

Learning from the lessons of regular time, Tang Ye this time does not press directly next to Foden, but leaves a significant distance.

The meaning is clear: Tang Ye's main role is not tackling in one-on-one defense, but organizing Dortmund's defense from the defensive midfield line.

He is the CPU!

"Left side, left side!"

"Hurry up!"

Piszczek clears the ball, yet he still gets shouted at by Tang Ye.

"Just block the left side directly; I already said it!"

"My bad, my bad!"

Piszczek's apology makes Tang Ye feel quite uncomfortable inside.

Ultimately, Tang Ye still does not like this manner of interacting with teammates.

But there is no other way.

Mancheng has already gained the advantage; if Dortmund players still fail to observe discipline while defending at this moment, they will truly be barred from the final!

The 102nd minute!

Just before the switch of ends, Mancheng makes another attempt.

Snap!

De Bruyne plays a through ball, and Mahrez, making a diagonal run, collects it.

Under normal circumstances, he should cut inside and curl a shot, but since this is after all extra time, the players' physical condition does not support operating according to normal logic.

Mahrez pushes a pass to Foden.

"Careful!"

Tang Ye shouts, and at the same moment, Foden takes the shot.

Snap!

Witsel and Hummels fall to the ground simultaneously, one on the left and one on the right.

Foden's shot strikes Hummels and rebounds out.

But it is not over yet.

Bernardo Silva collects the second ball, controls it, adjusts, and fires another shot.

Snap!

This time it is Witsel who makes the block.

It must be said that Ma Ti's substitution was absolutely flawless; the speed at which Witsel gets up after falling is truly fast!

Third point!

It was still B Silva with the ball, but knowing his angle was poor, he chose to pass to De Bruyne.

Take a look toward the goal!

De Bruyne prepared to curl a shot, but at that moment, Tang Ye suddenly charged up from behind.

Boom!

With a sliding tackle, Tang Ye successfully sent both De Bruyne and the ball tumbling over.