Chapter 474: Advancing to the Quarter-Finals (Everyday Transition)

"This Chelsea side's defense in European competition is very close to that of Juventus in the knockout stages of the 2014-15 and 2016-17 seasons."

"However, Buffon faces fewer tests at Chelsea."

"Often, the midfield resolves the potential danger."

"The game restarted from midfield."

"Cavani kicked off and passed back to Verratti."

"Chelsea's front-line players quickly launched a press."

"The ball was quickly passed back and forth on the pitch."

"Thiago Silva briefly observed his teammates' runs, then launched a long pass."

""The intention is very clear.""

""The purpose is too simple: just find Di María on the right.""

""Wow!""

""The Argentine is like a loach.""

"Chelsea's right half-field, forty-meter zone."

"Di María controlled and turned, easily shaking off Fàbregas."

"He then surged forward with the ball."

"He is no longer at his peak, his stats aren't strong in any area, but he can give the team a second steady point of progression."

"Although his dribble success rate in European competition is low."

"Kanté quickly covered defense, together with Rüdiger pressing the Argentine out wide, launching a swarm."

"The two little black eggs climbing to the peak won't suffer the first-leg loss again."

"Smack."

"Di María sat down on the grass."

"The ball also rolled out of bounds."

""From the direction the linesman's flag is pointing, it's Paris Saint-Germain's possession.""

""Di María, don't be discouraged; the Champions League knockout stage is a hurdle—even stars who shine daily in league and national team may not shine here.""

""For example, Hazard, a strong contender for world's third-best player, has scored only two goals and zero assists in Champions League knockout matches over the years.""

""Morata is the opposite—a big-game player who rises to the occasion; in the 2014-15 season, no matter which powerhouse, he scored in Champions League knockout matches!""

""Alves wanted to take the throw-in quickly, but Rüdiger blocked him.""

"Alves's desire to win is strong; his first reaction is to pick up the ball and take it quickly, rather than help a teammate up."

"Unfortunately, he was thwarted by the German black egg."

"The opponent kept saying strange things."

"The referee jogged over and forcefully pulled them apart."

"The Brazilian full-back threw the ball in backward."

"After receiving the ball, Motta lofted a long pass to Kurzawa, who had advanced into the left half."

"At that moment."

"Paris Saint-Germain's midfield and forward players tried to compress Chelsea's defensive shape."

"Did they manage to flatten it?"

"They couldn't."

"Kurzawa, carrying the ball down the flank, reached the thirty-meter zone, lifted his head, and seemed to see a blue forest."

"He could find no forward passing space at all."

"It felt like facing a fully stacked Atlético Madrid and Juventus!"

"It was somewhat despairing!"

""As long as David Luiz doesn't do something stupid, Chelsea will hardly concede in positional play!""

""Buffon is setting up the lineup.""

""Kurzawa was looking for Mbappé with a mismatch bombardment, but the ball was lost.""

"Time ticked by second by second."

"The referee blew the whistle for halftime."

"Chelsea fans cheered and jumped for joy."

"Tuchel and the coaching staff engaged in a heated discussion."

"Paris Saint-Germain fans grew more desperate: trailing four goals on aggregate, the opponent's home defensive toughness rivals that of Atlético and Juventus, and their transition efficiency is even better—how can we play?"

"Emery frowned, his brows not relaxing."

"Four hundred million euros, and they still couldn't break open Chelsea's goal."

"66th minute of the match."

"Then, suddenly, a change occurred."

"Mbappé exploded with terrifying speed on the right, devouring Azpilicueta!"

"He surged unstoppably into the penalty area."

"Immediately, he collapsed to the ground."

"At Stamford Bridge, gasps erupted."

""Penalty!""

""Red card!""

""The referee showed David Luiz a red card!""

In slow motion, the penalty decision is indisputable.

The Brazilian centre-back gave his former club a big gift.

David Luiz made no excuse, silently walking off.

His shortcomings are obvious, but most of the time they are covered up by Kanté and Buffon.

Just now encountering the little black egg that seemed like a god descending to earth, there really was nothing that could be done.

The livestream.

【PSG are about to turn it around! Eleven versus ten!】

【Ruby War God Card, no ball left.】

【From 2014 to now, except for the 2. Bundesliga and Eredivisie, in the matches I've watched, if a red card is shown midway, there basically are no goals afterwards.】

【Don't talk nonsense, this penalty is impossible to miss.】

Mbappé got up, threw the ball to the penalty spot, and pointed at a teammate.

He didn't intend to take it himself.

The first person to grab the ball was Alves.

He used his shoulder to push aside Cavani and slipped the ball into Neymar's arms.

Neymar hadn't even secured the ball when Cavani snatched it away.

【The French won the penalty, Brazilians and Uruguayans fought for the penalty kick.】

【It's a familiar scene again.】

【Since the start of the season, PSG's attackers have had their third dispute over penalty kicks!】

【Boos rang out across the stadium.】

【On the sideline.】

Emery saw a glimmer of hope for a comeback.

As for who will take the penalty?

He has solved this problem: the most bizarre solution in football history—take turns.

When facing media interviews, the PSG head coach also said a joke that exploded across Europe: 'We will work hard to create more penalties so that Neymar and Cavani can get more chances to take them.'

As for whose turn it is now?

He really can't remember.

【On the other side.】

Tuchel sat on the bench, arms crossed, shaking his head: 'The PSG head coach has too many problems to solve, which often have nothing to do with tactics.'

Dino was full of confidence: 'Buffon did his homework thoroughly; he noted down PSG's penalty habits before the match.'

On the pitch, Buffon appeared relaxed, gesturing to his teammates not to worry.

He made no exaggerated or strange movements.

Many people say his penalty-saving ability is poor.

Actually, over his long career, his penalty-saving success rate is as high as 31.89%.

【Cavani ultimately got the right to take the penalty.】

【In the first two penalty disputes, the opportunities were created by Neymar himself, but the Uruguayan striker missed his kicks.】

【This time the penalty was created by Mbappé, and Cavani is even more eager to take it.】

【Take a deep breath.】

【Run-up.】

【Shot!!!】

【Oh no, the ball flew into the stands!】

【What a waste of a great chance to equalize!】

Accompanied by waves of cheers and boos.

Cavani knelt on the ground, angrily pounding the turf.

Neymar wiped his forehead, not uttering a complaint.

PSG fans furiously denounced Cavani: three times snatching the penalty, three times missing!

【Chilly.】

【Paris has no chance left.】

【Cavani didn't mean any harm; his high penalty conversion rate is because he wants to help the team, not for personal stats.】

【Who exactly is the first-choice penalty taker?】

【The superstar core bought for 220 million, Neymar, doesn't even have the right to take penalties; back at Barça, Messi even let him take them.】

【I think this is the club's problem.】

The match continued.

Chelsea's energy distribution was very reasonable, and in the dying stages they launched wave after wave of powerful counterattacks, leaving PSG suffering greatly.

The spectators could barely tell who had been sent off.

The Ruby War God Card was once again validated on the Champions League stage.

【82nd minute.】

PSG, pushing forward in numbers, lost possession again.

Kanté, playing as a centre-back, passed the ball to Fabregas.

He then launched a precise long-range shot from thirty meters in his own half, a rainbow-like strike.

Morata and Li Kang simultaneously rushed past the midfield line, sprinting into the empty PSG backline.

Legendary connection.

Li Kang's pass bypassed the awaiting Areola.

He didn't come himself.

Too selfless.

Morata, ten yards from the goal, scored with a push shot into the empty net.

Finally.

The head referee blew the whistle signaling the end of the match.

Chelsea 2-0 Paris Saint-Germain.

Advanced to the Champions League quarter-finals.

Not yet recovered, mind not clear, feeling uncomfortable all over, will try to recover and update tomorrow.