Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions-Chapter 616 - 423: Turmoil at Allianz! Robben Returns, Tang Long Challenges Bayern’s Defense Again!

Chapter 616: Chapter 423: Turmoil at Allianz! Robben Returns, Tang Long Challenges Bayern’s Defense Again!
After the match, using his nails to scratch his face, intentionally injuring himself and then showing it to the cameras — this was Guardiola using a self-inflicted scheme.
And accusing the players of not executing the set tactics, even praising Vidal extravagantly — these were also Guardiola’s performances!
In this first leg of the Champions League semi-final clash, Guardiola believed his tactics were successful.
A 3:3 result was also a relatively ideal outcome.
Bayern had the advantage of an away-first, home-later schedule, holding three away goals returning to the Allianz Arena, giving Guardiola full confidence.
But to be honest, the course of the game made him sweat a bit!
Because he almost went too far, almost cost himself dearly!
If it weren’t for the fact that apart from Vidal, the other players strictly followed his pre-match tactics, compressing the formation tightly in defense, Tang Long would have certainly found more opportunities to deliver more threatening passes, and he himself would have had more chances to score.
He didn’t want the players to excessively mark Tang Long, fearing that Tang Long would draw people over and attack Bayern’s defense from behind.
But such indulgence also cost Bayern’s defense a total of three goals!
The first goal conceded, Tang Long’s ground strike was simply unstoppable, even two Neuers couldn’t have blocked it in front of the goal.
Then the through ball sent to Agüero left Guardiola on the sidelines in a cold sweat.
Although there was no one closely marking Tang Long, Agüero was clearly already trapped within the heavy encirclement of defensive players, and he was the only one running along the penalty area line. How did Tang Long manage to precisely slot the ball to his feet?
After watching the video replay more than a dozen times, Guardiola still couldn’t find the answer.
In the end, he could only attribute it to Tang Long’s genius-like vision, sharp footwork, and the incredible chemistry with Agüero, that resulted in such a beautiful outcome.
Of course, what surprised Guardiola the most was actually Manchester City’s 3rd goal, which was Sterling’s shot being saved followed by Tang Long’s rebound shot.
Judging from the entire goal, Tang Long’s rebound shot was actually nothing special; many game goals are formed this way.
However, from the first time watching the video replay, Guardiola noticed an important detail!
At the moment of Sterling’s shot, all the Bayern players, including Manchester City’s other players, were standing still;
Everyone was focused on whether Sterling’s shot would result in a goal.
But only Tang Long, at the moment Sterling took the shot, had a forward lunging posture, and as the ball left the foot, Tang Long had already rushed out from the offside line to the front of the goal!
Opportunities always favor those who are prepared.
Why was it Tang Long who took the rebound shot and not Agüero, Navas, or Toure?
In terms of proximity, Agüero was closer;
In terms of speed, Navas was also faster than Tang Long.
So it wasn’t because Tang Long was closer to the goal or faster, but because of his early start and anticipation!
Tang Long’s sense of the goal also amazed Guardiola.
He often instills in his players during training that when one of their teammates takes a shot, the other players shouldn’t just stand there and instead must be ready for a rebound shot at any time.
However, very few can achieve this, and within the whole Bayern team, only Lewandowski occasionally manages to do it.
Because watching a player take a shot is almost instinctual for all players, it’s very hard to change this.
Guardiola had thought about how strong Tang Long was, he had considered that giving him free rein might have serious consequences, but Tang Long playing soccer like this was way beyond what Guardiola had anticipated!
Guardiola commented on this to his trusted scout Raymond:
"Why do I say Tang has everything it takes to become a top striker? It’s not because of his precise shooting, elusive movements, and anticipation of passes. These are all necessities for being a top striker, but they aren’t the essence."
"The sense, the sense for goals, just like a cheetah on the prairie, able to smell the smell of blood from one or two kilometers away."
"But looking at Tang’s early movements this time, the sense he showed in front of the goal — this is definitely talent, raw talent, and cannot be formed through acquired efforts!"
Thinking about the next season, having to coach such a young, talented player like Tang Long, and transforming him into a world-class top striker, a fire ignited in Guardiola’s heart, and he excitedly rubbed his palms together.
"If he plays as a forward, how many goals can he score in a season? 25, 30, or 40+? Hahaha, the more the better! I believe in him!"
In the other semi-final first leg of the knockout stage, Barcelona tied 1:1 with Real Madrid at home;
Messi and C Luo shared the spotlight, each scored a goal.
In the end, who will win, will be decided at the Bernabéu.
...
Second leg of semi-finals, Allianz Arena.
Pellegrini almost fielded the same lineup as the first round, with only minor adjustments in details, letting David Silva replace Navas who started in the last round.
And for Bayern, it was still the 4-3-3 formation, but a major change was Robben’s return from injury, and Ribery also started, and the Robbery combination finally reappeared in this season’s Champions League stage!
"Viewers seeing Bayern’s starting lineup must be very excited!"
"Ribery on the left, Robben on the right, and Lewandowski at the center!"
"This trio together forms such a terrifying attacking line, in no way inferior to Real Madrid’s BBC and Barcelona’s MSN."
"In the first leg, Manchester City’s center-backs Ranocchia and Kompany were both humiliated by Lewandowski’s hat-trick."
"Now that Robben is here, the show gets even better!"
"However, as Robben has just returned from injury to play such an important match, how much of his power does Old Luo really have left?"
While lining up in the player’s tunnel,
Tang Long glanced over at Bayern, sizing up Robben.
This bald man with a face full of wrinkles, his posture somewhat hunched, didn’t look like someone in his 30s at all, more like a 50-year-old uncle.
Especially his hoarse voice when speaking to others, lacking any energy or vitality, unlike a man who could sprint on the pitch.
Could it be that the once Little Flying Hero really has gotten old?
After the thrilling Champions League opening song ended, the match officially began!
A few days before this match began, Manchester City’s assistant coach Rein, following head coach Pellegrini’s instructions, called Ranocchia, Kompany, Toure, Delph, Sterling, and others separately into the video analysis room, explaining the mistakes they made in the last match frame by frame.
After Rein’s explanation, these players also noticed their own shortcomings and weaknesses.
Especially the veteran Toure listened very attentively, even brought a notebook, full of notes.
"Yes, you’re right! Ah, this gap was really not supposed to happen, I understand now, don’t worry, there definitely won’t be such a mistake in the second leg!"
However, when Toure started his first positional defense in this game, there was another problem again...
Robben took the ball on the right and then cut inside, avoiding Kolarov, dribbling towards the center;
Toure shouted out, stepping up immediately!
This time he constantly adjusted his position while moving, maintaining a reasonable distance with Delph, preventing Robben from passing into the space behind the two defensive midfielders.
Last time when facing Ribery, they suffered in this regard, so they learned from the experience, definitely not making the same mistake again this time.
But Toure forgot one point, which was that Guardiola once coached him at Barcelona;
The opposing coach knew all his strengths, as well as his weaknesses.
Yaya Toure’s tall and strong build gave him an advantage in duels, but also caused a problem of turning slowly;
When facing agile and mobile dribblers, if the opponent suddenly changes direction, abruptly stops and starts, his massive body finds it difficult to quickly turn and chase back.
Especially when he is older, this weakness becomes more obvious.
While he had to defend against Robben’s pass, he also had to guard against his shot, under tremendous pressure, Toure was somewhat overwhelmed.
And because in the league, Gundogan played as the main defensive midfielder, so Delph, who started this match, was also not in his best form, not timely supporting Toure, just defending his own space.
Robben took a step and a buckle, moving like the wind, bypassed Toure, who tried to grab Robben’s jersey, but could only grab a handful of air!
"Robben shoots!"
"The signature cut-in to the far corner!"
"The ball’s speed is very fast!"
"Caballero actually managed to save it!"
"Lewandowski takes the rebound!"
"Goal scored!"
"Less than a minute into the match, and Bayern takes the lead!"