Chapter 852 Did we play a match-fixing game?
In the second leg of the third knockout round of the Europa League, Manchester City played against Aris of Greece at home.
When the game was in the seventh minute, Marcelo just passed the midfield, looked up at the center of the frontcourt, and sent a precise diagonal long pass with his left foot, directly behind Aris' defense line.
I saw a sky blue figure, like a sharp arrow, instantly penetrating Aris's defense, catching up with Marcelo's long diagonal pass, stopping the ball with his chest and moving forward, then continuing to dribble into the penalty area.
"Su Dong!!!!"
The entire Etihad Stadium suddenly became boiling!
Su Dong rushed into the penalty area with the ball. Facing the attacking goalkeeper Aris, he made a skillful feint, dribbled past the opponent, and calmly shot into the empty goal, scoring the first goal for Manchester City!
"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!"
"Just seven minutes into the game, Su Dong scored the first goal for Manchester City!"
“One to zero!”
…
After taking the lead, Manchester City continued to pursue Aris.
In the ninth minute, Su Dong received a pass from David Silva in the top area of the penalty area. He pulled the ball sideways, pulled away the defensive player, and shot with his right foot, a powerful long shot that hit the crossbar.
The loud noise spread to every corner of the stadium, as if knocking on the hearts of Manchester City fans at the scene, making them more excited and more excited.
Three minutes later, Su Dong and David Silva cooperated continuously in front of the penalty area. After Su Dong dribbled past the opponent's central defender Michel at the top of the arc, he shot with his left foot and penetrated Aris' goal again.
2-0! All of Aris's players were completely dumbfounded! They were so proud of their team's home record before the game. Although they didn't say it explicitly, they were somewhat proud of the media hype of their 40-year unbeaten record at home in Europe. In addition, they even felt that they might upset Manchester City and advance to the next round after a 0-0 draw with Manchester City.
But when they arrived at the Etihad Stadium, they felt the huge gap between the two teams after only ten minutes of the game.
The Manchester City team they met in the first round at their home ground gave Aris' players too many illusions, so much so that they mistakenly believed that Manchester City's strength was not that strong.
It was only when they arrived at the Etihad Stadium that they truly felt the terror of Manchester City.
Not to mention others, just the central defender Michel. In the first leg, he was the hero who froze Dzeko, but in this game against Su Dong, he could not keep up with Su Dong's movement frequency, and could not keep up with Su Dong's rhythm and thinking circuit.
In the ninth minute just now, Su Dong clearly pulled the ball to the right and shot with his right foot, but this time in the twelfth minute, it was almost the same position and the same environment, but Su Dong used the previous pull of the ball to the right as a fake move and chose to pull the ball to the left, shot with his left foot, and directly penetrated Aris's goal.
The shooting angle was very tricky, and the rebound ball went directly into the left side of the goal.
Michelle was completely stunned!
He suspected that the Manchester City team he met at home a week ago was fake! In other words, they deliberately showed weakness in the first round to paralyze Aris and catch him off guard at home.
If Su Dong could understand Michelle's mind at this moment, he would definitely comfort him with a smile, brother, you really think too much, you are not as important as you think.
We are very busy and don't have much time to greet you.
The away game is too far, so we chose to play at home! Don't worry, our knives are sharp and our hands are quick, it won't hurt much, just bear with it! ...
…
After scoring two goals in a row, Manchester City was still not satisfied and continued to launch a fierce attack on Aris.
The Greek team was completely stunned.
They simply couldn't understand why there was such a big difference between home and away games?
The Manchester City team at their home ground is obviously very easy to deal with!
But Manchester City did not give them more time to think, and repeated threatening attacks made Aris players exhausted.
Even though the Greek team then adopted a full defensive strategy, they were still unable to stop Manchester City.
Before the end of the first half, David Silva passed the ball into the penalty area. Su Dong got there before center back Michel, poked the ball past the goalkeeper, and then got there before the defender and sent the ball into the empty goal.
Three to zero! …
After leading by three goals, Manchester City still did not hold back.
In the second half, Su Dong made an assist in the 66th minute. Sanchez stopped the ball on the right side of the penalty area and calmly pushed the ball into the goal, scoring another goal for Manchester City, 4-0! In the 75th minute, Manchester City got a corner kick opportunity in the front court. Aris cleared the ball in the penalty area, but Toni Kroos stopped the ball outside the penalty area and shot directly into Aris' goal, 5-0! The unlucky Greek team was completely confused.
Even until the end of the game, they still couldn't believe that they were beaten so badly on the road.
Aren’t the home teams evenly matched?
…………
…………
Manchester City eventually beat Aris 5-0 at home.
This victory made the Greek media completely wake up.
How excitedly and arrogantly they shouted a week ago, how embarrassing and awkward their situation is now.
In the end, many media outlets unanimously agreed that it was not that Manchester City performed too well, but that the Greek team performed too poorly away from home.
The media is right anyway.
The unlucky Aris players were all confused. They seriously suspected that they had played a fixed match. Otherwise, why did the media report it like this? …
After defeating Aris 5-0, Manchester City was able to hold their heads high.
But in the subsequent Europa League draw, Manchester City encountered difficulties again.
This time Manchester City's opponent is even further away, directly to Dynamo Kyiv in Ukraine.
Another opponent was more than 2,000 kilometers away, and everyone in Manchester City was completely stunned.
Are you sure this isn't UEFA's deliberate attempt to mess with Manchester City? Although every team in the Europa League round of 16 is strong, it's really sad to face Dynamo Kyiv, because this team is not only extremely strong, but also has a long way to go.
Long journeys and expeditions are the biggest challenge in away games in European competitions.
According to Manchester City players who returned from the expedition to Greece, the energy consumed during the journey was much greater than that consumed during the game.
This was even though Manchester City had travelled to the away game a day in advance and chartered a plane.
After the draw results came out, Guardiola and other coaching staff also held an urgent meeting with Su Dong and others, mainly to discuss the team's upcoming schedule and arrangements.
If we say that in the match against Aris, the opponent was weaker and Manchester City was confident of beating the opponent away from home, but ultimately failed, then this time against Dynamo Kyiv, Manchester City's away game will only be more difficult.
What’s worse is that Manchester City is now playing on three fronts.
They will soon face Chelsea in the league, and in the FA Cup, Manchester City's home game against Aston Villa has been postponed due to the Europa League, as well as these two Europa League games.
It can be said that Manchester City now plays two games a week without interruption.
The team's rotation has already begun. Otherwise, no one can bear to play games continuously, especially with long journeys. The key next is that the team must withstand the pressure brought by three fronts.
Only if Manchester City can hold on will they have a chance to win the championship. If they can't, it will be a complete loss.
Over the years, every season there are examples of teams that want to fight on multiple fronts but ultimately gain nothing.
The three captains, Sudon, Zabaleta and Kompany, had already communicated with their teammates in the locker room.
"We all agree that we now have a good bench lineup. We believe that if everyone grits their teeth, we will be able to withstand the pressure of fighting on three lines," Su Dong stated.
"Manchester City lacks foundation and championships, so the fans really hope that the team can achieve something, win more victories and championships. Our players also hope so. So in this case, I think we should grit our teeth and work together, not only for the championship, but also for the training of the team."
A team that cannot fight tough battles will never be able to persevere to the end.
There is no better time to test a team's cohesion than fighting on multiple fronts, especially the devilish schedule of fighting on three fronts in March and April.
This cruel season and huge external pressure can help Manchester City further unite the players.
Of course, if you can't hold on, it may collapse.
This is also the reason why Guardiola sought the opinions of the three captains.
"I don't think our players are fragile!" Su Dong seemed very confident. "Before coming to Manchester City, they were all the main players of their respective teams, and even the core players. Each of them is very capable and of high standard. I believe that they all have a strong heart and willpower."
Manchester City is unlikely to be interested in players who are slightly weaker.
Even the local players are England internationals such as Leighton Baines and Gareth Barry. Adam Johnson has also been a member of the England national team.
As long as a team composed of such players is united, its fighting power cannot be weak.
"The fans, players, and even the coaching staff and management are eager for the team to persevere and win more championships and honors, so I think we should continue to fight on three fronts."
“Even if we don’t win the three championships in the end, at least we have an iron army. We will have more hope next season and the season after that!”
Manchester City has just reorganized this season. Although it has become competitive, it has not actually reached its peak.
Moreover, Dzeko, Leighton Baines and Thiago all joined the team during the winter break and have not yet fully integrated into the team.
It can be said that Manchester City still has considerable potential that has not been tapped. If the team's cohesion is reached, the potential that Manchester City will unleash will be extremely amazing.
"You have to believe in the locker room and the players, Pep." Su Dong encouraged Guardiola in turn.
"You have to believe that we will be a strong team that will enter the Champions League next season and make a difference. We are no longer the Manchester City of the past!"
Su Dong's confident demeanor infected everyone present, including Guardiola.
(End of this chapter)
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