Chapter 96 The Happy Boy Unleashes His Power!

"This match was truly spectacular; the clash between these two future top midfielders was sure to be a treat for everyone!"

"With 20 minutes left in the game, let's see how this match unfolds!"

......

In the 70th minute of the match, Pellegrini finally used his last trump card.

"The fourth official on the sidelines held up the substitution sign, and Manchester City made three substitutions at once!"

"Iheanacho (number 72) has been replaced by Sterling (number 7)!"

"We've replaced Kevin De Bruyne (number 17) with 32-year-old veteran Yaya Toure, who had an outstanding performance in this match!"

"At the same time, midfielder Francisco has been replaced by defender Kompany!"

"Manchester City now has a full five defenders on the pitch; they're going to play a defensive counter-attacking style!"

Zhan Jun nodded, seemingly agreeing with Pellegrini's tactics.

"Bringing on a defender, a defensive midfielder, and the explosive Sterling, pairing him with the clinical finisher Aguero—one for individual attacks, the other for the final blow! Pellegrini's substitutions not only strengthened the defense but also improved the quality of the counter-attacks!"

"Yes, now it's up to Manchester City's players to capitalize on this hard-won advantage!"

The game has restarted.

Manchester City, with five defenders, adopted a completely defensive strategy, with their midfielders retreating to the vicinity of the penalty area.

Manchester City's defensive third was packed with players.

Joe Hart kept shouting instructions to the defense, clearly determined to hold onto the draw they had secured, and ultimately advance on away goals.

Real Madrid players were unaware of the seriousness of the situation and continued to attempt an attack.

The best way to break through a big bus is with a long-range shot.

"Cristiano Ronaldo receives the ball and unleashes a long-range shot!"

"That powerful long-range shot was caught perfectly by Joe Hart!"

Joe Hart didn't hesitate at all, standing up and throwing the ball directly to Sterling in the attacking third.

Sterling started dribbling without stopping the ball.

Jiang Yan appeared in front of Sterling just in time.

"Let me meet this so-called happy boy!"

Sterling seemed to have anticipated this, and upon seeing Jiang Yan approaching, he instantly accelerated and charged down the wing.

Jiang Yan followed closely behind him. With Bell's speed, Jiang Yan was unlikely to be forced to outrun him in one-on-one combat.

Seeing that he couldn't shake off Jiang Yan, Sterling began to slow down.

Jiang Yan's eyes were fixed on the ball at his feet.

Sterling slowed down and suddenly made a fancy bicycle turn, trying to shift Jiang Yan's weight.

"Sterling's stepover maneuver makes it difficult to predict his next move."

"Jiang Yan was also cautious and didn't rush to make a move!"

"He's moving! Manchester City's number 7! Is England's explosive winger, Sterling, finally launching an attack?!"

Sterling made a bicycle turn, seemingly to the left, but actually to the right. Jiang Yan had already anticipated his movement.

However, Sterling's next move took him by surprise.

"Sterling has changed course to the left!"

Did Sterling anticipate Jiang Yan's prediction?

"Wait... Sterling has moved past, but the ball is still in the same spot! What is he doing?"

Even Jiang Yan was taken aback by his "exquisite" skills.

What is this? The ball and person have crossed paths, but not completely?

[Hahaha, Sterling is so entertaining! He was wriggling around and ended up leaving the ball in the same spot!]

[Seeking eyes that haven't seen this abstract performance before...]

The next ten minutes became a compilation of Sterling's various blunders.

"Sterling! Breakthrough! Great opportunity...Sterling dribbles the ball out of bounds."

Sterling miscontrolled the ball! He sent it out of bounds!

"Sterling one-on-one! Great chance... Sterling's shot goes high and wide again! This is Manchester City's best chance of the day!"

"I believe Real Madrid's goalkeeper Navas is very grateful to Sterling right now. If it weren't for him, Manchester City's counter-attacks could very well have resulted in goals."

Sterling's series of abstract actions not only amused Real Madrid fans, but even Manchester City die-hards in the away stands couldn't help but cover their faces.

In the live broadcast room, Zhan Jun and He Wei couldn't laugh freely due to their professional ethics, but they couldn't help but smile while commentating.

The live stream chat was flooded with comments.

[How can Manchester City possibly win with 10 against 12?]

[This is so much fun! From now on, let's not call him Sterling anymore, let's just call him Happy Boy!]

[Pellegrini was phenomenal throughout the game, but Sterling managed to deny him his final shot!]

[They're so young and already playing abstract football, I wonder how abstract it will become in the future!]

On the coach's bench.

Pellegrini covered his face as well. Sterling's performance was truly astonishing. Even though he wanted to substitute him, he had already used up all three substitutions.

He could only keep directing Sterling to pass the ball from the sidelines.

On the other side, Benitez made his final substitution:

Isco replaced Benzema.

Upon entering the arena, Isco ran straight to Jiang Yan and handed him a small note.

"This is?"

Isco patted him on the shoulder: "Benitez's instructions."

Jiang Yan opened the small note, and his pupils contracted sharply after seeing the tactics written on it. He then excitedly ran to the front field.

"Benedict has also used his last substitution! Isco replaces Benzema, it seems Real Madrid will have to switch to a 4-4-2 formation!"

"With less than ten minutes left in the game, I wonder what effect Benitez's substitution will have!"

Real Madrid has possession of the ball.

Kroos controlled the ball steadily in midfield, his gaze habitually sweeping towards the front, but he paused slightly in surprise.

Jiang Yan did not stay in his usual attacking midfielder area, but instead stood in the position that originally belonged to the center forward, but occasionally ran towards the midfield.

He Wei's gaze remained fixed on Jiang Yan, and he did indeed notice something unusual.

"Mr. Zhan Jun, look at Jiang Yan. He keeps pushing forward into the penalty area and then dropping back to receive the ball and organize the attack. It doesn't seem like what a normal midfielder should be doing."

Upon hearing He Wei's words, Zhan Jun adjusted his glasses and began to carefully observe Jiang Yan's kicking style and positioning.

"Forward runs, attacks, organization, this is..." Zhan Jun suddenly remembered the note Isco handed Jiang Yan after he came on, "It's a false nine!"

"A fake No. 9?"

"That's right. Although it looks like a number nine, it will also drop back to midfield to receive the ball and organize the attack. The role of a false nine is very important. It can pull out the opponent's center-backs by making forward runs and dropping back, and it can also organize the attack and pass the ball."

"Some famous superstars have played as false nines, such as Messi, Totti, Falcao, and Benzema mid-season!"

"I see. But why didn't Benitez continue to have Benzema play as a false nine this time, and instead chose to have Jiang Yan play that role?"

Zhan Jun took a deep breath and said firmly, "It's trust. Jiang Yan's performance throughout the season, as well as his attacking and organizing talent in the midfield and forward areas, is why Benitez let him play as a false nine."