Green Journey

"Generally speaking, in the first 10 minutes of the first half, both sides played conservatively. But later, both Manchester City and Juventus appropriately increased their offensive speed."

"For Manchester City, Guardiola's odd formation of 3241 allowed them to establish a strong advantage in the midfield. Stones went from the defense to the midfield. Toure held back, which gave Manchester City a certain advantage in defense and offense in the midfield."

"Relying on the top 3241 players of 7, Manchester City immediately counterattacked and siege on the spot after losing the ball in the frontcourt, which restricted Juventus' efficient counterattack, and also reduced their own defense due to the small number of players. defensive pressure."

"Yes, that's Guardiola's football philosophy. As long as the ball is at their feet, the opponent has no chance."

"As soon as the ball is lost, a counterattack is organized immediately. This kind of frontcourt suppression is difficult to break through. Even in the fast transition between offense and defense, the opponents tend to be scattered. Once the ball is regained by the counter-robber, Manchester City can immediately take the opportunity to fight back. Juventus was caught off guard." He Wei said.

Zhang Lu nodded and continued to analyze: "As for Juventus, today's defense is the same as before, very good."

"Especially their two wings, with the smooth switching of Juventus formation, Alves and Sandro can go up and come back."

"When attacking, both of them can participate in the attack as soon as they go up, enriching Juventus' attack methods in the counterattack."

"On the defensive end, both of them can also come back. It is precisely because of this that Manchester City's flank offensive in the first half actually did not receive much effect."

"It is precisely because of Barzagli and Alves' perfect blockade of their right flank that Manchester City's offensive on the left flank is extremely difficult."

"This also forced Chu Zheng to suddenly take a long shot in the first half, and then scored a goal that can be recorded in the history of the Champions League!"

"This goal was achieved purely by Chu Zheng's strong personal ability, not by the transformation of Manchester City's overall offensive strength."

"Juve's defense is actually very different from Atletico Madrid's. Atletico Madrid's defense feels very fierce, but Juventus is the type with needles in it. Its defense is very flexible and there are few loopholes. No matter No matter how you tear up the space, he will not let your players have an easy chance to shoot."

"Yes, Juventus' offense in the first half also relied on this defensive flexibility, taking advantage of the strong offensive and defensive conversion ability after getting the ball in the backcourt, so that the defense will not be continuously squeezed by Manchester City. With the ability to quickly hit the ball in the short and medium distances, he can quickly and effectively launch counterattacks."

"Well, although this Juventus team is not exactly the same as the Italian national team in 2006, it has the same effect."

"3 central defenders, 4 defenders, 5 defenders switch seamlessly, and it is done in one game. No other team can do this kind of ability at present."

"The strength of Juventus lies in this strong integrity. It seems that although it does not have a three-dimensional and clear tactical strategy like Manchester City, this kind of thing that can be played well is exactly what makes him terrible. For a while at half-time, Juventus played with possession like Manchester City."

"Yes, in terms of ball possession in the first half, it was 58 per cent to 41 per cent, with Juve at a slight disadvantage. But in terms of shots, they were only one less than Manchester City, 5 to 4."

"This data also reflects the efficiency of Juventus on the offensive end. They spent most of their time on defense, but they still used this efficient offensive system to complete four shots. This efficiency is terrible."

"..."

Not long after, the live camera returned to the Etihad Stadium.

With the referee blowing his whistle, the two sides changed sides and fought again.

During the half-time break, neither side made substitutions and adjustments. After the game started, the fans and commentators did not see any changes in tactics.

Both Allegri and Guardiola seemed to be quite satisfied with the tactical strategy of the first half.

But after a few minutes of the game, people can clearly feel that although the tactics have not changed much, the rhythm is much faster than that in the first half.

Manchester City has a goal in hand, but they are still not satisfied. They want to score again, kill the suspense of the game, consolidate their advantage, and establish an advantage for the second round.

As for Juventus, they didn't have much choice when they fell behind by one goal. They also had to strive for away goals in more than 40 minutes of the second half to prepare for the decisive battle in the second round.

So 3 minutes after the start of the second half, fans all over the world were completely excited.

In the 48th minute of the game, Juventus was on the right outside the penalty area in the backcourt, and Alves was about to send a throw-in.

On Manchester City's side, Aguero, Sane and De Bruyne stood in a triangle, surrounded by Pjanic standing in front of Alves tacitly.

As long as Pjanic has the ball, he can immediately start a zone press.

Alves swung the ball left and right like a searchlight. When he saw Dybala rushing back from the right side of the center circle, he immediately threw the ball over.

But Toure behind Dybala followed closely.

Hearing someone behind him, Dybala didn't dare to be too big. He ran to the landing point and hit the ball directly with his chest to Pjanic in front of him.

On Pjanic's side, seeing Toure and Sane approaching with the ball, he didn't dare to take it because the ball was hot.

So he hurriedly adjusted before the ball fell, raised his right foot to meet the ball and drew it horizontally to the left.

As a result, the ball didn't see the height, and it went straight to Chu Zheng behind Marchisio's ribs.

On the sidelines, seeing Pjanic's inflamed transfer of the ball, Allegri felt that there was a villain lying on his liver, and he was stabbing with a knife.

On the court, Chu Zheng took four or five steps back to meet the ball, unloaded the ball with his chest, and then led it to the top of the arc in the middle.

At this moment, Juventus' defensive formation was a little messy, so that there was a gap between Barzagli and Alves on the left rib at the top of the arc.

At this time, in front of Chu Zheng, Chiellini stood in the top area of ​​the arc and got off his horse, waiting for Chu Zheng to go up.

But on his right back, Aguero, who started from the left rib at the top of the arc, is quickly inserting behind him diagonally.

Bonucci was right next to Aguero. He knew that there was a gap in the ribs between Chiellini and Alves, but he had to run horizontally with Aguero.

When he and Aguero ran across behind Chiellini, Chu Zheng nudged with his left foot, and the ball rolled towards Sane who entered the penalty area from the left rib.

Immediately, Bonucci turned around immediately, wanting to close the door with Alves who was defending Sane.

But Sane didn't give a chance at all, leaning on Alves on the left, leading with his right foot and then hitting, he completed the shot with an extremely coherent movement.

Bonucci staggered a little due to his sudden turn, and could only watch the ball go straight to the goal.

"fool!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"oops!!!!!!"

"It's Buffon again!!!!!!!!!"

Seeing that Buffon rushed to the end line of the small penalty area and fell to the left in time, accurately holding Sane's push shot firmly in his arms, Zhang Lu and He Wei exclaimed in unison.

"Still can't get past Juve's Buffon, the last line of defense."

"Yes, the timing of Chu Zheng's pass is almost perfect." He Wei had a look of regret and amazement on his face.

"Buffon is already 40 years old this year. In terms of saving ability alone, he must be inferior to De Gea and Neuer who are at their peak."

"But his strength lies in his awareness of positioning, his experience and ability to read the game situation, and his understanding of the attacking methods of the opponent's offensive players."

"He knows when the opposing player is going to take a shot from long range and when he is going to go for a cross; he knows which teams like to penetrate through the middle and which teams like to go deep and cross.

"He can accurately predict the opponent's striker's shooting method, shooting angle, and shooting power, so that he can choose his position in advance, expand the defensive area, and minimize the opponent's shooting angle."

"Coupled with Buffon's professionalism, focusing on the game, focusing on training, focusing on maintaining the state, and always having a championship heart, he has always maintained a high level of competitive state, which is unmatched by other goalkeepers."

"It's the same this time. I predicted Chu Zheng's choice and Sane's actions in advance, and pressed some ahead of time. It was just right, and immediately blocked Sane's shooting angle and rushed straight." Zhang Lu The tone was amazed, Buffon's state made him amazed.

On the sidelines, Allegri was also frightened.

Manchester City's offense is led by Chu Zheng and De Bruyne, and the slightest gap in the defense will be penetrated immediately. The offensive talents of these two players horrified him.

Now he knows how Manchester City's 32 Champions League goals and [-] league goals came about. With this kind of super midfielder, it is difficult for a striker not to score.

In a blink of an eye, Manchester City's offensive resumed.

In the 50th minute of the game, after Manchester City continued to control the ball for more than a minute, they moved horizontally from the right rib of the center circle to the feet of Otamendi in the left rib area behind the center circle.

Seeing Toure in the left rib area of ​​​​the center circle in front of him running towards the side and pulling out a forward pass line, Otamendi immediately passed forward.

Toure turned as soon as he got the ball and pushed it forward along the ribs.

Seeing that Barzagli pulled to the wing again and pushed Alves into the midfield, Toure immediately thought of Guardiola's analysis during the intermission.

So he squeezed away the harassing Dybala and rushed forward suddenly.

The next second after crossing the center line of the ribs, Toure suddenly stuffed the ball impartially between Marchisio and Pjanic a few meters in front of him.

The Juventus midfield defense was instantly penetrated.

Chu Zheng, who was looking back while running, stopped the ball and turned around in one go, without slowing down the attacking speed.

But Juventus was passive, and this attack came a bit suddenly.

At this time, only Bonucci and Chiellini are on the right side of Juventus.

Seeing Chu Zheng coming up quickly, Bonucci had no choice but to give up on Sane who was on the sidewalk, and instead ran across in front of Chu Zheng.

Seeing that Sane continued to accelerate towards the left rib at the top of the arc behind Bonucci, Chu Zheng took a few steps forward and then suddenly rubbed the ball out with the instep of his left foot.

The ball went around from the right side of Bonucci's body, and it was as precise and deadly as ever, making it impossible to intercept.

At the same time, Bonucci in the middle is continuing to speed up his replacement.

Buffon in front of the goal is also attacking quickly.

All three went straight for the ball that rolled into the penalty area on the left free throw arc.

In the next second, Buffon rushed to the ball first, fell sideways and hugged the ball tightly in his arms, so that Sane, who was half a beat behind, had to jump over Buffon.

"Another great opportunity!"

"It's a pity that Chu Zheng's pass was too big."

"No, Buffon came out too fast, very decisive!" Zhang Lu was almost numb by Buffon.

Everyone has 40 years old, but Buffon's [-] is too good.

"This is actually a weak point in Juventus' formation today, and a hidden danger of Khedira's absence."

"When the important defensive area of ​​​​Juventus' midfield lacks enough personnel to assist, then Pjanic and Marchisio can easily be pierced by Manchester City."

"In the second half, Manchester City's tactics in the ribs became more targeted and they played more resolutely."

"Don't you, Alves, like to go up to the midfield? Well, then I will wait for you to go up and suddenly speed up, and then I will hit your weak point."

On the sidelines, Allegri was also frowning and thinking. He thought his arrangement was fine, but the players seemed a little anxious now.

So soon Allegri appeared on the sidelines and yelled at the field.

I don't know if Allegri's yelling has worked, and soon a wave of offensive climax belonging to Juventus will come.

In the 53rd minute of the game, Bonucci received a cross from Chiellini on the right rib, and then immediately gave it to Pjanic who retreated in the middle.

After receiving the ball, Pjanic immediately pushed forward.

When he crossed the center line outside the arc of the center circle, Chu Zheng charged from his right side.

Pjanic had already experienced Chu Zheng's stealing ability today, so he didn't dare to tangle with Chu Zheng.

Just at this time, a good opportunity appeared on Manchester City's defense.

Seeing the position in the middle of the frontcourt, Higuain, who was between Stones and Kompany, suddenly started an anti-offside, and he made a long pass over the top without saying a word.

The ball landed on the left side of the top of the arc and bounced into the penalty area.

However, although Higuain got rid of Kompany and Stones, he couldn't get around Ederson.

Ederson's attack was as determined as Buffon's, and he quickly rushed to the end line of the penalty area and hugged the bounced ball into his arms.

Manchester City fans were taken aback, but their hearts had not yet fully settled down. Juventus' offensive rushed towards Manchester City's penalty area again like a wave.

In the 56th minute of the game, in the face of Manchester City's high frontcourt pressing, Juventus made continuous kicks from the backcourt and successfully transferred to the right outside the penalty area through Buffon's support.

After taking the ball from the upper corner of the penalty area, Barzagli immediately ran laterally to the side. Facing Sane's rapid approach, he resolutely passed forward vigorously.

On the right side of the center circle, Alves retreated along the side to receive the ball.

But Toure resolutely grabbed from behind.

Before the ball rolled in front of the two, the two fell to the ground because of each other's petty movements, watching the ball roll past them.

In the next second, the ball was taken by Dybala who took a U-shaped turn from the ribs to the side.

Seeing that Dybala started quickly and Toure couldn't catch up, Otamendi immediately pushed to the sideline near the center line in an attempt to delay Juventus' attack.

But Dybala completely ignored him. After speeding up, he cut inward to the ribs, and then quickly passed diagonally forward to the middle, passed Higuain and then moved to the left half of Juventus.

But the ball didn't stop well at Higuain, and it was delayed by two seconds.

When the ball was given to Sandro outside the upper corner of the left penalty area, Manchester City had collectively returned to the front of the penalty area.

The Juventus fans who came to the Etihad with the team in the stands were so angry. Some even scolded Higuain's nickname of soft-legged shrimp in the competition.

This foot is so soft that the ball can't stop.

By the time Sandro stopped the ball, Manchester City had already had seven defenders inside and outside the penalty area.

Seeing that Mandzukic on the penalty spot was pinched to death by Kompany and Stones, Sandro missed the cross, but suddenly kicked up and crossed to the front of the top of the arc on the other side.

Manchester City's left rib at the top of the arc. After Alves came up, he stopped the ball in his chest. Taking advantage of no one around him, he set up his posture and volleyed directly.

In an instant, the ball soared into the air and quickly fell into the small penalty area.

Alves' shot was not strong enough, causing the ball to bounce off the ground in the small penalty area, and then turned to the back post.

In front of the goal line, Edson flew to the right, and with a flick of his fingertips, he magically touched the ball.

"Oh!!!!!!!"

"It's another trick!!!!"

"Edson's condition is also amazing today!!!!" He Wei exclaimed.

Allegri also turned his back on the sidelines in annoyance, but soon turned around and applauded the Juventus players on the field.

This time it was Guardiola's turn to be scared enough, especially the attack speed was really fast enough, and often a few simple passes could threaten their goal.

In the stands, Manchester City fans also applauded Ederson.

However, they did not expect that Juventus' offensive was not over yet.

Just 2 minutes later, Stones, whom Guardiola had high hopes for, began to die.

On the left outside the 30-meter area of ​​​​the front field, Sane was blocked by the Juventus 352 midfield defense line.

Shaking a few times in a row failed to find a time and space for a breakthrough under Alves' frontal defense, so he had to turn around and pass the ball back to Stones behind him.

As a result, Stones got the ball and stuffed it in front of Chu Zheng, who was inside the ribs.

The problem is that there are two players around Chu Zheng, and there is no room for the ball at all.

Relying on his extremely quick reflexes, Chu Zheng didn't stop the ball and directly hit the ball on the left side of the middle circle of his half.

After Stones came back to get the ball back, he started his show.

Facing Dybala's uphill attack behind him, he resisted desperately. Obviously there was Otamendi in front of him and Toure who was lagging behind on the left, so he just didn't pass.

Instead, turn the outside of the right foot to the right and turn around on the spot.

He did get rid of Dybala for a while, but when he turned around to face the Juventus half, Alves also rushed in front of him, and Dybala pinched him.

Stones was forced to cross the sidewalk and couldn't get the ball after turning left and right continuously. He was forced to a dead end.

In a blink of an eye, the ball was poked by Alves on the right to the left of Dybala.

Dybala rushed the ball in an instant, took it to the ribs, and gave way to Alves on the side.

After entering the ribs and bringing Stones over, Dybala immediately scored the ball forward to the right.

On the outside of the upper corner of the penalty area, Alves slowed down and made a diagonal cross without saying a word.

After pointing to the front of the small penalty area, the ball found Higuain as if equipped with a navigation system.

Facing Ederson, who opened his body to the ground in the small penalty area in front of him, Higuain showed his powerful shooting skills, shoveling directly without stopping the ball.

In the end, the ball hit the inside of Ederson's calf and folded into the goal.

For a while, Ittihad wailed all over the place, and countless people were so angry that Stones smashed their mobile phones and water bottles.

Chu Zheng was so angry that he almost had a heart attack.

On the sidelines, Guardiola was a little calm, with a smile on his face. No one could guess what he was thinking. This smile might be the smile of death.

"What is Stones thinking about this ball? Isn't it over if you give it to Otamendi early?"

"Maybe it's an addiction to dribbling!" Zhang Lu teased, and then said again: "This is Juventus' offensive efficiency, and their ability to seize opportunities is particularly strong."

"Kopany's choice is also a bit problematic. He didn't choose to stick to Higuain for this ball, but took off on the right side and stretched his feet to intercept it. As a result, he misjudged the height of the ball and missed it."

"..."