Star card system.

Dembélé’s shot sent shockwaves through Old Trafford.

Perrin who was on the sidelines cursed: "Fxxk! It was so close to scoring a goal."

But Mourinho next to him was not in a hurry: "It doesn't matter, this has just begun, and it's still early to tell the winner."

"Dembele is indeed a threat."

"But he is not a big threat. He is quantitative, not variable."

Perrin nodded and agreed with Mourinho.

Yes, Dembele's advantages and disadvantages are very obvious, and they are indeed quantitative.

Except for the opening shot, he was still very active next.

He is everywhere in running, dribbling, passing, and in the frontcourt.

But he is still Mourinho's quota.

The real variable in this Barcelona team is Messi.

Dembele is very active, while Messi has been silent.

In the opening minutes, Messi has not been too outstanding.

He helps his teammates with the ball in the frontcourt, like a screw.

Even Suarez shot from outside the penalty area.

But Messi didn't.

Faced with Manchester United's retreat, Messi behaved very calmly.

For him, there's no rush.

After all, for a star of his caliber, if he wants to score, he just needs a momentary burst.

Manchester United's defense was very solid at the beginning, and Messi did not have a particularly good chance for the time being.

He plays the ball in the midfield and frontcourt as much as possible, helping his teammates create opportunities while using his reputation to attract the attention of the opponent's defense.

At the beginning, Dembele had a shot, Suarez also had a blast, and Paulinho also inserted a long shot from the back row.

However, they were all saved perfectly by De Gea.

In this game, the Spanish goalkeeper still maintained his top competitive form.

Until the 12th minute of the game, Messi suddenly broke out.

Taking the ball on the left wing, Messi hit the middle.

Iniesta responded without stopping the ball, and the ball came to Busquets' feet.

Busquets paused for a moment, then went straight to the left before Pogba could grab the ball, and then handed it back to Messi's feet again.

Messi strikes again!

At this time, Iniesta has already moved forward and landed accurately!
Diagonal pass without stopping the ball!

Messi, follow up!

Wonderful two over one cooperation!

On the left wing, Messi caught the ball and moved inward, rushing directly into the penalty area!

Valencia was directly left behind by him!
At this time, he couldn't take a kick at all. As long as he took a kick, it would be a penalty!

Messi has firmly stuck in his position!

Centre-back Victor Lindelof steps forward!

In this game, he started in place of Phil Jones, who was suspended due to a red card. Mourinho took a fancy to his running ability.

But in front of Messi, Lindelof is still too young.

Messi deformed after a fake move at his feet, dribbling the ball to the outside and passing Lindelof who was taking the shot!
Messi has space to shoot!

kick, shoot!
De Gea was ready to make a save, and he was concentrating on preparing for the final save!
But the ball didn't fly towards the goal!
Stretch out a kick and steal the ball directly!

The ball hit the leg of a Manchester United player and bounced towards the midfield!
It's Xia Xing!
Before he knew it, he had already wandered outside the penalty area. The moment Messi cut inside, he was ready!

A decisive tackle that eliminated Messi's shot!
Wonderful defense!
The ball bounced towards the center circle, Matic fought for the ball, and eventually got entangled with two Barcelona players. The ball hit Busquets' leg and bounced out of the sideline.

Manchester United's throw-in.

This time Barcelona's attack surprised both Barcelona and Manchester United players.The Manchester United players did not expect that this time Messi launched an attack from the left.

Usually Messi is always on the right wing. He is a left-footed player. He continuously controls the ball with his left foot and can create good opportunities by suddenly cutting inside.

Messi has scored several goals in a row before, most of which were scored by dribbling the ball from the right wing.

In this game, Messi actually changed positions with Dembele and went to the left wing.

This did not surprise the Manchester United players.

This is Valverde's tactical arrangement.

He wanted to use this method to confuse Manchester United's defense and catch Manchester United by surprise.

Their tactics were considered successful.

Messi's advancement on the left wing did surprise the Manchester United defenders, so they were almost scored.

But the Barcelona players did not expect that it would be Manchester United's captain Xia Xing who ultimately sabotaged the attack!

Xia Xing has been active on the left wing, which is even more unstoppable.

Even if he occasionally plays in the middle, it is for running in a large area.

Xia Xing still often plays on the left.

But this time he ran directly from the left to the right and completed a perfect tackle.

What a wonderful defense.

And what Xia Xing did next shocked the Barcelona players.

He gave up his position on the left and started man-to-man defense against Messi!
This is beyond everyone's expectations!
Since his debut until now, Xia Xingchun has not played man-to-man defense.

After all, his characteristic is running in a large area. No matter what level of offensive player, it is not worth consuming a top star to take care of him alone.

Especially since Xia Xing also has strong offensive ability, man-to-man defense is really a waste.

But today is a special case.

After just blocking Messi's shot, Xia Xing began to turn into a ghost, following Messi closely.

Stay close!

Man-to-man defense!

Messi didn't expect this to happen at all.

In his past experience, countless defensive players have closely marked him, and there were even cases where the team sent two defensive players to follow Messi.

But today, he was in trouble.

A few minutes later, it was Barcelona's attack again. The ball was passed three times and two times, and came to Messi's feet again.

But as soon as Messi caught the ball, someone took a shot!
It's Xia Xing!
Before Paulinho passed the ball, Xia Xing predicted it in advance and rushed in front of Messi!
Relying on this advance prediction, Xia Xing blocked the ball from Messi's feet!
Then he used his body to squeeze Messi away, preventing Messi from counterattacking!

This is a rare interception of the ball by Messi!

3 minutes later, it was Xia Xing’s wonderful performance again!
This time it’s the upper body!

Messi cleverly retreated to catch the ball, then turned around and accelerated, trying to pass Xia Xing.

But Xia Xing went straight to the body and squeezed Messi away!
The ball falls to the feet of a Manchester United player again!

After continuous passes, Barcelona counterattacked, and Manchester United's crisis was still unresolved.

Messi began to retreat to the right, and Xia Xing followed closely.

The ball reached Messi's feet, and Messi suddenly accelerated!
For an Argentine genius, his ability to combine man and ball is definitely the best in the world!
It’s not an exaggeration to even say that he is number one in the world right now!

But Xia Xing is not slow either!

Follow up quickly, even if you can't intercept the ball, Messi has no room to pass or cut inside!

Messi was squeezed away by Xia Xing, and the forced pass was firmly caught by De Gea!

Manchester United successfully defended again!

This is the third time Xia Xing has successfully defended Messi during this period!
In front of Xia Xing, Messi was completely stared at!

Barcelona is in a deadlock at the moment! (End of chapter)