Football: Starting from being abandoned by Barcelona

Guardiola's words also expressed Li Lei's thoughts.

Yes, Manchester City is now in full swing, and yes, they just won a big victory in the League Cup.

But that is in the past. In England, in the Premier League, you can never bask in the glory of the past.

Because in the future, there will always be new challenges waiting for you.

The match day is coming soon.

When Li Lei and his teammates walked into the bet365 stadium, what came into view was a sea of ​​red and white.

The fans of Stoke City, in their own way, are welcoming and provoking Manchester City.

"Come on, let us see if you are worthy of the name Manchester City!"

"Today, you will taste the taste of bet365!"

The shouts of the fans echoed over the stadium.

The game started in such an atmosphere.

As expected, Stoke City performed very tenaciously at home.

They closely guarded every player of Manchester City and did not give them any chance to breathe.

At the same time, they were constantly launching attacks, trying to break the deadlock.

In the first half, neither team scored a goal.

0:0, the score remained at this level.

During the halftime break, the atmosphere in Manchester City's locker room was a bit dull. Everyone knew that the second half would be a real "battle".

"We must be more proactive and attack more actively," Guardiola said in front of the tactical board.

"Only by constantly exerting pressure can we tear open Stoke City's defense."

Li Lei, sitting aside, listened silently, his role will become crucial in the second half.

As a midfielder, he needs to constantly switch between offense and defense, and needs to use his running to create opportunities for the team.

In the second half, the game resumed.

Sure enough, Manchester City's attitude became more positive. They constantly launched attacks in Stoke City's half, trying to find opportunities to score.

Li Lei also kept running on the field.

His figure was almost all over the midfield.

One moment, he made a cross from the left; the next moment, he intercepted the ball from the right.

Sweat soaked his jersey, but he did not slow down at all.

Finally, in the 73rd minute, Manchester City's efforts were rewarded. Li Lei was brought down in the penalty area, and the referee decisively pointed to the penalty spot.

The penalty kick will be the best chance to turn the game around!

Everyone's eyes were focused on Li Lei.

As Manchester City's ace shooter, he has never let the team down at such a critical moment.

Facing the ball in front of him, Li Lei took a deep breath and started a run-up.

"Bang!" The football flew to the lower right corner of the goal.

Although Stoke City's goalkeeper Butland judged the direction correctly, he still couldn't touch the rapidly spinning football.

The ball went in! 1:0! Manchester City finally broke the deadlock and took the lead!

Li Lei excitedly ran to the sidelines and celebrated this hard-earned goal with his teammates.

The significance of this goal is far more than just a change in the score.

It also symbolizes an attitude, a spirit - that is, never give up!

The game came to an end with Manchester City's efforts.

In the end, the score of 1:0 was maintained until the final whistle.

After Manchester City defeated Stoke City 1:0 away, two senior commentators Keane and Jones made wonderful comments on the game in the live broadcast room of Sky Sports.

"This is a typical Premier League game, fierce, tense, and full of confrontation. It is not easy for Manchester City to get out of the bet365 stadium unscathed." The host Keane said easily.

Jones: "Yes, Stoke City's performance at home was as tough as ever. They pressed and exerted pressure, causing a lot of trouble for Manchester City."

"But Manchester City showed the quality of a championship team. They did not give up and always tried to find opportunities."

Keane: "Manchester City's performance can be described as 'mature'. They were not impatient and took things step by step. Through ball possession and passing, they slowly controlled the rhythm of the game."

"This is very important for a championship team."

Jones: "What impressed me most was Manchester City's midfield."

"Fernandinho, De Bruyne, and Li Lei all performed very well."

"They kept pouring out their physical energy in the midfield, blocking Stoke City's attack and providing support for Manchester City's frontcourt."

Keane: "Speaking of Li Lei, I think his performance today is worthy of praise."

"As a young player, he was able to be so calm and confident in front of such a tough opponent., which is not easy. "

"He kept running on the field, actively participated in the offense and defense, and showed a high level of tactical literacy. "

Jones: "Overall, this is a typical victory for Manchester City. "

"They showed the qualities that a championship team should have - maturity, stability, resilience and determination. "

"If they can maintain this state, then they will be a force that cannot be underestimated in the Premier League and the Champions League. "

Keane: "I am very much looking forward to Manchester City's next performance. This season, they are expected to make breakthroughs on many fronts. "

"As a Manchester City fan, I am full of confidence and expectations. "

After the game, Guardiola nodded with satisfaction and said: "This was a very difficult game, but we did it. "

"We showed the qualities and spirit that a championship team should have, and every player deserves praise. "

Recently, Manchester City has won consecutive victories in the English League Cup, the Premier League and the Champions League, which has made the British media begin to think: Is Manchester City regaining its former dominance? Can Guardiola's team rewrite the pattern of the Premier League and even European football this season?

"Guardian" commentator Jamie Jackson wrote: "Manchester City's recent performance is undoubtedly eye-catching. "

"They eliminated the powerful Hull City in the League Cup, defeated Southampton and the tenacious Stoke City away in the Premier League, and even defeated Barcelona in the Champions League. "

"Such a transcript is rare even in the Premier League where giants gather. "

"Daily Mail" reporter Martin Samuel went further and pointed out: "Manchester City's recovery is by no means accidental. "

"This is the result of Guardiola's tactical style of play beginning to truly "integrate" into this team. "

"From the control of the midfield, to the pressure in the front court, to the solidity of the back line, Manchester City is gradually regaining their due dominance. "

"If they can maintain this state, they will be a force that cannot be underestimated in the Premier League and the Champions League. "

"Henry Winter, a football commentator for The Times, even looked to the more distant future.

"This Manchester City is growing and maturing step by step," he wrote.

"Under Guardiola's training, they are moving towards a true 'European giant'. "

"From the depth of the lineup, to the tactical play, to the individual abilities of the players, Manchester City has the potential to dominate Europe. "

"Perhaps in the near future, we will be able to witness the rise of an English team on the stage of the Champions League final. "

"And this team is likely to be Manchester City. "