Chapter 124 Seeing Hartmon's Foot! Is This The Strength Of Manchester City?

Kompany still remembers the pre-match meeting where the coaching staff gathered the entire team for a video analysis session. They meticulously reviewed tactics against Union Berlin's key player, Su Luo, analyzing his potential threats and devising countermeasures for each scenario.

In the first 15 minutes of the first half, they successfully restricted Su Luo's headers. They also maintained a tight defensive formation, leaving no space for Su Luo to sprint and break through. Anticipating his next move, they prepared for long-range shots.

Sure enough, when Su Luo pulled back for a shot, Fernandinho, Kompany, Otamendi, and Joe Hart were ready. Fernandinho went for a decisive slide tackle, while Kompany and Otamendi positioned themselves to block the shot, and Joe Hart adjusted his stance.

Under Manchester City's strict defense, ordinary shots wouldn't pose much of a threat. Typically, long-range shots have a low success rate, but they forgot one crucial detail: Su Luo isn't an ordinary player!

From 30 meters out, Su Luo received the ball, deliberately let it pass by him, and outmaneuvered Yaya Toure. Without any further adjustments, he launched a surprise shot. Even though Fernandinho moved quickly, he was half a second too late. The football roared past his toes and towards the goal.

"The Bismarck battleship's 380mm main gun fires!"

The speed of the ball exceeded everyone's expectations. Kompany and Otamendi lunged forward, risking everything to block the shot. If the ball had been off by 1mm or 0.1 seconds slower, it would have been blocked. Instead, it flew perfectly through the narrow gap between them.

"Well done!"

Joe Hart, Manchester City's last line of defense, had his eyes on the ball as Su Luo shot. As the football curved towards the goal, he adjusted and leaped to make the save.

"I've got this... What the...???"

The ball unexpectedly changed direction, flying to the opposite side! Joe Hart's dive became almost comical as he watched helplessly while the ball crashed into the net.

"Su Luo's long-range cannonball!"

"He scores! Su Luo! In the 18th minute, he puts Union Berlin in the lead!"

"If there's love, the sky will last forever. Look at Hart's attempt!"

"Joe Hart is in the spotlight again."

Commentator Zhan Jun's passionate voice echoed. Every time Su Luo scores a world-class goal, it excites the fans. This one was no exception!

"In martial arts, there's no unbreakable defense, only unstoppable speed! No matter how tight Manchester City's defense is, can they outrun a cannonball?"

"According to live data, that shot exceeded 150 kilometers per hour!"

Joe Hart lay on the ground, staring blankly at the sky. Kompany, Otamendi, and Fernandinho were equally stunned. Was there a flaw in their defense? No. Their defense had been flawless. It wasn't about lack of effort; some forces are just unstoppable.

"Doll Gundam" Su Luo rushed to the bench in excitement after scoring. Quining had been waiting for this moment, quickly bringing him something from the chair. Su Luo unfolded a brand new five-star red flag and held it up to the camera.

"Happy birthday to the motherland! I wish China prosperity! Long live China!"

Fans watching on TV were thrilled. Su Luo remembered today was National Day, the birthday of his motherland. Union Berlin teammates joined in, sending their greetings to Chinese fans in broken Chinese.

Commentator He Wei couldn't help but feel emotional.

"On this day of national celebration, countless overseas Chinese must share Su Luo's sentiments for their motherland. This goal is Su Luo's birthday present to China!"

A small group of international students in the stands also held up the five-star red flag, tears streaming down their faces as they cheered for Su Luo. The Bundesliga director gave them a close-up, and German TV Z2 commentator Sauer remarked emotionally:

"This is the touching patriotism of China. I've visited the East; it's indeed a beautiful country. If you have the chance, visit. You won't regret it."

For decades, Western media like BBC and CNN shaped various perceptions about the mysterious East. Su Luo's rise in the Bundesliga gradually changed that, introducing Europe to a real China. More and more people fell in love with the country, thanks to stars like Su Luo, who showcased a positive image through their performances.

After the lively celebration, the game resumed. Union Berlin, leading by one goal in less than half an hour, knew the match was far from over. They controlled the ball steadily, slowing the pace, looking for flaws in Manchester City's defense.

Pellegrini hurried to the sidelines, urging his players to stay calm and maintain their defensive posture.

"A 1-0 lead is the most precarious score," Pellegrini warned. "Don't lose focus and give the opponent an opportunity. Look at Bayern Munich's example. Union Berlin beat them 7-0. We know how to handle this."

The game gradually entered a stalemate. Neuhaus, on the sidelines, frowned as he glanced at Pellegrini.

"This guy still has some skill."

"Of course, he's a world-renowned coach," Assistant Coach Hofstadter quipped.

"What? Am I not a handsome man?"

"Um... no?"

"What do you mean? Come back here!"

Seeing Neuhaus's reaction, Hofstadter quickly slipped away. Neuhaus was left slightly unconvinced. Why not? Thinking it over, he realized he wasn't a world-famous coach. The team's miracles in the Bundesliga were largely due to Su Luo. If Su Luo left, could he still achieve good results? He wasn't sure.

On the field, Su Luo faced Manchester City's strict defense.

Kompany and Otamendi challenged Su Luo at every moment in the box, while Fernandinho tracked him outside the penalty area. More often than not, Su Luo only managed brief touches of the ball before a pass was intercepted or a brutal foul committed.

Accustomed to Premier League standards, Manchester City players didn't hesitate with fouls. In just 30 minutes, Su Luo had already been fouled six times by Manchester City. Meanwhile, the other Union Berlin players actively ran and sought opportunities. The breakthroughs by Sane and Maher Reiss posed some threat to Manchester City, but none of their shots hit the target.

During this period, Manchester City's pressure was immense, and they didn't manage a single counterattack. The game turned into a half-time offensive drill for Union Berlin.

"Sane! A low shot in the penalty area, just wide!"

"Sane has worked very hard, showing explosive speed and even overtaking from the outside. It's a pity the shot was rushed. If he had passed to Forsberg behind, the result might have been better."

"Su Luo and Forsberg attempt a wall pass! Forsberg takes the shot!"

"Oh, it's just over the bar!"

"Their play was clever, showing great potential for more connections."

"Maher Reiss crosses into the penalty area! Su Luo heads it back!"

"Sane! A shot! Saved by Joe Hart!"

"Union Berlin is relentless, constantly putting pressure on Manchester City! The two full-backs have also stayed in the front to participate in the attack. Manchester City's defense is indeed strong."

Commentator Zhan Jun had to admire Manchester City's defensive efforts in the first half. Aside from Su Luo's goal, there were no deadly threats. Union Berlin continuously sought opportunities from the outside, moving the ball from left to right and back again.

Su Luo tried swapping positions with Sane, Forsberg, and Maher Reiss. Even when small gaps appeared, Manchester City's defense quickly closed them.

From last season to now, this was the strongest defense Union Berlin had faced. Su Luo wondered if peak Inter Milan in 2010, peak Chelsea, or peak Atletico Madrid had defenses stronger than this. He felt he still had a long way to go.

In the final stage of the first half, with the team struggling for a breakthrough, Union Berlin players became anxious, pushing their formation higher and almost pinning Manchester City in their penalty area. Ball possession reached 90%, thrilling the home fans and suggesting a second goal was near.

However, Su Luo sensed danger through the passive abilities of Modric and Inzaghi.

"Diego (Laxalt)! Get back..." Su Luo was about to ask the full-backs to retreat when the crisis struck.

Maher Reiss' dribble from the right was intercepted by Kolarov, who decisively passed to Grealish in front. Grealish, seizing his first real chance in over 40 minutes, sprinted towards the front.

"I'm sorry, but I have to win today as much as I love this stadium," Grealish muttered as he advanced.

Aguero, De Bruyne, David Silva, and Yaya Toure joined the attack.

"Manchester City on the counterattack!" Zhan Jun exclaimed. Most of the Berlin players were caught upfield, unable to return in time.

Grealish, facing Pavard's defense, unselfishly passed back to Yaya Toure. As a defensive midfielder with excellent foot skills, Toure easily bypassed Kimmich and advanced like a tank. Naby Keita arrived in time, but Toure quickly passed to David Silva, who deftly sent the ball into space on the right.

"Kevin De Bruyne! Dangerous!" Sauer, a German TV commentator, knew De Bruyne's strength well. He was the MVP of Wolfsburg last season.

Sure enough, De Bruyne reached the penalty area, attracted Rudiger's defense, and flicked his ankle to send a perfect curved ball.

"Back post! Sergio Aguero!"

The real threat, Aguero, who was only 173 cm tall, leaped high and headed the ball. Fabianski was caught off guard, and the ball flew into the net.

"Aguero! City equalizes before half-time!"

"A textbook counterattack!"

Even though Su Luo rushed back in defense, he was too far to prevent the goal.

"Is this Manchester City's true strength? Their first shot resulted in a goal..."

Su Luo clenched his fists, trembling slightly. He felt his heart racing, experiencing a long-lost excitement. Playing against strong European teams was far more thrilling. Low-level matches didn't compare to the excitement of peak games.

"Let's go! We'll fight another 300 rounds in the second half!" Su Luo thought, ready for the challenge.

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