Because of Wu Xudong's presence, everyone envied Arsenal for having sprinters as fullbacks on both sides, and even their substitute was a hundred-meter dash athlete.
But when it comes to flank configurations, Manchester City was actually not bad at all.
The fifty-fourth minute.
Wu Xudong and Lahm came face to face on the narrow path.
Ribery, leveraging Wu Xudong's restraint, easily received the ball on the flank, made it to the baseline, and delivered a Backward Triangle Pass.
Vieira came up from the back, ready to unleash a blast.
But he was taken down by Lahm's tackle.
Lahm received a yellow card.
The offenses of both sides were fiercely competitive.
The sixty-second minute.
Henry received the ball on the flank and after a series of fakes, he shook off Maicon.
But Henry was brought down by Maicon's mis-timed tackle before he could cut inside.
Maicon also received a yellow card.