"Leeds United's quick counterattack still targets the left flank."
"Look at Robertson pushing forward this time. Manchester City's defensive transition is very fast."
"He passes to Mbappe."
"Left edge of the box, feint, cuts inside, lays it off to Vardy..."
"Oof!!"
"Vardy had a golden chance!"
"But the ball wasn't controlled properly, got stuck too close to his feet, and he couldn't get the right power or angle on the shot."
"Ederson held his position well and caught the ball cleanly."
"That was Leeds United's first shot of the game, coming in the 28th minute."
"Manchester City have been dominant so far tonight."
"As of now, City have had 73% possession and 6 shots, while Leeds United have only managed 1."
"Leeds United are clearly at a disadvantage."
"This is the Champions League final, and Manchester City's players clearly have more experience on this stage."
"Just like that last play, Vardy was in the box, but under pressure from Stones and Kompany, he couldn't handle the ball properly."
"You have to say, in certain positions, Leeds United's players just aren't on the same level as City's."
"If it had been Harry Kane in that situation, I believe he would've controlled it."
"That's the value of a tall striker. But right now, Harry Kane is playing for Manchester City."
"Pochettino looked visibly frustrated on the sideline after that missed chance. You have to wonder if he regrets selling Harry Kane now."
...
Inside Amazon Stadium, the fans of both teams were chanting loudly, their voices overlapping into a chaotic roar.
Nearly 30 minutes had passed without a goal, but in terms of threat, Manchester City were clearly ahead. They had 6 shots, 2 on target, and a much higher possession rate. City were completely controlling the rhythm.
But this was 2019, not 2009.
If this were 2009, fans would still be worried about not having enough possession.
A decade later, everyone was familiar with Guardiola and Barcelona's possession-dominant tactics that sometimes struggled to convert dominance into goals.
How many times over the years had they dominated the ball, only to lose badly?
Leeds United's right flank was under massive pressure. Their left flank wasn't under heavy pressure, but constantly needed to shift support across, which left their attacking play completely disjointed and ineffective.
Most of the time, it was just Mbappe or Vardy fighting alone.
One player going up against the entire opposition. You don't need to think too hard to know how that ends.
Leeds United didn't register their first shot until the 28th minute.
This was probably the worst they'd looked at home all season.
Still, inside the stadium, Leeds fans were unwavering, chanting in unison and backing their team.
Outside, around Elland Road, hundreds of thousands of fans had gathered to support the team and hold down the fort at Amazon Stadium.
Many couldn't even watch the game on the big screen and could only follow on their phones.
In response, telecom companies had deployed multiple mobile communication units to provide coverage for the Champions League final.
Though they weren't in the stadium, the roar from outside could still be heard inside, creating a deafening atmosphere.
But that didn't change the fact: Leeds United were trailing badly on the pitch.
...
"Manchester City are starting to lose their grip," Gao Shen said with a faint smile.
Everything has pros and cons.
Manchester City are very strong, but Leeds United didn't reach the Champions League final by luck.
As soon as City's pressing intensity dropped slightly, Leeds United's counterattack began to show signs of life.
They had zero shots in the first 30 minutes, but now they were starting to find some rhythm.
Nothing on the pitch is left to chance, because both sides work hard to eliminate randomness.
That Leeds United were now able to launch a counterattack and get a shot on target from the left was already proof that Manchester City's dominance was slipping.
"Just wait a little longer. If they can hang on, chances will come," Wenger said.
Ferguson exhaled softly. "The darkest hour is just before dawn."
Gao Shen and his two companions were world-class coaches, veterans of countless battles, and they understood exactly what was happening.
Time is the cruelest ruler in football.
No matter how perfect the tactics or how talented the player, everyone is subject to time.
The deeper a game goes, the more likely mistakes become, as players' stamina drains and mental focus drops.
Gao Shen could feel the tension rising by the second.
Sure enough, Manchester City stepped up their attack again.
First, Gareth Bale suddenly cut inside from the left and unleashed a fierce shot at the edge of the box after receiving a pass from Hazard. It just went over the bar.
Then David Silva sent a lofted cross into the box. Harry Kane rose high and powered a header on target, but Alisson pulled off a brilliant save.
Two consecutive shots, both extremely dangerous.
City fans roared in excitement, while Leeds United fans grew visibly anxious.
...
"Corner for Manchester City."
"David Silva steps up to take it."
"The ball swings to the far post."
De Ligt heads it clear.
"Good defensive work from Leeds United on this corner."
"But Manchester City still have possession and are reorganizing their attack."
"This time, they switch to the right flank."
"The ball comes to De Bruyne."
"Harry Kane drops back to receive, but Ruben Dias steps in and pokes the ball away!"
"Rakitic and Milinkovic challenge for the loose ball..."
"Robertson gets there first and breaks forward."
"Leeds United have launched a quick counterattack after winning possession!"
...
As Robertson dribbled past the 30-meter line, Manchester City's defensive line was still in Leeds United's half.
This wasn't surprising. When Guardiola's teams dominate, they like to push the entire game into the opponent's half.
Mbappe positioned himself near the left touchline, with his back to the sideline, waiting for Robertson's pass.
He also signaled for the ball to be played along the ground.
Boateng sprinted over. De Bruyne tracked Robertson, and Rakitic was also closing in. It was a three-man triangle aimed at pinning Leeds United's two attackers on the left.
Best case: win the ball back. Worst case: shut the move down.
But Mbappe was ready.
As Robertson's pass rolled in, he didn't receive it directly. Instead, he flicked it forward with his right foot.
The sudden pass completely caught Boateng off guard.
The ball sped along the ground, past Boateng before he could even get close.
And just then, Mbappe, who had been hugging the touchline, hit full throttle like a supercar exploding off the line.
Boateng barely had time to react. By the time he realized what had happened, Mbappe was already sprinting past him at top speed.
"Stop him!"
Boateng shouted in disbelief.
Mbappe caught up to the ball and left Boateng for dead. Rakitic was chasing but nowhere near fast enough.
Stones, one of City's center-backs, quickly stepped up.
Mbappe approached City's 30-meter zone, then suddenly slowed and passed across the pitch as Stones closed in.
This hesitation caused Stones to pause.
He turned his head and saw Vardy had crept forward.
That sly fox had been lurking in the gap between the back line and midfield all game, and now he finally made his move.
As Stones hesitated over whether to commit to Vardy, Vardy touched the ball with a slick backheel.
The pass slid between Stones and Kompany, right into the penalty area.
Stones spun around to recover.
But at that moment, Mbappe, who had just slowed down, suddenly exploded again.
In a matter of seconds, the French winger burst back into full sprint, leaving Stones and the retreating Rakitic in the dust.
He latched onto Vardy's through ball inside the box.
The entire Amazon Stadium gasped.
Ederson charged out of goal, sprinting to intercept Vardy's pass.
A split-second race between Mbappe and Ederson.
And Mbappe was faster!
Like a flash of lightning, the Frenchman arrived ahead of Ederson, cutting inside with a deft move that sent the Brazilian keeper sprawling.
Ederson was left helpless on the ground.
Mbappe chased the ball and struck it cleanly with his left foot.
Under pressure, the shot curled perfectly and flew into the back of City's net.
"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!"
"36th minute, 36th minute, Mbappe!!!"
"Leeds United take the lead!!!"
Mbappe didn't even slow down after scoring. He sprinted toward the Leeds United supporters, slid to a stop, tucked his hands under his arms, and struck his signature celebration pose.
At that moment, Amazon Stadium exploded with deafening cheers.
Everyone was screaming.
"This was Leeds United's second shot of the game. And it was deadly. French winger Kylian Mbappe with the counterattack."
"Incredible pace!"
"You can see Manchester City's whole defensive line was pushed high, and Mbappe just tore through them."
"No one could keep up with him."
"He's like a supercar. You can't stop him!"
Leeds United fans chanted Mbappe's name across the stadium. On the sidelines, Pochettino clenched his fists and roared in celebration.
When the broadcast camera cut to Guardiola, he calmly took a gulp of water from his bottle.
But in his eyes, the disappointment was unmistakable.
(To be continued.)