The air in Manchester felt charged, divided sharply between red and blue. The 2-1 lead from the first leg against Manchester City felt like a fragile shield, protecting them as they stepped into the lion's den – the Etihad Stadium. Nathan's Overall Rating: S+ was a constant whisper in his mind, urging him to prove he deserved that ultimate status. This wasn't just a Champions League Semi-Final; it was a battle for the soul of Manchester.
"Every blade of grass, every second, everything matters," Erik ten Hag had stressed in the final team talk. "They'll come at us. We stand firm. We fight. We win."
Nathan felt the energy from his teammates, a collective fire burning in their eyes. He spent the warm-up pushing his Glide of Messi (42%) mastery, feeling the ball dance under his feet with remarkable precision. He could almost taste that 50% milestone, the next permanent boost that would truly solidify his dribbling.
He scanned the City lineup, already familiar with their threats.
