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"If there are no conditions, then create them!"
"If there are difficulties, then solve them!"
"Although Leo Lin was constantly disrupted by Fernandinho when he had the ball, and Liverpool's attack was stalled for a time…"
"…he quickly played to his strengths and avoided his weaknesses, using his off-the-ball movement to seize the shooting opportunity!"
"What a strike!"
"What a goal!"
Jon Champion was genuinely happy for Leo Lin. What he saw was a player who didn't blindly rely on power just because he could unleash thunderous shots. Instead, Leo Lin chose the most appropriate finishing method for each situation, maximizing efficiency. That, Jon Champion felt, was exactly what a top-class player should do.
Liverpool fans in the livestream exploded, the comments flooding the screen.
"So what if you can control the ball, huh, bald guy over there?"
"Don't get ahead of yourself. Guardiola's system is already very mature, and City have controlled the initiative for most of this match."
"City are just a bit unlucky—or rather, their killer instinct hasn't really shown today."
"You absolutely cannot give Lin any space to make late runs. He reminds me of Lampard back in the day—a midfielder who broke into the Premier League's all-time top scorers. Lin could very well be the next one!"
Fernandinho was furious—furious with himself. The goal they had just conceded was clearly down to him failing to track Leo Lin's off-the-ball run, and the team paid the price.
After finishing his slick knee slide and getting back to his feet, Leo Lin turned his head and saw Maria in the stands, waving at him wildly. He smiled and waved back.
That single gesture sent Pep Guardiola into a simmering rage on the touchline.
Seething.
Burning.
At that moment, if Guardiola had a Gatling gun in his hands, he would have emptied the magazine at Leo Lin without a second thought.
The remaining minutes of the first half ticked away, with neither side scoring again.
Guardiola jogged back to the dressing room, his expression clearly heavy.
"Guardiola looks like he's got a lot of work to do," Jon Champion commented. "He can't be satisfied with that first-half performance."
"Statistically speaking, City actually led in many areas, but Liverpool are the ones going into the break ahead."
"And that just shows—if you want to win, the only thing that truly matters is scoring goals."
Both teams returned to their dressing rooms. Klopp continued to emphasize attacking and pushing higher up the pitch.
"I could tell some of you didn't fully find your rhythm in the first half. That's fine," Klopp said. "We're in the lead now, but that doesn't mean we should drop deep and defend with everyone."
"I want us to keep playing with an ultra-high press. Start from the front and squeeze them step by step at every single point where they touch the ball."
"Don't give them any space to circulate comfortably. We respect them, but don't overestimate them."
"Show your confidence. Show your belief!"
"We have the ability to go toe-to-toe with any team in the world!"
In Klopp's view, Liverpool's approach was absolutely correct.
In the other dressing room, Pep Guardiola repeatedly stressed aggression.
"Everyone, sit down!"
"The issues in the first half were down to my tactical adjustments—small problems—but I believe we still have time."
Guardiola pulled out the tactics board.
"In the second half, David Silva drops deeper. Fernandinho, increase your obstruction of Lin's off-the-ball movement—use more subtle physical contact."
"De Bruyne, push higher—right up to the front."
"Whenever possible, deliberately play the ball to his feet. De Bruyne will drive forward with it, and I want you to maintain proper spacing relative to Lin."
"Leave yourself room to receive and pass."
"Increase forward through balls. Both strikers, attack the channels—target the space between their fullbacks and center-backs."
"If you break into the box, take the shot, or combine laterally!"
Guardiola clapped forcefully, trying to ignite his players' fighting spirit.
"I promise you—if we find our rhythm in the second half, we will turn this around!"
"We have to pull away from them!"
"Only by pulling away can we have a real chance to become Premier League champions!"
Moments later, the second half got underway.
"Judging from their positioning, City have set De Bruyne up as a single advanced attacking midfielder, fully utilizing his forward passing ability."
"They're clearly trying to take control of the tempo."
Liverpool continued with their high press, while David Silva's deeper positioning provided City with an extra outlet in buildup.
Gradually, City stabilized their passing rhythm through the adjustment in shape and began increasing the number of forward passes.
Kevin De Bruyne's excellent off-the-ball movement earned him plenty of space to receive the ball. Henderson worked tirelessly to close him down, but against De Bruyne at the peak of his powers, it was a tough task.
51st minute.
"Ederson in possession at the back—Firmino presses aggressively, short pass."
"Walker drops into the holding midfield area to receive, turns, and plays it to David Silva."
Leo Lin immediately stepped in to intercept head-on, but the magician David Silva flicked the ball with his heel, clean and decisive. Turning in one motion, he threaded a beautiful forward pass straight to De Bruyne.
Henderson rushed in, but De Bruyne met the ball on the turn, nudged it lightly with the outside of his foot, and spun away—
A stunning, no-touch, back-to-goal dribble!
He slipped past Henderson and, with textbook technique, slid a perfectly weighted through ball straight into the channel, instantly tearing the defense open.
Robertson's desperate sliding tackle couldn't stop it.
Agüero twisted his body as he burst into the box and unleashed a ferocious shot from a tight angle at Mignolet.
Straight into the top corner!
"Ohhh!!!"
"A perfect ten!"
"Sergio Agüero!"
"The Argentine super striker!"
"A thunderous finish from a narrow angle—City are level, and the tactical change has paid off!"
"De Bruyne's through ball was absolutely devastating!"
"The Etihad finally erupts—1–1!"
On the touchline, Klopp immediately pushed his hands downward, signaling his players to stay calm.
Leo Lin hadn't expected the equalizer to come so quickly, but this was exactly what Manchester City were—a team capable of flipping the situation in an instant.
After the restart, the Etihad roared with everything it had, City's momentum surging.
Leo Lin began observing again, gradually shifting his focus toward David Silva. Since Silva dropped deeper, he had become the key organizer every time City played out from the back.
62nd minute.
Ederson had the ball, and Liverpool launched another ultra-high press, swarming the goalkeeper.
As Ederson took a touch, he spotted David Silva dropping back to receive. Just as expected, he slid a pass forward.
The moment Silva was about to take it, rapid footsteps thundered behind him.
Alarm bells rang. Silva hurriedly tried to retreat—
But Leo Lin moved like a cheetah. He muscled past Silva and won the ball a split second earlier!
After the interception, Leo Lin instantly turned his head, swung his left foot, and delivered an outside-of-the-boot pass straight toward the left side.
A no-look pass!
The ball traced a beautiful rainbow-like arc across the grass—De Bruyne's signature curved pass.
Firmino beat the offside trap and, without taking a touch, curled his shot first time!
A Van Persie–style first-time finish!
The exquisite arc left Ederson rooted to the spot.
The Etihad fell silent once again.
As the ball hit the net, Firmino erupted in celebration. Meanwhile, the provider, Leo Lin, sprinted toward the fans, pumping his fist wildly and instantly drawing every eye in the stadium.
Firmino, still celebrating, turned his head, saw Leo Lin like that, burst out laughing, and charged straight toward him.
Mané arrived at Leo Lin's side and stared at him.
And suddenly, he understood why some girls couldn't help shouting, "Damn, you're handsome!~" when they saw a good-looking guy.
Because at that very moment… Mané wanted to shout it too.
...
(60 Chapters Ahead)
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