Sir Alex Ferguson, who had been standing on the sidelines supervising the match, quietly returned to the dugout and sat down. Assistant René Meulensteen looked up at the manager; Ferguson's face was expressionless despite the perfect 3-0 start.
"It's over."
"Yes, it's over."
Meulensteen let out a long sigh.
Only those within Manchester United truly understood the pressure the club and players had been under recently. Among the season objectives set by the management and coaching staff this year, winning the league was a given.
As a strong contender for the title, Manchester United's minimum goal was to reach the Champions League final. Finals had too many variables, and whether they would win depended on the players' on-field performance and luck. But reaching the final was definitely a must, with no other possibilities.
With Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed to leave, Manchester United hoped to extract every last bit of value from the superstar, making him contribute his maximum. It seemed Cristiano Ronaldo had indeed done a good job. In the first leg of the quarter-finals, he scored twice to give Manchester United an away goal advantage. In the second leg, he became a tactical sacrifice, actively returning to the right wing to assist teammates in scoring, establishing a massive 3-0 lead in less than 26 minutes.
With an aggregate score of 6-4, it was hard to imagine how they could lose. From now on, playing their best defensive counter-attack would be enough; even if Barcelona were here, Ferguson would be confident in holding the score. Not to mention a dispirited, disorganised Dortmund.
The commentators Mehmet Scholl and Oliver Kahn from ZDF German Television Channel 2 also sounded helpless.
"It looks like, although there's still a lot of time, the match is already very difficult."
"We don't need to think about winning, but rather find a way to score one goal first; if we can score before halftime, there's still hope."
Dortmund needed to score at least 3 goals to win. The 4-3 in the first leg was due to the entire team's high morale and everyone being in top form. Look at them now, each one like a walking dead, completely unable to play football.
"Nuri Şahin, Sebastian Kehl, Şahin, Mario Götze—oh!! Götze, a half-beat too slow with the ball, dispossessed by Gary Neville, who pushes forward with the ball!"
"Manchester United's attack is coming again, Cristiano Ronaldo—"
"He's past him! Accelerating past Marcel Schmelzer! A cross?"
"No! He pulls it back with his heel, cuts inside, and shoots from outside the box—!"
"Oh ho ho! That was a very dangerous shot! A cannonball saved by Roman Weidenfeller, Manchester United's 7th corner kick of the first half!"
"Dortmund could concede a 4th goal at any moment!"
Scholl was in despair. Not to mention Götze was sleepwalking, easily dispossessed by the opponent. Schmelzer's defence was also nonexistent; could Cristiano Ronaldo really get past him so easily? It didn't make sense.
If Cristiano Ronaldo got a chance to shoot from outside the box, his shooting skills would surely threaten the goal. With Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidić, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, and others standing in the box, the threat from the corner kick immediately increased.
"Ryan Giggs takes the corner kick — Nemanja Vidić!!!"
"Weidenfeller makes another miraculous save, another corner kick, Manchester United's 8th corner kick of the first half."
Scholl's hands had begun to tremble. Watching this match was truly agonising; it was the first time he had seen Dortmund being so dominated, completely unable to fight back. Where was their spirit? Their passion? Their fighting spirit?
When Vidić headed the ball earlier, what was Robert Kovač doing? Eye-balling defence? This was the feeling of being disappointed by someone you had high hopes for.
Oliver Kahn glanced at his colleague next to him, unable to resist comforting him, and by extension, the desperate fans in front of their TVs. "This is the downside of Dortmund's young squad; they're prone to emotional swings and easily influenced by external factors."
"Their matches tend to go to two extremes: either they burst forth with momentum, or they self-doubt and everyone sleepwalks."
"Now, only a hero needs to step forward and lead everyone to see hope."
"Actually, three goals are not an impossible situation; Dortmund still has a theoretical chance of a comeback."
As Kahn was speaking, the director's close-up shot cut to Jin Hayes. He and goalkeeper Weidenfeller seemed to be the only two normal people on the entire team. Even Captain Kehl was dazed, but Jin Hayes was still shouting at his teammates, directing everyone to defend well together.
"Hey! Mark your man! You go mark him!"
"Mats! Stick tight to that guy!"
"Brothers, we can hold on! Focus! Focus!"
Inside Old Trafford, Jin Hayes didn't even know what he was shouting. He only knew that when his teammates were dazed, he was one of the few clear-headed players and had to step up. Fortunately, even though his teammates were confused, they at least understood what he was saying. They all returned to their positions to mark their men, and Cristiano Ronaldo's header was cleared by Mats Hummels.
Jin Hayes tried to break out of the box for a counter-attack, but Şahin's chest control was poor, and Michael Carrick easily dispossessed him. Manchester United continued to patiently organise a new round of attack in the final third, trying to waste time by keeping possession. If they lost possession, they would press high and win the ball back immediately. Such an impeccable Manchester United was indeed quite despair-inducing.
Jin Hayes gritted his teeth, forcibly suppressed the fire within him, and forced himself to calm down and patiently look for opportunities.
"Still Manchester United's possession; in the final third, it's still a 4-2-3-1 possession formation, with Giggs, Paul Scholes, and Carrick forming a stable triangle."
"Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani have interchanged positions again; Cristiano Ronaldo on the left wing is even more dangerous."
"Exactly." Director Zhang, although also supporting Dortmund, was amazed by Ferguson's tactics. "Ferguson, his change in formation today has really limited Dortmund well. In attack, they play 4-2-3-1, constantly switching positions according to the opponent's weak side. Cristiano Ronaldo and Rooney can also swap at any time — just look at this ball! Oh! Rooney drops back to the left, drawing out the centre-back! Giggs through ball!
Beautiful!
Too bad Cristiano Ronaldo's shot was a bit too rushed, a hurried left-footed strike; if he had adjusted his steps and used his right foot, it might have gone in.
In defence, Manchester United plays a 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 formation; sometimes Rooney also drops back to midfield to form three defensive midfielders, working with teammates to form a high press, using numerical superiority in midfield to press forward. Dortmund's Şahin, it's very difficult for him to get the ball to Jin Hayes — look, the ball is dispossessed again; Rooney's pressing directly limited Şahin."
Director Zhang, through a panoramic view, explained every change in Manchester United's formation very clearly. Manchester United had extremely detailed arrangements in both attack and defence. Compared to the cunning Ferguson, these young lads from Dortmund were too green, completely played like puppets.
Many times, for some unknown reason, their offence simply couldn't function effectively, sinking deeper and deeper into the mire. Dortmund's attacking tactical variations had long been anticipated and completely nullified by Manchester United. The core principle remained the same: prevent Jin Hayes from getting the ball, and you could strangle Dortmund.
He Wei couldn't help but lament. "Although Ferguson is nearing retirement, he hasn't stuck to old ways; he's constantly refining and studying mainstream European tactics."
"The high press favoured by Dortmund and Barcelona has been absorbed and digested by Manchester United, forming an even tighter defensive line."
"This clash is not just between Cristiano Ronaldo and Jin Hayes, but also a contest between Ferguson and Klopp. As it stands, the veteran coach Ferguson seems to have a slight edge. It remains to be seen if Klopp has any tactical changes up his sleeve."
The first half reached the 42nd minute, the score was still 3-0, and Dortmund's offence found no way through. Possession, shots on goal, corner kicks, successful passes — Manchester United led in all statistics. Klopp on the sidelines looked dejected.
"Lord Jin, change teams next year, go to a big club."
"A weak team is a weak team; Dortmund's paper strength gap is too big."
"Look at these teammates, dragging down my Lord Jin."
"Maybe Jin Hayes is just a false name? He's completely hyped up by you guys."
"???"
Anyone with a bit of fame will attract detractors. Jin Hayes was, of course, no exception. In his second season, he had already dominated many popular teams like Bayern, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Arsenal. Most of the domestic public opinion supported Jin Hayes, but there was a small fraction of extreme fans who hated him. He had not joined the national team, and they still rejected everything related to it. As long as it was a Chinese player, these people would mindlessly criticise.
"He's just a player who rides the wave."
"I'm really laughing; anyone who has watched the games wouldn't say Lord Jin rides the wave. Didn't you see how he carried the team last game?"
"Just tell me, what use was he in the first half today?"
"You can't see the few dangerous attacks just now, right? Just blindly hating! If teammates don't cooperate, how can Lord Jin play?"
"If he's strong enough, he should take on the entire Manchester United team by himself!"
"Forget it, just watch the game and ignore the haters."
"VAR check complete, that person just now is a Bayern fan."
"No wonder, his own team got thrashed by Barcelona, so he has nothing to do but come here and hate on my Lord Jin."
In Chen Tao Baidu Forum, the match thread had already turned into a heated argument. Fans were already frustrated watching the game, and a few haters happened to walk into the firing line, becoming punching bags for the fans. Especially some hot-headed old-timers, whose keyboards were smoking as they verbally annihilated the critics without resorting to profanity. However, everyone still hoped Jin Hayes could perform better in the match. With no one else from Dortmund able to step up, it seemed only Jin Hayes could save the team.
On the bench, his teammates were also very anxious. Even Neven Subotić, who had just recovered from injury, wished he could play despite still being hurt.
"What should we do? During halftime, should we ask to be subbed on? Marco, you go talk to the coach."
"Huh?"
"Now is fine too, see if we can make a substitution in the first half."
"Don't rush." Marco Reus comforted his teammate.
"How can I not rush?"
"Look at Jin — he's still trying to find space and opportunities, constantly probing Manchester United's defenders just now."
"So what."
"So I have a hunch that in the next attack, Jin should have a solution."
As fellow attacking players, Reus knew exactly what Jin Hayes was doing. He wasn't invisible earlier; instead, he was personally testing Manchester United's defensive formation, making runs to pull opponents and probe. As long as he was given a chance, he would surely find the only gap in the solid defence, and penetrate it.
"Exactly, this is the ball!" Reus's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but stand up from the bench.
On the field, Manchester United's continuous siege had not been effective. The match reached the 44th minute, with halftime approaching. Going into halftime with a 3-0 score would plunge Dortmund's morale into an abyss, completely losing all suspense. Just one goal before halftime could help the team regain confidence.
Nani's wild shot from the right wing was rather central and was caught by goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller, who dived to the ground. Holding the ball and lying on the ground, Weidenfeller felt a bit desperate. If he kicked this ball out, there would be no threat in the attacking third; it would still be Manchester United's control.
Manchester United had learned Dortmund's high press, giving them no opportunities, and Dortmund's pre-match tactical setup of quick one-touch passing and fast attacks simply couldn't be executed. Forced into desperation, Jin Hayes had even dropped back to the edge of the penalty box.
"Huh? Wait!" Lying on the ground, Weidenfeller suddenly noticed Jin Hayes gesturing to him, indicating a quick attack. Weidenfeller's eyes lit up. He wasn't afraid of his teammates being adventurous and aggressive; he was afraid of them having no ideas at all. Jin Hayes was full of clever tricks; he must have found a way. Weidenfeller quickly got up, and before Cristiano Ronaldo could press forward, he quickly threw the ball to Jin Hayes with a hand throw.
"Hmm? That's not right!" Cristiano Ronaldo, who was about to charge towards the goalkeeper, immediately realised what was happening and quickly changed direction, pouncing towards Jin Hayes.
"This guy has dropped back so deep? There must be a trick!"
Cristiano Ronaldo's judgment was correct, but he underestimated Jin Hayes's ability. He was just about to reach out and pull Jin Hayes, trying to interfere with his first touch. But Jin Hayes slightly turned his body, and before the ball dropped, he stopped it with a rabona, nutmegging Cristiano Ronaldo, and accelerated past him from the other side. Another world-class star had been nutmegged by him.
"Fuck this!" Cristiano Ronaldo was furious, turning to try and foul him, but Jin Hayes's speed was beyond imagination. He grabbed nothing but air.
"Jin, past Cristiano Ronaldo, directly facing the double-team of Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs."
"Beautiful!!! A continuous elastico dribble past two players!!!" He Wei had been in despair, but Jin Hayes's performance made his eyes light up. A left-footed elastico to get past Rooney and break to the right, then encountering Giggs, he pushed the ball to the right again, and instantly pulled it back with an elastico to go past him on the left side. Two consecutive elastico dribbles with both feet. Ronaldinho's signature skill was easier than drinking water for him. Even more terrifying was Jin Hayes's speed. An acceleration with a powerful burst, instantly leaving Paul Scholes behind. Charging at high speed down the left wing.
Could it be—
At this moment, all Dortmund supporters stood up, eagerly watching Jin Hayes still giving his all. He hadn't given up.
"Stop him!!"
"Foul! Foul!!"
"Tackle him!"
Manchester United panicked, the Theatre of Dreams fans shouted, and the players all rushed to intercept Jin Hayes. Michael Carrick immediately came forward with a flying tackle; Jin Hayes, dribbling at high speed, definitely wouldn't have time to react. But Jin Hayes was completely relentless; he chipped the ball forward with his toe, and his entire body leaped over Carrick. He continued to dribble and sprint to the halfway line.
"Jesus!! My God!" Jin Hayes was active on the left, and Mario Götze quickly cut into the middle, leaving the left wing completely open for Jin Hayes. Gary Neville rushed up to intercept him. He thought Jin Hayes would slow down and try to dribble past him, as he usually did. But this time Jin Hayes was going all out.
His recently awakened speed talent, after the last-minute winning goal in the previous match, triggered an enhancement skill. By expending a portion of his stamina, he gained 10 seconds of extreme acceleration burst. Although Jin Hayes hadn't actually measured his speed, he had no doubt that after activating his speed enhancement, he might even reach Olympic-level sprinting pace.
Neville was experienced, constantly squeezing and positioning himself in front of Jin Hayes. Unfortunately, the Manchester United veteran encountered a true force of nature.
[Speed Enhancement - Extreme Overload!]
Boom!
Jin Hayes brutally blasted the ball more than ten metres forward, his entire body becoming a blur, as he furiously accelerated and overtook from outside the touchline. With acceleration visible to the naked eye, he instantly left Neville several metres behind within a second.
"Holy shit!" Neville was too shocked; he even stopped chasing. He wouldn't be able to catch up even if he were 10 years younger.
"Jin Hayes!! My God!!" He Wei was so shocked he almost couldn't speak; this run with the ball was exactly like the last-minute winning goal in the previous match. "Here it comes again, it's Jin Hayes passing the ball to himself 3 seconds later! He's simply unstoppable!"
A gasp of astonishment swept through Old Trafford. In the blink of an eye, Jin Hayes had cut inside with the ball, charging towards Manchester United's penalty area. Edwin van der Sar had witnessed this scene in the previous match; he had made a mistake coming out, was accelerated past by Jin Hayes, and the ball was carried into the goal for the winning goal. This time, with Jin Hayes on a one-on-one, Van der Sar decided to stay firm in goal and absolutely not come out. But just watching the opposing forward burst into the penalty area, should he do nothing?
"Damn it! Damn it!!" Van der Sar felt like he and Jin Hayes were two drivers heading towards each other. The other person was a madman, flooring the accelerator and charging at him. Not dodging meant death, and dodging also meant death. Van der Sar still gritted his teeth and rushed out of his goal line, judging Jin Hayes's dribbling motion, and lunged forward. Either the man or the ball, one had to be stopped.
At this moment, over 70,000 people in the Old Trafford stands held their breath, and Dortmund fans in front of their TVs' hearts almost stopped. For this crucial goal that would decide the match's momentum, Jin Hayes was incredibly calm. He dropped his shoulder, used the outside of his left foot to push the ball to the left, feinting Van der Sar's save attempt, and within 0.01 seconds before the ball was about to go out of control, he pulled the ball back at the last moment, changed direction to the outside, and dribbled past the keeper. The Ronaldo Chop reappeared.
"Jeez!" Under the horrified gazes of Van der Sar and Manchester United fans, Jin Hayes accelerated with a powerful burst, charging past the six-yard box, and on the goal line, he unleashed a furious shot, as if to vent his anger, violently smashing it into the net.
Pulling one goal back. After scoring, Jin Hayes was like a rampaging beast, roaring wildly towards the sky, his long howl echoing over Manchester. The Theatre of Dreams fell into a deadly silence. This young talent was a force of nature, a presence that could not be ignored. The deficit was down to two, and with time still on the clock, the impossible suddenly felt within reach.