"The first half of the match is over, Manchester United temporarily lead 3-1, with an aggregate score of 6-5."
"Manchester United had a dream start, with three consecutive goals almost ending the game."
"At the most difficult moment, Jin Hayes still stepped forward, dribbling the ball 80 meters from the backfield, passing 6 players, and scoring a goal from amidst a myriad of opponents—bringing a glimmer of hope for Borussia Dortmund to win."
Even though Manchester United led 3-1, players like Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Ryan Giggs all looked grim as they left the field. Borussia Dortmund was behind in the score and behind in away goals, but their expressions were full of confidence, and their eyes shone. Jin Hayes's crucial goal greatly boosted the team's morale.
So what if Manchester United started 3-0? We still have hope—the game isn't over yet. Because we have an unstoppable force on our side.
To be honest, when Jin Hayes exploded down the flank past Gary Neville, forcefully dribbling past his opponent to create a one-on-one opportunity, and after an exaggerated, violent shot on goal from the goal line, he looked up to the sky and let out a long roar—let alone the Manchester United players, his own teammates trembled instantly. They were forced from being an elegant, technical genius who enjoyed the sunshine and played with style on the pitch, into a man-eating beast.
"Devil... Devil!"
It was so shocking just now that Mats Hummels heard Nani next to him almost lose his composure. His eyes were unfocused, and he kept muttering that one word.
From another perspective, Jin Hayes's violent goal was indeed a great morale booster. That shot completely shattered Manchester United's invincible new image. It turned out that Manchester United, playing at home, was not invincible, not unbeatable. Since they could defeat Manchester United at Westfalen, why couldn't they beat them again at Old Trafford?
We are Borussia Dortmund.
In the home team's dressing room, Cristiano Ronaldo, dripping with sweat, walked in and suddenly noticed that Sir Alex Ferguson seemed to have aged 10 years. Were his white hairs even more numerous than before? Perhaps it was his own illusion.
"We will play defensive counter-attack in the second half."
Ferguson turned around and only said that one sentence. He was scared. Jin Hayes's absurd dribbling and passing overturned the old man's understanding. There would definitely be a drug test after the professional match, and the specific results would be handled by official UEFA staff. But Jin Hayes's unsolvable counter-attacking speed left the old Sir with no way to deal with it.
Although high pressing was effective, there would inevitably be space behind, and space would be exploited.
What was the best way to freeze a fast player? Send a fast full-back?
No, no, no—no matter how fast a full-back was, he would make mistakes. The only way to prevent a fast player from sprinting was to limit his space.
Manchester United only needed to park the bus, hold onto the 3-1 lead, and Jin Hayes's unsolvable counter-attack would naturally lose its threat.
As for his most proficient technical breakthroughs, that was simple. Manchester United had already practiced many sets of defensive coordination tactics before the match. Man-marking Jin Hayes was useless, but they could limit him from getting the ball. No matter where Jin Hayes ran, there would be at least 3 players around him, cutting off his teammates' connection with him.
This would cause Jin Hayes to constantly run, constantly expend energy, and at the same time pull and disrupt Borussia Dortmund's offensive organisation. Borussia Dortmund was not Barcelona; the players' passing and running chemistry was not top-tier in Europe. If they passed the ball more than 10 times, Manchester United wouldn't even need to defend; they would fall into disarray on their own. Then they could look for opportunities to counter-attack.
...
It must be said that Ferguson's control over tactical details lived up to his reputation as a world-class manager. After the second half began, Manchester United voluntarily gave up possession, defended deep, and parked the bus, allowing Borussia Dortmund to control the ball.
No matter how Jin Hayes ran, there was at least 1 person intercepting on the passing routes with his teammates. Jin Hayes ran from left to right, then from right to left, but never had a chance to get the ball. Borussia Dortmund's attack could only be forced to bypass Jin Hayes's position and go to the weak side. But neither Mario Götze on the left nor Jakub Błaszczykowski on the right could break through Manchester United's iron curtain defence, and they were frantically circling outside the box.
Especially Götze, whose weakness of being physically frail at 16 years old was infinitely magnified. Gary Neville constantly used his experience to bully him, and the kid almost doubted life and lost confidence.
"Coach?" Marco Reus could no longer hold back. He rushed to Jürgen Klopp and proactively suggested a substitution. "Let me do it, I need to help my brothers."
"Are your legs really okay? Didn't you say they hurt a bit last time?"
"No problem!"
"Good."
In the 59th minute of the second half, Klopp was preparing to make a substitution, taking off Götze. Just then, the match on the field was suddenly interrupted. Borussia Dortmund players all gathered around.
In a header challenge, Alexander Frei and Nemanja Vidić collided and fell to the ground. The most painful part was that the main striker Frei was clutching his knee in agony, clearly unable to continue. Team doctor Frank quickly led his colleagues forward. A moment later, he was carried off on a stretcher, Frei covering his face, sobbing uncontrollably. At the team's most difficult moment, he needed to step up.
Why!
"Hey! Brother. Leave it to us, you focus on your recovery!"
Jin Hayes could only comfort his teammate in this way. The most urgent matter was, what to do without a centre-forward on the field? The young substitute striker on the bench was fine for league matches, but against a strong team like Manchester United, he couldn't even hold onto the ball.
Although Frei was in a goal drought, he could at least use his experience to shield the ball and set up plays for Jin Hayes. Now that the only centre-forward was down, Borussia Dortmund's glimmer of hope, which had just ignited, was once again extinguished. They faced the awkward situation of having no available striker.
Time was ticking away, and Manchester United's iron curtain defence was watertight. Hope gradually faded. Just as the entire Borussia Dortmund team was dispirited and dejected, Klopp on the sideline frowned, his mind racing. Soon, his glasses flashed like a detective's. Klopp quickly waved Jin Hayes over and whispered a few words in his ear.
"Ah? Can it work? I haven't tried it."
"You try it, I believe in you."
"Okay!"
Klopp's plan was very bold, but perhaps it was Borussia Dortmund's only hope. Soon Borussia Dortmund made a substitution—He Wei was surprised.
"Eh? Borussia Dortmund requests a substitution, bringing on Reus and—İlkay Gündoğan?"
"With the main striker injured and leaving the field, instead of bringing on a substitute striker, they brought on a midfielder, Gündoğan."
"Götze was also substituted, and Reus returned from injury after 5 months, taking his place."
Everyone could understand bringing on Reus, but with 18-year-old defensive midfielder Gündoğan coming on, who would play striker?
Director Zhang narrowed his eyes, looking closely at the big screen. After the restart, when Borussia Dortmund's formation spread out, the commentator finally saw the full picture.
"Oh? Borussia Dortmund actually put Jin Hayes at centre-forward!"
He Wei didn't know how to respond to this. Jin Hayes started as a right winger and was also good at the attacking midfielder position. Because he wasn't known for his finishing, he focused more on linking up play and organising, and through deep dribbling breakthroughs, he would find opportunities to dribble past the defence and score a one-man goal. This was everyone's impression of Jin Hayes.
Jin Hayes had never been seen fighting for headers in the box, or making runs and shooting inside the box. This was completely different from his area of expertise. Was Klopp's bold personnel adjustment out of desperation, or was there another tactical plan? Zhang Lu didn't know, He Wei didn't know, and the fans continued to watch the game with a belly full of questions.
On the other side, Sir Alex Ferguson also had doubts about Borussia Dortmund's adjustments.
"Should we make a substitution?" assistant René Meulensteen was a little worried.
"Not yet." Ferguson sat calmly, knowing that the opponent could not threaten Manchester United for now. He had been afraid of Jin Hayes before. Now, putting Jin Hayes in the most crowded area, the penalty box, made it even harder for him to get the ball. Wouldn't Jin Hayes be even less of a threat?
Ferguson's brow furrowed slightly.
Jürgen Klopp didn't seem like a fool—could there really be some mystery?
Uncertain, he would wait and see.
...
The match had entered a fever pitch. Manchester United had just over 20 minutes left to qualify for the Champions League semi-finals, and Borussia Dortmund was on the brink of a cliff. With an aggregate score of 6-5, a two-goal difference, both teams' players were like two armies on a battlefield that had run out of bullets.
They all fixed their bayonets and charged into the enemy lines—fighting to the death. Manchester United, last season's Champions League winner, Premier League overlord. This was the first time they had been pushed so hard by a non-giant team.
"The midfield battle is very intense. The midfield grinding machine composed of Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick, and Paul Scholes makes it very difficult for Borussia Dortmund to operate."
"Oh? Manchester United also chose to make a substitution! They took off Scholes, who had made several dangerous passes today, and brought on the tough defensive midfielder Darren Fletcher! They continue to strengthen their defensive intensity!"
"After Reus came on, he hasn't been able to pose a threat yet. Returning from injury, he's facing such a difficult battle—Reus still needs some time to adapt."
"18-year-old İlkay Gündoğan—he is also constantly getting entangled with opponents, battling with Fletcher."
"For now, Borussia Dortmund's attack shows no improvement. Jin Hayes playing centre-forward seems to be a last resort? We haven't discovered the meaning of this change yet—"
Commentator Mehmet Scholl was very worried. It was already 70 minutes, and Borussia Dortmund's attack was still like a headless fly. It seemed that they had fallen into disarray and lost their threat to Manchester United?
"Don't rush, let's see—Jin Hayes has already withdrawn from the penalty area, dropping back to the defensive midfielder position."
"Ah?"
"Borussia Dortmund might have found a way."
Although Oliver Kahn was a Germany goalkeeper, as a professional player, he at least had a clearer understanding of tactics. Jin Hayes, from the centre-forward position, had unconsciously dropped back to the centre circle. Nemanja Vidić had already been pulled into midfield by Jin Hayes. Manchester United's backfield temporarily formed a vacuum. If Borussia Dortmund had any offensive plan, now was the time.
Sure enough, just as Kahn expected—Dortmund moved.
Half a month ago, at the Dortmund Training Base. Under the setting sun, a group of young people in yellow training kits were sweating profusely. Just like in those sports moments, Jin Hayes and his companions laughed loudly together, and the entire stadium was filled with the breath of youth.
"Brothers, that wave just now was really good! Well done!"
"Jin, if you play like that in a match, wouldn't you have to pull all the way from the penalty area to the defensive midfield position to start?"
"Yeah, in a real match, would defenders really be pulled out by you?"
"We'll know if we try—if we really lure them out, that's our moment to shine!"
"Good! Then, let Manchester United enjoy the fruits of our training!"
Now, seeing Vidić follow Jin Hayes out of the penalty area, Nuri Şahin, Reus, Jin Hayes, Gündoğan, Jakub Błaszczykowski, and Sebastian Kehl—all Borussia Dortmund players had the same thought simultaneously.
Now is the time.
No need for prior communication, no need for hand signals. The chemistry cultivated during this period made everyone move at the same time. Błaszczykowski immediately charged into the space behind Vidić, right-back Patrick Owomoyela accelerated to overlap, acting as a right winger. Kehl, Şahin, and Gündoğan simultaneously rushed forward.
Şahin, who had possession, backheeled the ball to Jin Hayes, without worrying that he would lose the ball. Facing the pressing of Giggs and Wayne Rooney, Jin Hayes didn't stop the ball, directly turned and flicked the ball with a Marseille turn, shaking off Giggs, and taking advantage of Rooney's charge, he tapped it to Reus on the left.
Reus received the ball and encountered Gary Neville's press. He passed it first-time to Kehl. Kehl faced Carrick, sweeping the ball horizontally with his left foot to Şahin.
"Mark him!!"
Manchester United players simultaneously felt a bad omen. Fletcher quickly rushed over to mark Şahin, Rooney and Giggs rapidly retreated, and the defensive formation began to operate. Şahin didn't hold onto the ball, played it back to Jin Hayes with his back to goal, evading Fletcher's interception.
When Jin Hayes received the ball, Rooney hadn't tracked back into position, and everyone thought he would dribble himself. But Jin Hayes, uncharacteristically, didn't stop the ball with his left foot, and played a through ball—directly to the right flank.
"The space on the right!! Good ball! Owomoyela overlapping!!"
Manchester United was completely pulled apart by Borussia Dortmund's first-time passing. Cristiano Ronaldo and Patrice Evra simultaneously pressed Owomoyela, but as soon as they closed in, Owomoyela swept the ball across the middle without stopping it. Błaszczykowski had already pulled out of the penalty area, and within 1 second of receiving the ball, he played it back. Şahin was already in position. Fletcher rushed to press Şahin, but Şahin passed it horizontally again. Jin Hayes had already made a late run into the box, receiving the ball directly facing the goal.
"It's over! These fools!!" Ferguson saw this scene and couldn't sit still anymore. He stood up, staring blankly at the field. Borussia Dortmund was like a precisely operating machine, everyone rotating and running into position, everyone playing one-touch passes. Manchester United's tight iron curtain defence, each time, was just a hair's breadth away from touching their opponents' shirts. Being led around by the nose by these young men.
Carrick was already anxious. The opponents' continuous passing and combination play meant he couldn't keep up at all. Being two body lengths behind, he could only risk a flying tackle.
"Careful!!"
Just as Jin Hayes was about to be tackled by Carrick, and Manchester United was about to stop this attack, at such a crucial moment, Jin Hayes still maintained absolute composure, making a sudden stop and a V-pull. He pulled the ball back to evade Carrick, then flicked the ball to change direction, going over Carrick's head.
"Beautiful!!!"
Everyone who saw this scene couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
"The young player is truly a big-hearted player!!"
As Neville and Rio Ferdinand rushed towards Jin Hayes with red eyes, he smiled confidently, dribbling to the right to evade Ferdinand, and at the same time, backheeled the ball to the open space on the left, delivering the most deadly sword. Reus, returning to the field after 5 months, burst out from the back, one-on-one with Edwin van der Sar. In his first match back, the blond youth perfectly curled a shot into the far corner, piercing Manchester United's goal.
3-2.
Borussia Dortmund scored two consecutive goals from a desperate situation.
Aggregate score 6-6.