Capítulo 175: Maxing Out Injury Immunity Talent!
After David Silva was subbed off due to injury, Pellegrini brought on James Milner, wearing number 7.
This was a direct substitution. At this time, Milner was still a winger for Manchester City, not yet the defender he would become at Liverpool.
Lin didn't pay attention to the substitution on the sidelines. He grabbed the ball and placed it on the penalty spot, intending to take the penalty himself.
The team's primary penalty taker was Yaya Touré. Seeing Lin at the penalty spot, Touré felt a bit displeased.
However, since Pellegrini showed no objection to Lin taking the penalty, Touré had to suppress his dissatisfaction.
Newcastle's goalkeeper, Krul, intensely watched Lin's every move, noticing that Lin seemed unusually emotional. This gave Krul some ideas.
Compared to Lin, Krul was a relatively unknown goalkeeper.
But if he could save this penalty, he could become famous overnight.
Next year was a World Cup year, and as a backup for the Dutch national team, Krul desperately needed a standout moment to boost his fame.
Clearly, Lin was his stepping stone to fame.
So, before the referee blew the whistle, Krul loudly taunted Lin:
"Kid, let me test your skills and see how good you really are!"
He then jumped in place, giving the impression that he had everything under control.
Lin didn't even glance at him, as if Krul's taunts were nothing but dog barks.
This dismissive gesture enraged Krul.
"Kid, just wait. When I save your penalty, you'll be crying!"
Krul eagerly anticipated seeing Lin's face after he saved the penalty.
That would be quite a sight.
Krul's overall ability wasn't particularly strong, but he was good at saving penalties.
In Lin's previous timeline, Krul famously saved two penalties in the 2014 World Cup quarter-final against Costa Rica, helping the Netherlands reach the semi-finals.
The Dutch team brought him on specifically to save penalties.
Krul's secret was his ability to read opponents' muscle movements and predict their shot direction, allowing him to dive early.
He planned to use this skill against Lin now.
Lin took several steps back, exiting the penalty area, and began his run-up.
One step, two steps, three steps...
Krul counted Lin's steps, predicting which foot Lin would use to shoot based on his stride.
Seventh step, left foot!
If he shot with his left foot, the ball would go to the right side of the goal, Krul's left!
With this thought, Krul moved a step to his left just as Lin touched the ball with his left foot on the seventh step.
"Kid, I've got you figured out. You're done!"
Krul felt smug as he launched himself to his left, imagining the moment when he saved Lin's penalty, becoming a hero celebrated by the media.
What a beautiful moment that would be!
The ball flew up almost simultaneously, heading towards the goal.
But instead of going to the right, it went straight down the middle.
Krul's eyes widened in disbelief!
How could it be?
A left-footed Panenka penalty?
The ball slammed into the net, and the Etihad Stadium erupted in cheers.
The fans stood up collectively, applauding Lin.
Manchester City's players ran to Lin to celebrate.
But Lin refused to celebrate.
After scoring, he quickly ran towards Newcastle's goal.
While Krul was still lying on the ground, questioning reality, Lin fished the ball out of the net.
Under the astonished gazes of both Manchester City and Newcastle players, Lin carried the ball to the center circle, placing it on the kick-off spot and standing behind it, waiting for the restart.
Both teams were dumbfounded. What was going on?
Why was he in such a hurry to resume play?
Usually, this kind of behavior is seen when the trailing team is desperate to equalize, trying to save time for a possible comeback.
But Manchester City was leading, right?
Newcastle players glanced at the scoreboard, the 2-0 score glaring back at them.
Yes, they were trailing. So why was the opposing player in such a rush to attack?
Did Manchester City think two goals weren't enough and wanted to score more?
Manchester City's players and fans quickly understood Lin's actions.
The fans reacted with loud cheers for Lin.
"That's the way to do it!"
"Score more and teach them a lesson!"
"Make them remember the Etihad as a place of misery!"
In unison, the nearly 50,000 Manchester City fans chanted:
"Crush Newcastle!"
The entire stadium filled with an intense atmosphere of battle and revenge.
Inspired by the fans, Manchester City players quickly ended their celebration and returned to their positions, ready to attack again.
Winning by two goals wasn't enough!
If they were to win, they wanted to win big and make sure Newcastle remembered not to mess with the Blue Moon!
Newcastle players' expressions turned serious as they felt the burning determination from their opponents.
Many were intimidated by the hostile atmosphere at the Etihad, which now felt like one of Europe's notorious fortresses.
They sensed trouble, fearing they wouldn't leave the Etihad unscathed today!
Thus, a peculiar scene unfolded on the field.
The leading Manchester City hurried back to their positions, eager to resume play.
Meanwhile, the trailing Newcastle players dawdled and hesitated until the referee urged them to return to their positions.
Tweet!
The referee's whistle blew, and Manchester City immediately launched an attack.
Lin passed the ball to Agüero and quickly moved forward.
Agüero's pass followed, and Lin took the ball straight down the flank.
Mbemba felt as if he were facing a formidable enemy, sensing that Lin was coming for him.
Not only did he feel this, but Newcastle's other players also noticed Lin's determined aura.
Gouffran and Ben Arfa both moved to the flank to support Mbemba, planning to double-team Lin and end the attack.
Manchester City's strength lay in their teamwork, and if Lin intended to take them on alone, they'd welcome the challenge.
Defending one player was easier than defending an entire team.
No matter how good he was, could he single-handedly break their entire defense?
No way, absolutely not!
With teammates' help, Mbemba's confidence grew.
He aggressively charged towards Lin, spewing trash talk along the way.
"Kid, you want to avenge your teammate?"
"Haha, what a joke! You think you can take on our whole defense alone?"
"Dream on, you're just humiliating yourself!"
Hearing the trash talk, Lin calmly raised his head and glanced at Mbemba:
"Are you done talking?"
"Huh?"
Mbemba was surprised Lin responded.
This piqued his interest.
He couldn't match Lin in skill, but in trash talk, he felt unbeatable!
But just as he prepared for a verbal duel, Lin took advantage of his distraction and effortlessly dribbled past him.
After passing Mbemba, Lin cut inside. Gouffran, rushing too fast, was also easily bypassed.
Center-backs Taylor and Coloccini, sensing danger, moved to block Lin, preventing a shot.
But Lin was faster, dragging the ball sideways and creating a shooting angle about 25 meters from the goal.
Unfortunately, his shot went slightly over the crossbar, landing in the stands.
Though this attack didn't result in a goal, Lin's run still posed a significant threat to Newcastle's goal.
"Stay focused! That kid's dribbling is excellent. Lose concentration, and he'll pass you easily!"
Teammates scolded Mbemba. He was largely responsible for the game's current state.
"My bad, I won't lose focus again!"
Mbemba, feeling his teammates' blame, quickly admitted fault.
He dared not argue, knowing it would only backfire.
Seeing Lin's intent, Pellegrini frowned.
Solo plays weren't part of his plan.
So he sent instructions for players to support Lin on the right, ensuring he wasn't fighting alone.
In the 33rd minute, Manchester City attacked again, and Lin received the ball on the flank.
Just like before, he targeted Mbemba.
But this time, Manchester City had two players supporting Lin.
Milner was ready to assist from behind, and Agüero drew defenders forward, preventing them from double-teaming Lin.
With teammates' help, Lin faced Mbemba one-on-one.
Feeling immense pressure without his teammates' support, Mbemba lowered his center of gravity, blocking Lin's path inside, forcing him outside.
But Lin's quick moves and feints left Mbemba bewildered, allowing Lin to easily pass him.
Seeing Mbemba, the culprit behind Silva's injury, humiliated by Lin, the fans erupted in laughter and mockery.
"Garlic head, where's your defense?"
"Haha, idiot, you're worse than dirt against Lin!"
"A scarecrow would defend better than you!"
"Go home and raise pigs instead of playing professionally!"
The fans likened Mbemba's odd hairstyle to a garlic bulb, mocking him relentlessly.
Already frustrated by Lin's dribble, Mbemba's anger intensified with the fans' jeers.
These Manchester City fans were pushing him too far!
Just wait, he thought, imagining injuring their star and wiping their smiles away!
After bypassing Mbemba, Lin passed to Agüero for a one-two.
Though they hadn't played together long, both had high football IQs and understood how to coordinate effectively.
Receiving Agüero's pass at the edge of the box, Lin feigned a drive, causing Newcastle players to backpedal.
But instead of charging ahead, he passed to Milner on the wing.
Following Pellegrini's tactics, Milner supported the attack from the flank.
Arriving near the byline, Milner received Lin's pass.
Before Newcastle defenders could intercept, Milner crossed into the box.
Lin, running diagonally
, flicked the ball with his heel.
Unmarked, Agüero smashed it home, making it 3-0.
This goal showcased Manchester City's teamwork, Milner's cross, Lin's imaginative back-heel, and Agüero's powerful shot.
Seeing the goal, Pellegrini applauded from the sidelines.
This was the attacking play he wanted!
Earlier, he feared Lin would lose his cool and engage in personal duels with defenders. But Lin quickly proved him wrong.
Pellegrini relaxed, realizing Lin wasn't one to act on impulse.
Coaching such a calm, skilled, and versatile player felt like a blessing.
Accepting the Manchester City job now seemed like a wise decision.
After scoring, Agüero ran to high-five Lin.
"Great pass, Lin! How did you think to pass like that?"
Curious, Agüero asked about Lin's thought process.
"Well, I knew you were behind me. With two defenders on me, I had no space to turn. So, I decided to back-heel it, giving you the ball and deceiving the defenders."
"That's brilliant! You're amazing!"
Agüero admired Lin's quick thinking. Judging his position and making a perfect pass without looking required exceptional skill.
Despite Lin saying he acted on instinct, Agüero believed he'd noted his position beforehand, making a calculated pass.
Seeing Lin assist Agüero for another goal, Mbemba's mood worsened.
This third goal was partly his fault.
If the game ended 3-0, he'd be the scapegoat.
Mbemba's frustration peaked, glaring at Lin with malice. If I can injure Silva, I can injure you too!
In the 40th minute, Lin received the ball on the right flank again.
Mbemba seized the chance, tackling Lin from behind.
The tackle aimed at Lin's ankle felt like hitting steel.
Mbemba screamed in pain!
"Ahhh!"
Lin also fell but quickly got up.
The referee ran over and showed Mbemba a red card.
This player fouled blatantly, even under my watch. Earlier, I spared him with a yellow. But he dared to foul again, this time a back tackle. Enough was enough.
Issuing the red card, the referee ordered Mbemba off and turned to check on Lin.
To him, Lin was the real victim. How could Mbemba injure himself with his own tackle?
"Can you continue? If not, I'll call for a stretcher."
Two injured Manchester City players in one match could escalate issues with the FA.
Imagining the fallout, the referee decided to report Mbemba for further punishment.
Expecting Lin to be seriously hurt, the referee was surprised when Lin jumped up, testing his ankle.
"Ref, I'm fine. No stretcher needed!"
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