Capítulo 123: Chapter 123 The Main Guns Of The Battleship Are Ready! Destroy Manchester City!
"Okay! We see that players from both sides have entered the stadium!"
"The second match of Group D in this season's Champions League group stage is about to begin!"
"Su Luo's Union Berlin hosts at the Old Forest Service Stadium, welcoming the Premier League powerhouse Manchester City!"
Many Chinese fans had set their alarms and woke up at 2:40 AM, their eyes sore and heads drowsy. But it didn't stop them from habitually turning on their TVs and computers to watch the game.
Many men with families had to quietly turn down the TV volume, or boys watching football in their dorms put on headphones. Only the lucky few might have wives who joined them to watch the game, or dorm mates who watched the Champions League together.
In recent years, the number of Manchester City fans in the Premier League had gradually increased, but not as much as a few years later. Therefore, on football platforms such as Weibo, Live Bar, and Dianqiudi, most fans still supported Union Berlin. Without Su Luo, who else should they support? With Su Luo there, of course, they supported their own player!
Su Luo had proven his strength. Chinese players could still make Europe tremble! The moment he appeared on the field, he drew cheers from the crowd.
The Match Begins
"Let's give a big round of applause to the captain, No. 10!"
"Su——Lord——"
"Lord! Lord! Lord!"
This chant had become a standard at home games. Fans in China and around the world had learned to shout Su Luo's name along with the crowd on TV. The game day was October 1st, the early hours of National Day, so there was no worry about getting up the next day. Fans could enjoy this football feast to the fullest.
"The home team, Union Berlin, lined up to shake hands with Manchester City players."
"One player to note is Jack Grealish, who was a key player in last season's double-winning lineup for Berlin. Richards was also a main defender for Manchester City."
"In the stands, Berlin fans displayed slogans warmly welcoming Grealish home."
As Zhan Jun commented, he smiled slightly. The slogans were in English, displayed for the world to see.
"Has Grealish regretted it? If not, this game will make him regret it!"
"When we celebrate, don't be tempted to join in."
"Just celebrate your goal; we don't consider you one of us!"
"You betrayed the working class, CNM!"
The fans were full of resentment toward Grealish's money-driven departure. The fans here already hated capitalism, and Grealish had become a class traitor. Some fans even used scenes from the series "Babylon Berlin" to scold Grealish. Su Luo couldn't have imagined that the famous memes in the future would originate from this match. The screenwriter of "Babylon Berlin" had borrowed the fans' slogans.
Jack Grealish couldn't explain himself, so he lowered his head and focused on the game.
"Let's look at the starting lineups for both teams."
"Manchester City is using the popular 4-2-3-1 formation."
"Goalkeeper: Joe Hart!"
"Defenders: Sagna, Kompany, Otamendi, Kolarov."
"Midfielders: Yaya Toure, Fernandinho, David Silva, Grealish, De Bruyne."
"The striker is Aguero, who has scored 6 goals in 6 Premier League games and is in excellent form."
Commentator Zhan Jun paused for a moment. Aguero's performance was phenomenal, but how did it compare to Su Luo's?
"Union Berlin is fielding a lineup known for its attacking prowess."
"Goalkeeper: Fabianski."
"Defenders: Pavard, Richards, Rudiger, Laxalt."
"Midfielders: Kimmich, Naby Keita, Forsberg."
"Forward trident: Sane on the left, Maher Reiss on the right, and Su Luo as the core attacker."
Director Zhang couldn't help but comment, "In this game, the defensive midfielders on both sides are world-class."
"Perhaps people focus more on Manchester City's midfield, but Berlin's midfield is also outstanding."
"Kimmich and Naby Keita are strong defensively and in intercepting the ball, and they can also distribute it well."
"Union Berlin may not seem like a passing team, but their front-line passes are precise!"
Although Director Zhang was known for his outbursts, his tactical and player assessments were professional.
"Indeed," Zhan Jun agreed. "Naby Keita is said to have caught Liverpool's eye. New coach Klopp wants to bring him to Anfield."
As a Liverpool fan, Zhan Jun naturally hoped for his team's revival. Naby Keita was indeed an excellent midfielder.
After analyzing the lineup, Zhang Lu expressed concern about Berlin's defense.
"Their defender Alex is injured, right? And they chose a more attacking left-back..."
Zhang Lu couldn't remember the player's name. Fortunately, Zhan Jun, a walking encyclopedia, continued, "Laxalt was originally a winger and was converted to a full-back by Neuhaus. His defensive issues haven't been fully resolved."
"Due to consecutive away games, Alex might still have physical problems and muscle strain, missing the last two days of training."
Facing a strong opponent, Union Berlin's defense was a concern. Zhang Lu felt they should use Ake, who was younger, stronger, and faster. But Neuhaus trusted his seasoned players from last season.
With the whistle from the French referee, Manchester City's Aguero kicked off.
"Welcome to PP Juli Sports' coverage of the second round of the UEFA Champions League group stage."
"In the first round, Manchester City lost 1:2 at home to Juventus, while Berlin beat Sevilla 5:1 away."
"Union Berlin is currently top of the group, with Juventus second due to goal difference."
"The 'Group of Death' in Group D is the focus of this season's Champions League, and this match could set the tone for future qualifications."
Manchester City started conservatively, retreating to the front of the penalty area after a tentative round of attacks. The two teams were testing each other, but Manchester City clearly showed caution, adopting a defensive and counter-attacking stance.
"Oh? Is Pellegrini trying to emulate Bayern's tactics from the Bundesliga opener?"
Everyone in Europe knew that if Su Luo was given space, he would be hard to stop. It took courage to go head-to-head with Berlin, especially after Bayern's disastrous defeat.
"No way. The best way to limit Su Luo is to deny him space."
"It's understandable for Manchester City to set up a defensive formation," Director Zhang remarked, chuckling.
He couldn't see Manchester City's strategy yet, thinking they were afraid of Berlin's attack and wanted to delay the game. A draw away was better than a loss.
Seeing this, Union Berlin's excitement grew.
The formation had pushed forward considerably, with even Pavard and Laxalt assisting at the edge of the opponent's penalty area.
"Su Luo! A header in the penalty area! Shaking the defense!"
"Joe Hart makes a brave save!"
"Again! Maher Reiss and Pavard's teamwork!"
"A cross into the box! Su Luo goes for the header again!"
"However, under Kompany's interference, the effort falls short!"
After landing, Su Luo looked curiously at Kompany.
The Belgian captain and Manchester City's defensive core stared back fiercely. Even past his peak, Kompany's aerial duel skills were still excellent. Su Luo had tried utilizing the techniques of Harland and Dajirou but couldn't get past Kompany!
"Kompany is still formidable, and along with Otamendi, they're effectively neutralizing Su Luo's headers."
Pellegrini displayed a cunning smile on the sidelines.
"I knew you'd go for headers. Luckily, we have Kompany."
At his peak, Kompany was the world's best defender, especially in aerial duels. Paired with Otamendi, another top-notch central defender, they could withstand Union Berlin's high crosses!
After several attempts, Su Luo still hadn't managed to break through. Union Berlin's morale began to dip slightly.
"After 15 minutes, Union Berlin seems too reliant on high balls."
"Under the control of Manchester City's central defenders, Su Luo's potent headers have been contained."
Zhan Jun looked anxious. Why was Manchester City's defense so impregnable? Coupled with Fernandinho and Yaya Toure's control in the midfield, Forsberg, Kimmich, and others struggled to get the ball to Su Luo.
They had four attempts at goal, but only the first one was on target. The other three missed entirely. Union Berlin seemed to have hit an impenetrable wall. The home fans could immediately sense Manchester City's strength. Despite being a quasi-elite team, they played defensively, like a turtle hiding in its shell.
"Come on, everyone! Let's make some noise!"
At a crucial moment, Uncle Hans stood up, rallying the fans to sing the team song in unison. In their team's most challenging moment, the home fans had to step up!
"Iron Union! Indomitable! Sing out! Follow the Iron Union! We advance endlessly from the department of Berlin! Steel Union, fighting side by side!"
Simultaneously, the familiar giant tifo reappeared, depicting a massive image of Su Luo, intimidating Manchester City's players.
Grealish felt particularly moved. Last season, he played here as a home team player, basking in the boundless energy. Now, as an opponent, his first reaction was fear. Though the Old Forest Management Stadium only held 20,000 people, the atmosphere rivaled any larger venue. This was Union Berlin! This was the Steel Union!
The intimidating atmosphere slightly weakened Manchester City's resolve. The fans' unified singing also revived Su Luo. He had been so preoccupied with competing against Kompany and Otamendi that he nearly forgot his other strategies.
"Once, twice, three times... Should be enough?"
Su Luo counted his shots. There was no clear signal, but he felt it should be enough to trigger the law of causality buff. He looked at Naby Keita, who was being limited by David Silva near the middle circle. Kimmich, Forsberg, Sane, and Maher Reiss were all marked closely. Fernandinho and Toure were sweeping around, restraining them. Manchester City had formed a solid cage, sealing Berlin's front line inside. Someone had to break the deadlock!
Su Luo quickly sprinted back, rushing out of the penalty area.
"Keita, no way to pass forward, will he pass it back?"
Just as Zhan Jun finished speaking, Naby Keita glimpsed Su Luo's red figure darting. Trusting Su Luo, he passed the ball without hesitation.
"Su Luo! He rushes out of the penalty area and receives the ball!"
"But Yaya Toure is right beside him!"
The strong, imposing midfielder approached like a tower. If Su Luo was tackled, Toure could quickly advance and launch a deadly counterattack. At this critical moment, Su Luo feigned to catch the ball, tricking Toure into shifting his center of gravity. Then, he let the ball slip through his feet!
"Su Luo! Beautiful! A clever dummy and turn!"
He bypassed Yaya Toure as Fernandinho came sliding in. Facing Fernandinho's challenge, Su Luo's back suddenly felt a surge of heat! The law of causality was triggered!
"Here it comes!"
Su Luo calculated correctly! He grinned menacingly at the Manchester City players.
"Have you forgotten? Heading is my least effective form of attack?"
Ignoring Fernandinho's tackle, Su Luo instantly activated Harland's possession!
"Battleship main gun level 1 ready! Vigorously miracle!"
Fernandinho: "Danger!"
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