Capítulo 193: Devious Tactics!
"The way Ribéry scored that goal was spectacular. Joe Hart's reaction was quick, but he couldn't stop it!"
"Ribéry has been performing better and better these past seasons. With him and Robben, Bayern's wing attacks are unstoppable."
"Yeah, people are saying Ribéry might win the Ballon d'Or this year, and based on his performance in this match, he deserves it."
On the sidelines, Guardiola celebrated enthusiastically, pumping his fist after Ribéry's early goal.
This goal was crucial. With the lead, Manchester City's counterattacks would be less effective.
If City changed their tactics, Bayern's advantage would only grow.
As expected, Manchester City adjusted their strategy after falling behind.
They intensified their pressing up front, and their players started to cover more ground.
This played right into Bayern's hands.
In the 15th minute, Ribéry received a pass from Kroos, cut inside, and created a bit of space before shooting, seemingly trying to replicate his earlier goal.
This time, Joe Hart caught the ball.
Although Hart had been unlucky at times, conceding strange goals, his skills were solid, which is why he remained Manchester City's first-choice goalkeeper.
He wouldn't make the same mistake twice!
During this period, Bayern's attacks were relentless.
Ribéry, Robben, Kroos, Müller, and even defender Alaba all took shots.
From the 7th minute until Alaba's close-range shot from the left side of the box was saved by Hart in the 32nd minute, Bayern unleashed a wave of attacks.
They had seven shots, three on target, in just 25 minutes. Manchester City's goal was under constant threat, and it seemed like they could concede at any moment.
Fortunately, Joe Hart performed exceptionally well during this period, making several crucial saves to keep the score at 1-0.
Despite being on the back foot, Manchester City didn't let Bayern extend their lead.
However, continuously being under pressure wasn't good for City. They needed to find a way to change the current situation.
On the sidelines, Pellegrini pondered how to counter Bayern's tactics.
Guardiola's approach at Bayern differed from his style at Barcelona. Without a player like Messi, he maximized Bayern's strengths on the wings.
Ribéry and Robben's dribbling, cutting inside, and shooting put immense pressure on City's full-backs. The full-backs couldn't join the attack and had to rely on midfielders to help defend.
As a result, City had fewer players up front, limiting their offensive options.
This left Lin and Agüero isolated, easily marked by the opposition.
Lin could hold onto the ball better, but Agüero, positioned further up, had fewer passing options and often lost possession.
With City's two main attacking threats neutralized, their offense struggled.
Pellegrini glanced at the opposite bench, feeling the pressure from Guardiola's effective wing play.
If they couldn't counter this strategy, City would be in trouble.
During a break in play, Pellegrini called Lin over.
"Lin, we need to change our tactics."
Lin nodded, waiting for instructions.
"Do you see Bayern's left-back?" Pellegrini pointed to Alaba, who was near the halfway line.
"In the past thirty minutes, Bayern has launched six attacks from the left. Alaba joined every attack. We need to press their full-backs and cut off their connection with the wingers, or we can't stop their attacks."
Lin understood Pellegrini's plan.
"I know what to do."
Back on the field, Lin relayed the coach's instructions to his teammates.
They nodded, trusting the coach's adjustments.
Guardiola noticed Pellegrini's move and wondered how they would adapt.
Bayern's tactics weren't flawless. Their wing play could be countered by teams with fast, powerful wingers, but City didn't fit that profile.
So, what would Pellegrini do?
The answer came quickly as Lin and Navas switched positions, with Lin moving to the wing.
"This..."
On Bayern's bench, Grand was stunned.
"This looks like Werder Bremen's strategy from last season!"
Lin often played as a right winger for Werder Bremen. At Manchester City, he had more freedom and wasn't confined to one position, especially with Navas already on the right wing.
But today, it was clear he intended to stay on the wing.
Seeing Lin advancing down the right, the defensively minded Ribéry quickly moved to intercept him.
They had faced each other many times on the wing last season, with neither consistently outplaying the other.
This time was no different. Lin quickly dribbled past Ribéry.
Ribéry was good at dribbling but not as adept at defending.
Bayern was wary of Lin's attack, having been warned by Guardiola multiple times that he was City's most dangerous player, requiring extra defensive attention.
Just as Lin got past Ribéry, Kroos moved in, opting to foul and bring Lin down rather than risk losing the ball.
Alaba was too far away. By the time he got there, Lin would be too fast to catch. If Lin also bypassed Alaba, he would have a clear shot at goal.
In this situation, fouling was the safest option.
The referee, having warned Bayern's players for multiple fouls on Lin, couldn't let this one go and gave Kroos a yellow card.
Kroos didn't protest, knowing it was a cumulative yellow for repeated fouls. It was better for him to take the card than someone else.
On the sidelines, Guardiola felt conflicted.
As a coach, he should applaud Kroos' decisive interception.
But as a father, seeing Lin brought down made his heart clench, fearing injury.
Fortunately, Lin brushed off the grass and quickly got up, seemingly unhurt.
Since Bayern's players didn't protest the yellow card or crowd the referee, City had no chance for a quick free kick.
Lin signaled his teammates to move into the box, preparing to make the most of this set piece.
The ball flew into the box, but Bayern's defenders cleared it, preventing any immediate danger.
However, the ball quickly returned to City, with defender Clichy taking a long shot.
Neuer punched the ball away, and Yaya Touré volleyed it back, only for it to deflect off a defender.
With most of Bayern's players in the box, the ball stayed with City.
Navas retrieved the ball but quickly passed to Agüero, under pressure from Bayern players.
Agüero passed it to the right, where Lin, having taken the free kick, was now positioned.
Bayern's defense was momentarily disorganized from the earlier shots.
Seeing Lin with the ball, their focus shifted to him.
"Watch their forwards!"
Martínez rushed towards Lin, but Lin made a passing motion, prompting Martínez to warn his teammates.
But it was too late.
Lin spotted a gap in Bayern's defense and delivered a precise through ball to Agüero in the box.
Agüero, having found a bit of space, received the ball and, with a swift shot, sent it past Neuer from just seven meters out.
In the 35th minute of the first half, Manchester City equalized. Agüero scored, assisted by Lin.
This timely goal lifted the team's spirits.
City's fans erupted in cheers.
"Well done, Agüero!"
"Great job!"
"Super striker, Agüero!"
"Lin's pass was brilliant!"
"What an exquisite through ball!"
Previously dominated by Bayern, the atmosphere at the Etihad had been tense.
Now, with City scoring, the fans felt a sense of relief and excitement.
They began chanting songs for Agüero and Lin, celebrating their impressive play.
Since David Silva's injury, Lin and Agüero's partnership had grown stronger, frequently producing highlights in the Premier League.
City's fans eagerly anticipated the impact of their trio once Silva returned.
On the sidelines, Pellegrini hugged his assistants in celebration of the equalizer.
Guardiola, on the other hand, rubbed his bald head, feeling more unlucky than dejected.
If Bayern had won just one of those earlier duels, City wouldn't have had the chance for repeated shots.
Bayern's defense was usually solid, but under sustained pressure, players lost their positions, creating gaps.
Any other team might not have capitalized on these gaps.
But against Manchester City and Lin, it was inevitable.
After City's celebration, the match resumed.
Inspired by their goal, City finally broke free from Bayern's dominance, enjoying a period of attacking momentum.
Unfortunately, Bayern's defense held firm, and City's efforts didn't result in another goal.
Agüero, eager to win the ball, received a yellow card for fouling Rafinha from behind.
As an attacking player, the yellow card didn't impact him much.
The first half ended with both teams scoring once, leaving them level.
At the start of the second half, neither team made any substitutions.
Riding the momentum from the end of the first half, City launched an early offensive against Bayern.
In the 47th minute, City won a corner.
Lin stood by the corner flag, placed the ball, then stepped away, signaling for a teammate to take it.
Navas saw Lin's gesture and slowly walked towards the corner.
Lin had left the corner area.
Bayern's players thought City was overcomplicating a simple corner kick.
Why not decide on the taker beforehand?
With plenty of time left in the match, they didn't see it as deliberate time-wasting.
Playing at home, City would want to win, not waste time.
However, as Navas approached, Bayern's players relaxed slightly.
Then, suddenly, Lin made a surprising move, rushing back to the corner and kicking the ball along the ground into Bayern's box.
A blue blur emerged from the crowd, sliding in to send the ball into Bayern's net.
Agüero!
He scored twice
!
City led Bayern 2-1!
"Foul!"
"That goal doesn't count!"
Several Bayern players protested to the referee, arguing they weren't ready when the kick was taken.
They questioned the legality, but the referee confirmed the goal.
The decision on who takes the kick is City's choice. Lin's gesture to Navas didn't bind him to the kick.
Bayern's players had been careless.
The referee glanced at Lin, thinking:
How does such a young player have so many tricks?
Could he have learned this from a certain bald coach?
Those who use tactics really have devious minds!
On the sidelines, Guardiola felt wronged: I didn't teach him that!
In fact, even Guardiola wouldn't have thought of such a tactic.
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