Chương 35: Different Man City
The second half kicked off with Manchester City determined to shift the momentum. The thunderous roar of Camp Nou filled the air, a daunting backdrop for any visiting team. Yet, City's players looked composed, their focus razor-sharp as they moved with purpose, ready to execute Pellegrini's meticulous plan.
Kenneth's introduction brought a new dimension to City's attack. The team transitioned into a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Kenneth on the right wing, Silva operating centrally, and Milner patrolling the left. However, the setup was far from rigid—Pellegrini had granted Kenneth and Silva the freedom to roam and interchange positions, a strategy designed to unsettle Barcelona's typically disciplined defense.
City began the half with patience, calmly building from the back, refusing to be hurried by the occasion. Kolarov picked up the ball on the left but immediately sensed Messi closing in. Without hesitation, he lofted a precise long pass to Milner, who had dropped deep to offer support.
Milner controlled the ball effortlessly, using his body to shield it from Alves. With a deft touch, he nudged the ball to Touré, who was positioned in the heart of midfield. Touré surveyed the field with his trademark composure, spotting an opening and delivering a perfectly lofted pass toward the right flank.
Kenneth was waiting, and his first touch was flawless, the ball glued to his feet. Alba closed in, but Kenneth didn't rush. He knew a foot race wouldn't suffice against the speedy left-back. Instead, Kenneth methodically dribbled toward the center, scanning for gaps in Barcelona's backline.
The opening came when Piqué instinctively shifted to track Agüero's movement. It was a slight adjustment, but enough for Kenneth. Seizing the moment, he threaded a cutting through ball between Piqué and Mathieu, its precision and pace leaving the defenders scrambling.
Agüero pounced, accelerating into the space with his usual sharpness, his body leaning forward as he outpaced the defenders. As he approached the penalty area, Ter Stegen quickly stepped off his line, his frame widening to close down the angle.
Agüero struck with power, aiming for the top-right corner. The shot was clean and destined for the net, but Ter Stegen reacted with stunning reflexes, diving to his left and getting just enough of a touch to deflect the ball. It ricocheted agonizingly close to the post before rolling out of play.
"Ter Stegen denies Agüero!" Martin Tyler's voice boomed through the commentary. "What a world-class save to keep Barcelona in front!"
"That's outstanding," Gary Neville added. "Agüero couldn't have done much more—it was a brilliant run, a perfectly timed shot, but Ter Stegen just refuses to be beaten."
The close call energized City. On the pitch, their confidence grew. On the sidelines, Pellegrini clapped his hands, urging his players to maintain their focus. Despite the miss, the team knew they had cracked Barcelona's defense. Another chance would come—it was only a matter of time.
Players like Kompany and Touré made their way into Barcelona's box for the resulting corner, determined to capitalize on their momentum. Silva stood over the ball, his sharp eyes analyzing the movement in the crowded penalty area.
Silva delivered a curling cross with pinpoint accuracy, targeting the far post. Kompany and Piqué rose simultaneously, both challenging for the ball. Kompany's strength and timing won the duel, directing a powerful header toward goal.
Once again, Ter Stegen leaped to the rescue, diving to his right to parry the ball. It dropped into the six-yard box, creating chaos as Jordi Alba rushed to clear it. However, Kenneth, quick and decisive, intercepted.
In one fluid motion, Kenneth dragged the ball back, turned sharply, and unleashed a ferocious shot. The stadium collectively held its breath as the ball smashed against the post, the loud clang echoing heartbreak for City's fans.
"Kenneth was inches away!" Tyler cried. "What an effort, but the post denies him!"
"These are the moments City need to convert," Neville added. "They're creating chances, but you don't get many against a team like Barcelona."
The double chance left the Barcelona crowd uneasy. The home supporters grew restless, while City's players felt the momentum tilting in their favor.
Ter Stegen carefully placed the ball on the edge of his six-yard box, his eyes scanning the field for options. City's relentless pressing had effectively closed off his usual short passing outlets, forcing the Barcelona keeper to adjust his approach. With no better choice, he launched a powerful long ball toward midfield.
The ball hung in the air, its trajectory drawing attention to the inevitable clash. Kompany and Suárez locked onto each other, each bracing for the aerial duel. Kompany, leveraging his strength and impeccable timing, rose higher, meeting the ball with a commanding header. His effort sent the ball down neatly into the path of Fernandinho.
The Brazilian midfielder controlled it with ease, his touch precise and assured. He quickly assessed his surroundings before sliding the ball to Touré, positioned to continue the build-up. Touré, ever composed, took a moment before spotting Silva dropping deeper to provide support.
Touré's pass reached Silva, but before the Spaniard could secure possession, Mascherano charged in with a thunderous tackle. Silva tumbled to the ground as the referee's whistle pierced the air, signaling a free kick for City.
Touré stepped up, the responsibility now on his shoulders. He stood over the ball, his expression focused and intent. After a measured run-up, he struck the ball cleanly. The shot had power, but it lacked the precision needed, soaring over the crossbar and dissipating the promising chance.
"A wasted opportunity there," Martin Tyler remarked, his tone tinged with disappointment. "Touré had the range but just couldn't keep it down."
Just minutes later, Barcelona launched a lightning-quick counterattack. Iniesta timed his interception perfectly, stealing the ball from Touré before finding Messi. The Argentine maestro advanced deliberately, scanning the field as he dribbled. Spotting Alba's unmarked run down the left, Messi delivered a precise pass into the space ahead of him.
Alba reached the ball inside the penalty area and fired a stunning first-time volley. It was headed straight for the top corner, but Joe Hart, with incredible reflexes, dove full stretch to parry it away.
"Hart saves City again!" Tyler roared. "What a vital stop!"
"Joe Hart is keeping City in this game single-handedly," Neville remarked. "He's been nothing short of heroic tonight."
The play resumed with Sagna taking a quick throw-in to Kenneth, who immediately felt Jordi Alba pressing tightly against him from behind. Despite the intense pressure, Kenneth stayed composed, using his body to shield the ball. He opted for a calculated move, dribbling back toward his own half before laying it off to Fernandinho.
After releasing the ball, Kenneth sprang forward, signaling for the next attack. Fernandinho exchanged a sharp one-two with Touré before threading a pass to Silva, who had positioned himself centrally. Silva's first touch was exquisite as he spun past Mascherano with a fluid turn, suddenly accelerating down the right flank.
"Brilliant from Silva! That's what he's capable of," Tyler exclaimed, his voice rising.
Kenneth, attuned to Silva's movement, made an incisive cut inside, causing confusion among Barcelona's defenders. Silva, dragging Mascherano out of position, waited for the perfect moment to release the ball. Spotting Kenneth unmarked, he played a precise pass into his path.
Kenneth, wasting no time, delivered a beautifully weighted through ball to Milner, who had surged past Alves on the left wing. Milner reached the ball first, his pace giving him just enough separation to whip a low, driven cross into the penalty area.
"Here it comes!" Tyler's voice heightened as the ball skimmed across the box.
Agüero, perfectly positioned, lunged to connect, but the ball evaded his outstretched foot by mere inches, leaving City fans gasping in collective frustration.
"They're so close!" Neville said, almost breathless. "Agüero's timing was perfect—he just needed a fraction more reach!"
But the play wasn't over. Silva, hovering near the edge of the box, read the situation and intercepted the clearance. In one smooth motion, he chipped the ball delicately toward Kenneth, who was stationed in the heart of the penalty area.
Kenneth adjusted his body mid-air, twisting with remarkable agility to execute a stunning bicycle kick. The shot had power and precision, but Ter Stegen, perfectly positioned, reacted instantly, catching the ball cleanly.
"OH MY WORD! Kenneth with the audacity of a bicycle kick!" Tyler roared. "But Ter Stegen… what a save!"
"That's outrageous!" Neville chimed in, his excitement palpable. "Kenneth goes for the spectacular, and Ter Stegen just denies him like it's nothing. Unreal."
As Ter Stegen clutched the ball to his chest, the Barcelona keeper's calm composure was a stark contrast to the electrified atmosphere. The City players threw their hands up in disbelief, while their fans groaned at another missed opportunity.
"City are pulling out all the stops here," Tyler remarked, his tone reflecting both admiration and exasperation. "They're throwing everything at Barcelona, but Ter Stegen refuses to be beaten tonight."
"It's incredible football," Neville said. "City are showing so much heart and creativity, but they need to find that cutting edge to convert these chances. You can't keep letting Barcelona off the hook like this."
Kenneth jogged back into position, his frustration giving way to determination. The chances were coming, and he was certain their moment would arrive.
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