Chapter 330
"The ball goes in!" Manchester City fans cheered at the Etihad Stadium.
The ball went straight to the upper right corner of the goal! 1-1, Manchester City tied the score!
"It's wonderful, Li Lei!" Commentator Keane shouted excitedly: "This young man stood up at the critical moment! His personal ability is really outstanding!"
"I have to say that De Bruyne's assist is also very crucial," another commentator Jones added: "His long pass directly tore through Newcastle United's defense. It gave Li Lei a chance to score alone."
On the court, Manchester City players gathered together to celebrate.
Li Lei was surrounded by his teammates and accepted everyone's congratulations. De Bruyne gave this good friend, the young Chinese superstar, a big hug.
"Great, Li!" De Bruyne shouted in Li Lei's ear: "You are the best!"
Li Lei smiled, but thought in his heart that this was just the beginning.
The game is not over yet, Manchester City needs more goals.
But at this moment, he has to enjoy this moment that belongs to him.
At the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City fans were in a carnival, singing, dancing, and celebrating their team's goal.
Li Lei's goal made Manchester City's coaching staff and players on the bench excited. They jumped up, hugged each other, and celebrated this crucial goal.
Guardiola, the head coach of Manchester City, seemed relatively calm.
He hugged his arms across his chest and nodded with satisfaction.
As an experienced coach, he knew that the game was not over yet.
The score of 1-1 was just a new beginning.
With the referee's whistle, the game resumed.
Manchester City's players seemed to have gained great encouragement from Li Lei's goal.
They continued to maintain a high-intensity attack, wanting to rewrite the score again.
De Bruyne, Silva, Aguero... Manchester City's stars continued to create opportunities on the field.
Their passing and running positions all showed the level of a top team.
However, just when Manchester City was about to take the lead, an accident happened.
During an attack, Sterling suddenly fell to the ground, holding his thigh and rolling in pain.
Manchester City's medical team immediately rushed into the field and began to treat Sterling.
But from Sterling's expression, it can be seen that this does not seem to be a simple injury. His face is full of pain.
Guardiola frowned. As the head coach, he had to make a decision. Under the advice of the medical team, Guardiola decided to replace the injured Sterling with Navas.
"Raz, take a good rest," Guardiola patted Sterling on the shoulder and comforted him: "We will win the game for you."
Sterling forced a smile, and then limped off the field with the help of the medical team.
Navas, the Spanish winger, quickly got into the state. His speed and skills brought new challenges to Newcastle United's defense.
The game, with Manchester City's continuous efforts, came to the overtime stage.
The three minutes of overtime is an opportunity and a test for both sides.
Manchester City wants to win at home; Newcastle United hopes to take away a point.
Finally, with a long whistle from the referee, the first half of the game ended.
The score is still 1-1.
Manchester City's players walked towards the player tunnel with some disappointment.
They knew clearly that they had the opportunity to take the lead in the first half, but the opportunity was interrupted by an accident.
Guardiola seemed relatively calm.
This is only half of the game, the second half is the real test, but the criticism and pressure should still be given.
In the locker room, the atmosphere was a bit heavy, the players lowered their heads, sat quietly, resting and waiting for the coach's lecture.
Guardiola stood in the middle of the locker room, his face serious. He looked around and then said:
"Boys, I am not satisfied with the performance in the first half."
"Yes, we equalized the score, which is good, but we are Manchester City and we are facing Newcastle United."
"We can't be satisfied with a tie, we should dominate the game, we should win the game."
The players raised their heads when they heard this, although they all knew that the coach was right.
As a top team, Manchester City should not be tied by Newcastle United at home.
"In the first half, our defense had problems," Guardiola continued: "We gave the opponent too much space and too many opportunities. This is not our style."
"In the second half, I want to see more compact defense, I want to see"
At this point, Guardiola turned to Fernandinho and Stones, the two central defenders of Manchester City.
"Fernandinho, John, you are the core of our defense. I need you to be alert and organize the defense in the second half. "
"Don't give the opponent any chances."
The two nodded to show that they understood.
Guardiola then turned to the midfielders, De Bruyne, Silva, and Navas.
"Kevin, David, Jesus, you are the engine of our offense. "
"In the second half, I need you to participate more in the offense and create opportunities, especially Kevin, I need you to organize more and pass more in the frontcourt. "
De Bruyne nodded. As the core of Manchester City's midfield, he knew his responsibility.
Li Lei, sitting in the corner of the locker room, quietly listened to the coach's words. As a goal scorer, he should have been the focus of the locker room. But at this moment, his heart was also full of expectations and uneasiness for the second half.
Finally, Guardiola looked at the forwards, Aguero and Li Lei.
"Sergio, Li, you are our goal machines. In the second half, I need you to be more sharp and seize every opportunity. "
"Especially you, Lei," Guardiola pointed out, "You performed well in the first half, please continue in the second half, I believe in you. "
Li Lei nodded firmly. Facing the head coach's trust in him, he was still very satisfied. At least he was not replaced at halftime like before.
"In the second half, we have to play our style," Guardiola concluded, "We have to control the ball, we have to attack, and we have to win the game. "
"I believe in you, I believe we are the best. Now, let's go win!"
"For Manchester City!" the players shouted in unison.
"For Manchester City," Guardiola repeated, "Now, go on the court and let's win the game!"
The players stood up, walked out of the locker room and walked towards the court.
Although the second half will be a tough battle, they also know that they have the ability and determination to win this battle.
The game is about to enter the second half.
Under Guardiola's tactical adjustment and the efforts of the whole team, Manchester City is ready for a sprint to victory.
