Chapter 372
Gradually, the pace of the game slowed down.
Manchester City players began to pass the ball more often instead of shooting directly, waiting for the final whistle.
However, just as the game was about to end, Sunderland unexpectedly scored a goal.
Although this goal was useless, it at least saved some face for them.
At the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City fans were not frustrated by the loss of the ball.
Instead, they gave Sunderland players some applause.
This is a kind of respect, a gift given to the opponent after Christmas.
Finally, with a long whistle from the referee, the game was over.
4:1, Manchester City won a big victory at home, the players hugged and celebrated, and greeted the fans on the scene.
In the bar, the young fans fell into madness again.
They sang Manchester City's team song over and over again, and some even jumped on the table and started a victory dance.
On this night, in the afterglow of Christmas, Manchester City once again brought them endless joy.
And those young female fans secretly made a wish in their hearts: one day, they will meet Li Lei or De Bruyne and tell them that they are their most loyal fans.
All this happened in this small bar in Manchester.
An ordinary night became different because of Manchester City's victory.
Manchester City defeated Sunderland 4:1 in the first game after Christmas.
This is a belated Christmas gift for the fans. The fans were excited and toasted in the bar.
However, for Manchester City's players, Christmas did not have much rest time. They spent most of their time on the training ground to prepare for the next game.
Three days later, on December 30, Manchester City will go to the King Power Stadium to challenge last season's champion Leicester City.
This is a special journey for Li Lei. This will be his first return to Leicester City after his transfer to Manchester City.
After the training, Li Lei and his teammates came to the multi-functional office.
Sitting on the sofa, watching the game video broadcast on TV.
On the screen, Leicester City players were running on the field, and the familiar blue jerseys brought back countless memories for Li Lei.
Last season, he fought side by side with these teammates and created a miracle in the football world together.
It was an unforgettable time that Li Lei will never forget.
But after that season, everything changed.
The success of Leicester City has attracted the attention of all the big clubs.
They hovered around Leicester City players like sharks, and there were endless offers for Leicester City players in the transfer market.
Leicester City, the dark horse of last season, suffered a heavy blow before the start of the new season.
They lost several key players, including Li Lei.
Li Lei's transfer greatly reduced the midfield strength of Leicester City.
"Hey! Li, how much do you know about Leicester City?" Sterling's voice interrupted Li Lei's thoughts.
Li Lei turned his head and saw Sterling sitting next to him.
Li Lei smiled and said, "Understand? Of course I understand. I was one of them last season."
"But that's all in the past. Now, we are opponents."
Sterling nodded and said, "I played against Leicester City several times when I was at Chelsea last season."
"They are a very tough team. Even if they lose you, their fighting power should not be underestimated."
Li Lei pondered for a moment and said, "You are right."
"Every player of Leicester City has a fighting spirit to never admit defeat. They will not easily admit defeat just because they lost a few players. This game will not be too easy."
Sterling patted Li Lei on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, we have a coach, he is Guardiola."
"With his tactics, we will definitely win this game."
Li Lei and Sterling were whispering about the upcoming game with Leicester City, but did not notice that Guardiola had already started explaining the tactics.
Their whispering obviously attracted the attention of the head coach.
"Hey! Sterling, pay attention!" Guardiola suddenly raised his voice with a hint of displeasure in his tone.
Sterling stiffened his body and showed a helpless expression on his face.
He turned his head to look at Li Lei, his eyes seemed to say: "Why did the coach only call my name and not you?"
Li Lei looked at Sterling's innocent expression and could only shrug helplessly. This was the result of himself and Sterling not paying attention.
The interaction between the two attracted the attention of other teammates in the room. They looked at Sterling and Li Lei and couldn't help butHe couldn't help laughing. It seems that they are not the only ones who are distracted.
Guardiola cleared his throat and continued: "Pay attention! Although Leicester City's strength is slightly weaker this season, they still have two excellent players, Vardy and Mahrez."
"We should not underestimate their performance."
Hearing Guardiola mention Vardy and Mahrez, Li Lei's mood became complicated.
Last season, he fought side by side with these two players and created miracles together.
And now, they are about to become opponents on the court.
Li Lei knows that Vardy's speed and Mahrez's skills are Leicester City's most deadly weapons.
Manchester City's defense must always be vigilant.
"We must limit the performance of Vardy and Mahrez," Guardiola continued.
"Especially Vardy, he is very fast. Once he breaks through our defense, the consequences will be disastrous."
"As for Mahrez," Guardiola said, "his dribbling and passing skills are excellent."
"We must limit his chances of touching the ball and not let him play freely."
Guardiola continued to explain the tactical details, and Li Lei and Sterling also listened attentively.
In the 19th round of the Premier League, Manchester City will challenge Leicester City away.
When the team bus drove into the streets of Leicester City, Li Lei's mood became complicated.
He looked through the window and looked at the familiar street scene outside the window, and memories came like a tide.
A year ago, he was still a hero of this city.
He fought side by side with the players of Leicester City and created a miracle in the football world.
And now, he is about to return to the land he once fought for as an opponent.
The bus stopped outside the King Power Stadium. Li Lei took a deep breath and got off the bus with his teammates.
The moment he stepped onto the field, the surrounding Leicester City fans burst into warm applause.
"Welcome back, Li Lei!"
"Li Lei, we love you forever!"
"You will always be a legend of Leicester City!"
The cheers of the fans continued, and Li Lei felt a surge of blood boiling.
These fans did not resent him for his departure.
On the contrary, they still loved him and respected him because he had brought supreme glory to the city.
"Brother, you are very popular here!" De Bruyne walked up to Li Lei and said, hugging his shoulders.
Li Lei smiled and said, "Of course, the fans here are very powerful! We went through so much together last season, how could they forget me?"
