Chapter 379
As the commentary sounded, the fans' attention was focused on the green field again.
Manchester City began to gradually control the rhythm of the game in the second half, which did not escape the eyes of the head coach Guardiola on the sidelines.
He saw that the team's offense began to become smooth and methodical under the leadership of Li Lei.
The passing was more accurate, the running position was more reasonable, and some cracks began to appear in Leicester City's defense.
Guardiola has realized that this is a good opportunity to expand the advantage, and he decided to further strengthen Manchester City's offensive through substitutions.
So Guardiola turned to the bench and shouted to the warm-up area: "Navas, go warm up!"
Javier Navas is an amazingly fast Spanish winger who is good at using his speed advantage to create threats on the wing.
Guardiola believes that the addition of Navas can bring new vitality to Manchester City's offense.
At the same time, Guardiola also noticed that David Silva's state on the field began to decline.
As a midfielder master over 30 years old, Silva showed his excellent skills and vision in the first half.
But as the game progressed, his physical fitness began to have some problems and he could not keep up with the high-intensity rhythm of the second half.
The experienced Guardiola knew that at such a critical moment, he had to make a decisive decision.
Leaving a player in poor condition may affect the overall performance of the team.
In the 74th minute, Manchester City took the lead in making substitutions.
Javier Navas stood up from the bench, took off his training vest, and stepped onto the green field amid the cheers of the fans.
At the same time, David Silva slowly walked to the sidelines and handed over to Navas.
Silva hugged Guardiola and accepted the comfort and encouragement of the head coach.
I have done my best today and contributed to the team. Now it is time for the young people to play.
Navas quickly integrated into the game.
He kept attacking on the right and used his speed to create huge pressure on Leicester City's defense.
His breakthroughs and crosses also created many opportunities for Li Lei and other Manchester City players.
With the addition of Navas, Manchester City's offense became more sharp and varied.
Leicester City began to have to put more people on defense, which also gave Manchester City's midfield more space to control the ball.
The balance of the game is further tilting towards Manchester City. The game is still going on, but Manchester City has taken the initiative.
Although Manchester City has the advantage in the game, they have never been able to convert this advantage into goals.
The numbers on the scoreboard still show 1-1 coldly, which is undoubtedly a torment for Guardiola and Manchester City.
Seeing that the game is about to enter the last ten minutes, Guardiola knows that he must work harder. This may be Manchester City's last chance to turn the situation around.
In the 86th minute, Guardiola made another substitution adjustment.
This time, he chose to replace Raheem Sterling with the young forward Kelic Iheanacho.
Sterling has been running for most of the game, and his physical strength has obviously declined, which has affected the sharpness of Manchester City's attack.
Iheanacho is a dynamic young striker who has been waiting on the bench for a long time.
When he learned that he was going to play, he showed an excited expression on his face. This may be his best chance to prove himself.
Guardiola's tactical intention is very obvious. He hopes to use Li Lei's retreat to create more space for the two wingers.
The speed of Iheanacho and Navas will be an important weapon for Manchester City to attack Leicester City's gate at the last moment.
But Guardiola's little calculation seems to have been seen through by Claudio Ranieri, the opposite Leicester City coach.
Seeing Manchester City's substitution adjustment, Ranieri responded immediately. He did not choose to strengthen the offense, but decided to consolidate the defense.
Ranieri walked to the sidelines and gestured to Danny Simpson, a player on the bench.
Simpson is an experienced right-back. His joining will undoubtedly make Leicester City's defense more stable.
With Simpson's appearance, Leicester City's formation has changed subtly.
They changed from the original 4-4-2 to a more conservative 5-3-2.
The three central defenders formed a solid barrier, and the two full-backs were responsible for blocking Manchester City's wing attacks.
Ranieri's adjustment was effective immediately, and Manchester City's attack began to become difficult.
Iheanacho and Navas kept trying to break through on the wing, but they were often blocked by Leicester City's defenders.
Li Lei's retreat also became less smooth, and he was often entangled by Leicester City's midfielders.
As the game time passed, Manchester City's offense could not make a breakthrough.
The fans' hearts were gradually lifted, and they looked at the field anxiously, hoping to see a miracle happen.
Although Leicester City's defensive formation became tighter, they could not completely block Manchester City's final crazy attack.
Li Lei, De Bruyne, Iheanacho and Navas, the four Manchester City attackers, continued to connect and cooperate on the field.
In the injury time, Manchester City's offense reached its peak.
They shuttled around Leicester City's penalty area frantically, looking for any possible opportunities.
Li Lei constantly dispatched the team's offense in the middle, sometimes retreating to the midfield, and sometimes rushing to the front of the penalty area.
His running created a lot of space for De Bruyne and the two wingers.
De Bruyne is the core of Manchester City's offense. His pass can always accurately find the position of his teammates.
His vision also made Leicester City's defense difficult.
Iheanacho and Navas kept attacking on both sides. Their speed and breakthroughs brought great pressure to Leicester City's defenders.
Their crosses always created dangerous opportunities.
Leicester City's players tried their best to stop Manchester City's attack.
But facing the crazy attack of Manchester City's four attackers, they gradually became powerless.
Finally, at the last moment of the game, a miracle happened.
De Bruyne got the ball in the midfield, he quickly moved forward, and Leicester City's defense was a little scattered by his breakthrough.
With the follow-up of the opposing defensive players, the ball was passed to Navas on the right.
Navas did not hesitate at all, he quickly dribbled the ball and got rid of the defender defending him.
Just when Navas was about to cross, Li Lei had been waiting in the center of the penalty area for a long time.
His position was very good, just avoiding the defense of Leicester City's defenders.
Navas' cross was accurate, and the ball drew a perfect arc and went straight to the center of the penalty area.
Li Lei jumped high, his action was full of strength and determination.
At this moment, all Manchester City fans held their breath, and time seemed to freeze at this moment.
Bang! Li Lei's header hit the lower right corner of the goal.
