Chapter 426
Amid the anticipation of fans around the world, the second round of the Manchester Derby in the 2015-2016 season kicked off at Manchester City's home stadium, the Etihad Stadium.
The sun shone through the thin clouds onto the field, and the brilliant light added a bit of brilliance to the fierce match that was about to begin.
At this exciting moment, the cheers and songs of the fans surged like a tide, pushing the atmosphere of the entire stadium to a climax.
The referee on duty stood in the center of the field, with the whistle in his hand shining in the sun.
As he brought the whistle to his mouth and blew the first whistle, the game officially began!
Manchester City (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper: Joe Hart
Defenders: Bacary Sagna (right back), Martin Demichelis (centre back), Eliaquim Mangala (centre back), Gael Clichy (left back)
Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne, Yaya Toure, David Silva
Forwards: Li Lei (winger), Raheem Sterling (winger), Sergio Aguero (forward)
Manchester United (4-4-2)
Goalkeeper: David De Gea
Defenders: Marcos Rojo (right back), Chris Smalling (centre back), Daley Blind (centre back), Mateo Darmian (left back)
Midfielders: Michael Carrick, Juan Mata, Marouane Fellaini, Jesse Lingard
Forwards: Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford
In the Sky Sports live studio, host Roy Keane said with a smile: "We see that the atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium is very warm!"
He paused, pointed to the screen and said: "The director in front gave the starting list of the two teams, let's take a look."
As the camera switched, the lineups of the two teams were shown on the screen.
This is a classic duel, Manchester City's 4-3-3 formation against Manchester United's 4-4-2 formation.
Manchester City's Joe Hart guards the goal, and the experienced Demichelis and the young Mangala are in the back line.
In the midfield, De Bruyne, Yaya Toure and David Silva form a strong trio, while the forward line is a combination of Li Lei, Sterling and Aguero.
For Manchester United, David De Gea is still the insurmountable barrier.
In the back line, Smalling and Blind partner as central defenders, and Rojo and Damian are on the wings.
The midfield quartet consists of Carrick, Mata, Fellaini and Lingard, while the forward line is young Martial and Rashford.
Roy Keane continued: "This is a evenly matched duel, and both teams have sent out their strongest lineups."
"Manchester City derby has never lacked excitement and drama, let's wait and see!"
As the whistle sounded, the players from both sides quickly launched a fierce battle, and the cheers of the fans resounded through the sky again.
Compared with the Manchester City players playing at home, these starting players of Manchester United are a little cautious.
After all, Manchester City's strength is there! This season, Manchester City has led the entire season and demonstrated strong dominance.
Although Manchester United players are also eager to win this derby at the opponent's home, the game has just begun, so it is necessary to be cautious.
However, Manchester City players don't think so.
At the beginning, they launched a fierce offensive, trying to put pressure on Manchester United through a quick attack.
Just a few minutes into the game, Manchester City's right side became the main battlefield for attack.
Li Lei, wearing a blue jersey, quickly became the focus of fans' attention.
He was as fast as the wind under his feet and dribbled the ball like lightning, constantly trying to break through Manchester United's defense.
Whenever he got the ball, the audience in the Etihad Stadium burst into cheers and applause.
Li Lei's speed and skills put Manchester United's left back Matteo Damian under great pressure.
Li Lei's several quick changes of direction and flexible dribbling made Damian unable to defend.
In the seventh minute, Li Lei received De Bruyne's precise through ball on the right, quickly accelerated to break through, shook off Damian, and cut directly into the penalty area.
Manchester United's central defender Chris Smalling hurried to make up for the defense, but Li Lei cleverly knocked the ball back to Yaya Toure who followed.
Toure took a long shot without hesitation, but unfortunately the ball was slightly off the post, but this wave of offensive has made Manchester United's defense nervous.
The Sky Sports commentator said excitedly: "It can be seen that Manchester City is in hot form today! Li Lei's performance on the right is very eye-catching and constantly creates trouble for Manchester United."
"Manchester United needs to adjust quickly, otherwise it is likely to fall into a passive position at the beginning."
As the game progresses, Manchester City continues to strengthen its offensive, while Manchester United is consolidating its defense.Looking for opportunities to counterattack.
Facing the opponents in the same city, these Manchester City players were quite excited.
Whether it was the fight on the field or the cooperation in the offense, they all showed their desire and confidence for victory.
In the 15th minute, Li Lei broke through with the ball on the right, showing his speed and skills again.
Under the pressure of the opponent's defensive players, he swayed his body flexibly and suddenly accelerated to break out of the gap in the defense.
Seeing that Manchester United's defense was about to be blocked, Li Lei jumped decisively and used his head to accurately ferry the ball to the edge of the penalty area.
Kevin De Bruyne had already understood it. He quickly inserted and received Li Lei's header at the edge of the penalty area.
Facing the pressure of Manchester United's defenders, De Bruyne was calm and composed. He shook lightly and passed Daley Blind who tried to block.
Then, he kicked a low shot and the ball flew to the lower right corner of the goal like a sharp arrow.
Although Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea reacted quickly, he still couldn't stop the ball from entering the net.
Thunderous cheers broke out on the field, and Manchester City fans jumped excitedly, waving their scarves and flags.
The score became 1-0, and Manchester City scored the first goal!
