During halftime, the most hectic person is always the head coach.
Erik ten Hag was spitting fire, “Lads, what are you doing? Attack! Attack! There’s no more time for you to make mistakes!”
The players sitting down felt uneasy, looking at their passionate coach.
Had he already forgotten? In many recent matches, he prioritized drawing.
If they rushed to press forward, they might be scolded again.
Erik ten Hag felt even more bitter; at the final stage of every season, his available players always felt insufficient.
“Don’t think about the first half. For all the time remaining, I demand that you show Manchester United’s spirit.”
“Our tactics are fine. The opponent’s physical exertion is greater. If we play like this, we will definitely win!”
“Next…”
This time, Erik ten Hag’s pep talk didn’t energize Gao Nuo. He felt a bit uneasy about his tactical arrangements for the second half.
After the baptism of the Challenge Road, he vaguely felt that the second half wouldn’t be so simple.
He imagined himself as a virtual Mourinho, simulating tactical countermeasures for the second half in his mind.
Before going onto the field, Gao Nuo approached his idol.
“Neymar, the pressure in the middle might be a bit high in the second half.”
“No way, the boss already said that Paris Saint-Germain’s personnel and tactics will definitely involve attacks from both wings. At most, the pressure on the ribs will be a bit high, and the boss has already made preparations for that.”
“I don’t think so. I can’t explain it well, but I don’t think the flanks will necessarily be key. If it really is as I say, then you need to seize the opportunities for counterattacks.”
“Alright, kid, the field is ever-changing. Don’t overthink it.”
Neymar’s carefree personality made him a bit casual, and Gao Nuo temporarily put aside his worries.
“Hello, audience friends, welcome back to the live broadcast.”
“Break time is always short. Both teams’ players have returned to the field.”
“Zhan Jun and Zhang will accompany you through the second half of the match.”
As the match began, Zidane on the sidelines touched his bald head, his eyes full of wisdom.
“If Manchester United continues to defend the flanks, then my tactics will succeed.”
“Has Haaland made people forget the terror of Mbappé? We’ll see!”
Ten minutes into the match, Erik ten Hag became increasingly uneasy on the sidelines.
Paris Saint-Germain reversed their attacking focus from the first half, with defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte pushing forward and Gonçalves dropping back.
Strictly speaking, Paris Saint-Germain’s current formation should be 3-5-1-1.
“Hey! Paris Saint-Germain has adjusted their formation. Now Müller is the lone attacking midfielder, Manuel Ugarte and Gonçalves are in midfield, and Fabian is alone in the defensive midfield position. This is a diamond midfield.”
Zhang had some tricks up his sleeve; he and Erik ten Hag noticed the change at roughly the same time.
Zhan Jun immediately voiced the audience’s thoughts, “So, Zhang, what does a diamond midfield mean?”
“Ah, hehe, Zidane is very targeted. Now they are strangling the opponent in midfield defensively, and focusing on central penetration offensively.”
Before Zhang could continue his analysis, the situation on the field suddenly changed.
In the 57th minute, Marquinhos blocked in front of Neymar, “escorting” Manchester United’s cross out of bounds.
Donnarumma took a short goal kick, and Paris Saint-Germain organized an attack.
Fabian passed the ball to Soler on the right, not pushing forward, but firmly holding his position as a defensive midfielder.
Müller and Mbappé had no defensive duties at all in the second half.
They constantly probed between Manchester United’s midfield and defense.
Soler passed the ball to Manuel Ugarte, then quickly pressed towards the byline.
Malacia followed, and Rice also moved towards the flank, ready to assist in defense at any moment.
Manuel Ugarte dribbled towards the right touchline, constantly observing his teammates’ positions.
This made Manchester United even more determined to defend the flanks, and their overall formation shifted to the left.
“Bang!”
Manuel Ugarte suddenly struck a powerful pass, causing Bruno Fernandes, who had stepped up to defend, to instinctively duck his head to avoid the ball.
“Oh no!”
Rice was startled; this pass accurately found a gap in Manchester United’s defense.
Varane and Pau Torres were positioned deep, and the two defensive midfielders were pulled wide.
Müller appeared in the middle of the four defenders, successfully controlled the ball, and waited for the opponent’s next move.
“I’m coming!”
Pau Torres shouted and rushed towards Müller.
The other three began to move in coordination.
Rice and Casemiro moved to assist in defense towards the penalty area.
Varane moved towards the center.
“I see you, go!”
Müller seemed to be waiting for this moment, and with his right foot, he chipped the ball behind Torres.
The ball grazed over his hair, and Pau Torres instinctively jumped but didn’t touch the ball, turning to look at the goal.
Varane and Rice simultaneously rushed towards the ball.
However, a dark blue figure was faster.
Mbappé!
One of the successors to the two GOATs!
The man with the highest authority at Paris Saint-Germain!
The former ceiling of strikers!
To the disappointment of Manchester United fans, Mbappé struck a powerful shot with his right foot!
Nübel’s desperate save was in vain, as the ball flew into the top right corner of the goal.
“Oh—!” Boos couldn’t stop Paris Saint-Germain’s celebration.
The players huddled together, cheering loudly towards the away fans’ stand.
Zidane waved both fists, his tie flung behind his back, elegance completely replaced by passion.
“Hey! Indeed, with this goal, Paris Saint-Germain first feigned an attack on the right, pulling Manchester United’s formation to one side, and then a precise through ball in the middle found Müller.”
“Hey! Manchester United’s central defenders’ defensive cover left space behind them. This chipped pass was brilliant, and Mbappé’s speed advantage was fully utilized, ultimately completing this shot.”
“Oh? Zhang, do you mean this was intentional by Paris Saint-Germain?”
“Hey, I’ll make a bold guess: this was a tactic Zidane had prepared long ago, and the sudden change in formation caught Manchester United off guard.”
Manchester United falling behind again made Gao Nuo’s fans in the live stream worried.
“This is so frustrating. Gao Nuo is attacking, but the defense keeps conceding. How can they win!?”
“It’s really tough, Manchester United can’t carry him!”
“I’ll say it again, Varane and Pau Torres don’t have chemistry. Make a substitution quickly!”
“Strong offense, weak defense? Well, go attack then! For several games in a row, Manchester United’s offense seems to have gone missing!”
“Real Madrid fans are bringing up the old suggestion again: welcome Gao Nuo!”
“If this continues, Manchester United will only be able to entertain themselves with the League Cup.”
Erik ten Hag looked at the other bald head not far away, full of resentment.
“Is this how hair falls out? We’ve already scored by attacking the flanks, and suddenly he changes to attacking through the middle.”
“If I’m not mistaken, the two wing-backs will definitely drop back next, forming another ‘bus.’ I hate the ‘bus’ the most!”
While the coach was lost in thought on the sidelines, Gao Nuo on the field felt a sense of relief.