While the opponents celebrated, Gao Nuo stood in the center circle and closed his eyes.
He began to simulate the upcoming match in his mind.
“Deep defense or continue to attack?”
“The goal conceded just now was a bit sudden.”
“It must have been planned. Zidane really dares to gamble. This tactic is too physically demanding. If those two goals hadn't gone in, Paris Saint-Germain would have been pretty much finished.”
“So, their physical exertion is too great; it will definitely be a deep defense!”
“If Paris Saint-Germain's two wings don't push up, simply defending the middle won't be a big problem.”
“But our offense won't be able to get going either, and the match will fall into a stalemate.”
“If I were Mourinho.”
“I would definitely use myself as a pivot to organize attacks to both sides.”
“Early crosses and set pieces will definitely be key.”
“If we can equalize, the opponent will definitely push up again.”
“With the flanks exposed, counter-attacks will focus on the wings.”
“That's right, Mourinho will definitely arrange it this way.”
“I just don't know if there's enough time.”
“Beep—!”
The Referee's whistle woke Gao Nuo. The opponents were ready, and Manchester United kicked off.
He kicked the ball to his own midfield, and the match continued.
Paris Saint-Germain, as analyzed by several people, indeed retracted their formation to a 5-3-1-1.
In the 65th minute, Casemiro's long-range shot flew over the crossbar.
Manchester United made substitutions, with Vanderson and Casemiro coming off to rest.
Wolf and midfielder Ward-Prowse came on as substitutes.
At the same time, Erik ten Hag's instructions were brought onto the field by the two.
As expected, wing play, long-range shots, and set pieces.
The three-piece set for breaking down defenses.
In the 71st minute, Paris Saint-Germain counter-attacked, and Fabian cleared the ball with a long pass to the front.
At this point, Manchester United was somewhat frantic, pressing high without regard for stamina.
Paris Saint-Germain didn't want any unnecessary complications; quickly clearing the danger was the top priority.
Mbappé fell under the challenge of Varane and Pau Torres.
A fair collision, the Referee made no call, and possession changed.
Rice received the ball and immediately passed it to the left.
Malacia and Rashford combined to push forward.
Paris Saint-Germain's defense was very solid.
Kimpembe and Gonçalves blocked the cutting-in lines.
Soler prevented the opponents from easily crossing.
Indeed, as Paris Saint-Germain had set up, Rashford, whose attempt to cut in failed, passed the ball to Malacia, who had overlapped. The latter's cross from the byline was not of high quality due to the opponent's influence.
Gao Nuo, battling a double-team in the box, couldn't get to the ball.
Marquinhos cleared with a long kick, Manchester United regained possession, and reorganized their attack.
Seeing his team passing the ball in their own half, Gao Nuo felt very anxious.
“The boss's tactics have a problem. The captain isn't up front today, there's a lack of support in the middle, and the overlapping runs on the wings aren't effective.”
“Let's try my method!”
Having made up his mind, Gao Nuo dropped back to midfield to ask for the ball.
Rice had intended to continue passing to the wing but suddenly saw Gao Nuo beckoning and immediately passed the ball to him.
“Push forward in the middle!”
Hearing Gao Nuo's shout, Rice and Bruno simultaneously pushed forward. For a moment, seven Manchester United players were involved in the attack.
Gao Nuo, with his back to goal and the ball, was bothered by Fabian but didn't rush to turn.
He protected possession and observed the situation on the field.
Seeing Wolf come to link up on the right, Gao Nuo leaned back forcefully, dragged the ball, turned, and then passed it to his teammate.
Instead of sprinting forward as usual, Gao Nuo chose to make a crossing run with Wolf, lurking behind Neymar on the right wing.
Wolf, facing Fabian's press, quickly shifted the ball to the left side of midfield.
Rice received the ball and continued to shift it to the left wing.
Neymar and Rashford simultaneously cut into the box from the half-spaces.
Rice and Bruno waited for an opportunity at the edge of the box.
Wolf, after swapping positions, stayed in midfield to link up.
Gao Nuo and Malacia, who received the pass, were on the flanks.
At this moment, Manchester United's attacking formation, from a bird's-eye view, resembled a capital 'M'.
Manchester United's somewhat strange attack caused some panic in Paris Saint-Germain.
Without the numerical advantage, no one dared to press rashly, only able to firmly hold their defensive positions and wait for Manchester United to make their next move.
Malacia, who had made two unreliable crosses, was not planning to go to the byline this time. Seeing the crowded Paris Saint-Germain goalmouth, he opted for a 45-degree cross.
The ball flew towards the far post, and Neymar and Marquinhos both jumped simultaneously.
Marquinhos won the duel against his Brazil teammate, heading the ball towards the byline.
With a good number of Manchester United players inside and outside the box, the Paris Saint-Germain captain chose the safest way to clear the ball.
But he forgot that a yellow cheetah was lurking on the right wing.
Gao Nuo had started early, blocking Mendes behind him, and stopped the ball on the byline.
He looked up at the penalty area, and without hesitation, chipped the ball towards the goalmouth.
The ball flew towards the far post. Rashford, whose heading skills had improved significantly in the past two years, jumped high and headed the ball towards the goal.
Donnarumma reacted incredibly quickly. Facing a close-range shot, he instinctively put out a hand and successfully blocked the ball out of the goal.
A scramble in front of the Paris Saint-Germain goal, the ball rolled towards the right side of the goal.
“Chance! This ball must go in!”
Neymar's determined slide tackle, Marquinhos also slid to block.
Another duel between Brazil teammates.
“Roar—!”
Old Trafford erupted in a huge roar.
“Goal! Neymar scores with a slide tackle, Manchester United equalize once again!”
Zhan Jun's words had not even finished.
“Oh—!”
The fans, who had just been re-energized, suddenly let out sounds of astonishment.
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“Neymar is clutching his ankle, his expression is painful, is he injured? All Manchester United players have stopped celebrating and surrounded him.”
“Gao Nuo is constantly waving towards the bench, the team doctor is on the field, it seems Neymar's injury is not light.”
“The replay is out. Neymar got to the ball first.”
“Oh my god, Marquinhos couldn't stop himself and stepped on Neymar's ankle.”
“From the fleeting image, we can see that Neymar's ankle is somewhat deformed.”
“I hope the injury isn't serious. I hope every athlete stays away from injuries.”
Zhan Jun's good wishes did not come to fruition.
The team doctors carried Neymar off on a stretcher, running towards the player tunnel. It looked like he would be going directly to the hospital.
The camera panned over Neymar, and his tears were clearly visible on his face.
He had already scored against his old club, fulfilling his long-held wish.
However, not being able to stay with the team until the very last moment would undoubtedly become a new regret.
Gao Nuo stood in the center circle, his eyes filled with intense fighting spirit. He had just witnessed Neymar's deformed ankle with his own eyes, and an unnamable anger flared in his heart.
He constantly waved his hands, signaling the home fans to turn up the cheering to the maximum.
“CTMD!”
In the close-up, Gao Nuo was shouting and waving his arms, the veins on his neck bulging. From his mouth shape, it was clear this was a “classic Chinese” phrase.
Old Trafford ignited, all the fans stood up, arm in arm, shoulder to shoulder, and the song “Glory, Manchester United” began to play.
Antony, who came on as a substitute, also had eyes full of fighting spirit. The bad boy wasn't bad; he just wanted to protect something important.