Chapter 193: Bullshit Fake Move
"After Sterling came on, Manchester City's frontcourt rhythm became much smoother, and the effect is still very good!"
"However, Staley's dribbling breakthrough was not brought into play. In the past, we have always seen Sterling playing the lone ranger on the wing, preferring to dribble the ball to death rather than passing the ball. But in this game , but Sterling passed the ball frequently and did not show that kind of Lone Ranger style!”
Sterling's performance after coming on was indeed surprising.
After all, Sterling gives the fans the sense of being a lone ranger, who can play like a great player and never passes the ball even when he is dead.
But in this game, Sterling passed the ball frequently, as if the ball was hot on his feet. As long as the ball came to his feet, he would pass it directly without using two feet to control it.
Lucky would also look at Sterling inexplicably.
Has this guy's style changed?
Lucky is still very concerned about Sterling. After all, once he relaxes his defense against Sterling and lets this guy escape, it will be impossible to catch him again.
For this reason, Lucky stood close to Sterling.
However, Sterling's kicking made Lucky feel a little uncomfortable. Compared to passing the ball, Lucky preferred Sterling to dribble and break through as before.
This will allow Lucai to better restrict the opponent.
Sterling kept moving up and down the wing, his eyes not only looking at his teammates, but also at Lucky.
Once there is any trouble on Lucai's side, he will immediately pass the ball out.
That gesture seems to say, as long as I pass the ball fast, you can't grab the ball.
But Sterling is not a fool. He knows what task Guardiola has given him.
But dribbling is one way, and passing the ball forward is also a good way.
In the past, Sterling played very uniquely, but this does not mean that Sterling cannot pass the ball. On the contrary, Sterling's passing ability and awareness are very good.
Especially in the final pass.
However, in the past, he needed to provide some changes of pace for the stiff frontcourt, and for this he needed to make more dribbling breakthroughs.
But now, he needs to integrate into the group and pass the ball to wear down Lucky and Arsenal's defense.
It has to be said that Sterling's decision actually had a different effect.
After Sterling came on, his wing attracted enough attention that Sane on the other wing became like a fish in water.
With the passes of De Bruyne and Silva, Sane achieved good results by running on the wing.
He even helped Aguero complete two shots, but both shots were blocked by Arsenal.
Although it didn't make it, at least it had an effect.
This is great news for Manchester City.
"Keep going!"
Guardiola kept clapping his hands on the sidelines to encourage his players.
Manchester City's tasks are also extremely far apart at the moment.
In the championship game, their opponents scored two goals in a row. In this situation, they must make enough adjustments.
The ball rolled to Sterling's feet again.
Lucky turned around and rushed over.
But Sterling distributed the ball towards the center without any intention of dribbling.
Lucky could only turn around and block the passing channel between De Bruyne and Sterling.
But De Bruyne used an outside instep arc to distribute the ball to the space on the right wing.
Sane rushed over, ran in an arc and passed the ball directly.
Aguero lost to Hummels in the aerial challenge and the ball hit Lucky's feet.
After Lucky stopped the ball, he did not turn around directly to counterattack, but passed the ball to Kanter who was advancing.
Kanter received Lucky's pass and sent it forward directly.
This kind of delivery saves more time in counterattack.
Although it was not Lucky who initiated the attack, the counterattack time was used more effectively.
The ball rolled to the feet of Aubameyang, who passed the ball directly to Giroud who was retreating.
Giroud turned to look at Mane on the other side, trying to deceive Manchester City defender Otamendi through his eyes and body turns.
But he still underestimated Otamendi's calmness. The latter suddenly became angry when Giroud looked at Mane, squeezed forward desperately, squeezed Giroud away, and firmly controlled the ball.
"Girou! This foot is too slow!"
Andy Gray shook his head.
Manchester City fans also slowly breathed a sigh of relief at this moment.
Now they will be on tenterhooks every time they see Arsenal's counterattack. After all, if they score another goal, they will be three goals behind.
This is something they cannot accept.
The ball was passed to Starling again.
Sterling has become a hub for offensive and defensive transitions.
Even Manchester City players feel that Sterling fits them better after changing his style.
But this time, Sterling did not pass the ball, but instantly started dribbling forward.
The reason is simple!
Robertson did not follow up immediately.
"Oops!"
Lucky immediately rushed back to help with all his strength.
Lucky retracement in a straight line.
Sterling thrust forward diagonally, so even though Lucky was slower, he was still in front of Sterling.
Sterling made a few swaying movements, but Lucky remained unmoved and stared at the ball tightly.
Seeing that Lucky didn't take advantage of his fake moves at all, Sterling also felt troubled.
But at this time, De Bruyne had suddenly passed by.
Sterling stood still and passed the ball laterally.
At this moment, Lucky suddenly took action.
This kick was extremely swift and decisive.
Just as the ball was about to be poked out by Lucky, Sterling suddenly stepped on the ball with his right foot and pulled it in his direction.
Lucky missed it.
Sterling also staggered, but before falling to the ground, Sterling still distributed the ball to the left.
At that position, David Silva suddenly burst out.
The ball flew directly into the penalty area.
At this time, there was no defensive player next to David Silva.
"Silva!
! Arsenal are in danger!
"
Goalkeeper Martinez also saw Silva, and he quickly wanted to run to the left.
But David Silva didn't give him a chance to run at all, and pushed directly with his right foot.
This is a push shot from the lower left corner, and the angle is extremely tricky.
Martinez fought hard to save, but still failed to touch the ball.
The ball rolled into the court.
In the 42nd minute, at the end of the first half, Manchester City got a goal back.
“David Silva!
Beautiful push, beautiful movement!
"
"He pulled a goal back for Manchester City. Manchester City did not get discouraged when they fell behind by two goals. They showed extremely strong tactical advancement capabilities!"
"Of course, Guardiola's substitutions also had an effect. Sterling passed the ball continuously. He not only deceived Kai with the pass just now, but we were also deceived!"
Sterling stood there for a while, then seemed to react and turned around to celebrate with his teammates.
Lucky got up from the ground, his expression a little helpless.
Bullshit fake action.
Sterling was passing the ball at that time, but this guy used his terrifying reflexes to make quick adjustments, temporarily pulled the ball back and distributed it to the other side.
At that time, Lucai's focus had completely shifted, otherwise, he could still continue to restrict it.
Sterling was very happy, even though he knew that the ball just now was covered.
It was simply impossible for him to come back a second time.
But so what, who else knows that he is deceived except himself.
As long as he is sure that he is not fooled, it is not fooled!
The smile on Sterling's face became even brighter.
After all, in this situation, any highlight moment will be infinitely magnified.
What's more, he passed Lucky and made an assist pass.
It can be said that this goal has 80% of the credit for Sterling.
"Sterling handled the ball really well, he fooled everyone!"
Manchester City's assistant coach said.
Guardiola also clapped his hands and nodded.
Although he had some suspicions that Sterling was deceived, after all, he had never kicked such a ball before.
But these are no longer important. Regardless of whether they were fooled or not, they have already got a goal back.
With about three minutes left before the end of the first half, they could go on to try and even the score outright.
Even if they can't, they will have to focus on making tactical adjustments in the second half to make Manchester City play more smoothly in the second half.
Manchester City pulled a goal back, which is very friendly news for Manchester City fans.
With this goal, they finally took a breath and no longer felt so uncomfortable.
But how to adjust for the second half?
Whether they can perform well in the second half or even equalize the score is also extremely critical.