In the first half of the game, both teams played very cautiously, and the scene was very close.

Manchester City tried to speed up with high pressing and put pressure on the Real Madrid backline.

City's forward three were athletic, stifling Real Madrid's backfield for a while, with Raphael Varane being pressed near the bottom line at one point.

Mendy, who started in place of Marcelo, is diligent in defense, but his ability to play the ball at the back is still very immature.

With only Ramos and Kroos in charge, under the pressure of Manchester City, they were a little flustered.

In particular, Raphael Varane and Thibaut Courtois, who are not good at playing the ball at the back, are even more cramped when handling the ball.

Manchester City's aggressive high pressing effectively limited Real Madrid's ability to play the ball, and also found opportunities for their own attack.

The midfield space exposed by the big forward press, once caught by Real Madrid, is very likely to concede the goal.

Pep Guardiola also knows what's at stake.

But he couldn't help it.

The aggregate score is behind, and we can't seek stability in one place.

Towards the end of the first half, Manchester City's continued high pressure finally grabbed a chance.

Courtois was forced to play the ball at the back of the pitch under pressure and was cut off by Manchester City defender Rodri near the centre circle.

Real Madrid's numerical presence in their own half was too disjointed and unprotected and was torn apart by Kevin De Bruyne's pass.

Raheem Sterling, who received the ball on the right side of the penalty area, continued to change direction and broke through from the bag of three Real Madrid players.

Just as he was about to shoot with his feet, the fourth Real Madrid player who returned to the defense fell to the ground and slid the ball out of the bottom line.

[Oops, what a pity! 】

[Sterling's previous three-person connection is very exciting! ] 】

[But when the last shot was taken, it was destroyed in advance by the Real Madrid player! ] 】

[This is Casemiro's timely return to defence and defuse Manchester City's threatening attack this time! ] 】

Then, after City's corner kick was cleared by Ramos, the referee blew the whistle for the end of the first half.

Real Madrid, although they took the lead, were suppressed by their opponents for a long time after the goal and were almost equalised, which was the first problem for Zidane to solve in midfield.

How to crack City's high pressing.

Real Madrid dressing room.

The players had been resting for nearly ten minutes, and Zidane still didn't say a word.

This is rare.

However, with the first goal scored away from home, the players could only assume that the team performed well in the first half and did not need to make changes in midfield.

Zidane was alone, and he was very anxious.

He knows very well that if he can't crack City's high pressing, he will concede goals sooner or later.

Real Madrid's lead is not safe.

Manchester City only need one away goal to turn the tide of the game completely.

Zidane raised his wrist and looked at the dial.

Time is running out.

'In the second half, we had to defend solidly and then look for counter-attacks, with a focus on the right flank.

Zidane, who couldn't find a better way, had to give up the ball first and retract the formation.

As soon as you have the opportunity, you can directly find the breaking point Rodrigo on the wing.

In addition to that, he warmed up Bale, Vinicius, Isco and James.

At the start of the second half, Pep Guardiola made a substitution.

B. Silva came on for Foden.

Foden worked very hard in the first half and repeatedly threatened the Real Madrid defence.

If it weren't for the fitness drop caused by the full 120 minutes of the FA Cup against Bury in midweek, Pep Guardiola would not have substituted him so quickly.

After the introduction of B-Silva, Manchester City's running pressure in the front court was sharper.

Real Madrid put the attack on the right side, so Rossi will drop back to defend.

But despite this, Real Madrid's passing at the back was still limited by the opponent.

And because of Rossi's retreat, Manchester City full-back Walker pressed very high and frequently threatened the wings.

Rossi's on-the-spot defense didn't work at all.

Fortunately, Mendy and Casemiro can check and fill in the gaps in time, and Real Madrid can resolve the danger again and again.

Being pressed in the backcourt and not being able to step forward made Rossi very depressed.

Although this is a tactical need of the team, it is difficult for Real Madrid to get a counter-attack opportunity in this extremely unbalanced situation.

It's simple.

When the opponent strengthens the attack on one side, the defender's strength will also gather towards the side with the ball to ensure that the number of attackers and defenders is balanced.

Although the weak side is undefended, it is difficult for the ball to complete the transfer on the strong side of the multi-person package.

Only by getting rid of a tight defense can you create opportunities for transfer.

In the 55th minute, Kroos picked up the ball near the touchline and was once again caught in the bag.

Casemiro tried to arrive to pick him up, but the place was taken by the adducted Rossi.

Rossi, in the left midfielder position.

This made City's defense a little confused.

This style of play, the head coach did not explain before the game.

While they were still hesitating who would defend Rossi, Kroos had already passed the ball over.

After completing the pass, Kroos was about to cut forward to respond, but was stubbornly defended by Kyle Walker.

Rossi, who was cut off from the pass, had to return the ball to the goalkeeper.

Zidane, who was thinking hard about breaking the oppression of his opponent, suddenly woke up after seeing this scene.

He shouted at Mendy and motioned for him to press forward.

A minute later, Real Madrid's attack was again passed to the left.

Rossi continues to adduct the ball.

This time, the Manchester City players have been deployed, and De Bruyne has been deployed to defend Rossi.

After Xavi and other older midfield grandmasters faded out of European football, De Bruyne, as the core of a new generation of midfield, is rising rapidly.

After receiving the ball, Rossi was not in a hurry to make a 1v1 with De Bruyne, but patiently returned the pass and patiently looked for opportunities.

Although City's pressing was fierce, their physical strength could not support the same pressing force throughout the game.

And after Rossi joined the midfield line, Real Madrid organized another point of contact and ball in the backfield, Manchester City did not dare to be careless, and the scramble became cautious.

In the 60th minute, Real Madrid quietly completed the local position exchange in the continuous passing of the ball in the backfield.

Kroos came on at left wing-back and was responsible for the team's ball.

When he played the ball back to Rossi, the latter did not pass it back, but to Mendy, who cut forward on the wing.

At first, De Bruyne didn't care, because the previous full-back position was occupied by Kroos.

Kroos, who was on the slower side, couldn't get away from Walker's defense.

But when Mendy was there, it was different.

Rossi didn't stop the ball and Mendy cut forward at high speed.

The two tacitly passed away, and Mendy instantly got rid of Walker's close defense and tore apart Manchester City's high press.

Walker was out of defence, but he was very quick to catch up with Mendy.

Mendy knew he didn't have an advantage in his speed, so he pushed the ball through half-court and distributed it to Luka Modric in the middle.

In an instant, Real Madrid formed a 3v4 counterattack situation in the frontcourt.

The situation is clear and clear.

Benzema pressed down the middle quickly, leaving City's two centre-backs unable to move.

Modric was not in a hurry to divide the ball and continued to advance with the ball.

Although City's backline maintained a sufficient number of people, the wings were constrained by Mendy and Rodrygo, who were in front, and did not dare to steal.

As a result, Modric dribbled the ball to the top of the arc of the penalty area without defensive interference.

The Croatian midfielder saw the opportunity, bent his bow and shot fiercely towards the Manchester City goal.

The ball blew a whirlwind, arcing, and quickly drilled towards the right side of the goal.

Ederson struggled to save, but Modric's long-range shot, fast, powerful and tricky, crashed into the net.

Hello!

With the heavy fall of the ball, the Real Madrid fans at the scene cheered again.

【GOAL！！！！！ 】

[Real Madrid has scored again!] 】

[From a quick counterattack!] 】

[Modric advanced with the ball from the midfield, and scored a powerful world wave outside the penalty area to break through the Manchester City goal! ] 】

[Real Madrid's attack was initiated by Rossi in the backfield! ] 】

[Yes, Rossi went from winger, to wing-back, to full-back. 】

[Is there any position he can't play?] 】

[He is stepping away from the forbidden area, but the threat has never diminished!] 】

[The strong never complain about the environment, but adapt to the environment! 】

[Is there still a chance?] 】

[Does Manchester City still have a chance?] 】

[There is not much time left for them! 】

(End of chapter)