He felt a bitterness he couldn't express. How could he have predicted that Navas would charge ahead at high speed when he was receiving the ball with his back?
Bonucci steadied himself, suppressed the frustration in his heart, and turned his gaze to his teammate, the defensive midfielder Marchisio.
"Why didn't you retreat then? When I moved forward, you should have retreated to cover my position as the center-back!" He tried to make his tone sound less angry, but it was still hard to hide his dissatisfaction.
Marchisio was equally aggrieved, with unspoken bitterness.
As soon as the goal was lost, he rushed to the referee, complaining that Tang Long blocked his retreat path.
But in such situations, even if the referee saw it, they wouldn't easily enforce the penalty.
Because Tang Long and he didn't form effective control over the ball at the ti.
Especially in top-level tournants like the Champions League, which emphasize spectacle and comrcial value, ensuring the smooth flow of the ga is an important principle for referees.
Manchester City players on the pitch were already excitedly surrounding Tang Long, cheering and celebrating this fantastic goal.
The substitute players off the pitch were equally thrilled.
In this cacophony.
Guardiola smiled and gently placed a hand on Chiwo, and the two started to discuss the magnificent goal quietly.
Chiwo, a man with a keen eye, imdiately noticed Tang Long's crucial role in this attack.
"Pep, Tang's pick and roll was brilliant, almost a stroke of genius. He used a basketball-like strategy to successfully block Marchisio's retreat, completely disrupting Juventus' defensive setup. It's fascinating how he ca up with such a brilliant idea in that split-second."
Guardiola looked at Tang Long's back on the pitch, his eyes showing appreciation, nodded gently, and then smiled:
"You're right. Although Navas' marking on Chiellini was very tily, and Ranocchia, Gundogan, Agüero, and others were all in position imdiately, coordinating very well. But undeniably, in this attack, Tang was the real ga-changer. He always manages to change the ga unexpectedly at crucial monts."
Just as one wave subsides, another rises.
In less than 10 minutes, the situation on the pitch changed dramatically again.
Tang Long received a pass from a teammate on the left wing, like a whirlwind, cut inside with the ball, heading straight for the box.
First, he used ssi's favorite shoulder-dip and quick steps, his body agilely swerving before suddenly flashing away, easily passing Alves, ssi's forr Barça teammate;
Then, facing Barzagli who quickly ca to defend, Tang Long first feigned a powerful shot, attracting Barzagli's attention, his ankle twitched lightly, then skillfully followed up with Iniesta's favorite dribbling trick, speeding past Barzagli on the other side.
Bonucci arrived!
He stretched out his long leg, attempting to block Tang Long again.
However, Tang Long seed to anticipate this and suddenly stopped sharply, clean and smooth.
Then, he lightly pushed the ball forward with the bottom of his foot, like it was spellbound, obediently slipping through Bonucci's legs, completing a brilliant nutg.
Just as Tang Long turned, ready to surpass Bonucci and go one-on-one with Buffon for an exceptional shooting opportunity, Bonucci, embarrassed and angry, couldn't contain his urgency and discontent.
He instinctively reached out on the ground and fiercely grabbed Tang Long's sock.
With a sharp tear, Tang Long's sock broke instantly, and due to the sudden external force, he lost balance and fell directly to the ground.
The whole stadium erupted in uproar!
On the stands, Manchester City's die-hard fans stood up in unison, chanting a single word: "penalty!"
The sound echoed throughout Etihad Stadium!
The referee saw it clearly at the mont it happened, without hesitation, he quickly rushed to the scene.
He raised his right hand high, pointed with one hand to the penalty spot in Juventus' area, and blew his whistle loudly, the decision clear and decisive.
"Penalty!"
"Bonucci recklessly pulled Tang Long down in the box! The referee awarded Manchester City a penalty!"
"Haha, folks, the most anticipated scene is about to unfold. I believe you're just as excited as I am to see what happens next."
"Tang Long will stand at the 12-yard spot, facing off against his old friend Buffon in a penalty showdown!"
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