novelraw Chapter 579 - 395: Derby! This Battle Decides the Premier League Champion of the Season!
Chapter 579 - 395: Derby! This Battle Decides the Premier League Champion of the Season!
"Sunlight and rain make flowers and plants thrive."
"Success and money can equally cause players to fall rapidly."
"However, this saying does not apply to the four players."
"Agüero, after being sidelined for a month and a half due to a muscle injury, returned with great form, quickly climbing to the top of the Premier League scoring chart!"
"Icardi, the youngest Golden Boot winner in Serie A’s hundred-year history while at Inter, is tied for the lead with Agüero on the scoring chart this season!"
"Tang, who at 19 was included in Serie A’s Team of the Season, quickly became a core player at Manchester City, leading the assists chart!"
"De Bruyne, once discarded by Chelsea, found new life in the Bundesliga. This year, returning to the Premier League, he achieved his best stats ever!"
"The highly anticipated 30th round of the Premier League, the Manchester Derby is coming. Tonight at the Etihad Stadium, are you ready?"
Inside the Sky Sports live broadcast studio.
Dilata is hyping up the pre-match atmosphere.
The moment of the big match, the studio is bustling with excitement.
- "Ready! I’m ready to witness another 7-1!"
- "Ready, Icardi is ready to score another own goal!"
- "We’re all ready, just waiting for a massacre to happen!"
- "Everyone, sound the charge, and swing the great sword towards Manchester United!"
Manchester City fans are mockingly taunting!
- "It’s just a two-point difference, Manchester City, why so arrogant?"
- "Wow, they couldn’t even beat West Ham United last round. If you didn’t know, you’d think a certain team already clinched the title!"
- "Just keep messing up your reputation!"
- "Wait for Icardi to hit you with a hat-trick, then you’ll be the ones crying!"
Manchester United fans immediately retaliate!
The first 7-1 debacle caused a massive shock in the English football scene.
However, most people regarded it as a fluke.
Argentine star Tevez, who once played for both Manchester clubs, is currently sitting at the Etihad Stadium, collaborating with Dilata for this match commentary on Sky Sports.
He smiled at Dilata, obviously touched by her remarks just now.
"You’re right, these four players are very disciplined individuals and the core of their respective teams."
"In the last round, Manchester City won 7-1 away against Manchester United, which isn’t indicative of the two teams’ usual strength."
"In fact, both teams’ strength should be on par, as indicated by their league standings."
"For this match, I actually favor Manchester United to win, because this team is known to push hard in the second half of the season."
"Manchester United’s last League Champion was in 2013, three years ago, the first league title since Old Sir’s retirement should be this year."
As Manci, wearing sunglasses, walked outside the Etihad Stadium.
Fans immediately recognized him, surrounding him with cheers, taking photos, and requesting autographs.
As the coach who led Manchester City to their first Premier League title, Manci, even after leaving the club, remains a monumental figure in the hearts of every die-hard Blue Moon fan.
Reporters swarmed around him.
"Mr. Mancini, who do you favor to win this match?"
"That’s none of my business, I’m the England national coach, here to scout English players from both teams." Manci cleverly sidestepped the question.
"You have coached both Icardi and Agüero, these two top-class forwards; who is stronger?"
"Both are strong, but a bit lacking compared to Kane," Manci said with his hands in his pockets, walking briskly, joking with the reporters.
"Please wait, coach, can you say more about Tang and De Bruyne?"
Upon hearing this question, Manci stopped in his tracks, looked back at the reporter, and took off his sunglasses.
"My evaluation of Tang has always been that he can do what others can’t. He is the best player I’ve coached."
...
In the tunnel.
Workers, reporters, players are walking, creating a hubbub.
Manchester United captain Rooney walks alongside De Bruyne.
"Kevin, although we lost poorly in the last game, in this one, you must play without restraint. Don’t hesitate if there’s a chance for a threatening shot."
Rooney’s words obviously aim to encourage De Bruyne.
He remembers, two rounds ago, De Bruyne didn’t pass the ball to Icardi, opting to shoot himself. Although he scored, Icardi’s comments in the locker room were quite harsh.
"Captain, I didn’t hesitate. The scariest part of diving is always that moment of jumping in. I believe in Manchester United and even more so in myself, so I’m very confident internally," De Bruyne said.
Goalkeeper De Gea embraces Icardi, giving him constant reminders.
"Mauro, you’re a forward. Your most dangerous area is the opponent’s penalty box. If you return to our box for defense, don’t touch any uncertain balls, understood?"
Obviously, in the first round of the league derby, Icardi’s own goal still leaves De Gea with a psychological shadow.
"Don’t worry, oh, you’ve been mumbling since the bus ride, I’ve heard enough of it!"
With a gloomy face, Icardi thought to himself, what bad luck you are, always talking about my own goal. Why don’t you mention that aside from the own goal, you conceded six goals?
He simply quickened his pace, breaking away from De Gea’s arm.
As he strides along, a familiar silhouette brushes past him.
This aura...
Icardi couldn’t be more familiar with it.
"Tang! Stop right there!"
Tang Long turned back, looking at Icardi.
This was the first time in over half a year they spoke since Icardi went on strike towards the end of last season.
Icardi gazed at Tang Long, hesitating for a while.
His gaze shifted from sharpness to tenderness.
As if countless thoughts were gathering at heart, difficult to express.
And Tang Long remained silent, waiting for Icardi to speak.
Their old captain Ranocchia intended to step forward and greet Icardi;
Seeing this scene, he assumed they had much to discuss, so he stood far aside, not interrupting.
Ranocchia saw Icardi suddenly hug Tang Long, resting his head on Tang Long’s shoulder, then speaking a few words.
Although Ranocchia couldn’t hear what Icardi was saying, upon seeing the Argentinian’s affectionate and moving expression, he too felt sentimental!
After all, they had been teammates. Back in the day, Tang and Mauro’s pairing in Serie A and UEFA Europa League was a force to be reckoned with.
Even if there were tensions between the two, at this moment, they seemed to have reconciled.
After Icardi departed, Ranocchia approached Tang Long.
"What did Mauro say to you? Oh, Mauro, he’s not a bad guy, he just sometimes lacks sense, and he’s got a troublesome wife..."
"He said, whenever there’s a chance, let me shoot, and he pleaded, please stop assisting Agüero. He said he wants the Golden Boot."
"Ah?"
...
"Number 10, Agüero!"
Agüero sprinted quickly, took his final step, jumped, and performed a flicking header in the air.
"Number 9, Tang!"
Tang Long patted his chest, giving a thumbs-up towards the camera.
Under the announcement of the DJ, six thousand home fans at Etihad Stadium, half were chanting for Agüero, half for Tang Long!
"Agüero——"
"Tang——"
Tang Long was adjusting his breathing, yet behind him came a piercing shriek.
"Chinaman, turn around!"
Tang Long frowned and turned, seeing on the neutral stand, amidst the mixed blue and red section of two team fans, a burly, stout bald man was growling at him.
Seeing Tang indeed turn back, the man was overjoyed and immediately used two fingers to pull at his eyes toward Tang Long.
Tang Long extended two hands, making a 7:1 gesture.
Instantly, Manchester City fans surged from all directions, countless fists raining onto the bald man’s head, causing him to curl under a seat, wailing.
Starting lineup for the match.
Home team Manchester City: 4231
Agüero
Sterling/Tang Long/Navas
Gundogan/Toure
Kolarov/Kompany/Ranocchia/Sagna
Caballero
Away team Manchester United: 4231
Icardi
Rooney/De Bruyne/Lingard
Schneiderlin/Carrick
Rojo/Blind/Smolin/Damian
De Gea