Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions

Chapter 868 600: Tang Long's Textbook Breakthrough, Manchester United's Three-Man Trap Becomes a Joke! Zero Angle, Shot!

"Substitute me in, I'll teach this McTominay a lesson."

Tang Long's words made the assistant coach Chiwo's heart skip a beat.

The Romanian saw the situation clearly on the field. The young Scot, McTominay, fearless like a calf unafraid of a tiger, successfully used his physical advantage to limit Mkhitaryan and Diego.

It's not that McTominay's skills were particularly impressive, nor that the Premier League-class midfielders Mkhitaryan and Diego were inferior to him.

The Champions League final was going to kick off in a week.

For many Manchester City players, this was their first time playing in a Champions League final; no one wanted to risk injury by going head-to-head with this McTominay.

This concern included the physical worries and the courage of the players.

Obviously, neither Diego nor Mkhitaryan had this courage at the moment!

Chiwo's thoughts were racing, wondering if substituting Tang Long at this time would result in him getting tangled up with McTominay and getting injured.

But that thought vanished as quickly as a flicked cigarette ash.

For a midfielder like McTominay, who is tall and technically somewhat cumbersome, Tang Long had a hundred ways to play him around in circles without any harm to himself.

"Pep, then let's quickly put Tang in, to replace Diego."

Compared to Mkhitaryan, the Brazilian midfielder Diego was more physically fragile.

This was something Guardiola, who had coached him at both Bayern and Barça, knew all too well.

Guardiola gave Tang Long an approving look and chuckled, "You're right, but I'm putting you on the pitch not to teach McTominay a lesson, but to teach Manchester United a lesson."

Despite saying this, Guardiola still gestured for Tang Long to sit back on the bench.

"Let's wait and see, there's still time, no rush."

Chiwo was genuinely surprised to hear this; there's only 20 minutes left, is time still ample?

With added time, there'd be at most 25 minutes.

Did Guardiola have such confidence that he could take down Manchester United with the current lineup of substitutes?

It's known that although Manchester United was mercilessly double-defeated by Manchester City in the league, in terms of overall player strength and value, they were among the top teams in the Premier League.

Besides, under Pellegrini's management, Manchester United had a deeper hunger for this FA Cup. After all, it was the only trophy they could win this season, and they were bound to fight desperately.

Guardiola nodded slightly, refraining from replying, his gaze returning to the pitch.

Tang Long couldn't say much either; he was eager to get on the field immediately.

After all, he had promised Gracie a hat-trick. Even if he were to step on now, scoring a hat trick in twenty minutes wouldn't be easy, even against a relegation team, let alone against Manchester United.

But this bet was obviously just a little secret between Tang Long and Gracie, a slightly fun and private matter, not something to mention to Guardiola.

Tang Long shrugged slightly and continued to sit on the bench.

Just then, Gracie happened to pass by with a medical kit.

Tang Long walked over to her, covering his mouth whispering:

"It's over, Guardiola said I won't be playing in this match." He deliberately exaggerated Guardiola's words, lying to Gracie.

He expected Gracie to be upset with him for not keeping his promise, but instead, Gracie blinked at him and softly said:

"Then just have a good rest, save your energy for the Champions League final."

Tang Long was taken aback for a moment, then smirked and whispered, "In that case, didn't I just waste that time with you in the treatment room?"

Even though Tang Long had lowered his voice, low enough so that only Gracie could hear, the female team doctor's face turned bright red instantly, and she quickly glanced around, gesturing "shush" to him.

"What are you thinking! That day I wasn't with you for your goal...," she said, then turned and made quick small steps away.

Gracie's shy demeanor filled Tang Long's heart with a gentle, sweet feeling.

The memory of the lights in the treatment room, her furrowed brows, and the intertwined breaths that day all transformed into a soft tickle in his chest, truly an itch~

As he watched Gracie's gentle silhouette, he thought to himself, "As much as I say so, I can't go back on my word. Ah, Guardiola, hurry and let me on the pitch!"

The match on the field remained fiercely contested.

"Tang!"

The Manchester City fans behind the bench continued to chant Tang Long's name, hoping he'd get on the field soon.

Tang Long suddenly came up with an idea, instead of sitting on the bench, he began warming up directly on the sidelines, jogging and exaggeratedly doing waist twists and leg stretches, intentionally or unintentionally moving towards the cameras on the sidelines.

During a dead ball from a throw-in, Tang Long's solitary warm-up routine appeared on the big screen at Etihad Stadium.

This scene deeply stirred the Manchester City fans on-site, igniting the powder keg in their hearts!

The fans were no longer just chanting for Tang Long to get on, but had begun cursing Guardiola!

"Pep, what are you waiting for, Christmas to put Tang in?"

"Dawdling like a girl, not decisive at all!"

"If we don't win this match, Guardiola should be sacked!"