Star Card System

When Phil Jones got up from the ground, he saw a touch of red at the first time.

"Referee! Just now I..."

The referee looked serious, waved his hand, and did not listen to Phil Jones' explanation, pointing to the side of the court, asking him to leave the court quickly.

Several Manchester United teammates also rushed forward and surrounded the referee to ask for an explanation.

But in the end, except for Ashley Young getting another yellow card, nothing changed.

The penalty kick remained the same, and the red card remained the same.

Frustrated Phil Jones was dejected, and De Gea stepped forward to comfort him.

"Man, it's not your fault, and I have to praise your bravery!"

De Gea usually doesn't talk much, but he has a good relationship with the defensive players.

"David, can you save this penalty kick?"

"Yes!"

At this moment, Phil Jones was a little dazed, and he suddenly remembered the scene that happened not long ago.

The conversation on the bus

"When we get on the field, I'll tackle them to death!"

"Dude, tackle outside the penalty area. It's very dangerous to tackle inside the penalty area."

"It's okay. Even if they give you a penalty, you can still save it! Isn't that right?"

"Yes..."

It was just a joke at the time, but I didn't expect it to become a reality now.

I really gave the opponent a penalty.

The Manchester United players who defended the entire game might fall into the abyss because of their recklessness.

Walking off the field slowly, Mourinho stepped forward and hugged Phil Jones hard.

"It's not your fault just now. Your heroic defense is fine! Go take a shower and wait for the good news that we won the game!"

Phil Jones didn't say anything and walked to the door of the player's tunnel. He didn't enter immediately.

While the referee team and staff were focusing on the field, Phil Jones was also staring at the direction of Manchester United's goal at the door of the tunnel.

At this time, Dembele was standing in front of the ball, and De Gea was stepping on the goal line.

Neither of them looked at each other.

The referee dispersed the players from both sides in the penalty area, and he quickly stepped back, indicating that the penalty could be taken.

Dembele slowly retreated, exited the penalty area, and prepared to run up.

At this time, the whole audience held their breath and stared, fearing that any strong breathing would affect the trajectory of the ball.

Mourinho and Valverde on the sidelines also stood still, like wooden sculptures and clay sculptures.

Tens of thousands of people's eyes were on Manchester United's penalty area.

De Gea bent over and raised his hips on the goal line, stretched his body, and stared at the position of the ball intently.

Dembele started!

One step, two steps, three steps...

Kick and shoot!

The ball shot to the lower right corner of the goal!

The angle was tricky!

De Gea also started quickly!

He jumped in the right direction!

In a flash, the ball was blocked by his fingertips!

"He jumped out! De Gea is great!"

In the live broadcast room, Alan Shearer applauded excitedly!

"It's amazing! A wonderful save! A world-class save! He pulled the team back from the abyss!"

At this time, the away fans cheered wildly in the stands!

This is great!

For fans, the joy of saving a penalty is even happier than scoring a penalty!

The feeling of surviving a disaster is great!

The Manchester United players also rushed into the penalty area and hugged De Gea tightly!

"David! You are awesome!"

"You are the best goalkeeper in the world!"

"Our superhero!"

The praises were endless, and De Gea was surrounded by his teammates.

He wanted to see the direction of the player's tunnel, but his teammates blocked him with their bodies.

At this moment, a smile appeared on his face.

Man, I was right.

Even if they were given a penalty, I could save it!

At this time, the game came to 70 minutes, and there was not much left.

Manchester United escaped, but they were still in great danger.

Because they were now 10 against 11.

With a numerical disadvantage, the next defensive pressure was even greater.

Mourinho decisively replaced Rashford, whose physical strength had declined, with Lindelof.

At the same time, Pogba was replaced with Herrera.

The team's formation also changed from 4-2-3-1 to 4-2-2-1.

More strictly speaking, it became 4-3-1-1.

Xia Xing was completely pulled back from the front midfielder position to defend, forming a three-back midfielder combination with Matic and Herrera.

Only Sanchez and Lukaku were left in the frontcourt to participate in the attack.

Although they said they were attacking, they would retreat to the center circle to assist in defense most of the time.

Leaving two forwards behind only prevented Barcelona's formation from being too reckless and made them cautious.

But it seems that the effect during this period was average.

Manchester United played one less player and Barcelona launched a swift attack.

Now they have completely let go of the pressure.

If they were a little worried about Manchester United's counterattack just now, they don't need to do that now!

If we can't win even with 11 against 10, then why are we still called Barcelona?

Manchester United adjusted two positions and changed their formation. Barcelona also quickly made substitutions.

Umtiti and Rakitic left the field, and Paco and Andre Gomes came on as substitutes. The two were pushed to the front.

Barcelona's formation quickly changed to 3-3-4.

Even though the four forwards were in different states, the advantage in numbers was there, and Manchester United's pressure increased rapidly.

Xia Xing's retreat depth became deeper and deeper, and the running coverage area became larger and larger.

There was no way, he had to catch up with the running distance of one less player.

Several consecutive tackles made Barcelona's attack line return in vain.

This made Valverde on the sidelines speechless.

After the tackle, he quickly stood up to participate in the defense, then intercepted the ball, and then protected the ball to find an opportunity to pass the ball.

This series of actions is simply not something a normal person can do!

And it's almost 80 minutes now!

Does this guy have unlimited physical energy?

After intercepting the ball again, Xia Xing stood up and looked at the front court.

Mourinho just used up the third substitution quota, Bailly replaced Lukaku and continued to strengthen the defense.

Now all three substitution quotas have been used up.

In the 5-3-1 formation, only Sanchez is left in the front court.

In other words, Mourinho's expectations for this game have gradually changed from "stealing one" to "keeping it".

But Xia Xing is still full of expectations for victory!

At this time, he looked at the front court, and Sanchez was also looking at him.

The two looked at each other, and both saw expectations from the pressure of the other party.

Strive to score one!

Must score one!

Xia Xing fought for the team's victory, and Sanchez fought for his personal dignity!

I'm leaving here, and I must regain my face here today!

In the 87th minute of the game, Manchester United finally got a good chance!

It was Xia Xing's tackle again, causing veteran Iniesta to lose the ball!

The ball flew to the left side of the court, and Luke Shaw, who came on as a substitute, took the ball!

There was nothing in front of him, and Luke Shaw accelerated without hesitation!

At this time, Xia Xing also quickly caught up!

At this stage, there were not many Manchester United players who had the physical strength to press forward!

But Barcelona would never give Manchester United too much time!

Roberto and Busquets approached Luke Shaw at the same time!

There was not much space left for Luke Shaw!

And Luke Shaw was not a player with excellent personal dribbling or speed. Facing two Barcelona players, he was not sure of the strong rush.

If he lost the ball and caused the opponent's counterattack, it would be even more of a loss.

With this in mind, Luke Shaw made a choice without hesitation!

A horizontal knock, looking for Xia Xing!

And Xia Xing had already picked up the speed!

Counterattack, begin! (End of this chapter)