Chapter 578: Lin Quan Ties the Score, Mbappé Makes His Finals Debut
Since ancient times, no final match has ever been insignificant. In such important games, a single goal can often decide the outcome.
In the history of the UEFA Champions League, 14 finals have ended with just one goal being scored.
So, even though Real Madrid had only scored one goal, their advantage was already quite significant at this point.
The Real Madrid players seemed to realize they had gained the upper hand. After scoring, without any need for the coach's reminder, they naturally became more defensive, retreating into their half and planning to counter-attack Manchester City.
When one side becomes conservative, the other naturally becomes more aggressive.
After falling behind, Manchester City had no other option. They had to attack and score; otherwise, they could only watch as their streak of consecutive championships was ended and the trophy lifted before their eyes.
Starting from the 21st minute, Manchester City's attack became ferocious.
Whenever a player got hold of the ball, they would immediately push forward. If there was space on the wings, they would charge down the flanks. If not, they would forcefully penetrate through the middle.
During this time, Real Madrid was playing very passively. Their formation was compressed to the extreme, and while they hoped to capitalize on City's aggressive play to launch a counter-attack, Manchester City's relentless pressing made it difficult for them to keep possession. The pressure on Real Madrid's defense was so intense that even forward players, including a superstar like Cristiano Ronaldo, had to fall back to help defend.
In the 23rd minute, Manchester City's attack on the right side tore through Real Madrid's left-side defense. Marcelo made a misjudgment, and Lin Quan skillfully got past him.
After bypassing Marcelo, Lin Quan feigned a cut inside, drawing the attention of Modric, Ramos, and others, forcing them to shift over. However, the inside cut was just a bluff. Once they followed, Lin Quan accelerated along the edge of the penalty box, breaking toward the byline.
Modric hesitated, concerned that Lin Quan might pass the ball back to a midfielder arriving late into the box. Unfortunately, what he feared came true. Just as Modric had this thought, Lin Quan made a sharp cut before Ramos could close in, making a backpass in a triangle formation to De Bruyne, who was rushing up from behind.
It looked like De Bruyne was about to shoot, but at the crucial moment, Kroos came to the rescue. With a sliding tackle outside the penalty area, he brought down both De Bruyne and the ball, breaking up what had been Manchester City's best opportunity so far.
After the foul, Kroos, with a face full of regret, checked on De Bruyne's injury.
In his eagerness to stop the ball, Kroos hadn't fully controlled his force during the tackle, and it was quite a strong challenge. De Bruyne might very well be injured.
De Bruyne lay on the ground, grimacing in pain, clutching his right leg, unable to get back up.
Manchester City's players were furious. Kroos's challenge had been too harsh. If he hadn't been a former teammate, they might have confronted him, questioning whether he had tried to cause serious harm!
On Manchester City's bench, Guardiola leaped up from his seat when he saw De Bruyne lying injured.
De Bruyne was crucial to Manchester City's play. If he were forced to leave the field, City's offensive strength would take a huge hit, and it could very well cost them the game.
Guardiola wasn't the only one worried. The entire Manchester City bench stretched their necks, anxiously looking toward the pitch.
With just over 20 minutes gone in the match, if De Bruyne had to be substituted this early, it would not only waste a substitution but also disrupt all of Manchester City's pre-match tactics.
While some people worried, others rejoiced. On Real Madrid's bench, they couldn't help but feel hopeful seeing Manchester City's midfield core injured and lying on the ground.
If De Bruyne had to be subbed off, Real Madrid's chances of winning would significantly increase.
After showing Kroos a yellow card, the referee checked on De Bruyne's injury before signaling for the stretcher to take him off the field.
Seeing this, Guardiola became even more concerned. He quickly had players warm up while waiting for the medical team's assessment of De Bruyne's injury to decide whether to make an early substitution.
But who could replace De Bruyne?
Should they bring on another attacking midfielder, or a player in a different position?
Even Real Madrid's coach, Zinedine Zidane, was curious. If De Bruyne couldn't continue, who would Guardiola send on to replace him?
To Zidane's surprise, Guardiola called over two players to warm up, but neither was a direct substitute for De Bruyne. Instead, he sent two wingers—Mbappé and Sané!
Zidane's eyes widened as a realization hit him.
…
On the pitch, Manchester City prepared to take a free kick.
The foul committed by Kroos occurred just outside the box, close enough to directly attempt a shot on goal.
With De Bruyne off the field, Lin Quan naturally stepped up to take the free kick.
He quickly surveyed Real Madrid's wall of defenders and the goalkeeper's positioning. He already had a plan for how to strike the ball.
Real Madrid's players were well aware of Lin Quan's free-kick prowess, especially from their infamous encounter at the Bernabéu, which they still remembered vividly.
So, every player, including Ronaldo, returned to their penalty area and dutifully took their place in the defensive wall as instructed by the goalkeeper.
Seeing Ronaldo, Bale, Benzema, Kroos, and others form the wall reminded fans of a classic moment from the first era of the "Galácticos," when Raúl, Figo, Beckham, Ronaldo, and Zidane formed the most expensive wall in history, worth over €220 million.
More than a decade later, the current "Galácticos" had far surpassed the previous generation in terms of market value.
This final was the most expensive Champions League final ever, with the combined value of the 22 players on the field exceeding €1 billion.
As people say, "You get what you pay for," but sometimes, being expensive doesn't guarantee success.
Take this moment, for example. Lin Quan's free kick smoothly curved around the wall, unexpectedly shooting out from the side, brushing against the far post before nestling into the side netting.
The goalkeeper could do nothing. The angle of the shot was too sharp. Although the ball wasn't high, theoretically making it easier to save, the wall had blocked his view, and by the time he saw it, it was too late to react.
Lin Quan's goal brought both teams level again, and Manchester City had tied the score within just five minutes.
After scoring, Lin Quan didn't celebrate. Instead, he sprinted to the sideline, bending down to give the injured De Bruyne a heartfelt hug.
It was a gesture of brotherhood: Even though you're not on the field, I'll carry your spirit and push forward with your strength!
Fans both in the stadium and watching on TV were deeply moved by this scene.
Who would have thought that these two players not only had great skills and chemistry but also shared such a strong bond?
Standing in the center circle waiting for kickoff, Ronaldo watched Lin Quan, and for a moment, he felt a little envious.
He had no such close friends on the team.
But Ronaldo quickly dismissed the thought. He was a professional player, here to win championships, not to make friends!
…
With De Bruyne forced to leave the field, Guardiola's substitution choice surprised many fans.
The player replacing De Bruyne was an 18-year-old youngster—Kylian Mbappé.
Many admired Guardiola's courage. In such a critical match, he boldly sent on a newcomer, a player who had just turned 18. Wasn't he worried that the immense pressure would crush him?
However, Mbappé didn't feel any nerves when he learned he was going on. He was a player with a calm mind, unfamiliar with the concept of nervousness.
Instead, he felt only pure excitement.
This was the stage of the Champions League final, a stage Mbappé had dreamed of playing on.
With his coach's trust in mind, Mbappé silently vowed not to let him down!
The game resumed, and with the score tied, Real Madrid returned to their normal style of play, no longer as defensive as before.
In fact, if Real Madrid had not become so conservative after scoring the first goal and had continued their offensive pressure, Manchester City might not have equalized so quickly.
Real Madrid had voluntarily ceded space to Manchester City, allowing them to bypass the brutal midfield battle and bring the fight straight to Real Madrid's half. This was their biggest mistake.
In truth, it all came down to Real Madrid's lack of experience.
Although they had reached the final last year, they had lost. The players had not yet been "baptized" by victory, and they suffered from a mentality of fear and indecision.
If they could overcome this hurdle and claim the club's coveted tenth Champions League trophy, then by next year, even with the same lineup, Real Madrid would be significantly stronger.
It's simple: the team's morale would be different!
Like Manchester City, even when trailing, their players showed no panic. And when leading, they never played timidly.
Although Real Madrid's state had finally adjusted, this time their attacks weren't going as smoothly.
With De Bruyne off the field, Manchester City's formation changed.
Lin Quan moved from his winger position to the center, replacing De Bruyne as the team's midfield playmaker.
Mbappé took Lin Quan's previous position on the wing, but his style was entirely different. He was a speed-based winger, and with the ball at his feet, his threat would multiply.
Real Madrid was clearly unprepared to deal with Mbappé. No one had expected him to come on so early.
Perhaps the coach had mentioned him briefly before the match, but there was no specific focus on him.
The players only knew he was young and fast, but they had no idea just how fast or how dangerous he could be on the pitch.
After Mbappé came on, Real Madrid quickly got a taste of the young player's talent during Manchester City's first counterattack.
In the 28th minute, Manchester City launched a rapid counterattack. Lin Quan shook off Modric's pressure and sent a long pass, perfectly finding Mbappé and even giving him a bit of space to run onto.
For the first time, Mbappé demonstrated his speed to the fans in the stadium and watching on TV. With quick steps and powerful strides, he raced past Real Madrid's left-back Marcelo from the outside lane.
Marcelo was stunned, trying to foul by pulling Mbappé's arm, but he couldn't stop the young player from sprinting ahead!
Mbappé overtook Marcelo and received the ball.
Immediately, he cut inside, prompting the goalkeeper to rush out to meet him.
Real Madrid fans held their breath, and some even closed their eyes, too nervous to watch what would happen next.
But as the goalkeeper charged, Mbappé panicked a little, shooting immediately and sending the ball straight into the keeper's hands.
Courtois had been tense as he charged out, thinking the young player was a serious threat, only to find the ball landing comfortably in his arms. He stood there in disbelief for several seconds, trying to process what had just happened.
What?
Does this kid not know how to shoot?
Is that how you handle a one-on-one?
Not just Courtois, but even Manchester City's fans couldn't believe it.
The quality of that shot was far too low!
His dribble and run were impressive, like a Ferrari speeding down the field, embodying the beauty of pure speed.
But that final shot? It was like coming crashing down from the clouds, worse than an amateur's attempt.
If only that shot had been taken by Agüero or even Jesse Lingard, how great it would have been!
Unfortunately, neither of those players had Mbappé's explosive pace.
Real Madrid's coach, Zidane, watched in shock as the shot missed. He shakily twisted open his water bottle and gulped down a few mouthfuls.
That was terrifying. As he watched Mbappé charge down the wing and cut into the box, Zidane had already felt a sense of doom. But then, out of nowhere, the shot was saved.
Though relieved to have escaped this close call, Zidane hoped he wouldn't have to endure another scare like that.
Even though the young player's shooting technique seemed lacking, who could say for sure whether it was just nerves or something else?
What if, next time, he regained his composure and scored? Wouldn't that spell the end for Real Madrid?
In any case, relying on the opponent's mistakes was no way to win.
Real Madrid's left-back Marcelo was still shaken, glancing nervously at the dejected Mbappé. This kid's speed was truly frightening, and his explosive power was immense.
His stability, too, was impressive. Marcelo had genuinely tried to foul him but couldn't manage to pull him down.
Is he really only 18?
If he's already this terrifying at 18, what kind of monster will he become in a few years?
Marcelo wasn't the only one thinking this. Many scouts watching the match had the same thought.
Though Mbappé hadn't scored, the strengths he displayed in this attack were unforgettable.
Shooting can be improved with practice, but raw talent can't be taught.
Mbappé had speed, explosive power, balance, and excellent ball control.
Those qualities alone were enough to make most major clubs sit up and take notice.
But then again, seeing as Mbappé was already a Manchester City player, these clubs couldn't help but feel a little anxious.
Would Manchester City really let go of such a brilliant young talent so easily?
(End of Chapter)
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