Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Where legends are made (3)
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Ban Yeager's insane goal...
The whole world had just witnessed it.
Manchester United fans rejoicing over Ban Yeager's goal.
It was more like utter ecstasy.
But despite the massive joy, the match situation wasn't all rosy.
The score was now 1:1.
Way too early to celebrate.
The game restarted with Manchester City's kickoff.
Factoring in stoppage time, there were only about 10 minutes left in the first half.
The momentum was with Manchester United, who had just equalized.
From their perspective, they needed to ride this wave and snag another goal before halftime.
Manchester City, on the other hand, planned to hold out until halftime, regroup, and reclaim the lead in the second half.
They adopted a clear defensive stance, luring Manchester United into their half.
Buoyed by momentum, United went all-out attacking that space.
Manchester City's weak spot—the right flank crack.
——
Beep!!—
The ref halted play, spotting two players rolling on the pitch.
Manchester United's Lucas Kruidden and Manchester City's Ruben Dias, just getting up.
Booooooo—
Jeers rained down on the ref for just issuing a verbal warning and restarting.
Dias, already on a yellow, would be off with another.
That'd make it 11 vs. 10—basically a United win.
Aiming for that, Kruidden was targeting Dias's side aggressively.
The payoff: a free kick in a great spot.
No yellow, but solid enough.
Time: 45+4.
Already past the initial 3 minutes of added time.
Even with a corner after the free kick, the whistle could blow any second.
Two United players prepped for the kick: Ban Yeager on the left of the ball, Jack Fletcher on the right.
Fletcher had power too, but everyone knew Yeager would take it.
No need for fakes; he got his prime angle.
Beep!—
"Hoo..."
Fletcher moved first on the ref's signal.
City's wall, half-sure it was a fake, held position.
Sure enough, as Fletcher hopped over...
Thud—
Right before clearing, he rolled it back with his trailing foot.
"Block it!!!"
City's wall surged forward, a beat late.
The ball rolled perfectly for Yeager's shot.
He flung himself to stop it.
Swish—
Thwack—
But Yeager didn't shoot—he dribbled past again.
Miraculously, the packed City defense vanished from view.
Bam!!—
Straight into the gaping space—a rocket shot.
Swish—
"Ahh..."
Gianluigi Donnarumma, feet stuck to the turf, watched the net ripple late.
"That guy..."
The shot was fierce and fast, but Kruidden had perfectly blocked Donnarumma's line of sight.
The moment Kruidden ducked...
The ball appeared out of nowhere, bulging the net.
Yaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!—
If they'd just held a bit longer.
Blocked this one free kick.
They could've won in the second half, the thought flooded his mind.
Now doubt crept in about even winning today.
About lifting the FA Cup.
——
Right before halftime ended, Manchester United scored again to take the lead.
Score: 2:1
With 45 minutes of second half left, it could go either way.
But...
Momentum had fully shifted to United, while City lost confidence.
City's early subs to change the vibe...
That alone marked United's success.
——
Bban-ye hurriedly updated the on-screen lineup amid viewer prodding.
Three subs, no less.
All on the right flank players.
Fans expected just one for the carded Dias.
But as the game kicked off, one thought echoed: 'Classic Pep.'
——
Second half began with United's kickoff.
Unlike City's three subs, United made zero changes.
Leading, why fix what's working? Plus, no better options at this stage.
City could tweak precisely—opponent, situation, fitness.
United? Stick with starters any scenario.
Subs? After 70 minutes, when stamina dips.
Bam!!—
"Reform the line!!!"
20 minutes into the half.
City dominating—pure onslaught.
United blocking effectively but teetering, like a boxer gassed out.
But attackers tire too.
United's gritty defense made breakthroughs exhausting for City.
Booooooo—
"Just kill 'em!!!"
"Smash 'em to the ground!!!"
The stadium heated up.
Players fatigued fast on the pitch.
Subs too.
Fresh legs don't guarantee dominance.
Often, subs struggle more.
Thrown in cold to match tempo others adapted to over time.
Plus intense roles, pressure—strangles them quick.
Swish—
That stress turns rough.
Beep!!!—
"You f***ing bastard!!"
"You studded me, you disgusting prick!!!"
Beep!! Beep!! Beep beep!!!—
"Get off him!!"
The overheated atmosphere infected both squads.
73' Oscar Bob
73' Patrick Dorgu
74' Mado Murcia
The ref's card frenzy began.