Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Still Manchester (1)
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Inside the penalty box, I'd dropped deep to receive the pass.
As expected, the moment I got the ball, Paris Saint-Germain's players came swarming in with ferocious pressure.
The first to close in was Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
A winger blessed with every attacking gift you could want, plus insane work rate and defensive chops—a true hexagonal player, the heart and soul of PSG.
Sure enough, Khvicha was the first to charge in and try stripping the ball.
I lifted my foot to ping it back to the keeper, and he immediately shifted to cut off the passing lane.
Tuk-
I rolled it the other way instead, shaking him off nice and easy.
Ousmane Dembélé lunged in like he'd seen it coming, but I yanked the ball back and shielded it clean.
Vitinha rushed up last, slotting into position to pile on the pressure.
Dragging my feet any longer here, and not only would Khvicha recover—other PSG guys would pile in too, making it a nightmare.
Toong—
The gap between Dembélé and Vitinha.
I chipped it first into the space at about waist height.
They twisted to track the ball, which naturally widened the hole even more.
I slipped my body right through that pocket and burst past them successfully.
Yaaaaah!!!—
A bit of a gamble in the breakthrough, sure—but even on a miss, I trusted a teammate would chase down the pass.
In the end, it created the perfect scenario. Breakthrough achieved.
Blasting through PSG's intense press left me with oceans of space ahead.
Vinícius, Mbappé, Rodrygo.
All three with a marker apiece, waiting on my pass.
Toong—
No rush to force it—I just drove the ball straight up to the halfway line.
Only then did PSG's midfielders lumber forward to block my run.
I whipped it through the lane their movement created.
Pang!—
My pick: the right flank.
Rodrygo, fresh off the bench, brimming with power and stamina.
Already with a yellow-carded marker who couldn't risk a rough challenge.
A pinpoint ground pass hit him right in his infiltration stride.
Toong-
Clean first touch—he kept the momentum, dribbling onward.
Nuno Mendes tailed him to stop the danger, but yellow-carded himself, he was playing it way too passive.
Rodrygo shook him off completely, carving out a one-on-one with the keeper.
Mbappé lurked central, Vinícius on the opposite side—plenty of options.
Luka Chevalier in goal shuffled side to side, eyeing a potential cutback.
That instant.
Pang!!—
Rodrygo spotted the razor-thin gap and rifled it straight into the net—no angle needed.
"Oh...!"
Maybe their mood had shifted for the better.
Either way, I'd notched another assist.
——
Real Madrid pulled two goals clear again, thanks to Ban Yeager's brilliance.
Xabi Alonso's Rodrygo sub was a masterstroke too.
Ten minutes left in regular time, score at 3-1.
The winner was all but decided.
With Real coasting to victory, PSG pulling this off would be a miracle.
But miracles need a tiny spark.
The next ten minutes? More Real dominance, utter carnage.
——
Beep! Beep! Beeeeeeep—!!!
Full time at 90—ref ended it sharp.
No complaints from anyone.
A few added minutes wouldn't bridge that gap.
Second half delays were minimal anyway—they'd endured 45 minutes of nonstop Real beatdown.
PSG wanted it over quick.
A three-goal loss was bad enough—no way they'd stomach more.
Real Madrid? Especially Ban Yeager, gutted it ended.
'Ah, one more goal or assist and I'd have been satisfied...'
Two goals, two assists—this game, he was involved in every score.
Three goals or three assists... pity he fell short of either.
Sure, schedules and circumstances aligned, but deep down, he was here as hired muscle.
A laborer maximizing his paycheck.
'One game left now...'
Club World Cup final—that's it. Milk it for all it's worth.
——
"First off, congrats on reaching the Club World Cup final and being named player of the match for your incredible performance!"
"Thanks."
Two goals, two assists—FotMob rated him a perfect 10. MOM honors meant solo interview time.
He fielded questions on key moments and opponents, keeping the vibe light and positive.
Then, the sneaky one slipped in.
The one he'd been waiting for.
"There's talk that Ban Yeager's talents shine brighter at Real Madrid than they did at Manchester United. As the man himself—what are your thoughts on playing for Real and life there overall?"
Club World Cup loan or not, the better he played, the more United fans fretted—and Madrid fans hoped.
He checked soccer forums now and then to gauge the mood. He knew.
[Yeager's head hurts thinking about United return after linking with Mbappé & Vinícius lmao]
Tons of posts like that.
His response? Always the same.
"Everyone's wondering when I'll be back... It's starting to wear on me. I'm still right here in Manchester, waiting."
——
Manchester United had jetted off to Saudi. Only Ban Yeager stayed in Manchester.
Clever answer, but not the truth.
Public opinion improved overall, though it riled up the haters even more.
But what if it felt true?
Full 90 and no rest???
PSG game was at Etihad btw lmao
United's squad had scattered to Saudi and Real Madrid.
First back at Old Trafford? Ban Yeager.