Starting With Real Madrid

The second half hadn't begun yet. As the players stood in their respective halves, preparing for kickoff, a light rain fell over the Etihad Stadium, giving the atmosphere a sense of looming tragedy and a chilling breeze.

"It feels like a tragedy is unfolding tonight!" said Sky Sports commentator Andy Gray.

Raindrops slid down their faces, but all the Manchester City players wiped the water away with their hands and focused their eyes firmly on Manchester United.

This startled the Red Devils players on the other side, and many of them had a bad feeling.

The boss was right—Manchester City was going to strike back.

During the halftime break, Ferguson had already predicted that Manchester City wouldn't go down without a fight. He had reminded his players to stay alert in the second half, especially at the start. Everyone knew that Gao Shen was very good at setting the tone early in the game.

The Red Devils were fully prepared. Especially after seeing the determined expressions on the faces of the Manchester City players, they all understood what was coming.

Hmph, a counterattack?

Dream on!

Manchester United weren't to be underestimated either, and the Red Devils were a team filled with pride and confidence.

After being suppressed by Manchester City over the past three seasons, the accumulated frustration had made them restless.

As soon as the whistle blew and Manchester City's attacking trio surged forward to launch their assault, Manchester United's players took the initiative and pressed aggressively into City's midfield and defensive line.

Rooney spearheaded the pressing up front.

After Manchester City played the ball back, their two center-backs spread wide and exchanged passes to evade pressure from United's attackers.

But Manchester United's pressing in the midfield and final third was relentless. Ferguson had made it clear—he wanted to pin City back right from the start.

Midfielders Sneijder, Lass Diarra, and Carrick all pushed up aggressively, forcing Manchester City to pass the ball back into the penalty area, where Neuer had to step up.

Neuer controlled the ball near the edge of the box, then launched it with a long kick to the front line.

Suárez held off Phil Jones and managed to get into position, but when he controlled the ball and tried to turn, the touch was a bit heavy and the ball was cleared by Ferdinand.

The ball dropped near the halfway line. David Silva stepped up to challenge for it, but before he could get a touch, Lass Diarra intercepted it.

The two sides started exchanging possession near midfield.

Lichtsteiner suddenly burst forward from the right, beating Nani to intercept the ball and striding ahead. With Robben now operating on the right side, Lichtsteiner cut inside decisively, but was pulled down from the side and behind by Evra, who had chased back all the way.

The referee rushed over, showed Evra a yellow card, and awarded Manchester City a free kick on the right side of the final third.

"Evra is protesting, insisting his challenge wasn't enough to bring his opponent down and suspecting a dive."

"But you have to say, Lichtsteiner's sudden burst forward was dangerous."

"The Swiss full-back is strong at both ends, but since joining Manchester City, he's been far more active in attack."

"Especially this season, he's made himself a constant threat on the right flank."

"Let's see what Manchester City can make of this free kick."

…

Gao Shen called Gareth Bale over to the touchline.

They were standing close, and the moment Gao Shen shouted, the Welsh winger ran over.

"Confident in this position?" Gao Shen asked.

Gareth Bale was known for his powerful left-footed free kicks, and he practiced them regularly. This spot was about 25 meters from goal—perfect for him.

The Welshman glanced at the goal and then the ball's placement, before nodding firmly. "Leave it to me!"

He quickly ran back onto the pitch and made his way to the ball.

Robben, Suárez, and David Silva—all capable free-kick takers—were discussing who should take it. But when they saw Bale coming over with a clear plan, they didn't say a word.

After wishing him luck, they all cleared the area.

The Welshman didn't even want a run-up partner.

He wiped the ball clean, placed it carefully on the grass, and lined himself up for a left-footed strike, retreating slowly to the right.

He was a left-footed player, and this angle was perfect for him.

Manchester United lined up a six-man wall. Manchester City placed De Bruyne in the middle of the wall.

When the referee blew the whistle, Gareth Bale began his run-up.

Manchester United goalkeeper De Gea stood slightly toward the center, wary of a shot toward the far post. The wall already covered the near post, which allowed him more time to react.

But Bale took a quick step, planted his right foot, and swung his left boot through the ball, sending a curling strike toward goal.

The ball had a low trajectory, and De Bruyne, in the wall, clearly ducked, disrupting Manchester United's line. Bale's free kick flew directly over the wall.

It was so quick that De Gea barely had time to react. As he dove, the ball had already struck the inside of the right post and bounced into the net.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!"

"Less than two minutes into the second half, Manchester City break through Manchester United's defense!"

"Gareth Bale with a direct free kick to equalize for Manchester City!"

"2-1!"

"Bale's strike was pinpoint, and the angle was nasty. It kissed the post and went in—De Gea was left helpless."

After scoring, Bale sprinted off the pitch, ran full speed to the corner, and slid on his knees in front of the fans, letting out a wild cheer as the stands erupted.

Gao Shen was just as fired up on the touchline, but he quickly signaled for the players to return to position.

Manchester City needed to press on.

…

The game resumed.

As soon as Manchester United kicked off, Manchester City turned up the pressure.

The Red Devils tried to build out wide and entered City's half. Nani attempted a breakthrough on the left and crossed into the box, but Neuer came off his line and plucked the ball from the air just outside the penalty spot.

Neuer quickly launched a counterattack with a throw to Jérôme Boateng.

The German center-back controlled the ball and sent a long pass into the front third.

Suárez, with his back to Phil Jones, brought the ball down on his chest.

Phil Jones and Carrick pressed from either side, trying to steal the ball. But Suárez used his quick footwork to shield it, keeping it between the two defenders before playing it through to David Silva on the left.

The Spanish midfielder took a touch, looked up, and immediately recalled Gao Shen's halftime instructions.

More switches!

Silva quickly played a diagonal ball with his left foot, sending it to the right channel.

It landed right in the defensive gap. No United player was there.

Robben made a forward run and reached the ball near the edge of the box.

Ferdinand had rushed back, but Robben was ready. He cut into the right side of the area, stopped suddenly, then shifted inside and fired with his left foot.

This time, instead of aiming for the far corner, he shot toward the near post.

De Gea reacted instinctively to the quick release but was still a split-second late. The ball struck the right post and bounced into the net again.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!"

"Three minutes! Just three minutes!"

"Manchester City have scored twice in rapid succession!"

"2-2!"

"My God, what a start to the second half! Manchester City have shown their incredible attacking firepower!"

"United's strategy of going aggressive from the kickoff has backfired."

"Ferguson anticipated City would come out strong, so he wanted to pin them down early—but he didn't expect City's attack to be this sharp, this ruthless. Both attacks tore through United's defense."

"Look at the City players—they're full of energy now!"

"After scoring, Robben didn't even celebrate. He picked up the ball from inside the net and ran back to the center circle, signaling the referee to restart."

"City's morale is sky-high."

"Manchester United is in trouble!"

…

Ferguson, ever the fox, saw how City's momentum had tilted the game. Manchester United's morale had taken a hit, and he opted to pull back.

To be honest, continuing to attack in this situation gave United little hope. City had found their rhythm, and if things went on like this, they could shred United's defense.

Ferguson substituted Nani for Anderson and shifted Sneijder to the left side of the front line.

This move was clearly meant to strengthen midfield control and interceptions.

The substitution helped Manchester United stabilize, and the game returned to a balanced phase.

It wasn't until the 83rd minute that United tried a build-up from the back into City's box.

Neuer came out to collect the ball near the edge of the area and threw it to Jérôme Boateng, who had drifted out wide. Boateng controlled it and sent a straight pass looking for Leighton Baines.

But Lass Diarra and Valencia double-teamed Baines, and after a messy tussle, the ball spilled into the left channel.

David Silva pounced, taking the ball before Diarra could recover, then slipped a diagonal pass into the open space on the left.

Gareth Bale accelerated with blistering pace, flying down the flank and cutting into United's penalty area from the left channel.

This was his favorite spot. Both of United's center-backs panicked and rushed to cover, but Bale surprised them with a horizontal cutback.

The ball curved behind the defenders and landed in the open space near the penalty spot.

Suárez, arriving a beat later, met the cross and lashed it with his right foot.

The ball rocketed into the right side of United's goal.

De Gea dove again, but he was too late.

All three goals—into the right side of the net.

The Spanish keeper was left frustrated, almost wondering if they were deliberately targeting him.

But the Etihad had erupted into chaos.

A comeback!

After going 0-2 down, Manchester City had pulled off the turnaround!

All the City players rushed off the pitch, chasing Suárez and the others to the sideline. They hugged and celebrated their incredible comeback.

3-2!

(To be continued.)