Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions-Chapter 687 - 479: 9.2 seconds! A New Champions League Record for the Fastest Goal! From This Sideways Upside-Down Volley!_2

And how could the Celtic players on the field not feel the same way?

Before the match, their head coach showed them a lot of Manchester City's games, urging them to focus on guarding against City's passing and possession style, trying to use solid positioning and active running to disrupt City's passing routes.

But who could have predicted that opening long pass?

They never expected such a long pass, which seemed common in the Scottish league, to carry such immense power when employed by Manchester City, culminating in an extraordinary goal worthy of the Puskás Award, delivered by the finisher Tang Long!

"5.8! The TV ratings have hit 5.8!"

The CCTV 5 studio was once again plunged into madness.

This time, not only did He Wei jump onto the table, but other staff members also leapt onto the tables, platforms, and chairs in front of them!

Tang Long's stunning sideways bicycle kick instantly boosted the TV ratings by 0.6 percentage points!

These ratings not only made this Champions League group stage match between Manchester City and Celtic surpass the pinnacle match between Ma Long and Zhang Jike at the 2016 Rio Olympics;

But it also overtook the legendary men's singles semi-final in badminton between Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei!

Amidst the excited crowd, CCTV 5's director Li Kai stood up to maintain order.

"Everyone, control your emotions, please make sure to control your emotions! Please stay at your posts, trust me, the peak of higher ratings is yet to come!"

On the sidelines, Guardiola touched his bald head, his gaze filled with confusion.

Logically speaking, with the team scoring so quickly after the start, a lightning-fast goal, Guardiola should have been happy.

But at this moment, his heart was filled with three parts joy and seven parts confusion!

Who instructed them to play this way?

My God, how did Tang Long score in that position...

This wasn't the tactical plan I laid out before the game!

The opening long pass by Manchester City indeed baffled Guardiola.

However, considering the team's lead, Guardiola didn't say much and eventually clapped with a smile on his face.

Looking at the three big question marks emerging on the Spaniard's head, assistant coach Chiwo remained silent, simply smiling.

Before the game, he secretly discussed with Tang Long and Ranocchia.

"Guardiola wants you to focus on passing and possession, which is correct, but remember, a team that only knows how to pass and possess the ball will never go too far. Occasionally playing some unexpected rhythm changes can add resilience to our tactics, especially at the opening stage."

And that opening strike orchestrated by Ranocchia and Tang Long in over 9 seconds caught Celtic completely off guard!

Perhaps the opening blow left Celtic bewildered, as the Scottish team seemed utterly lost in the first half.

At the 32-minute mark, Tang Long delivered a straightforward pass in front of the penalty area to Agüero, who sealed the score again with his signature lob shot, taking the match into halftime at 2:0.

Guardiola and Chiwo headed towards the player tunnel.

Throughout, Guardiola was contemplating what tactics to assign to the players for the second half, but just as he reached the locker room door, he heard deafening cheers erupting from inside.

Guardiola was puzzled: "Well, it's just a Champions League group match, leading 2:0 at halftime, is this really something the kids should be so excited about?"

But Sterling joyfully rushed over and picked him up with a hug.

"We've created a record, we've scored the fastest goal in Champions League history!"

The fastest goal? Before Guardiola could absorb what was said, team captain Kompany smiled and told him:

"That's right, boss, I checked; Tang Long's goal was timed exactly at 9.3 seconds!"

9.3 seconds!!!

Guardiola's mouth formed a big round "O" once again.

...

After receiving information conveyed by the broadcast director through the earpiece,

Though his face was flushed with excitement, as blood rushed to his head, He Wei still struggled to suppress his inner emotions and calm his tone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have once again witnessed a historic moment together on TV!"

"Chinese player Tang Long has scored the fastest goal in Champions League history!"

"His opening sideways bicycle kick was not only spectacular but also remarkably early in the match!"

"9.3 seconds! Let's remember this number!"

"During the second leg of the Champions League round of 16, Bayern vs. Real Madrid, on March 8, 2007, just moments after kickoff, a defensive line mistake during a defensive halt by Carlos was exploited by Salihamidzic for a breakthrough cross, followed by Ma Kai striking in the middle to score."

"Later, UEFA's official website confirmed Ma Kai's goal as timed at 10.2 seconds, setting a new fastest goal record in Champions League history."

"But that's history! Tonight, we have witnessed the birth of a new record!"

He Wei became increasingly emotional as he spoke, completely absorbed in the world of football, saliva flying as he spoke.

"I don't know how many viewers in front of their TVs are watching this Manchester City Champions League match alongside me."

"But I can imagine, I hear not only the cheers of 60,000 Manchester City fans from the stadium in my ears but also the cheers from 1.4 billion Chinese people!"

"Let's remember Tang Long, this young man who just turned 20. With a beautiful sideways bicycle kick, he smashed the nearly decade-long fastest goal record in the Champions League held by Europeans!"

"Any applause or praise seems so pale and powerless in front of such a performance."

"We just need to take a deep breath, adjust our emotions, and quietly wait for the second half to begin."

After He Wei finished speaking, the screen transitioned into advertisements.

He leaned back in his chair, resting with eyes closed, but images of Tang Long's over-nine-second goal played on repeat in his mind.

At this point, the ratings, which were at a peak of 5.92, began to drop, falling to 5.12.

In the CCTV 5 studio, Director Li Kai slapped his thigh and commanded:

"Immediately stop airing advertisements, switch back to He Wei's studio, and keep replaying Tang Long's opening goal, have He Wei continue commentating!"

The staff exchanged uncertain glances.

"Boss, isn't that a bad idea? These advertisement slots were pre-scheduled; doing this breaches our contract."

Li Kai waved it off with a smile: "It's okay, I'll take the blame if any issues arise. We'll give the advertisers a 5-times extension of ads at the end, but during this halftime, we must continuously showcase Tang Long's goal!"

Thus, the screen switched back to He Wei's side.

At this moment, He Wei had his legs up on the table, drinking water and eating a banana, replenishing energy when suddenly, the screen cut back with a snap~

He was momentarily stunned, hurriedly stuffed the banana into his mouth, fixed his suit, and sat up straight, looking lost.

Why did it cut back without any notice?

Upon receiving instructions from the studio, he immediately perked up and began his commentary once more. The TV screen continuously played Tang Long's over-nine-second goal repeatedly, one time, two times, three times, four times, played for dozens of times!

Poet He analyzed from different broadcasting angles, providing various insights.

He was well-prepared with ample knowledge, and his improvisation skills were excellent.

Tang Long's dazzling sideways bicycle goal, combined with He Wei's grand and poetic language, came together as a vivid stage play, captivating the viewers to the point they couldn't bear to switch the channel.

Even those who had switched away returned.

Everyone, all Chinese fans, watching this match, stayed glued in front of their TVs at a little past 3 a.m., mesmerized by Tang Long's performance.

"5.35, 5.67, 5.89, 6.03, it broke 6!"

"We actually broke 6!"

"It's simply a miracle!"

The studio erupted.

Who would have thought that a soccer game's peak rating would appear during halftime!

CCTV 5 not only set a bizarre record for broadcasting football matches, but it's also the most peculiar record for all live football broadcasts around the world!

Tang Long, with just one goal, inadvertently broke two records!

In front of the TV, one person's mouth twitched slightly, watching Tang Long's fleeting figure, sinking into deep thought...