Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions-Chapter 738 - 527: The Unjust Moyes of the Ages! Manchester United’s Single-Game Record of 81 Crosses to Be Broken?

Chapter 738: Chapter 527: The Unjust Moyes of the Ages! Manchester United’s Single-Game Record of 81 Crosses to Be Broken?

As soon as Icardi kicked off, it seemed like he had lost his mind, shooting from the center circle.

Even the referee was stunned by this shot, his eyes followed the ball intently, and he thought, "This... it’s allowed by the rules, he can shoot like this!"

The ball was incredibly fast in the air, with a spin and a sudden drop, an absolutely unexpected and high-quality long shot!

As soon as Icardi kicked the ball, he felt the contact was precise, his eyes lit up with hope, thinking, "Score! It has to go in!"

...

Bang!

Manchester City’s goalkeeper Bravo supported the ball gently with both palms in the air, then let it drop, and stepped on it with his foot.

"What’s wrong with him!" Bravo sneered dismissively, passed the ball to Stones, and told him to organize the play.

Clap clap clap~

The applause from the Red Devils fans echoed throughout Old Trafford, everyone was applauding this long shot.

But Guardiola and Chiwo were amused, exchanging a knowing smile.

Icardi’s shot was indeed outstanding, given his level of long shots, a truly exceptional performance, with accurate ball contact and the trajectory even spanning over 50 meters, still landing within the goal’s frame.

However, such a shot is impossible to score!

Not to mention, standing opposite is a Premier League-level goalkeeper, if a 50-meter long shot could score, it would belittle the players too much;

Moreover, it was just the start of the match, Manchester City’s defense hadn’t pressed forward, and Bravo hadn’t left the penalty area, he was just standing inside the small box.

No matter how fast the ball was, or how accurate, once it crossed half the pitch, slowed by air resistance, it became too soft to pose any threat to a professional goalkeeper.

Therefore, Bravo perceived this center circle shot as a deliberate humiliation from the opponent, responding with his body language - not catching it, just tapping it, letting it drop and stepping on it, scornfully thinking, "You seriously underestimate me!"

No wonder Owen burst out laughing, "Goodness, Mauro thinks he’s C Luo!"

Ronaldo said, "This was a move to show force, indicating that Manchester United needs a strong start, the symbolism of the shot exceeds its actual impact."

Dilata laughed and remarked, "Really? I think it’s just for show, such shots only happen in the Premier League, if it were in the Serie A, the player would be substituted by halftime because he just handed the possession to the opponent for free."

...

Boom!

Five minutes in, in the center field, faced with a 50/50 ball, both Icardi and Tang Long refused to back down and tackled together, the football squeezed between their studs like twin dragons fighting over a pearl, ultimately bounced forcefully off the sideline, their studs going past each other’s ears, bodies narrowly missing.

Extremely dangerous!

Yet, once up on their feet again, they exchanged a glance without any conflict.

In soccer matches, there’s an unwritten rule about 50/50 balls: whoever gets scared, and pulls out first, will get hurt!

This play saw neither yielding, both went for the tackle, seemed dangerous, but they walked away safe in the end.

The ball went out of bounds, out of the control of the two forwards at the center circle, allowing them to relax a bit.

Icardi walked proudly to Tang Long and said:

"So, Tang, how was my opening long shot?"

Tang Long pondered for a moment, saying, "Not bad, it’s about thirty percent of my ability."

Having delivered that astounding long shot, Icardi hoped for a definite answer, yet seeing Tang Long just acknowledging it as thirty percent of his skill, he got furious and said: 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"Thirty percent? Haha, I clearly shot so accurately... why don’t you try shooting a ball yourself!"

He just felt Tang Long was pretending not to acknowledge his skill.

Knowing full well that while he is arrogant, Icardi realizes his long shot prowess isn’t up to Tang Long’s level;

But to say that his shot had only thirty percent of Tang Long’s power, he absolutely couldn’t accept it, he felt it was at least eighty percent.

Tang Long was well aware that Icardi’s shot was accurate. The shot itself was fine, the key was the timing and anticipation!

Tang Long didn’t want to argue with Icardi, just gave a faint smile and ignored him. Conveniently, the ball came to Kolarov on the left, a few midfielders followed, so Tang Long also joined the move to the left, distancing himself from Icardi.

"Even if you won’t say it, you have to admit it in your heart, Tang, Icardi is not that much worse than you, in many aspects I’m better than you!" Icardi thought resentfully.

...

Fifteen minutes into the match.

Guardiola basically figured out Manchester United’s tactics, which explained why Icardi, who had been off the main roster for a long time, suddenly started in the derby.

"Direct headers from the wing, this is too crude, since when did Pellegrini use such a low-grade Championship tactic? Unbelievable."

Bang bang bang!

Bang bang bang!

In just 15 minutes, Manchester United made 8 wing crosses!

The ball, like grenades, kept being fired from the dense forests on either side to the crowded center.

Admittedly, Manchester City had a densely populated central area, though Icardi didn’t get to the point every time, he managed to head for goal three times, two of which were within the goal frame, forcing Bravo to save.

Owen analyzed, "Manchester City’s defense can do without Stones, but not Kompany. Without the Belgian, their aerial defense drops a notch."

Ronaldo stated, "Icardi excels at getting to the point, though not tall, his prediction for the drop point is top-tier in the Premier League."

Manchester City basically figured out the opponent’s offensive pattern, thus increasing the intensity of their pressing, players started moving more vigorously;

Guardiola understood that this was a test for the players’ stamina, but allowing them to freely cross into the box from the wings, although he disdains this Championship tactic, he couldn’t conceal a trace of unease, thinking, "What if a blind cat catches a dead mouse, and lets Icardi score one..."

Moments later, Manchester United’s wing expert Ashley Young sent a cross, Icardi burst into action, darting in front of Stones, diving for a header goal!

Manchester United leads 1-0 at home!

"Haha, Mauro scored!" Icardi excitedly wanted to take his shirt off but thought he might score more goals, so he decided to save the yellow card.

Guardiola also rubbed his forehead and sighed slightly.

He knew that without Kompany, Manchester City had to guard against high balls? Still, Stones and Otamendi - one too inexperienced, the other too short.

Owen clapped his thigh, exclaiming:

"Ashley Young’s cross was actually very decisive!"

"Manchester City had clearly stepped up their pressing, two players surrounded him, this ball, was completely sent forward forcefully to evade their encirclement with an off-foot kick!"

"Just this cross was perfect, in arc and landing, both top-notch."

"In training, if he did ten more crosses, he might not deliver one like that, haha!"

Ronaldo lamented, "But he did send it across, that’s football, anything can happen, besides, Mauro’s front-loop header was strong, Stones made the mistake of watching the ball and not the man."

After scoring, Manchester United not only didn’t pull back but strengthened their offense, still relying on wing crosses!

Bang bang bang!

Bang bang bang!

The football like meteor bolts invaded Manchester City’s penalty area.

A single Icardi messed up Manchester City’s penalty area, along with Rooney’s vigorous running and support nearby, Manchester United’s seemingly simple offensive, yet played smoothly!

Live broadcast room.

-[Guess who I suddenly thought of? Moyes!]