Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions-Chapter 769 - 554: When Two Paths Cross, the Brave Wins! A Stunning Strike, Tang Long Triumphs Over Hummels Without Retreat!

Seeing Ranocchia finally pass the ball out, Chiwo, whose heart was in his throat on the sidelines, finally let out a long sigh of relief.

He was just about to discuss Ranocchia's reckless pass with Guardiola when he heard Guardiola shout loudly, pointing to the distance:

"Christian, look!"

Chiwo was stunned, following Guardiola's direction, he looked up and instantly widened his eyes, swallowing back the words stuck in his throat.

He looked out and saw the ball flying in the air, descending with intense spin.

Tang Long was charging forward!

Hummels and Martinez were also rushing towards the ball!

Bayern was playing in the same 4-2-3-1 formation as Manchester City for this match, replacing Boateng from the previous poor performance, with Hummels and Martinez as the starting center-backs.

"Great ball, what a pass!" Chiwo shouted heavily in his heart.

But he didn't shout it out loud; he had already figured out that Ranocchia's series of seemingly reckless actions before were all just a setup for this pass;

However, whether Ranocchia's strategy would succeed depended on whether Tang Long could bring down this extremely difficult ball in front of two towering center-backs.

Chiwo thought it was indeed a bit difficult!

Because Ranocchia kicked out this ball with his left foot, spinning intensely to the side as it descended;

Tang Long was cutting in from the wing, theoretically getting farther and farther away from the ball.

While Martinez and Hummels, the two center-backs, were waiting for the right moment, although they were also rushing towards the ball, they were approaching it head-on and closer compared to Tang Long.

"Too fast!"

Guardiola couldn't help but bend down, his clenched fists pounding heavily on his chest.

He shouted "too fast", not because the ball was descending fast but because of Tang Long's advancing speed!

Tang Long's absolute speed was not top-notch in the football world, still trailing Bell and others, but thanks to his AI system giving him max-level anticipation, his precise prediction of the drop point and his early start speed, his grasp of a series of key points surpassed those of top center-backs like Martinez and Hummels.

He always had the advantage!

But Hummels and Martinez were not to be underestimated; playing as key players for Bayern, they certainly had some skills;

Especially Hummels, who went from Bayern to Dort in 2009 and helped the team win two League Championships afterwards.

Last summer, Bayern spent a hefty sum of 35 million euros to bring him back, showing their absolute recognition of this center-back's level.

Hummels' prediction of the drop point was stronger than Martinez's, and the ball was actively flying in this direction.

He rushed one step forward, seeing Tang Long also charging; a shock surged through his heart as he quickly calculated:

"I might not win him to this ball, it's a 50-50 ball; even if he takes it, I might as well position myself properly. Even if he brings it down, close and with no space, it's unlikely he can do much against me; most likely he'll just hold the ball with his back to the goal. If his control isn't good, I might as well clear it with a kick."

So, facing this 50-50 ball, Hummels conservatively chose not to contest aggressively, instead standing his ground and waiting for Tang Long.

Bang!

But Hummels didn't get to see Tang Long bring the ball down, nor did he see Tang Long's control error and his own defensive clearance fantasy.

He only felt an explosion in the sound, a gust of wind passing his face, with a whoosh, the football flashed like lightning past his face; instinctive self-protection drove him to turn his face away instantly, just in time to see Neuer sprawled on the ground in a sorry state.

The football was precisely in the top left corner of the goal, the net violently trembled from the massive impact!

"Ah, this!" Hummels felt like his head was being pounded by a heavy hammer, buzzing.

How did he just directly shoot?

This isn't scientific!

Until the ball struck the net hard, Tang Long's extended right leg slowly touched the ground.

Tang Long initially planned to bring the ball down first and then think about what to do.

Whether to shoot, break past Hummels and Martinez, or hold the ball with his back to the goal and seek cooperation—this all depended on the opponent's subsequent reaction for on-the-spot adaptation.

However, the moment Tang Long jumped to unload the ball, he saw Hummels suddenly retreating back, knowing immediately that he was waiting for him to control the ball.

At the flash of a moment, Tang Long gritted his teeth and made a decision that seemed extremely daring to everyone—directly volley!

Even Tang Long himself felt his decision was risky.

After all, it was a temporary action change; from ball control to shooting, the swing of the calf was inadequate, added to the fact that he was running in from the side and aiming to volley, lacking full confidence in judging the trajectory.

But as they say, in a narrow road, the brave win!

At the Champions League knockout stage, when two forces meet, backing down at the crucial moment would surely result in a great mistake.

In this 50-50 ball matchup, Tang Long, the brave side, defeated Hummels!

Everyone thought he would control the ball, but he decides to go for the goal!

He just shot it in!

The whistling night wind swept in, Munich's strong wind blew Tang Long's light blue Manchester City jersey fiercely.

Looking up at the stars in this night sky, he suddenly felt elated.

A year ago on this field, he returned with regret with Manchester City;

But today he wouldn't let that scene happen again!

Teammates collectively rushed towards Tang Long, screaming wildly, wanting to press him firmly in the center and give him a hearty pile-up, all conquered by Tang Long's astonishing volley.

Tang Long, however, nimble like a serpentine move, like a dancer weaving through the penalty area line, dodged the trio of Agüero, Gundogan, Diego, broke free from Kompany's pincers-like hands, and ran wildly to Ranocchia's side for a solid high-five!

This one left the palms of both red and hot.

Ranocchia, after passing the ball out under extremely difficult circumstances, also fell to the ground.

Almost sitting on the ground, he witnessed Tang Long's volley with his own eyes.

"Ah... brilliant!" The originally standing Ranocchia suddenly had red eyes again, and sat back on the ground.

He was happy for Tang Long's goal and was ecstatic for delivering such a beautiful assist himself.

Early this season, when Guardiola switched him from center-back to defensive midfielder, there was a wave of skepticism outside.

After all, the Italian was already 28 years old, at this age most players have matured in technical moves and tactical thinking.

Changing positions, especially to defensive midfielder, the hardest position on the field, could he do it?

Ranocchia made up his mind to deliver several shocking assists so as not to disappoint Guardiola and to strongly counter those doubting media.

This season, he indeed sent several ground through balls.

However, Guardiola positioned him as a Busquets-style defensive midfielder, with Ranocchia mostly controlling the rhythm at the back field, while the front field passes were more handled by teammates like Gundogan, Mkhitaryan, Diego.

Because in Guardiola's view, these players are shorter, lighter, with quicker footwork and action, able to evolve into templates of Harvey and Iniesta.

But now it seems, Guardiola underestimated the Italian's strength!

"This isn't Busquets, this is definitely Pirlo, oh, an enhanced version of Pirlo with the opposite foot." Guardiola patted the stupefied Chiwo, saying with a smile.

Bonazzoli, on the substitute bench, couldn't sit still long ago, bouncing to the side line.

"Great pass, captain, you really scared me!"

If it were someone else who made this kind of beautiful pass to assist Tang Long in scoring, no matter how beautiful the pass was, Bonazzoli would surely cheer for his good friend Tang Long first.

But at this moment, he wanted to give all his surging emotions to Ranocchia, who was thoughtfully counseling him at 2:30 in the night yesterday.

"Captain, come on!" Bonazzoli shouted again before reluctantly turning back to sit on the bench.

He noticed his teammates on the bench were all watching him with amused expressions.

Chiwo walked quickly to Bonazzoli beside him, pulled him aside, said softly:

"Watch it, there's only one captain here, and that's Kompany, don't shout casually."

Guardiola heard it, his ears moved slightly, thinking:

"Inter produces excellent people, Tang, Ranocchia, Bonazzoli, plus Chiwo, hmm, all good lads!"