Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions-Chapter 797 - 572: Coach Guardiola and Tang Long Mysteriously Disappear, Manchester City Rewrite the Game in 5 Minutes After Their Return!

Half-time, the atmosphere in the visiting team's dressing room was heavy.

The Manchester City players huddled in a tight circle, their faces filled with anxiety, as if shrouded by a cloud.

At the start of the first half, everything seemed promising.

With Manchester City's 3-5-2 formation, they dominated the field like masters, firmly controlling the situation.

Tang Long delivered a brilliant assist to Mkhitaryan, who scored effortlessly!

However, the good times were short-lived, as two experienced defensive players from the opponent locked onto Tang Long like two unshakeable pieces of gum.

From that point on, Manchester City's fierce offensive gradually slowed down.

Despite their powerful midfield possession and intricate passing system, which allowed them to control the pace of the game, the opponent's star player Griezmann scored a crucial equalizing goal with his superb shooting skills just before the end of the first half.

Starting goalkeeper Bravo was filled with self-reproach.

He knew that he had judged Griezmann's shot correctly and prepared to make the save in advance.

But his somewhat short arms became a fatal shortcoming at this critical moment.

Standing at just 1.83 meters tall, despite his wealth of experience in major competitions, Bravo could only lament "regretting your short reach when needed."

He watched helplessly as the cleverly curved ball whizzed by him, unable to stop it.

Bravo curled up alone in the corner of the locker room, filled with regret, his mind repeatedly drifting to a ridiculous thought: "If Onana had been eligible to play, would he have stopped it?"

The teammates quickly sensed Bravo's depression and gathered around to comfort him.

Even Onana, who had not been selected for the match squad but traveled with the team, walked briskly to the side of the veteran and said softly:

"Cheer up! Two years ago, you were a key player when Barça won the treble. What's this setback? That goal wasn't your fault!"

However, at this moment, most of the teammates' eyes were anxiously directed towards the locker room entrance.

Everyone had returned, but Tang Long and coach Guardiola were nowhere to be seen.

This was very unusual!

As usual, Guardiola would always return to the locker room a few seconds before the end of the first half to carefully plan tactics to welcome back his players.

But today, they both seemed to have vanished into thin air.

"Where on earth have they gone? Could they have gone to the bathroom?" someone whispered.

"Aguero, go to the bathroom and check, call them back, it's an emergency!" Aguero was agitated, his tone full of anxiety.

How could they go missing at such a time!

This Manchester City may be formidable in the Premier League, but they are still novices in the Champions League.

These players may qualify for the Champions League each year, but their best achievement so far has been reaching the semi-finals, without ever winning the coveted title.

So, at this moment, everyone in the locker room eagerly anticipated the appearance of Guardiola and Tang Long, longing to receive reassurance from them.

Just as everyone was bewildered, footsteps echoed clearly from the corridor outside the locker room, accompanied by hearty laughter.

Everyone turned in surprise to see Guardiola amiably wrapping his arm around Tang Long, the two strolling into the locker room as if on a leisurely stroll in their own backyard garden, their faces relaxed and smiling, talking and laughing.

"Boss, Tang, where have you been? We've been worried sick!"

Aguero, with his impulsive nature, rushed forward and shouted with a hint of questioning in his tone.

Guardiola slowly scanned the room, reading the urgency in everyone's eyes.

He and Tang Long exchanged a knowing smile and said:

"Why the rush? Tang and I have already worked it out. Saul and Godin are so determined to shut Tang down, so let's see exactly how they plan to defend."

Everyone was instantly overjoyed.

It seems the coach already has a strategy in place.

The room quickly fell silent as everyone perked up their ears, focusing intently on Guardiola's tactical plan for the second half.

...

On the other side, Atlético Madrid's players confidently strode out of the dressing room, returning to the pitch.

They were greeted by a thunderous wave of cheers from the fans at the Wanda Metropolis stadium!

Having equalized from trailing at kick-off just before halftime, Atlético's morale was high, like a raging flame.

Especially the team's leading striker, French star Griezmann, whose excellent performance in the first half made him a hero to the team and convinced the fans that overtaking the score and gaining the upper hand in the first leg was merely a matter of course.

Griezmann deliberately ran up to his teammates Godin and Saul, clapped them firmly on the shoulders, and said loudly:

"Great job in the first half! With you two, I'm completely at ease!"

Veteran Godin, full of confidence, pounded his chest and replied decisively:

"Rest assured! We've set up a trap for Tang Long, even if he turns into Messi, Manchester City won't break through our goal!"

"Messi? Ha ha!" Griezmann's lips curled slightly, showing a hint of disdain, "He's still playing in the UEFA Europa League, how could he break through our Atletico's defense on the European war field?"

However, they had evidently overlooked a crucial issue.