Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions-Chapter 826 - 582: Tang Long Orchestrates a Dream Start! Toying with Manchester United’s Defense, Creates an Incredible Own Goal from Zero Angle!

Tang Long's opening long-distance shot from the center circle, strictly speaking, doesn't count as a shot at all.

Recalling the last Manchester Derby, Icardi also tried such a shot right at the start, and that was genuinely aimed at the goal.

However, to score from such a shot is simply unrealistic; its purpose is merely to intimidate the opponent.

Tang Long knew all too well that De Gea's goalkeeping skills are top-notch; across the entire world of football, no player can strike the ball into the goal guarded by De Gea right from the kickoff at the center circle.

To put it bluntly, any Premier League goalkeeper standing before the goal, no matter how skilled he is, would absolutely be unable to let such a long-distance shot go in.

So, Tang Long's shot was clearly intended to precisely kick the ball near Manchester United's corner flag, creating a sideline throw-in.

Tang Long's exquisite technique is renowned in the football world; this shot, in terms of power and angle, was perfect, with the ball landing steadily near the corner flag's sideline, only about twenty or thirty centimeters from the baseline.

In terms of shot difficulty, aiming directly at the center of the goal from the center circle is several times easier!

Manchester United players looked at Tang Long's inexplicable kick with puzzlement and confusion.

But on Manchester City's side, everyone understood with no surprise.

Following the meticulously planned tactical setup before the game, everyone rushed forward like well-trained soldiers.

In an instant, Blind, Damian, and Fellaini, Manchester United's players preparing to respond to the sideline throw on the left, were surrounded like a fortress by Manchester City's Gundogan, Ranocchia, Tang Long, and Apollo.

"From the start, Tang Long's shot intended to exert massive pressure on Manchester United's front field!"

"We can see that Manchester United is finding it not so easy to successfully throw in this sideline ball!"

"The receiving players are completely surrounded, and Manchester City's formation has massively shifted to the right side!"

"This is definitely a premeditated, precisely designed tactic, arranged clearly before the opening whistle!"

"I've been commentating on football for nearly 20 years, and this kind of novel tactic is something I'm seeing for the first time today. It's truly enlightening!"

At this moment, Manchester United's left-back Damian tightly hugged the ball, holding it high above his head, his eyes full of hesitation and dilemma.

This Italian full-back anxiously looked around, seeing all his teammates shrouded in Manchester City's blue jerseys with no one who could easily receive the ball.

Looking further away, Carrick was indeed unmarked, but the distance was too far; recklessly throwing the ball there was too risky, and Damian lacked such courage.

During this hesitation, Damian held the ball in a standoff for four or five seconds, unable to bring himself to throw it.

On the stands of Etihad Stadium, most of Manchester City's fans were seasoned veterans who've watched many games.

At first, they were puzzled by Tang Long's peculiar tactic;

But now, seeing Manchester United trapped in such a predicament while throwing the sideline ball, they suddenly realized.

Suddenly, overwhelming boos surged towards Damian like a tidal wave.

"Xu——Xu——" The deafening booing echoed, seemingly attempting to overturn the entire stadium.

Meanwhile, Tang Long wasn't idle, yelling to the referee to apply pressure.

"Referee, he's stalling! If he keeps delaying without throwing the ball, he should get a yellow card warning!"

Under this intense pressure, Damian could no longer afford to think much, swinging his arms, taking two steps of a run-up, and near the corner flag, he energetically threw the ball heavily towards the sideline position ahead.

Typically, on a football field, sideline balls are mostly thrown by full-backs.

Through long-term specialized training, full-backs have much stronger throwing abilities than players in other positions, able to throw further and more accurately.

But the throwing position this time happened to be near the corner flag, and despite Damian being a master of sideline throws, in such a disadvantageous position, how far could he throw the ball?

Ranocchia, utilizing his tall stature, outmatched Fellaini, leaping high from more than ten meters away, and headed the ball back to the midfield.

The ball flew straight towards Manchester United's defensive midfielder Carrick.

Just as Carrick prepared to stop the ball, a light blue figure flashed out like lightning, intercepting the ball in front of him.

The one intercepting the ball was Gundogan!

Since the last time Chiwo criticized him in front of the entire team, Gundogan deeply reflected on his performance on the field.

In this crucial Derby match, he showed extreme enthusiasm from the start, fully intending to prove his strength to the coaching staff.

This seasoned German midfielder deliberately didn't mark Carrick during this sideline ball defensive tactic, intentionally creating an unmarked illusion for this Manchester United midfielder.

When Ranocchia's header flew towards Carrick, Gundogan had already activated, like a leopard pouncing on its prey, and cut in halfway, successfully intercepting the ball in front of Carrick.

Not only that, Gundogan's build was more solid and stronger than Carrick's, crashing his shoulder and hip directly into Carrick, forcing him to retreat three steps, almost stumbling!

"Great ball!!!"

Etihad Stadium erupted in a tsunami-like cheer!

The fans knew well that Manchester City's tactic had achieved great success—they managed to force a crucial steal in the opponent's half!

Those who understand football know that taking the ball at the same position in the front court, whether doing so proactively or via intercepting the opponent, greatly differs in terms of threat to the goal!