[Football] Bad Boy Batty

The atmosphere before the game was a bit tense. The Manchester City bus was exceptionally quiet. Apart from Batistuta's occasional humming and the rustling of the head coach flipping through the tactical book, there was no other sound.

No one joked about where to hold a celebration party after the game, and no one teased their teammates not to have any problems on the field, because they knew that Bayern was a team that should not be underestimated. Just look at the result of Arsenal. No one wanted to be beaten by double-digit scores in two rounds.

In the starting lineup, Guardiola chose the most stable 11 players this season, goalkeeper Caballero; Clichy and Fernandinho as two full-backs, Stones and Otamendi as central defenders; Gundogan and David Silva as double defensive midfielders; Sterling and Batistuta on the left and right, De Bruyne in the middle; Jesus as center forward.

This can be called a decisive battle.

After this round of the league, Bayern has already secured the Bundesliga title 6 rounds in advance. Although Manchester City cannot be said to have won the title in advance, it is still firmly at the top of the Premier League, with a gap of 4 points from Tottenham behind it.

From the data, Manchester City and Bayern have only met in the group stage of the Champions League since the 21st century. In 6 games, both sides were evenly matched and each won 3 times. However, from the knockout stage, Bayern has never lost to Premier League teams from the 12-13 season to the present, while Manchester City has only entered the knockout stage a few times in the past few seasons, let alone against Bundesliga teams.

So this is why most people are more optimistic about Bayern, but the situation changed on the day when both sides announced the rosters. Bayern's top scorer Lewandowski injured his shoulder in the match against Dortmund and was unable to play, and Manchester City's 11-game unbeaten record in the Premier League put a big question mark on this Champions League game.

"What's there to be nervous about? Are you scared by the Germans' cheers?" Batistuta said to his solemn teammates in the Allianz Arena's player tunnel with a proud look on his face. "Previous European games are not a reference. I haven't even come yet, so don't look at those crappy statistics."

Does that mean we didn't win before because he wasn't there?
Several veteran players in Manchester City who have been there for many seasons looked at each other and shook their heads helplessly.

Although the words are a bit arrogant, they are indeed Batistuta's style. In a sense, their results have indeed started to improve since Batistuta came this season.

"Ha! Philip, did you hear what that kid said?" Mueller, who happened to overhear something, smiled and repeated to the captain, "He's so cute, so confident and cute. How come we don't have such a lovely little sweetie on our team?"

Alaba, who was standing in front of him, couldn't help but turn his head and rolled his eyes at him. "Pay less attention to your opponent, Thomas, and think more about how you should play. If I remember correctly, you haven't played as a center forward for a long time."

"...I just said that." Muller, whose pain point was touched, pouted and stood back in the team mumbling. However, when passing by Manchester City's team, he couldn't help but rub the kid's hair. It felt really good.

Batistuta, who was touched on the head for no reason, turned around and saw that it was Muller who did it, but he didn't say anything. However, Jesus and De Bruyne were not very happy.

"What's wrong with that guy? He touched your hair without saying anything. Is he trying to disrupt our morale?" Jesus said with his arms folded. Thanks to the 14 World Cup, he didn't like this noisy German very much. "Why didn't you react at all, Batistuta? Isn't this what you hate the most?"

Jesus was not in the meeting room during the Olympics, so he did not hear Batistuta's statement that he "likes Muller's type".

"Don't worry about what your opponent does. If you take it seriously, you will lose." Batistuta raised his chin and gently patted Jesus' head. "If you don't have that time, you might as well think about how to deal with Bayern's two central defenders. You have to succeed in one of the two: dribbling past the defense or getting a yellow card."

Jesus pursed his lips, quite sad about Batistuta's ungrateful behavior, but he was also optimistic. He quickly put the matter behind him and discussed with Batistuta about changing positions and breaking through.

The listener was attentive. De Bruyne, who had been silent in the back, secretly glanced at Thomas Muller in the Bayern team next door, and then retracted his gaze before the other party noticed.

Well, let them give it a try and see who is the final winner.

……

After the opening, both teams played very cautiously. After Bayern kicked off from the center circle, they mainly attacked on the right, and just as Guardiola thought, they pursued quick advancement. So in response to Bayern's style of play, Guardiola asked his players to retreat first.

"Tighten up!" Guardiola commanded on the sidelines, "Don't let them get through, just like in training!"

For an opponent of Bayern's level who attacks quickly, the best strategy is to retreat to defense and break their rhythm. Therefore, Batistuta had no complaints and followed his teammates back to the half court to support them.

At the same time, in the distant eastern continent, the two Brazilian fans gathered together again to stay up late to watch the game.

"Look, what does it mean to be an international superstar? You BBB have already started to retreat to defend. There is no suspense. Manchester City will definitely win this game."

The curly-haired boy also wore the No. 9 Manchester City jersey belonging to Batistuta today, just like his friend, but the difference was that he wore the second away jersey of the Champions League series, which is very similar to the cocktail set.

"It's a shame that Manchester City didn't wear the outfit I'm wearing today. Batistuta looks best in this outfit, it's gorgeous, and he scored the classic 6 goals in a row wearing this outfit."

His friend next to him nudged him hard with his elbow and said, "You're not saying bad things this time, are you? Can you please say something nice?"

"Isn't this good enough?" The curly-haired boy opened his mouth in disbelief. "Before the game, no one in the group was optimistic about Manchester City. I argued with them all night because you kept promoting him to me. I'm almost a fan of Batistuta. If this is not good enough, then I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say it."

“Shh—Okay, okay, I’ll listen to you. I’ll shut up.” The curly-haired boy made a gesture to shut up. “But I’m telling you, don’t worry too much. I’m really optimistic about Manchester City. Look at the momentum of BBB, the big guy. How could they lose?”

"...Please stop breastfeeding, I beg you."

……

Perhaps the mysterious power from the East played a role. Less than 6 minutes later, Bayern almost scored and took the lead at home. Javi Martinez sent a straight pass from the right, and Muller took the ball from the flank and passed it to Robben, who was trapped. Fortunately, Otamendi made a timely substitution to block Robben, so that the "one-trick" old man Robben could not cut in and shoot.

The ball was kicked out of the baseline and Bayern got another corner kick.

This was the third corner kick they got within 10 minutes of the first half. Batistuta, who had been returning to defense, became a little impatient. It was a good idea to stabilize the defense and prevent Bayern from launching a quick attack, but letting them get threatening corner kicks again and again was another matter.

Although Bayern's lineup has been aging and their running ability is not strong in recent years, headers from corner kicks and set pieces in the frontcourt are still an important way for them to score.

But Batistuta did not complain about his teammates as usual. He just calmly followed the instructions of goalkeeper Caballero to block Muller in front of his own goal, blocking his position and not giving him space to turn around. I don't know what happened, but Batistuta felt particularly good today. It was not a personal feeling, but he still felt that Bayern could win the game even when they had the upper hand.

It's a bit mysterious, but it's true. "Hello, kid, you're trying so hard to block me, are you afraid that I'll suddenly appear and score the opening goal again?"

During the penalty kick, Muller turned around and teased Batistuta. His English had a strong German accent and was mixed with a lot of Bavarian dialect, but Batistuta still understood what he meant. He was talking about the semi-final between Germany and Brazil in the 14 World Cup, when Muller scored the first goal for the German team from a corner kick.

The young man raised his lips and retorted easily: "Rather than that, you should think more about your penalty curse. Look, we are near the penalty spot now. What? Are you so scared that you can't walk?"

The penalty curse has completely hit Muller's sore spot. Ever since he conceded a penalty in last year's Champions League semi-final, causing Bayern to miss the chance to advance to the final, he has never scored a penalty since then, including in the European Cup.

So the big-mouthed Thomas Muller pulled a long face and muttered something like "Not cute, not cute at all" and turned his head back. Looking at the curly hair on the back of his head, the smile on Batistuta's mouth widened.

Humph, you're still far from being able to confront him.

Robben took a corner kick and Boateng headed the ball to the first point, but he was blocked by Manchester City players and couldn't get rid of it, so he had to send the ball back to the midfield. Sterling and Lahm competed for the header on the wing. Sterling originally snatched the ball, but Lahm was experienced and snatched the ball back to his feet in a few seconds, and then returned it to his teammate without hesitation.

"What the hell!"

Sterling shook his hands in annoyance, thinking, oh no, Batistuta is going to talk back at him again, and the German fans in the stands next to him booed him loudly, which made him even more annoyed.

However, the expected scene did not happen. Not only did the "pressure monster" Batty not say anything to him, he also gave him a thumbs up to indicate that he did a good job.

Sterling frowned and pinched himself - it hurt so much. It seemed that he was not dreaming. They were really playing against Bayern, and Batistuta really encouraged him.

Strange, he thought, why did this child's personality change today?

……

After 15 minutes, Bayern's attack speed gradually slowed down, the situation became stable, and Manchester City began to gradually regain control of the ball.

But Bayern still has the advantage.

So far, Batistuta has not been able to make an effective dribbling breakthrough, and Bayern's style of play on the wing has indeed caused him some difficulties.

Whenever the ball was given to him in the backcourt, Alaba and Ribery would return to defense, the empty space on the ribs and the bottom position were blocked, and Alonso was watching him closely, which prevented him from performing beautiful dribbling and he could only choose to make a large transfer or pass back to the wing.

But mentality is very important, and Batistuta still thinks they can score.

After passing the ball back to the goalkeeper for stability again, De Bruyne found him and said, "Don't be discouraged, it's only been more than 20 minutes, and we have opportunities later."

"How can you tell that I'm discouraged?" Batty smiled brightly, then patted De Bruyne's arm easily, "Go back quickly, I'm waiting for you to pass the ball, helmsman."

The midfielder was surprised, but he didn't say anything. He threw the ball back to his position. Before that, he looked back at Batistuta. The boy's face was rarely excited, and there was indeed no negative emotion at all.

Now even De Bruyne finds it strange.

……

In the 22nd minute, Bayern scored first. Muller's shot in front of the goal was blocked by Caballero. Robben took a corner kick. Manchester City kept a close eye on Bayern's header scorers, but only missed one.

Vidal, a Chilean with a strange Mohawk, jumped high and the ball went straight into Manchester City's goal. The ball was too fast and even Caballero couldn't stop it when he reached out to block it.

Bayern leads Manchester City 1-0 at home.

"Who should have been watching him? This could have been totally avoided!"

De Bruyne was angry. He had just noticed that there was a gap in the defense behind him and reminded Fernandinho to fill the position, but the Brazilian defender still stood behind Boateng and didn't even look at Vidal.

But Fernandinho also said, "I have to defend the header at the front point, you can't ask me to defend both the front and the back by myself!"

It's not a good thing to be in this situation on the court, especially in a big game.

Just as Manchester City players were about to step forward to comfort their two teammates, an unexpected person stepped forward.

"It's just one goal behind, what's the point of arguing?" Battila pulled the irritable midfielder away. "I haven't even started to play yet, there's no need to argue about it. Believe me, we'll be able to overtake soon."

De Bruyne was calmed almost immediately, while others present were stunned.

Is this still the Batti they know?
"Don't just stand there, what are you doing?" Batty asked everyone to return to their positions. "Come on, there are still 20 minutes left, we will definitely score a goal, I said."

Now even Guardiola on the sidelines noticed it.

Batty is in exceptionally good shape today.

The head coach touched the stubble on the side of his face. It seemed that this game would be worth watching.

(End of this chapter)