The path to becoming a football legend began with being ousted from Carrington by Manchester United.

Similar to Manchester City, Napoli is also a team that has been absent from the Champions League for a long time. Their last appearance in the Champions League dates back to the era of Maradona.

In recent seasons, Napoli, under the leadership of head coach Walter Mazzarri, has also been on the right track.

This team from southern Italy dominates the Serie A with its signature 3-4-2-1 formation.

Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani, Slovakian midfield engine Marek Hamsik, and Argentine lightning striker Lavezzi formed a formidable attacking trident.

Besides their attack, Napoli's defense is also commendable.

The three-man defense consisting of captain Paolo Cannavaro, Hugo Campagnaro, and Zavatore Aronica worked together seamlessly and was very experienced, causing Manchester City's attack a lot of trouble in the first half.

With the addition of 34-year-old goalkeeper De Sanctis, who seemed to have a divine intervention in this match, it's no wonder they were able to take the lead against Manchester City away from home.

"Don't worry, everyone. We played very well in the first half. The opponent was just lucky to take the lead," Mancini reassured his players in the locker room.

In fact, that's what he thought too. Manchester City completely dominated the first half, leading in all statistics, including possession, shots, shots on target, and passing accuracy.

Perhaps it really was just a matter of luck, which is why their team not only failed to score despite their relentless attacks, but also allowed the opponent to seize the opportunity to launch a counterattack and steal a goal.

Captain Kompany, picking up where the coach left off, encouraged the team: "Guys, this is our first game back in the Champions League, we have to win, otherwise how can we live up to the fans' support? Second half, let's give it our all!"

Everyone's eyes turned to Lin Yi, who had just been appointed as the vice-captain, wanting to see what this usually unreliable guy would say at such a crucial moment.

Lin Yi's first speech after becoming the leader was very brief: "We're bound to win."

"That's it?" The rest of the Manchester City team looked at each other in disbelief.

Unable to stand by and watch, Mancini took the initiative and called on Lin: "Lin, give everyone a boost! Show some of the energy that young people should have."

"There's a chubby little guy in the stands, he's quite interesting-looking," Lin Yi was forced to say a few more words, "I promised him, we'll definitely win, everyone don't worry."

Aguero bluntly retorted, "You think you can just say you'll win and then we'll win? Do you think you're God?"

"I am not God, I am Lin Yi, a man of his word."

Napoli manager Mazzarri made a substitution at halftime, replacing striker Lavezzi, one of the attacking trident, with midfielder Dzemaili (number 20). His intention to hold onto the lead was very clear.

Regardless of the circumstances, the Manchester City players, burdened by the pressure of wanting to win and fearing to lose, as well as doubts about Lin Yi's inexplicable confidence, continued their siege of Napoli from the very beginning of the second half.

However, bad luck still seems to be lingering for the home team, Manchester City.

Four minutes into the second half, Yaya Touré made a run from deep and unleashed a powerful long-range shot.

The shot broke through the in-form De Sanctis, and just as everyone was about to celebrate, the crossbeams of the Etihad Stadium betrayed them, helping Napoli escape a disaster.

In the 54th minute, Aguero cleverly shook off the opposing center-back Cannavaro in the penalty area and attempted a sliding shot from 5 meters out, but the ball hit the post and went out of play.

Within just five minutes, Manchester City's two threatening attacks were both thwarted by the woodwork, and an ominous feeling rose in the hearts of the players and fans.

Lin Yi, however, continued to mock Aguero without a care in the world: "You unlucky bastard, you drank cold water, broke a jar, cut your mouth, and your mother beat your crooked mouth."

Aguero used every trick in the book to barely suppress his urge to kill Lin Yi in front of everyone.

"I can see that you fucking don't want to win."

"Which eye of yours saw that I didn't want to win?"

"I can see right through my ass!"

"Step back, you unlucky guy, let me show you how to win."

"Great! You're amazing! You really are!"

Enraged, Aguero decided to go all out and moved to the wing, handing over the central position in the opponent's penalty area to Lin Yi.

Although Napoli were missing Aguero in front of their own goal, the defensive pressure on them was not reduced much.

Manchester City almost created a half-court siege, especially after Aguero moved to the wing, giving them another point of control on the perimeter and making them more comfortable in controlling the game. Now all they need is a goal.

In the 62nd minute, Mancini made a substitution, taking off defensive midfielder Gareth Barry and bringing on Dzeko to add another attacking focal point.

Having grasped the head coach's intentions, David Silva quickly made changes.

Manchester City, who had been trying to combine passes on the ground, suddenly lofted the ball from the wing at a 45° angle into the Napoli penalty area, attempting to exploit Dzeko's height and explosiveness.

Unfortunately, the opponent was prepared from the moment Dzeko came on. Paolo Cannavaro is 10 centimeters taller than his brother, Fabio Cannavaro, the first defender to win the FIFA World Player of the Year award, and has an excellent aerial ability.

Due to interference from Paolo Cannavaro, Dzeko failed to get to the ball first and could only watch helplessly as the ball was collected by the onrushing goalkeeper De Sanctis.

Just when it seemed the attack was about to end in failure, the scales of luck tipped in a different direction.

De Sanctis, who had been steady for over 60 minutes, accidentally collided with his own center-back Cannavaro upon landing, causing him to lose control of the ball.

As luck would have it, the soccer ball landed right in front of Lin Yi, who hadn't even jumped.

Faced with such a generous gift, Lin Yi, who never knew the meaning of politeness, naturally wouldn't let it go. He casually pushed the ball into the empty net with the instep of his foot.

Naples's ironclad defenses were breached by Lin Yi with such ease.

"Goal! Lin Yi has scored Manchester City's first goal since returning to the Champions League, helping the team equalize!"

"Although it wasn't beautiful, this goal deserves to be remembered; it's a goal that has been waited for for 43 years!"

Compared to the hysterical commentators and ecstatic fans, Lin Yi, the goal scorer, appeared remarkably calm.

He flicked the ball, still bouncing in the net, with his left foot, held it in his arms, and slowly walked towards the center circle.

Lin Yi placed the ball on the tee box and said triumphantly to his teammates, "Guys, we've got this in the bag. Even Jesus couldn't stop Naples. I said it, Lin Yi, a man of his word."

At this moment, in the eyes of his teammates, Lin Yi seemed to be shrouded in a light mist, and a power from the East made him mysterious and unapproachable.

Only Aguero refused to believe it. He walked up to Lin Yi and said, "You're something else, scavenger. If you're so capable, pick up another one and turn the game around!"

Lin Yi gave Aguero a thumbs up: "You unlucky guy, you did a great job just now. Keep it up, and stay as far away from me as possible."