Here we go again!
How many counterattacks had Real Madrid launched since the opening whistle?
Blanc couldn't remember, nor could the fans in the stadium or the commentators in front of their televisions.
But this time was clearly different.
Di Maria drove forward quickly down the right with the ball, while Real Madrid's two forwards immediately sprinted upfield.
Paris Saint-Germain's defense recovered quickly. Tiago Silva, David Luiz, and Maxwell were all renowned veterans of European football, and they had long been on guard against Real Madrid's counterattacks.
The moment Di Maria charged into the thirty-meter zone, Maxwell picked him up.
With no other choice, Di Maria could only pass the ball across toward the middle.
Toni Kroos came charging in from behind. Facing Motta, who had recovered in time, he controlled the ball with the outside of his right foot and immediately surged forward.
Was he going to shoot from distance?
Motta reacted at once and rushed over. Even David Luiz inside the penalty area had responded, intending to block Toni Kroos's long-range shot.
But unexpectedly, the German midfielder wasn't going to shoot. Before Motta could close him down, he slipped a through ball forward.
The ball skimmed across the grass and quickly flew into the right side of Paris Saint-Germain's penalty area.
While no one had yet reacted, Yang Yang raced with astonishing instinct behind David Luiz and caught up with Toni Kroos's through ball on the right side of the six-yard box.
Goalkeeper Trapp immediately rushed off his line. Seeing Yang Yang catch up to the ball, he assumed Yang Yang would shoot at once and instantly went to ground, blocking almost every angle.
Yang Yang reacted just as quickly. He nudged the ball lightly with his foot, shifting its path slightly outward and evading the onrushing Trapp.