Tang Long's Decisive Feint! Bony Scores and Dances Wildly, Then Feels Deeply Ashamed!

After dinner, the wife was cleaning up the dishes in the kitchen, the little daughter was building Lego sets that Tang Long had given her in the yard, and Tang Long and Ranocchia were chatting in the living room.

After all, they are professional players. They were originally chatting about life, but after a few words, the conversation veered back to football.

"I felt that Bony was giving me strange looks during training today, and he even deliberately bumped into me hard during the sparring," Tang Long said.

Ranocchia grunted in agreement, and the two began chatting about the topic.

"I can understand Bony's feelings. He should have been the team's second striker, but with Agüero injured and Iheanacho not scoring, Pellegrini pushed you forward to score goals, leaving Bony on the bench. Who could stand that?"

Tang Long said that this Bony looks a lot like Milner before him; both of them are hostile towards him because their positions are threatened.

Ranocchia nodded slightly, then shook his head gently.

"It's basically the same idea, but Bony's situation is somewhat different from Milner's."

"Milner is an England. Although he was born into an ordinary working-class family, he enjoyed the UK's generous welfare policies and never had to worry about food or clothing growing up. Bony, on the other hand, is from Ivory Coast. Like many African players, he changed his life through football. Without football, he might still be living in a slum."

Ranocchia shared his knowledge of many African players with Tang Long.

He said that many African families have many children, and they especially prefer to have boys.

If one of them succeeds in their career, they will become the pillar and driving force of the entire family, taking on the responsibility of supporting the whole family.

Therefore, for Africans, football is not just a sport, but also an "ATM" for dozens or even hundreds of people in their families.

"So, don't underestimate Bony just because he's only been with the team for less than a year and doesn't have much of a foothold, so he can't be as arrogant and domineering as Milner. But if he really gets ruthless, he's definitely no worse than Milner, and might even be better."

"However, Africans are generally simpler-minded and don't have as many hidden agendas England. You can adopt a different policy towards Milner than you did towards Bony, and you can even use him as a bridge, a breakthrough for us to build friendships with the French-speaking Faction community."

Tang Long listened attentively to Ranocchia's opinion, and the two continued their in-depth conversation.

This former Inter Milan captain, having managed the locker room before, offered some insightful observations.

The two chatted until almost ten o'clock, when Ranocchia's youngest daughter had to go to sleep, and Tang Long finally said goodbye to the family.

In the 7th round of the Premier League, Manchester City returned to their home ground to face Everton.

It's quite a coincidence that Manchester City just returned from Liverpool in the last round, and this round, a team from Liverpool City is visiting the Etihad. However, this team is not Liverpool, but Everton.

The day before the match, Tang Long received a text message from his former Inter Milan teammate, Everton goalkeeper Handanovic.

[Why are you playing striker? Go back to midfield and let your team's Bony play striker, he's better than you!]

Tang Long chuckled, thinking to himself that Handanović, who always had a stern face when he was with Inter Milan, had become more cheerful and even started joking with him after coming to the Premier League.

[You'd better watch out, our team's Bony can beat you to a pulp. You'd better think about how many times you'll have to retrieve the ball from the goal tomorrow!]

Agüero and Joe Hart are still in the final match of their suspensions.

However, because the two of them had worked hard for the past two weeks and completed 50 hours of community service, they arrived at the Etihad Stadium early to watch the game.

When the DJ at the Etihad Stadium announced the names of the starting players in an enthusiastic tone...

Number 9, Tang Long, won the loudest applause and cheers from the audience!

"With you gone, Tang is Manchester City's star player," Hart said to Agüero on purpose, then stared into his eyes to see his reaction.

Agüero nodded with a relieved expression, "That's right, when I wasn't there, he scored two goals to turn the tide against Liverpool, so he deserves the cheers of the fans!"

However, when the players from both sides stood on the field, Agüero looked quite confused.

"What's going on? They changed the 4-4-2 back to 4-2-3-1? Bony is even in the starting lineup? My god, is this guy even any good?"

Starting lineups for both sides:

Manchester City home team) 4231

Bony

Sterling / Tang Long / Navas

Yaya Toure / Fernando

Klarov/ Kompany / Ranocchia / Sagna

Caballero

Everton team) 4231

Lukaku

Cleverley / Barkley / Kone

Barry / McCarthy

Galloway / Jiang Guangtai / Stones / Coleman

Handanovic

Agüero, watching from the stands, had no idea why Pellegrini had once again opted for a lone striker formation in this Pellegrini.

He was just anxious, after all, Bony's poor performance against Southampton had disappointed everyone.

However, Agüero then thought that this was the last of his three-match suspension, so he would wait until he returned to the starting lineup, at which point Manchester City's attacking line would no longer be a problem.

Because Manchester City had overcome great difficulties to defeat Anfield in their previous match, the Etihad fans were in high spirits from the start of the game back at their home ground!

Tang Long controlled the rhythm of the ball, moving it back and forth at his feet, and through lateral passes, he widened the space and directed the Everton players' movements.

But the fans in the stands were very impatient, constantly chanting "Attack! Attack! Goal! Goal!", hoping to use their opening three moves to overwhelm Everton in the first 10 minutes.

In the 6th minute, Manchester City launched an attack.

This attack originated from the backcourt.

After starting in the previous two matches, Caballero played better and better, gradually finding his rhythm.

Actually, he's quite capable, but he's been Hart's substitute for a long time, so his touch has gotten rusty, which is why he made some basic mistakes in the first game.

In fact, in the second match against Liverpool, Caballero not only didn't make any mistakes, but he also performed quite well, saving Benteke's one-on-one shot.

This match also fully utilized the Argentina goalkeeper's advantage of playing with his feet, seamlessly connecting with the ball-playing center- Ranocchia.

"Lukaku, take him!"

Seeing Ranocchia dawdling with the ball, Everton manager Martinez waved his hand on the sidelines, signaling to Lukaku to take the ball from him!

At this time, Lukaku had not yet undergone the muscle-building phase during his time at Manchester United. Standing at 1.90 meters tall, he had a flat stomach, long legs, and long hair, looking like a handsome young black man.

Facing Lukaku rushing towards him like a whirlwind, Ranocchia remained unmoved, sitting calmly on the sidelines.

Just as Lukaku was about a meter away from him, he passed the ball back to goalkeeper Caballero.

"Keep going, keep going, block the goalkeeper!"

Despite the coach's urgent calls from the sidelines, Lukaku recklessly charged towards Caballero.

But just when he thought Caballero was about to launch a long ball, the Argentina goalkeeper made a feint, gently flicking the ball with his ankle. The ball traced a slow rainbow in the air, passing over Lukaku's head and returning to the feet of center -Ranocchia.

Caballero's move was incredibly skillful and daring; he actually dared to use a lobbed pass to outmaneuver the opponent's tall striker inside the penalty area!

The 50,000 fans at the Etihad Stadium first let out a gasp of surprise, followed by a thunderous applause for Caballero!

Feeling resentful after being tricked, Lukaku turned around and charged at Ranocchia again.

However, this time Ranocchia didn't give Lukaku any chance. He suddenly accelerated from a standstill, dribbled the ball, and began his signature center-back dribbling advance.

Despite being a center-back, he was just as fast as striker Lukaku, advancing straight for over 20 meters before passing the ball to Navas on the right wing when he was almost at the halfway line.

Turning to look at the panting Lukaku, Ranocchia smiled smugly, "Hehe, I'm going to wear you down!"

Navas understood the implications of Ranocchia's sudden acceleration.

After receiving the ball, he didn't hesitate for long and immediately passed it across to Tang Long in the middle, then started to move forward, drawing away a full-back.

Two past one!

Tang Long unleashed his signature through ball!

The ball arrives, and the player arrives!

Navas, with his incredible speed, quickly outpaced full-back Coleman and surged to Everton's byline.

"He's going to cross the ball high, watch the center forward!"

Goalkeeper Handanovic immediately instructed his center-back Jiang Guangtai to mark Bony closely.

In the pre-match tactical analysis, Everton manager Martinez told his players that Navas's signature move was delivering high crosses from the wings.

Although the pass was very accurate, the ball speed was not fast. Therefore, the key to resolving the attack is for the center forward to closely mark the ball in the penalty area.

But Navas's ability to establish himself at Manchester City was definitely not due to his North Korean skills!

His very first cross of the game was unconventional; instead of a high ball, he swept it across and cut it back into the box!

This inverted triangle shot came with great force, not using the instep of the foot that players usually use, but rather a flat kick with the power of a shot. So when the ball flew to Tang Long's feet, none of the Everton players had time to react.

Facing the incoming ball, Tang Long gently deflected it backward with his left foot, and the powerful ball was dissipated like cotton, coming to a steady stop under his feet.

Before the Etihad crowd could even cheer for Tang Long's brilliant ball control, he suddenly flicked the ball to the right, cut inside, and immediately followed up with a leg swing!

"Stop his shot!" Handanovic shouted anxiously.

He knew that Tang Long's terrifying quality lay in his ability to utilize changes in rhythm to create unexpected shots.

After stopping the ball, he suddenly accelerated and cut inside; he was definitely going to shoot!

Because Navas's inverted triangle ball was very fast, Tang Long's subsequent connecting movements after receiving the ball were also smooth and fluid.

Therefore, Everton's defensive midfielder Barry, who should have been defending at the edge of the penalty area, was out of position!

Fortunately, young player Jiang Guangtai reacted very quickly!

He charged like a tiger descending a mountain, shaking off Bony who was marking him closely, and in two steps he rushed from inside the penalty area to the edge of the arc, where he landed with a flying leap!

As he landed, his left foot was raised high.

The tall and imposing Jiang Guangtai very confident that Tang Long's shot would be blocked by his massive body if it didn't get into the penalty area.

However, Jiang Guangtai's attack missed completely!

Tang Long originally intended to shoot, but seeing the opposing center-back's aggressive approach, he glanced at the penalty area, then flicked his right foot to the left, cleanly Jiang Guangtai.

Jiang Guangtai shocked. Before he could get up, he saw Tang Long use his left foot to steadily pass the ball to Bony in the penalty area.

"Shit, I'm out of position!"

Jiang Guangtai scrambled to his feet and rushed toward Bony, who was supposed to be his defender.

But by then, Bony had already drawn his bow and arrow, ready to shoot!

Bony was overjoyed to be back in the starting lineup.

But when he took the shot, he felt a sudden tension, and his technique became slightly distorted. He originally wanted to push the ball towards the far corner in a curved shot, but he didn't get the angle right.

Handanovic stepped forward with his left leg and blocked the ball with his foot.

"Oops..."

Manchester City fans burst into tears, clutching their heads in frustration!

He was only seven or eight meters from the goal, completely unmarked, Bony, you couldn't even score? What use are you? Go back to your Swansea!

Fortunately, the ball didn't bounce too far; instead, it rolled towards Bony, and by then, Jiang Guangtai had already returned to his defensive position.

Having been given a second chance, Bony finally calmed down.

Instead of rushing in for a follow-up shot, he used his strong physique to engage in a close contest with Jiang Guangtai.

Bony displayed the same flair he showed during his Swansea days in this confrontation.

He first extended one leg to block the position, then turned his backside out and rammed into Jiang Guangtai's waist, sending him flying more than a meter away with a thud.

The strongest muscle for football players is always their gluteus maximus!

In this confrontation, young center-back Jiang Guangtai paid the price for his lack of experience.

After getting past Jiang Guangtai, Bony was even closer to the goal, almost inside the six-yard box!

This time his shot was very clever; even though Handanovic blocked a large area of the angle, it was still poked through the goal with his toe.

"Goal! I scored! La la la la!"

Bony charged at the corner flagpole like a madman, and started doing an Ivory Coast country dance, jumping around wildly.

From the shot being blocked to the rebound and scoring, the entire process happened in just two or three seconds. Many Manchester City fans in the stands, who were still holding their heads in their hands, were now excitedly stretching their arms out over their heads.

"Bony!!!" The fans began chanting the goal scorer's name.

Surrounded by his teammates, Bony's eyes welled up with tears of emotion.

This is his first goal of the season!

Although the goal was somewhat complicated, for a striker, once that initial breakthrough is achieved, goals will come in continuously, and Bony firmly believes in this.

"The first one wasn't great, but the second one was very calm. Well done, Bony."

Bony turned around and saw Tang Long smiling at him.

The Ivory Coast striker was stunned; he froze.

At this moment, I was overwhelmed with emotions. This goal was an assist from Tang Long!

If he hadn't suddenly cut inside at the last moment, getting past the onrushing center-back and accurately passing the ball to me, where would I have gotten the shooting opportunity?

And the first shot, just as Tang Long said, was terrible. Luckily, the second shot went in, otherwise, it would have been a real waste of Tang Long's pass!

With a face full of shame, Bony hugged Tang Long tightly, holding him close to his chest. His fingers, which were clenched around Tang Long's back, were almost digging into his flesh.

"That was a great message! I was so scared, I almost missed the shot! Thank you, Tang!"