When He Met Tottenham and Guarin Again, Tang Long Would Give Him a Taste of His Own Medicine!

In fact, Gündoğan had already been included in Manchester City's scouting list two months ago.

Once the season ends and the summer transfer window opens, the Germany midfielder will be the top transfer target!

Of course, this was the opinion of Guardiola, who will take over next season.

In his view, Gündoğan's accurate passing, sharp thinking, and extensive running in the defensive midfield position make him a player who perfectly fits Guardiola's possession-based philosophy in the current transfer market.

However, in the last few days, Guardiola has changed his mind.

He told Begiristain that they must Gündoğan in the winter transfer window so he could integrate into the Premier League as soon as possible.

Why is Guardiola so eager to bring this Germany midfielder to Manchester City?

One reason is that the summer transfer window is more competitive than the winter transfer window.

With their strong financial resources, Manchester City increased their offer for Gündoğan, and Borussia Dortmund was also willing to let him go. The two sides quickly reached an agreement, so the transfer did not have to be delayed until the summer, lest things get complicated and this technically skilled and visionary defensive midfielder was handed over to another team!

On the other hand, it was the result of Guardiola's comprehensive consideration of the scouting reports sent by his trusted scout, Raymond.

Through his communication with Raymond, Guardiola discovered that when Manchester City's play from the back was not going smoothly, Tang Long would often be pulled to the defensive midfield position by Pellegrini to organize the backfield.

However, in the eyes of the Spain coach, Tang Long was the most threatening player on the field and the one most capable of helping the team score goals!

Frequently pulling him to the backcourt, forcing him to attack and defend as needed, is not conducive to the development of Tang Long, who is not yet 20 years old.

This is excessive exertion. Many players suffer from injuries because they were overworked by their coaches when they were young.

Owen, the former golden boy of Liverpool, is a prime example.

Guardiola and Pellegrini don't have much of a personal relationship, but Pellegrini did briefly serve as Real Madrid's head coach for one year during the 2009-2010 season.

Back then, the manager of the then-dominant Barca team was none other than Guardiola, the current manager of Bayern Munich!

Based on his understanding of Pellegrini, Guardiola believed that even if Gündoğan wasn't the Chile's handpicked player, Pellegrini would definitely use him once Gündoğan arrived.

Doesn't this Chile old man like to play a possession-based style of football?

Gündoğan, in the defensive midfield position, would definitely be a top-class playmaker in the entire Premier League.

With his arrival, Tang Long is sure to be liberated.

Furthermore, since Gündoğan has already played for Borussia Dortmund in European competitions, Manchester City will be unable to register him for the UEFA Champions League in the second half of the league season.

In this way, even if Bayern and Manchester City meet in the UEFA Champions League knockout stage, Guardiola doesn't need to worry that Gündoğan's appearance for Manchester City will pose an obstacle for Bayern.

Although he is still six months away from taking over at Manchester City, Guardiola has already been secretly involved in the club's transfer dealings.

But what was Pellegrini really thinking?

Pellegrini refuses to accept his fate; he's going to make one last desperate attempt!

This Chile coach, in his sixties with a full head of silver hair, has been coaching for over 20 years.

At his age, many coaches choose to retire, having already earned enough money to enjoy their later years with their grandchildren.

However, Guardiola's intervention and forced inclusion of Gündoğan into the team offended Pellegrini, causing him to change his mind!

After the pre-match tactical meeting, Pellegrini called his assistant coach Rayne aside for a private talk.

"Rayne, if nothing unexpected happens, I'll probably be retiring next season, and you'll be unemployed too."

"But now an unexpected thing has happened! We still have six months. Let's give it our all and try to win the treble. I refuse to believe that they'd fire me, a manager who led Manchester City to the treble. Absolutely not! We have to prove them wrong!"

Teaching assistant Rayne also realized that he had been pushed to the edge of a cliff.

As an assistant coach who had followed Pellegrini for over a decade, he never had the opportunity to be promoted to head coach, so he also faced the predicament of unemployment once Pellegrini decided to retire.

"Well said, boss! What's so great about Guardiola? In the end, whether a coach is good or bad depends on results, right? As long as we work together and win enough championships for the club, you'll definitely be the head coach next season!"

Pellegrini has long-term concerns, but he also has immediate worries.

He is now facing a happy dilemma.

The team's two main strikers Bony and Agüero, have both been playing exceptionally well recently.

Since Agüero's injury over a month ago, Bony has performed exceptionally well, helping Manchester City secure numerous victories.

On the front line, his connection with Tang Long is becoming increasingly effective, and he has the potential to replace Agüero as the main lone striker.

However, to Pellegrini's utter surprise, Agüero scored four goals in the first half of his first match back, drawing praise from the British media who declared, "The King of the Etihad is back!"

Pellegrini's ambitions this season extend beyond the league; he also aims for the FA Cup, and most importantly, the UEFA Champions League.

To achieve progress on all three fronts simultaneously, it is essential to fully motivate every player and never let morale soar.

So for the first game of 2016, he was certain about the other positions in the starting lineup, but he deliberated for a long time on the starting center forward position and finally came up with a compromise.

He decided to let Bony and Agüero each play for 45 minutes.

Bony played in the first half, Agüero played in the second half.

It's easy to talk to Bony. After all, as a player who suddenly rose to prominence, Bony is bound to keep a very humble attitude.

Pellegrini had already prepared his explanation for Agüero: he was a player who had just recovered from injury and was not suitable to play too many games.

The 45 minutes that the two players share evenly also provide Pellegrini with an opportunity to continuously assess both forwards.

In the players' tunnel.

The players from both sides lined up, ready to go.

The Christmas holidays are over, and for many office workers, figuring out how to transition from the holiday to work with renewed enthusiasm is always a tricky problem.

However, this is not an issue for players in the Premier League.

Because the Premier League doesn't have a winter break, they still have to work during the Chinese New Year holiday, so they're used to it.

The players stretched their heads and shoulders, occasionally twisting their ankles, preparing for the first big game of the new year.

Especially the Europe national team players on the team.

The UEFA European Championship is about to begin, and there are probably many scouts from various national teams in the stands, secretly observing the performance of their respective players.

When you have a chance to perform well, you can't let your guard down!

While Guarin, Tang Long, and Ranocchia, these two former Inter Milan teammates, were exchanging pleasantries—

A player wearing a Tottenham Hotspur white jersey crouched low and quickly slipped past the crowd, like a thief.

Guarin recognized him immediately; it was the diminutive France midfielder, Nasri.

He was not in the starting lineup for this match, but was included in the substitute list, so he will go to the bench first.

"Hey Nasri, why are you running? Aren't you going to say a few words to your former Manchester City teammates?"

Nasri, who was crouching low, realized he had been spotted. Instead of stopping, he took off running even faster and disappeared into the end of the players' tunnel in the blink of an eye.

Guarin put his arm around Ranocchia's shoulder and said to Tang Long with a grin.

"That brat, relying on his footwork, actually groined me during training yesterday. I didn't hold back either; during the sparring, I kicked him with my backhand, sending him flying to the ground where he rolled six or seven times."

Tang Long felt a surge of warmth in his heart and held Guarin's hand tightly.

"Aren't you afraid Pochettino will scold you for treating your teammates like this?"

"What am I afraid of! He's just a temporary worker signed for half a season, what am I afraid of? Besides, didn't you specifically tell me to take good care of this sunny France boy? Hahaha~"

"Be careful he doesn't take pictures of you secretly. That guy holds grudges and is very cunning," Ranocchia warned.

"He has the guts to try, I'll smash his head to pieces with one punch!"

Guarin pounded his fist, as big as a sandbag, against the wall of the tunnel, making a loud thud that drew the attention of the other players.

Although in the players' tunnel, Guarin acted exceptionally warmly towards his former teammates Tang Long and Ranocchia;

However, once the match started, the Colombia star, who is Tottenham Hotspur defensive midfielder, showed no fear in physical duels!

Just two minutes into the game, Kane unleashed a powerful shot that was blocked out of bounds by Ranocchia's outstretched leg.

Tottenham Hotspur earned one corner kick.

Eriksen, taking the corner kick, stood in the corner of the field, his eyes firm and focused.

He took a deep breath, then took a running start, swung his thigh, and kicked the ball powerfully into Manchester City's penalty area!

The ball, like a white lightning bolt, traced a strange arc in the air. Its speed was extremely fast and its trajectory was unpredictable, making it difficult for Manchester City's defenders to predict its landing point.

Guarin and Ranocchia jumped at the same time. He leaped high into the air, his arms outstretched like the wings of an eagle!

Using the strength of his arms, he skillfully narrowed the height difference between himself and the tall Ranocchia.

Although he didn't head the ball, his falling body was like an out-of-control cannonball, and his right arm swung up and hit Ranocchia hard in the neck.

They gave the Italy defenders a real headache.

His neck felt like it was being burned by fire, and his throat felt like it was being choked by something. He could only breathe heavily and with difficulty, which showed that the blow was really severe!

As a professional player, Guarin was extremely dedicated; once on the field, his sole purpose was to help Tottenham Hotspur win the game.

"Hey, Andre, aren't you supposed to be tall? How come you're acting like a girl now? Get up, stop pretending!"

Guarin even began to laugh and mock Ranocchia, who was lying on the ground.

Kompany rushed over and shoved Guarin more than two meters away from his teammate.

If it were any other Tottenham Hotspur player, like South Korea star Son Heung-min, he would definitely be rolling on the ground, covering his face, and screaming at the top of his lungs to get a yellow card.

But Guarin didn't bother with any of that. He rushed back and Kompany head-on, unleashing a furious tirade.

The referee gave both sides equal punishment, issuing a yellow card to each.

Tang Long, standing to the side, was scratching his head in disbelief.

Why does Guarin always seem to be getting into a fight whenever he plays football?

He recalled the first round of the Premier League, when he had just joined Manchester City and injured his back in a confrontation with Guarin. The injury has not fully healed yet and flares up from time to time, causing him a lot of pain.

Tang Long was determined to use this match to teach Guarin a lesson and make him remember it!

You can experience the pain I went through, and feel the thrill.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; the next time we face Tottenham Hotspur will likely be next season.

16th minute of the first half.

Manchester City goalkeeper Caballero takes a goal kick.

The soccer ball flew towards Tang Long.

Caballero's long ball was very accurate; he found Tang Long in the attacking third.

Guarin was also very careful in his defense against Tang Long, specifically guarding against the connection between Manchester City's backline and Tang Long.

"Where do you think you're going!"

Guarin immediately closed in behind Tang Long and jumped, intending to overpower Tang Long and forcefully push him back into Manchester City's half to disrupt the attack!

Tang Long became more cautious.

He lowered his head slightly, tucked his chin in, and skillfully avoided Guarin's arms, which were spread out like iron pincers.

At the same time, he also jumped, but at the moment of takeoff, Tang Long skillfully controlled his strength, deliberately making his jump height appear slightly insufficient, giving people the illusion that he was no match for Guarin at all, and landed before Guarin.

Although Guarin headed the ball, his waist landed on Tang Long as he fell.

"Oh my god!"

As Guarin fell from the sky, he felt someone nudge his lower back.

He originally thought it would be a smooth, straight fall, but unexpectedly, his body was instantly twisted 180 degrees by a powerful force, and he spun around in the air like a top that had lost control.

Immediately afterwards, his back slammed heavily onto the ground, the impact causing the ground to tremble slightly;

His body even bounced twice on the grass like a ball due to the excessive force, sending up a cloud of grass clippings!

Fortunately, Tang Long held back his strength when he was lifting the Guarin; otherwise, the Guarin, having lost its balance in mid-air, would have been hit even harder and fallen much more violently.

Therefore, the referee only issued a warning and did not give Tang Long a yellow card.

However, due to insufficient preparation, Guarin was still in considerable pain in his back and waist, and Tottenham Hotspur's team doctor came onto the field to help him off the field for treatment.

Guarin clutched his waist with his left hand, his knuckles turning white from the force.

He turned his right hand over and clasped it against his back, trying to relieve the waves of soreness that surged through him.

In the dead of winter, beads of sweat covered his head, and he hissed as he inhaled the cold air.

"Damn, Tang actually messed with us! That kid's way more cunning Ranocchia!"