As expected, even with Cao Baming personally involved in the passing play in the backfield, possession was lost just as the ball reached midfield.
This brilliant interception came from AC Milan's midfielder Franks, who demonstrated his skill with this well-predicted tackle. In fact, in previous matches, he had consistently proven that his form this season was outstanding.
After the interception, AC Milan showed no hesitation, launching a swift counterattack on the spot.
Franks didn't dwell on the ball for too long. With a simple feint to get past the aggressive defender Edego who was closing in, he passed the ball diagonally to Leao on the left wing.
Leao, a young left-winger with excellent physical attributes and dribbling speed, had, with this single pass, completely broken through Arsenal's entire backline, creating a direct one-on-one opportunity against Gabriel!
A hint of worry flashed in Cao Baming's eyes, as the current situation clearly deviated significantly from expectations. This tactic from the opponent was something he had never foreseen, nor had he ever simulated it. Had he underestimated them after all?
Fortunately, Gabriel did not let this worry escalate into a more serious and terrifying consequence. Although Theo was adept at dribbling, his foul successfully stopped him.
While a free kick in this position was highly dangerous, even more so than a corner kick, it was significantly better than the defensive lapse where almost no one was in position. It could be considered a partial mitigation of the risk.
During the free-kick preparation, AC Milan's players crowded the small area in front of the goal, as if this was a tactic directly arranged by the coach before the match.
Looking at their tall figures, especially Ibrahimovic, who stood at over 1.8 meters, Messi next to him looked like a child.
However, Arsenal's players were not lacking in tall individuals either. Especially Cao Baming, though not the tallest player, his heading ability was top-notch within the team, and indeed, unparalleled by anyone in the world.
As expected, during the subsequent free kick, Cao Baming leaped high and headed the ball out of the penalty area, successfully averting the danger.
But this was merely the beginning. This simple slip-up revealed a serious problem: Arsenal had not been psychologically prepared for AC Milan's relentless pressing.
In the fourth minute of the match, it was Leao again who successfully regained possession, and Gabriel was no longer beside him. Cao Baming was also at least ten meters away from Leao's current position.
At this moment, a towering and imposing figure stood in the center of the penalty box: Zlatan Ibrahimović.
As Leao successfully advanced to the byline and sent in a curling cross, the entire stadium erupted. AC Milan fans, at this moment, loudly chanted Ibrahimović's name, their celebration having already begun.
Cao Baming's vision went black as he realized the gravity of the situation. He felt that this goal was inevitable. In fact, he had already foreseen this.
Just two seconds later, the ball successfully reached Ibrahimović, and White, beside him, was unable to gain any advantage in the physical contest. With a step-back and a flick, he sent the ball into the goal.
Cao Baming shook his head silently and closed his eyes in resignation.
"Congratulations to AC Milan! With a divine goal from Ibrahimović in this match, they have taken the lead! The score is now 1-0. AC Milan is temporarily ahead, while Arsenal, who were widely favored by the outside world, is already trailing!!"
"Surely, only Zlatan Ibrahimović himself could execute a goal like that!"
"How could this happen? What is going on? What is this situation?" At this moment, the other Arsenal players began to panic. The opponent's pressing intensity was beyond imagination. Were they serious? This was too much.
It seemed as if none of them intended to play the full 90 minutes. If they continued to fight like this, a normal person's stamina would be exhausted around the 30-minute mark.
The good news was that Cao Baming had now recognized the seriousness of the problem. If he didn't take things seriously from this point on, this goal would only be the beginning. Regardless of whether the opponent's stamina could last until the end, if they were down 3-0 by the start of the second half, with the backline constantly gifting possession to the opposition, what would it matter even if the opponent's stamina was depleted in the second half?
A divine goal, executed with his usual posture and a commanding expression, was a sight the fans never tired of watching.
After the goal celebration concluded, the players from both sides returned to the center circle for the restart. This time, Arsenal was still the team to kick off.
Standing in the center of the team, Cao Baming continuously pondered the next course of action, and soon devised a viable plan.
This plan required him to temporarily focus all his energy on defense, preventing him from participating in the scoring. He could only temporarily trust his teammates to create good opportunities.
Since that was the case, he might as well score a goal now, at the very least, to equalize the score and better stabilize his teammates' mentality. Everything else would then become possible.
Ten seconds later, Saka feigned a pass and sent the ball to Cao Baming's feet. He was currently near the center circle, fifty meters from the goal.
Cao Baming's eyes flickered. The only guaranteed goal he possessed was used up.
Subsequently, a long-range shot, like a sudden arrow, was fired directly towards the goal!
Speed attribute: 45 points. Shooting attribute: 197 points!!!
Cao Baming turned around with satisfaction. This high shooting attribute was not solely for scoring goals; it was purely to make it more aesthetically pleasing.