Cao Baiming knew that Martinelli lacked the ability to score a solo goal or a super long-range shot. Despite being a gifted player with a valuation of forty million euros, he needed his teammates!
Even if he played as a striker himself, the effect might have been better!
Within just two minutes, Manchester City had already pressured Arsenal's formation to the point where they couldn't get out of their own half!
The situation for Arsenal was extremely uncomfortable!
This was exactly the rhythm Manchester City preferred, playing possession in the opponent's half, and occasionally breaking through the defense with direct passes. De Bruyne was certainly not the only player on the Manchester City squad capable of this.
Cao Baiming obediently stayed in his position, cooperating with the defense.
Since the coach said not to give them attacking opportunities, it was better to concede a goal first!
After all, conceding a goal was only a matter of time if this continued!
As expected, the situation unfolded as Cao Baiming had predicted. After several attempts, Manchester City tore through the defense from the wing, and an unexpected shot allowed De Bruyne to score his second goal!
On the sidelines, Arteta's face showed despair. Cao Baiming noticed this out of the corner of his eye and was secretly satisfied.
That's right, this was what he wanted, to let the coach see the consequences of his own tactics!
Time had already reached the 70th minute, with only twenty minutes left. Neither Arsenal's players nor their fans could see any hope, and a large number of spectators had even left early!
Cao Baiming seized the moment, had a brief conversation with a few teammates beside him, and then activated his acceleration skill, sprinting forward!
This move stunned everyone!
"What is Cao Baiming doing? Sprinting forward without the ball, abandoning his position?"
"Don't say, his speed is really fast!"
Of course, the prerequisite for this scene was Holding's excellent tackle, with the ball being cleanly won and controlled after a turn, rendering the opponent helpless.
In just two seconds, Cao Baiming had reached the vicinity of the opponent's defensive line!
At this point, Holding made his move, sending a high cross-field pass directly towards Cao Baiming's position!
"What is happening!? Cao Baiming has appeared in the forward line, it seems they want to go direct!"
"As expected, Arsenal has finally figured it out, and to win, they still have to rely on Cao Baiming!"
Although everyone was seeing this scene for the first time, those familiar with Cao Baiming's playing style would understand and not be too surprised.
Soon, the ball began to descend. Due to the imprecise landing spot of the pass, or more accurately, the underestimated speed of Cao Baiming's sprint, two center-backs ended up contesting for the ball with Cao Baiming as it fell.
Seeing that their heavy artillery had been deployed, Martinelli instinctively moved to the wing to receive the ball, leaving the shooting space for his elder brother!
Cao Baiming accurately predicted the ball's trajectory and positioned himself to contest for it. The two players in front of him, relying on physical strength, were nothing, not even close to being opponents.
Cao Baiming established a good position, controlled the ball with his chest. The two players' attempts to push him were useless, so they had to resort to a counter-tackle!
"As expected of... King Cao Baiming!"
The commentator from Tang Country was so excited he could barely contain himself, calling him "King" for the first time!
It was known that this title was not casually bestowed; it was practically exclusive to Maradona and Pelé. Yet today, as a public figure, it was unhesitatingly given to Cao Baiming!
After receiving the ball, Cao Baiming did not disappoint the fans' expectations. With a deft touch and a turn, he created a near one-on-one opportunity!
The countdown for the acceleration from the [Flying Bird] talent skill showed three seconds left!
Cao Baiming looked up. He was still more than ten meters away from the penalty area, with a clear space ahead, marked only by a few bright white lines!
Looking up, the numbers displayed were mostly between eighty and ninety!
This was not good enough, it didn't meet my requirements!
Cao Baiming's eyes flickered. Inadvertently, he had already pulled more than two meters ahead of the trailing defenders, completely shaking them off!
Everyone was too stunned to exclaim, their eyes wide open. This scene was utterly humiliating!
The two center-backs started at the same time as Cao Baiming, and within three seconds, he had gained more than two meters on them!
The defenders were utterly despairing.
"Spare me! Oh God!"
At this moment, the white lines ahead showed not eighty-something, but ninety-something!
A bright golden number flashed by in an instant: 100!
Seeing this, Cao Baiming seized the opportunity and immediately unleashed a powerful shot, heading straight for the goal!
Ederson had already been taken off the field by such a shot in the first half and was still in the hospital!
Ortega, who came on as a substitute, had trembling legs and his palms were sweating!
"Damn it, is it going to happen after all? I'm not ready for this!"
Looking at Cao Baiming's cold, sharp gaze, Ortega was completely intimidated.
To not save this shot would be a disservice to the team, but to save it would be a disservice to his parents!
In an instant, he had no time to think. While he was still hesitating whether to save it, the ball had already found its way into the back of the net from the blind spot!
Cao Baiming clenched his fists and let out a fierce roar of emotion.
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for scoring a goal, rewarded with 1000 points!"
He then raised his hands towards the sidelines, embracing the frantic cheers of the fans!
Goalkeeper Ortega breathed a sigh of relief. He had been scared to death! Fortunately, it went in!
"Astonishing!"
"A divine intervention!"
"In critical moments, we still need Cao Baiming. He is the only man who can save this situation!"
"Too beautiful!"
"We have to praise Arteta's tactics. It was truly bold to play like this, and this style of play is unprecedented in history, completely original!"
"This tactic is too ruthless! Combined with a player like Cao Baiming, who is like a sharp knife, it's impossible to defend!"
The commentators began to praise Arsenal's tactics, elevating Arteta to the skies.
However, on the sidelines, Arteta was still staring in confusion.
"I didn't tell them to play like this..."
This attack was entirely initiated by Cao Baiming himself. Through conversations with a few key teammates and his absolute ability to seize opportunities, he created this goal!
For Manchester City, there was both good news and bad news at this moment.
The bad news was naturally that the score had been equalized at the 75th-minute mark. This was a very difficult situation, especially considering the opponent was a man down!
The good news, however, was that the goalkeeper's hand was still intact!
Guardiola could not accept this situation at all and was furious.
But there was nothing he could do but glare.
"Defend him! I told you not to let him cross the halfway line! Are your ears plugged with water?"