Mahrez's positioning indeed executed Guardiola's tactics to perfection.
But Cao Baming would not give him another chance.
Within minutes, both sides had several good attacks in the opponent's half, each earning a corner.
During the subsequent counterattack, Cao Baming regained possession and looked forward to a situation almost identical to the last, with the three closest players quickly closing in on him!
But this time, Cao Baming gave them no opportunity, his sharp eyes flashing with brilliance.
"System! Activate Flying Bird!"
In an instant, an aura was generated from his body, and Cao Baming's footwork suddenly sped up!
Although it was an ordinary talent, the strength of this ability value was by no means weak!
In a flash, Cao Baming transformed into a sports car. Although the three players were coming from opposite directions, Cao Baming was not afraid. Instead of going head-on, he chose to绕过去 from the outside!
"This astonishing burst of speed!"
"The player with the ball is Cao Baming. I know he's always been known for his tough defense and the league's most unstoppable long-range shots. I didn't expect him to have this skill!"
On the field, Cao Baming's acceleration was so fast that it shocked the surrounding players, making it seem as if a gust of wind accompanied his movements.
Choosing the outside route required immense confidence, as the running distance was far greater than the inside. However, Cao Baming estimated that the midfielders in front of him were not particularly fast, so overtaking them would be a piece of cake!
As expected, Cao Baming quickly reached the sides of the three players. As they pressed forward, he passed the ball to Vieira.
The same position, the same wall pass combination!
This time, Vieira easily passed the ball back to him, as no one could stop him anymore!
De Bruyne personally tried to grab Cao Baming's shirt, but it was useless.
Once Cao Baming got going, he couldn't be easily disrupted unless you had the strength of an excavator.
The moment he crossed the midfield line, Guardiola on the sidelines suddenly felt his heart skip a beat and turned around in advance, unable to bear watching the scene that followed.
"Cao Baming has created a huge open space for himself! The path ahead is like a vast grassland!"
"This speed has completely outmaneuvered three players on the outside! And they can't catch up at all!"
"Now, it's likely no one can stop him. He might even be able to dribble all the way to the edge of the penalty box..."
At this moment, Cao Baming suddenly took a shot, surprising everyone in the stadium!
"He's shooting!!"
Even though there was still open space ahead, with his speed, he could have reached the vicinity of the penalty box before the defenders could get into position. It was ten meters further than his current position, but Cao Baming didn't want to wait any longer.
Time was precious!
While dribbling at high speed, the lines in front of him gradually became clearer. As a white line with the number 95 appeared, Cao Baming shot without hesitation!
"Goal!!"
"Brilliant!!"
"Brilliant!!"
Another long-range shot from Cao Baming. This shot had no curve or angle, purely a super cannonball. The ball traveled so fast that even the fans on the sidelines couldn't clearly see its trajectory!
It was like a steel sword piercing the air and piercing the goal!
"My heavens! This goal is incredible!"
The commentators were hoarse, exclaiming with amazement, unable to find any words to describe it!
"No one but Cao Baming could score this goal! It's his signature move!"
"The speed and power of this shot have reached their absolute limit. I think for a human, this is already the ceiling! Only Cao Baming's physical condition can achieve this!"
As the cheers from the fans on the sidelines gradually subsided, everyone's attention turned to the vicinity of the goal.
A few Manchester City players were gathered near the goal, and Guardiola on the sidelines looked on with concern.
"What's wrong!?"
"What's going on?"
The bewildered audience shifted their gaze to the area around the Manchester City goal.
Even the commentators didn't know what had happened and fell silent.
Soon, more people gathered. Stones stood next to Ederson, raising his arm high and signaling to the sideline.
In a short while, the medical staff entered the field, and several young men in white shirts walked up to Ederson.
Cao Baming, who was still immersed in the cheers of the fans and the joy of scoring, turned his head and looked at the distant goal area with confusion.
"What's happening? Why is the goalkeeper down? Is he trying to fake an injury?"
With curiosity, Cao Baming trotted closer. As he approached, he gradually heard their conversation with the medical staff.
"How is it now? Does it still hurt?"
"Ahhh! No, no, it hurts no matter what!"
Ederson's face was contorted with extreme pain, as if his body were on fire.
The medical staff exchanged glances and then said with serious expressions.
"You should come off. It's likely a fracture!"
"I..."
"Fractured? I just caught a ball!"
Ederson looked bewildered. He couldn't believe that a football could break a bone, especially since the goalkeeper's gloves had thick padding. He had caught countless balls like this before!
Cao Baming suddenly understood. It seemed this guy had overestimated himself by trying to catch his shot.
This was a cannonball, my friend, a cannonball! Do you know what a cannonball is? You can't catch it!
Cao Baming really wanted to tell him that, but seeing Ederson's current state, he probably couldn't take any more blows.
With cries of pain, Ederson slowly walked off the field.
Guardiola buried his head in his hands, disbelieving the scene, and went to argue with the referee.
The referee could only shrug helplessly.
This was absolutely not a foul!
A goalkeeper injured while catching a ball? There was no such rule. Moreover, even if injured, the shooter couldn't be blamed. You couldn't possibly tell him to reduce his power when shooting.
It was just an uncommon situation, and even the experienced referee had never encountered it before.
In such circumstances, there was no other option but to endure it for the time being. Guardiola quickly composed himself and replaced the second-choice substitute goalkeeper, Carlson.
Not only did he waste a substitution, but Carlson's recent form was nowhere near Ederson's!
One was a regular starter, while the other had barely touched the ball recently!
Cao Baming inwardly felt a surge of triumph. He hadn't expected his powerful long-range shot to be used in such a way!
What if he injured all three opposing goalkeepers!
An evil thought suddenly appeared in Cao Baming's mind.
Soon, the last vestiges of his good nature suppressed this thought. It was far from the time to resort to any means necessary to win!
With a one-goal lead, Arsenal played with more confidence.
At 30 minutes, the possession ratio was 50:50.