But the audience probably wouldn't get to see the wild scenes of a full-back bursting into the penalty area as they did last time, after all, none of them possessed Cao Baming's technical skill.
Manchester United started with Cristiano Ronaldo, still aiming to connect Bruno Fernandes and Ronaldo, with Maguire and Luke Shaw partnering at center-back.
As the referee's whistle blew, Nelson kicked off to his teammate, and the match officially began!
Cao Baming, sitting on the substitute's bench, cast his gaze towards the pitch.
Behind him, less than five meters away, sat the old coach Arsène Wenger, and what's more, he was behind him, Alexander.
Cao Baming even heard the old man mention his name when discussing something with someone.
"Seriously, can't this old guy lower his voice when he mentions other people's names?"
"Does he really think I don't understand English..."
Soon, the match reached its first climax after the start!
Manchester United midfielder McTominay intercepted the ball and threaded a precise through ball to Rashford, initiating a wing attack.
Arsenal's two center-backs were pushing and shoving, and for a moment, neither could find their position, allowing the veteran Cristiano Ronaldo to find space and break through!
The entire stadium erupted, chanting Cristiano Ronaldo's name.
Living up to expectations, Cristiano Ronaldo accurately predicted Rashford's cross, leaped high, a full head above the defenders, and headed the ball towards the goal!
However, due to the distance from the goal, goalkeeper Turner reacted quickly and held onto the ball.
Cristiano Ronaldo shook his head in frustration and retreated.
Applause could still be heard from the sidelines.
Cao Baming was speechless.
This was Arsenal's home ground, how many infiltrators were there? Could it be that half the stadium was full of Cristiano Ronaldo's fans?
Soon, the players returned to their positions, waiting for the goalkeeper to distribute the ball.
Mikel Arteta stood by the sideline, observing the situation closely, his brow furrowed, his expression serious.
Something was wrong!
The statistics were similar, and possession was fifty-fifty, yet it felt like something was missing, as if they were being suppressed.
Twenty minutes had passed unknowingly, and neither side had scored.
Yet, both teams had two shots. Manchester United's all came from Cristiano Ronaldo's headers, none of which resulted in a goal, but they did pose a threat.
In contrast, Arsenal's two shots were a corner kick and a long-range shot from outside the penalty area.
Thomas's shot felt like he was just desperate to take a gamble.
If he had Cao Baming's accuracy, it would have been fine, but he didn't!
Seeing Cao Baming score frequently from that position in training matches made him believe he could do it, a damn illusion.
Cao Baming, on the sidelines, couldn't help but smirk.
Although the two teams were going back and forth, honestly, neither was playing well. Their form was poor today.
"Or rather, it's not just today, both teams' form has been poor for the past few months."
The match reached the twenty-ninth minute.
Bruno Fernandes received a long pass from a defender, turned with the ball. While his footwork was a bit lacking, his passing ability was still there!
He surveyed the front line. Ronaldo, Rashford, Lingard, at least three points were advancing.
Arsenal players saw Bruno observing and immediately became alert.
What should they do at this moment?
Set an offside trap!
Arsenal judged Bruno's passing moment and, with tacit understanding, all retreated a step backward.
Arteta on the sideline nodded with satisfaction.
It seems the training is paying off!
He knew that Manchester United's current strategy was limited to this. If they could defend this well, then there wouldn't be much of a problem.
However, at this very moment!
Bruno suddenly pulled back as he touched the ball, retracting his foot and bringing the ball back!
A feint?
He then started to dribble and break through, charging towards the arc!
This distance was not too far! With just a few steps, he successfully broke through into the arc area, a position from which he could shoot directly!
At this moment, Cristiano Ronaldo raised his hand to signal for the ball but was immediately blocked by two defenders.
Bruno had a flash of inspiration, a feint and a change of direction, preparing to force his way through!
Just then, White slid in with a tackle, kicking the ball away!
However, Bruno also fell to the ground at the same time!
At this point, all the fans could see that the spot where he fell was inside the penalty area!
Cao Baming's eyes lit up.
"Holy crap? They just got a penalty?"
"Impressive efficiency!"
The referee immediately blew his whistle and walked over.
With the assistance of VAR, the ball was eventually ruled a free kick.
Although Bruno fell inside the penalty area, White's tackle originated from outside the penalty area.
White received a yellow card, and Manchester United was awarded a free kick!
Arteta also breathed a sigh of relief.
However, the threat was not over.
A free kick from this position was only slightly less threatening than a penalty kick. If it were the peak Cristiano Ronaldo, just standing at the spot, with that resolute gaze flashing, and his signature rapidly descending knuckleball shot, it would be almost a guaranteed goal!
But, after all, this was not his peak period.
The referee was marking the line on the field, which was essentially the edge of the penalty area, just a few centimeters back.
The player taking the free kick was undoubtedly Cristiano Ronaldo, as among all Manchester United players, there wasn't anyone whose free-kick-scoring ability could match a 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo.
That man, he has arrived!
Cristiano Ronaldo stood behind the spot, hands on his hips, looking at the goal.
The entire stadium held its breath, their eyes focused on him.
Cao Baming opened the mineral water beside him, taking a sip while casually glancing towards the goal area.
A few seconds later, there was a muffled thud, and the ball shot out!
It arced over the wall and flew towards the dead corner of the goal!
"Truly the King of Football!"
However! Then there was another bang!
The post came to the rescue!
Even goalkeeper Turner had no reaction. If it hadn't been for that slight lack of accuracy, the ball would have gone in!
Arteta breathed a huge sigh of relief, but this also served as a reminder that there were huge problems.
Afterward, Arsenal made two substitutions.
In the last minute before halftime, they managed another shot count with a corner kick.
But the score remained zero-zero, neither side able to gain the upper hand.
During the halftime break, fans, commentators, and professional analysts alike mentioned that both teams seemed to need a "breakthrough player."
However, no one could provide an answer as to who this breakthrough player would be.
For Arsenal, would it be Cao Baming?
Back in the locker room, Cao Baming looked at the head coach with anticipation.
The first half had been such a mess, shouldn't I be allowed on the field to try!
As long as I can find an opportunity to bring the ball to the midfield, that's one point!
However, the coach continued to analyze the problems without mentioning Cao Baming's name.
"Pretending I don't exist, huh? Fine!"
And at that moment, the system's voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
"Detected negative emotions exceeding 3000 in the vicinity, absorption in progress..."
"Oh? Such a good thing?"
"Absorption complete! Current emotional value exceeds five thousand, redeemable for a reward: one Talent Skill Card."
Cao Baming almost forgot. His teammates losing was actually a good thing for him. Not only did he not have to take the blame, but he could also absorb negative emotions to redeem rewards. Wonderful!