The shot was on target, but didn't result in a goal.
Cao Baming sighed and turned around.
The number 44 hadn't held out much hope anyway.
Then, the first half of the match ended.
The subsequent matches were more difficult than he had imagined, ultimately underestimating Manchester City's strength.
It wasn't that scoring was impossible, but rather that getting shots off was. They were largely pinned in their own half for the entire first half, with very few opportunities.
This situation slightly exceeded Mikel Arteta's pre-match expectations.
When it came to ball possession, Arsenal's midfield was indeed inferior to their opponents.
The statistics from the end of the first half clearly demonstrated this. In terms of possession, the two teams were split 64-36, with Manchester City, as the home team, having the advantage.
During the halftime break, Arteta contemplated tactics.
He reviewed the details of the first half, making some notes in his notebook and explaining to the players what needed to be addressed in the second half.
But everyone knew that simple words wouldn't solve the problems.
The entire locker room was feeling extremely fatigued.
Meanwhile, on the other side, in Manchester City's locker room, the atmosphere was unexpectedly even more intense.
Pep Guardiola had already unleashed his fury on the players. The score of 1-1 at halftime was utterly unacceptable.
Not only had they failed to achieve the clean sheet he had boasted about before the match, but they had also exposed many weaknesses that he could see even from the sidelines.
For Manchester City, a 60-40 possession advantage, which fans were raving about, was practically routine. They could achieve this in almost every match, even against strong opponents, so it was nothing to brag about.
Guardiola always maintained high standards and demands.
Throughout the entire halftime break, the players listened as he spoke about their shortcomings in the first half. He could have continued speaking for another two hours.
The sunlight swept across the pitch, and before they knew it, it had already cast its glow on the stands, where the mood was enthusiastic, eagerly anticipating the start of the match.
Nothing was more exciting than a draw. At least, based on the first half, the two teams' strengths weren't vastly different. Such matches were of the highest quality and the most beloved by fans.
Before long, the fans erupted in cheers once more as the players began to walk back onto the pitch from the tunnel.
Armed with the insights summarized by the coaches during halftime, and with the mutual encouragement and support among the players during the break, the fatigue of everyone vanished, and they walked onto the field with renewed faces!
Cao Baming looked straight ahead, sensing the atmosphere around him. The Manchester City players' emotions were surprisingly excited; there was no trace of dejection, only confidence!
Weren't they worried at all?
Soon, the referee's whistle blew, and the second half officially began!
Arsenal kicked off the second half, and Cao Baming was the first to receive the ball, which was part of the coach's plan.
Based on the first half's results, coaches typically prepare several contingency plans. This draw was the third scenario Arteta had anticipated, and considering various other factors, he ultimately chose plan three.
As Cao Baming, standing in the defensive midfield, received the ball, Haaland, Silva, and De Bruyne quickly converged on him!
Although they hadn't experienced it themselves, they had witnessed the terrifying scene of Cao Baming scoring from kickoff in matches involving other teams.
Such a terrifying event was unforgettable after just one glimpse!
Cao Baming's eyes flickered. Seeing the crowd rush towards him, he remained unfazed, calmly retreating. Only after they closed in did he send the ball forward with a kick.
The ball landed perfectly at Vieira's feet, and Arsenal formed an opportunity to advance with the ball.
Arteta knew that the opening moments of the second half might be the best chance to score in the entire match, and that Manchester City would gradually gain control of the game afterward.
Messi, up front, hadn't had many opportunities to make an impact since coming on. This was his fifth time receiving the ball in the match, but this time, with his exceptional dribbling, he bypassed three players and delivered an unexpected through ball.
The spectators could only exclaim, the King of Football's skills were still sharp!
However, this attacking opportunity ultimately ended with a corner kick.
Arteta also sighed, pursing his lips in frustration.
Subsequently, as predicted, Manchester City gradually took control of the game's tempo, and Cao Baming chose to mark Haaland closely, resolving not to give him another chance, no matter what.
When Haaland retreated, he followed; when Haaland pushed forward, he returned to the defensive line!
With Cao Baming's tight marking, Haaland didn't have many opportunities to shine!
In the blink of an eye, ten minutes had passed in the match, and neither side had managed to break the deadlock.
Cao Baming's mind raced. This wouldn't do!
Where was the breakthrough?
He had to defend Haaland the entire time, completely unable to disengage. If he moved away, Haaland would be a ticking time bomb, easily getting scoring opportunities.
Therefore, he himself couldn't leave his position.
However, there was another player who possessed the ability to decide the game or break the deadlock!
That player was Messi. Arteta's pre-match tactical instructions to Messi had completely hindered him. To give him more shooting opportunities and compensate for Cao Baming's absence in the defensive third, Arteta had moved Messi to the forward line.
But in reality, both he and Henry hadn't had a decent shot opportunity so far. Their potential was completely wasted!
If the midfield wasn't effective and they couldn't even win possession, there was no hope of getting shots off!
Perhaps it would be a good idea if Messi could drop back into midfield to organize the play!
Cao Baming thought to himself, waiting for an opportunity to tell Messi personally. But then, he suddenly realized that just moments ago, Messi had already moved to midfield to dictate play!
His position was now only about ten meters away from the defensive line.
Messi had also realized the problem himself. This time, he chose not to obey, and as soon as he arrived in midfield, the game underwent a qualitative change!
With Messi in midfield, ball possession gradually became equal to Manchester City's!
When it came to ball control, Manchester City was the best in the league, but Messi was undoubtedly the world's number one.
Pep Guardiola also understood that Messi's arrival was not good news!
The expression on his face changed instantly.
What was currently lacking might be the players' proactivity in tackling!