Chapter 480: Advancing to the Quarterfinals with a Big Win!

Chapter 480: Advancing to the Quarterfinals with a Big Win!

Although they suffered a heavy loss at home, Dynamo Kyiv hadn't given up hope of advancing to the quarterfinals. They arrived in Manchester three days early, rented Manchester United's training base, and even gathered some information about Manchester City from United, asking for tips on how to deal with City. Clearly, Dynamo Kyiv had high hopes for this match.

However, Manchester City was also well-prepared. Guardiola had rotated his squad in advance, ensuring most of the key players got plenty of rest, specifically to prepare for this match. City was determined to win, and they not only wanted to win but also to win beautifully, to boost the team's morale before the next stage of the Champions League knockout rounds. This way, no matter who they drew in the quarterfinals, they wouldn't be afraid.

But City's luck seemed a bit off. Just over 5 minutes into the game, Kompany got injured during a challenge. Guardiola had to use a substitution to replace him with Rüdiger. This wasn't Kompany's first injury; he had been injured once in the League Cup final. Fortunately, that time wasn't serious, and he recovered after a week's rest. However, this time, his injury was severe, and he wouldn't be able to recover in the short term.

Losing their captain just 5 minutes into the game was undoubtedly a huge blow to Manchester City. Fortunately, Rüdiger had grown quickly this season, making several appearances in cup matches and frequently coming on as a substitute in the league. He quickly found his rhythm and, together with Van Dijk, managed to neutralize Dynamo Kyiv's forwards, foiling their plan to take advantage of the situation.

However, City's bad luck didn't end there. In the 23rd minute, City suffered another blow when their other starting center-back, Van Dijk, injured his knee during a challenge with Buyalskyi and couldn't get up. Guardiola sprang from his seat the moment Van Dijk went down.

"Are you kidding me? Both of our starting center-backs injured? How unlucky can we get?"

City's medical staff quickly rushed onto the field with their kit. After examining Van Dijk, they signaled for a substitution. Although Guardiola had somewhat expected this when Van Dijk went down, he still couldn't help but curse under his breath and angrily kicked a water bottle on the sidelines.

"Damn it! Van Dijk's injured too? How are we supposed to play now?"

He glanced back at City's bench, where two defenders were sitting. One was the veteran Demichelis, who had seen significantly reduced playing time this season due to his age. The other was the young defender Kimmich, whom City had poached from Stuttgart. At just 21, Kimmich played as a full-back and, at 1.77 meters tall, wasn't suited to the center-back position. After some thought, Guardiola decided to bring on Demichelis.

Losing two key players, especially such crucial center-backs, gave Dynamo Kyiv plenty of ideas. They knew well the caliber of City's two main center-backs. Kompany was a well-established top European center-back, the captain of both City and the Belgian national team, whose individual skill was unquestionable. Van Dijk, though young, had shown incredible potential and skill as a center-back, earning respect from everyone. Some even predicted that if Van Dijk continued to perform well, he could become the world's best center-back.

The absence of these two defensive pillars was bound to have a huge impact on City's defense. Dynamo Kyiv needed goals to overturn the deficit, and with City's defense now weakened, it seemed like a heaven-sent opportunity.

Feeling they were under divine protection, the Dynamo Kyiv players attacked Manchester City fiercely at the Etihad Stadium as if it were their home ground. City's morale was indeed affected by the two injuries, and their first-half performance wasn't great. But the opponent's arrogance ignited their fighting spirit. The Etihad is a notorious fortress in Europe, and no team should feel emboldened here.

Angered, City players quickly regained their form and launched a fierce counterattack against Dynamo Kyiv. Guardiola adjusted his tactics, instructing his players to increase the tempo and engage in a head-to-head battle. If the defense wasn't as solid as before, they would use offense to solve the problem. As long as they scored more goals than the opponent, it didn't matter how many they conceded.

The sudden increase in tempo led to errors on both sides, with interceptions, counter-attacks, and counter-counter-attacks becoming the main themes on the field. Both teams had numerous shooting opportunities in this fast-paced exchange.

In the 36th minute, De Bruyne fired a long-range shot from outside the penalty area, but it went slightly wide due to a slip. Two minutes later, Lin Quan's low shot inside the penalty area was blocked by the opposing goalkeeper's leg.

Dynamo Kyiv also had their chances. In the 33rd minute, a low cross from the right was laid off by Yarmolenko for Buyalskyi, whose shot was saved by Navas. Although the score remained 0-0, the intense, thrilling back-and-forth made the match a delight for the fans, both in the stadium and watching on TV.

In an era where pragmatic football is prevalent, weaker teams often choose to park the bus against stronger opponents, making the games dull. Matches like this, where both teams go all out, were becoming rare, especially with a significant gap in strength. Regardless of whether Dynamo Kyiv could win, their courage to fight was commendable.

However, the fans misunderstood the situation. While they saw Dynamo Kyiv as weaker compared to City, Dynamo Kyiv considered themselves a strong team in the Ukrainian Premier League and didn't see themselves as underdogs.

Both teams continued their aggressive play but were unfortunate not to score in the first half. After the break, neither side intended to hold back. City couldn't park the bus at home against a perceived weaker team, and Dynamo Kyiv had no choice but to keep attacking, hoping to overturn the deficit.

The second half resumed with both sides continuing their offensive strategies. In the 58th minute, City won a free-kick in a good position just outside the penalty area. Lin Quan discussed with Kroos and De Bruyne, and Kroos stepped aside while Lin Quan and De Bruyne stood over the ball.

The opposing players were on high alert. Both of these players were excellent at free kicks. De Bruyne's knuckleball was outstanding, and Lin Quan's free kicks were tricky and unpredictable. No matter who took the shot, it would be a huge challenge for the goalkeeper.

The referee blew the whistle, and both players began their run-ups. However, De Bruyne faked his shot and stepped over the ball, leaving Lin Quan to take the actual shot. Lin Quan, using De Bruyne's fake as a distraction, aimed for the top left corner of the goal.

The opposing goalkeeper leaped with all his might and managed to get a hand on the ball, slightly deflecting it over the crossbar and out for a corner. The Manchester City fans at the Etihad Stadium, who were ready to celebrate, let out a collective sigh and held their heads in frustration.

The opposing goalkeeper was thrilled, as making a save against one of the best players in the world was something he could brag about for a lifetime. However, there is a saying, "Pride comes before a fall." While the goalkeeper was still feeling proud of himself, Manchester City scored.

In the 59th minute, City took the corner, and Lin Quan delivered the ball to the far post. The veteran Demichelis, who had come on as a substitute, outjumped the defender and scored with a powerful header. The opposing goalkeeper had no chance to react; the distance was too close.

An ecstatic Demichelis ran towards the sidelines, kissing the Manchester City badge on his shirt. Demichelis' contract with City was set to expire that summer. Although City wanted to renew his contract, Demichelis had declined. He had seen little playing time this season, and staying would only hinder the development of younger players. It was better for him to leave Manchester City gracefully and find a place to enjoy his last days in the sport.

Although Demichelis had not spent a long time at City, most of the honors in his career had been won there. He had deep feelings for the club. Considering his salary and contribution, he decided it was best to leave. Demichelis felt he still had something left in the tank and did not want to retire too soon. The poor weather in Manchester was also uncomfortable for an old player with injuries. He missed the sunny beaches of the Iberian Peninsula, and his former club, Málaga, was interested in him. So, Demichelis planned to return to Málaga to finish his career.

Málaga was a mid-table team in La Liga, with no European commitments and no relegation pressure. Playing there would guarantee him more game time and less stress, making it an ideal choice for a 36-year-old veteran.

Demichelis' celebration was his way of telling City fans about his decision. The fans, seeing his gesture, stood up and applauded him. Three years ago, when the 33-year-old Demichelis joined Manchester City, there was some skepticism. Even many City fans were not happy, thinking he was coming to retire. At that time, City lacked major honors, and the fans wanted young, strong players who could build the club's legacy, not retirees.

However, in his first season, Demichelis changed their minds. He was not there to retire. Despite his age, he was still capable. In those times when City's defense was fragile, his crucial interventions saved the team. City's two Champions League trophies owed a lot to Demichelis. The fans were sad to see him go but wished him well.

With the first goal scored, the second was not far behind. After breaking the deadlock, City's forwards seemed to find their shooting accuracy. In the 61st minute, Lin Quan passed the ball to an advancing Son Heung-min on the right, who fired a powerful shot into the net off the left post. 2-0! The aggregate score became 5-1. City had secured the victory and their ticket to the Champions League quarterfinals.

Despite the large deficit, Dynamo Kyiv did not give up on attacking. Even though they knew advancing was impossible, they did not want to surrender. In the 82nd minute, Dynamo Kyiv had their best chance. Rüdiger made a defensive error, allowing their forward to turn and get a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. However, Navas made a spectacular save, stopping the close-range shot. This save crushed Dynamo Kyiv's spirits, and they could not find another significant threat in the remaining ten minutes.

The final score was 2-0, with City winning both legs and advancing to the quarterfinals. Although this match was not the highlight of the round, it drew a large audience, second only to the Barcelona vs. Arsenal game. The high viewership was due to the attacking football both teams played, making it an exciting match to watch.

According to post-match statistics, both teams combined for 39 shots, with City taking 21 and Dynamo Kyiv 18. Despite the close number of shots, City had eight on target, compared to Dynamo Kyiv's four, showing City's superior accuracy and defense. Even without two key defenders, City's defense was solid. While Dynamo Kyiv managed many shots, most were not threatening.

In terms of possession, City had a slight advantage with 52%, while Dynamo Kyiv had 48%, an impressive figure for any team facing City. These stats showed that Dynamo Kyiv was not a weak team. Unfortunately for them, they had the bad luck of facing Manchester City. Against a weaker opponent, they might have had a chance.

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